My first drug dealer, a photo from Hadramawt, East

Photographer's Note

I hesitated a long time before deciding to show this. It is a technically very bad photo and it will probably not please many of you.

This is from the city of Mukalla on the south coast of Yemen, towards the eastern part of the country. Walking through the traditional market I happened to come to the special area where only khat was sold. Khat (Catha edulis, also spelled qat) is a plant grown on the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. It is regarded as a mild but addictive drug, perfectly legal locally but banned in many Western countries. In Yemen it plays a central role in society. During the afternoons life slows down considerably as most men spend their time chewing khat, steadily filling their mouths with fresh leaves, usually in the company of their closest friends. It was said that a government minister or high state official only knew whether he was favoured by the President if he was invited to his khat parties.

The title of this photo only means that it is the first drug dealer I have shown on TE. Not the first one I made business with. I didn't do any business at all with this man. I just walked up to his stall, looked around, established an eye-contact and asked to take a photo. He obliged, but my instincts told me his "friendliness" would perhaps not last long, and I also didn't want to be observed by other shoppers, or policemen, so I wanted to take this quickly. I think the main problem was the extremely strong contrasts between the blazing sun outside and the relative darkness in the shade.

According to Wikipedia, some of the immediate effects of khat are "alertness, confidence, constipation, friendliness (maybe that is why I liked Yemen so much), insomnia, talkativeness, thought disorder". Among the long-term effects are "depression, infrequent hallucinations, psychosis and oral cancer". Listed as indeterminate effects are "stroke, death".

Here is just a short story of my experiences of khat in Yemen: In the port of Aden I was arrested by a policeman for taking photos. I was brought to the local police station, where the officer on duty was lying on a bundle of cushions on the floor, his mouth filled with khat leaves. He was informed of my crime, looked at me with rather blank eyes and asked "So you have taken photos?". I had to admit I did. "What do I care? Take any photo you want". And he waved me away like an annoying fly, showing clearly that he was very busy with more important things.

I have scanned this from a Kodachrome slide. If you want a closer look at the technical shortcomings, here is a larger version.

ikeharel, gervaso, Tue, papagolf21, jhm, Fis2, adramad, ourania, worldcitizen, alvaraalto, carlo62, ktanska, cornejo, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ, saxo042, clic, sacimar oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

Tue (92514) 2016-12-26 2:13

Hello Gert,
A very interesting daily life photo of the khat dealer and his merchandise, he is posing very nicely here. I had heard of khat, before, but then spelled with a 'q', as the word always comes in very handy when playing Wordfeud with my dad and I need to get rid of a 'q'. I think you handled the harsh lighting conditions really skilfully.
Lars

gervaso (28177) 2016-12-26 2:18

Hello, Gert!

As you say in your note, it is a part of their culture, just like the leaves of coca in some Andean countries, so this photo is a great contribution to TE! And the story of this "crime" of yours told is very interesting, it must have been a great experience! And in spite of the strong light in the background, the details are very well captured here! Great job!

lousat (139352) 2016-12-26 2:30

Hi Gert,no problem for the quality,that fro me is still good,but it's important what means...interesting shot and it's nice to read your adventure in the police station too,you were lucky to find a officer so...peaceful...ehehe...another lovely memory from your archive,i seen many times this drug during my trips but i never try. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

papagolf21 (152607) 2016-12-26 2:42

Bonjour, cher Gert,
C'est un livre d'histoire, un reportage, du vécu, du réel.
J'aime bien ce retour en arričre.
Merci.
Trčs bonnes fętes de fin d'année.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Nicou (193806) 2016-12-26 3:14

Hlelo

C'est du cat qui'ils mâchent pour fiare tourner la tęte et devenir dépendant quelle vue de ton fiste dealer quels hommes et vendueur superbe scčne et vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

jhm (211736) 2016-12-26 3:37

Hello Gert,

I reads much and knowing leaves if drugs, what people something all done for not normal to life.
This is perfect what you showing, the quality is indeed not high but we get a excellent message.
Sharpness and clarity are perfect taken.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ikeharel (113483) 2016-12-26 4:11

Hello Gert,
Those leaves which called Khat or Gat is well known among Yamen-origion Jews - and it is not consider as drug, more as a chewing weed. It doe's have a certain influence on the mind - but just as wine, not more. Though I never tried this, saw it was selling in the vegetables markets in some places in israel. Sorry to ruin your title here.
Nice documentary for TE, never mind the quality - we know not all scanned picture are best outcome.
Have a nice new holidays week,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221771) 2016-12-26 7:25

Ciao Gert, lovely double portrait with nice scene, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

danos (110407) 2016-12-26 7:28

Hello Gert,
interesting the snapshot as your note about the khat,with the seller to hold a bundle,and some others to are on its bag.A really interest snapshot,as a good documentary shot from this country.

Regards,Danos

pajaran (116041) 2016-12-26 7:30

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad skeniranjem slajda, lepo pokazano, lepo uhvacen trenutak. Lepa fotografija i secanje na 1998.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje u novoj nedelji koja je pocela, srecno.
Paja.

Good day.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Good work by scanning the slide, shown beautifully, beautifully captured moment. Beautiful photos and memories of in 1998.
Nice afternoon and all the best for the new week, which began, good luck.

GyurMaster (24840) 2016-12-26 8:48

Dear Gert,

I thought that now we will know another side of yours. I'm disappointed. :)

Joke apart: when I was in Amsterdam I also abstained from trying tricky cookies or other forms of drugs, I simply don't know their effect on me, so I stick to alcohol.

To write a few words about the photo: technically it isn't that good, but I have seen worse photos here on TE. It's an interesting photo, anyway.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Fis2 (170919) 2016-12-26 10:16

Witaj Gert!
Excellent shot.
Curious scene from daily life.
Beautiful archive photo.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

adramad (73030) 2016-12-26 12:42

Hi, Gert.
A magnificent image, which shows the atmosphere of the day to day in the country, in this case with the two sellers of this plant stimulating, I presume that today, the image would be very similar to the one you show us 28 years ago.
Very good brightness and color.
Well done and a good scanning job.
You have a good day.
Best Regards.
Luis.

kasianowak (17676) 2016-12-26 13:20

Hi Gert
Interesting and intriguing photo for sure. Quality... true, the contrast is very high but so is the dynamic range (at least that's what it looks like on my travel laptop; it would likely be more problematic in print). But I've seen worse photos (including my own...) and sure, as a document, this is more than good enough.
Khat - I remember it being mentioned a couple of times in Dark Star Safari. And the story of your arrest in Yemen is now one of my fav travel stories of yours.
Best wishes
Kasia

ourania (51103) 2016-12-26 13:22

Hello Gert,
the quality is not that bad, the details are fine and the exotic colours quite pleasing. Your composition is effective too, you filled the frame with human interest and got intense eye-contact. Since the vendor was legal, he was also relaxed and friendly, his gesture is confident and the scene almost looks like an ad:) I hope he was your last dealer too:) I think that nowadays police officers and even museum guards (as I witnessed once) would ask to check the suspicious photos on your digital cammera's display. A unique picture and a special note, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a good night,
Ourania

worldcitizen (16108) 2016-12-26 15:01

Hello Gert,
Maybe you will now begin a TE theme called "Drug dealers from around the world". ;-) I don't mind the quality of the photo at all; it's a fascinating scene. Both men have a curious look on their faces as they wonder if you might partake in some khat chewing. Luckily your brush with the Yemeni police was minor. You should write a book about your adventures. :-)

emka (158204) 2016-12-26 15:12

Hello Gert,

Why you thought it to be controversial and bad? Quality is quite OK for the old picture and it is interesting scene . I haven't heard about khat. The leaves look a bit similar to betel leaves chewed in Asia or coca leaves in Andes. But khat is dangerous as you write. I still have some coca leaves from Peru.
People often like to have something in mouth, to chew gum, or various leaves or smoke cigarettes. I am also not free - I eat all pens.
Amusing story about the police interrogation.

Have a nice new week.

Malgo

alvaraalto (42804) 2016-12-27 2:17

Hello Gert
Learning about the world is not always pleasant, but pictures like this are inevitable and necessary even if the technical quality isnt of our nowadays standard.
Together with your excellent, personal note it is an excellent document. I think many people in Yemen will now be longing for that period.
Have a nice day
Groet Rob

jmdias (115312) 2016-12-27 4:48

gert

it is am impressive image, an excellent portrait. problem was the backlight, but you hadn't another option. fantastic note and details of the drug, I didn't know. TFS.

hugs
jorge

rychem (72187) 2016-12-27 8:54

Very good reportage photo, it isnt possible to see such a suspicious scene in a city in Europe, and I am happy that your "crime" ended luckily,
best regards Ryszard

mesutilgim (0) 2016-12-27 10:49

Hello Gert,
Not much old but still with the characteristics of an analogue photography.
Besides this, perfect scanning.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

carlo62 (81265) 2016-12-27 14:51

Ciao Gert
leggendo la tua nota posso confermare che la qualitŕ della foto non influenza assolutamente la bellezza della tua condivisione.
In questo caso si parla di esperienze dirette molto forti, che non possono andare a sottovalutare il tuo scatto.
Saluti
Carlo

ktanska (44832) 2016-12-28 6:26

Hej Gert,
No problem with quality. Exposure is correct with main subjects. Overexposure of the background would probably be unavoidable with any kind of film in these conditions.
You have good contact with this salesman. Shows well the daily life so different from Western countries.
Kari

cornejo (61504) 2016-12-29 10:31

Hello Gert, very good photo of this interesting scene of daily life, very well captured in this interesting image, with good clarity, light, color and quality. A great work perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy weekend.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Happy New Year.
Angel.

PiotrF (54850) 2016-12-29 16:19

Hello Gert,
A very good capture of the street from Al Mukalla.
Excellent composition, colour and presentation be superb.
Interesting picture from your archive.
Nice presentation..
Regards
Piotr

Cricri (176) 2016-12-30 10:52

Hi Gert
Portrait qui étonne de voir ce monsieur vendeur de drogue a laisse devant la caméra......bon rendu des détails et des couleurs
belle soirée
cricri

COSTANTINO (116644) 2016-12-30 11:24

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
and a happy new day the last of this year
lets hope that year 2017 will be better
than 2016
many wishes for a happy new year 2017
with health and happiness
regards
Costantino

mcmtanyel (68679) 2016-12-30 17:53

Hello Gert,
More often than not, we take our freedoms in the Western world for granted. Even that is being threatened in the wake of terrorism. Given the circumstances, this is a very good photo and it has a story to go with it, that is more important.
Happy New Year,
MT

ChrisJ (171888) 2016-12-31 9:34

Hello, Gert!

I already know of qat because it is a useful word in scrabble and doesn't require a 'u', unlike most English words, like quit, queen quiet, queue etc. I might have added more shadows here but sharpness is excellent and the timing good to capture the man's expression. Glad you posted it. Now I know what it looks like. Tfs!

saxo042 (38078) 2016-12-31 22:19

Hej Gert,
En mycket intressant bild och text. Provade du inte att äta upp en katt, som morfar gjorde.
Gott Nytt Ĺr
Gunnar

BennyV (34748) 2017-01-03 2:11

Hello Gert

Technically not perfect, but that's not the point of the post, of course, so I don't give a jot about that. Scan quality is more than good enough for me! This is about content, not about technicalities.

What I like most is the contrast between the drug dealing and the down-to-earth friendliness in the picture. There's a really pleasant interaction between photographer and photographed, i.e. respect!

Stay off it, though!

Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy 2017

Benny

clic (76) 2017-01-20 8:11

Hello Gert You had the good idea of asking before taking a picture that makes it clear about the business, in comparison with clandestinity. Don't worry about the finish, in this case the outgoing message is more important! Basta halsningar

sacimar (38173) 2017-01-24 6:36

Hello Gert,

technically may be it is not a very good photo but I think it is worth for the meaning of it, I find it interesting, well seen,

Best regards,

Sergio