Mtabga & Co. Photo

Photographer’s Note

Bread represents the staple food of the Afro-Mediterranean countries. Expertise gained through the generations often assumes a sacred position because not only is it a “saviour” amongst healthy foods in a dietary sense, but it is also a “saint” in a religious sense.

In North Africa, bread is eaten daily. It is sacred and is treated with respect. The round, heavy-textured flatbread common in Morocco and Tunisia is different from the Arab pita. It is made with a combination of semolina and hard wheat flour. The distinctive aroma comes from cooking the bread over coals, dried olive wood or grape vines.

Matlou, mtabga, pide, khobz, baguette... one can find variety of bread types in an ordinary Tunisian local bakery.

avene, kschanna, gbeli, parbo, broglia, michiels, Prisley, Paul57 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avene (10894) 2008-02-21 13:55

mmm.... the memories of warm bread and freshly brewed hot sweet pepperming tea in the middle of Sahara with the sand dunes turning fiery red in the rays of the setting sun... the bread we were offered in Morocco was absolutely delicious.
coming from the culture where bread is considered as something close to sacred, I can easily relate to what you write in your note. and I think you have chosen and excellent photo to illustrate that story, I like a lot how in your composition the bread is given the "front seat", and how the orange colour on the wall nicely emphasises the beautiful warm golden tone of the baked goods.
excellent work, my compliments.
best,
Kristine

Miha2ou7 (4887) 2008-02-21 14:26

Hey Robert,

A fine daily life scene. Very much alive and full of colors. Nicely composed, saturated and post-processed, nothing more to add there.

Enjoy.

gbeli (2026) 2008-02-21 14:50

Hello Robert
Beautiful photo of the daily life in Tunisia.
Nice POV and colors.
Regards

parbo (10964) 2008-02-21 17:45

Hi Robert,

Great shot for me as one of bread lover and I envy your scene because you probably tasted all those breads there. You excellently merged your documentary photo with full of information that explains how important the bread in the regions. Congratulations.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul

wolf38 (12549) 2008-02-21 23:12

Hello Robert. An everyday life photo, but well composes and worth seeing. Informative text. A good picture for TE. Best regards, Wolfgang.

broglia (3341) 2008-02-22 0:26

Such a great harmony of colours Robi, with that strong band of yellow cutting across the frame. The composition is really nicely balanced too with the two men well placed. Interesting notes. Fine piece of work - Roberto

molla (6879) 2008-02-22 1:06

Hej Robert;
Great photo this one, few but very effective colors that works good together in the comp, a fine street scene of something of the most essential we have "bread"
good on you mate
anders Mohlin

michiels (4170) 2008-02-22 7:41

hello RObi,

I love that bread so much ! it's the best sort i know. Great capture with the special angle and the blue and yellow colours. The position you look "into" the photo is like you are waiting as the next customer ;))
greetings, inn

ben4321 (9781) 2008-02-24 10:26

I think I'd have liked to have seen this taken from a bit further to the right, just so we could see a bit more of the interaction between the two men.
On every other count though, I think this is an excellent shot. Wonderful details of the breads and the tiled walls - a great slice of life shot, Robi.

Cheers,
Ben

vapours (7913) 2008-02-26 3:00

Bread...Ive been eating way too much of it here in Morocco. Good colour here, the yellow really jumps out at me and is a good documentary shot of the lifestyle.

Prisley (1249) 2008-03-30 13:56

H Rob,
It's a simple but effective composition. It works well especially because of the lines of perspective made by the breads on show the bar line and the crockery on the wall.
I also particularly like the contrast of the colors => yellow against blue, to which you let a large place in the frame.
Well done
Cheers,
Pris.

Paul57 (1631) 2009-06-30 14:04

Hi Robert,
Daily life in Tunisia and also in most medinas. I saw similar scenes in the medina in Sousse and had the opportunity of eating this delicious bread at our hotel. Great capture and very sharp - I can almost taste the bread. TFS.
Regards,
PAul