The Three Barbers Of 2013
I just occurred to me that I photographed three barbers this year. All three images were quick shots taken while walking by the window or the open door of the barbershop. Technically they are far from perfect but they all tell a story. Looking at the pics now makes me realize how beautiful of a profession it is. These are true ‘people people’ who obviously enjoy their job. I don’t look for them, they just seem to find me and my camera! Here are my three barbers of 2013… Which one is you favorite?
In Reykjavik, Iceland in July 2013. ©Valérie Jardin
Through the window in St Paul, Minnesota, USA in November. ©Valérie Jardin
In Stillwater, Minnesota, USA in December. ©Valérie Jardin
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I like the smile on the face of the barber in St Paul and the slicked-down hair of the boy… But I think my preference is for Reykjavik. I love how the door handle leads me into the picture. I love the look on his face, like he’s about to say something. Lastly, his white shirt, in an otherwise greyscale surrounding makes the image ‘pop’.
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I love them all…but my favorite is the St. Paul one! I love the guys smile, it’s fabulous!
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I likes the three pictures but I have a preference for the latter (the barber of Stillwater). It reminds me of my childhood barber shop near my maternal grandparents. You can almost feel the smell of lotion and powder of the old barber shop, the “artist” working with his feet in the hair cut. All of that in an ‘organized’ mess, a pair of shoes in the foreground near the door as if the client was at home.
Merci Valérie de capter ces instants du quotidien qui font resurgir de vieux souvenirs.
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I like the smile on the St. Paul barber, but prefer the composition of the Stillwater photo.
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I love them all but if I had to chose then no 3. All the artifacts have probably been there for years. I love the 1st one too but perhaps it’s a bit more of a stage set rather than natural so therefore no 3. Great shots. Love your work. Thanks for sharing.
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All three are special but I do prefer number two. That smile says it all.
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I like the first one. Something about the door, the very clean shop, and they seem to be in such a deep conversation that they are oblivious to you taking their photo.
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I love the smile on the St. Paul barber. I think I’d have to say the 3rd shot is my favorite though. And I keep looking at the sign that reads “Angela” and wondering why that sign is there. Is it his wife’s name? His daughter’s name? The woman who taught him how to be a barber? Was it there when he opened the shop?
Then there’s the taxidermy animal in the St. Paul shop. What’s the story behind that? And the antique light fixtures (and everything else?) in that photo. Plus the reflection of the customer in the mirror.
Each shot has the reflection aspect. You see both fellows in the mirror in the 3rd shot. You see the reflection of the customer’s head in the doorway glass in the first shot. And the bike on the wall. Each one has something personal–bike, stuffed animal, Angela sign. The stories behind these objects would be interesting to hear. I can see an exhibition of barber shop photographs in my mind. It would be so interesting to view.
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Valerie, I like them all but I love the “smirk” on the face of the client in the third one. What has the barber said?
I also like the reflection in the mirror.
The second barber has a great smile and a very interesting looking shop!!
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