Street Asian Shoe Repairer

Below a noisy bridge, I saw a man who was waiting for clients in order to meet his needs. I went passed him several times and noticed nobody seemed interested by his services. He was just looking at people walking in front of him.
Moreover, I was one of these people but for an other reason. I really wanted to take a picture of him because his expression was so "real" but I was afraid he would refuse. However, after a long time of reflection, I decided to pluck up courage.
Then, I asked him and with a huge smile he simply answered "yes". I was so surprised (because of my fear of rejection) and really glad.
I noticed his upbringing by taking off his hat (without me asking him to). I took it as a sign of respect, integrity and a desire to please me.



This photograph shows a Man during his work as shoe repairer in the street. We see his materials, which could look old-fashion but always in usage; ready for our shoes to be taken care of. His position suggests a shy personality. His hands are grouped together around his left leg. It points a certain discomfort by the position to adopt.

However, when we look at his face, we can feel a pleasant sensation. He is staring at the objective with a deep emotion. He wants to give us a message who just him knows the secret and thanks to that, he throws us into his world. Which one? Let's wander.

This Man represents a real person in a real world who has to survive in our society but keeps his smile. He doesn't inspire the mercy but he breathes the joie de vivre and the Black and White aspect places emphasis on it.

Frogs in a Bag

I was walking in the streets of Chinatown, expecting a unforeseen situation and I wasn't disappointed... First, I saw an old Asian man staring at a bucket. So, I moved near him because I was intrigued.
Suddenly I saw, leaving from the bucket, his hand bringing a living frog and putting it in a plastic bag.
Then, I asked what those frog were for and he told me "to eat".
I was a little bewildered but I shouldn't be...in my country it is totally natural to eat some frog legs...

I entitled this photograph "Frogs in the Bag". Indeed, I tried to stay in a neutral position in comparison to the chock that I had felt when I heard "to eat".

Furthermore, seeing those frogs pile up in a transparent bag, without being aware (does a frog possess a conscious?) of their destination.

It raises a question in my mind : can we have the right to have the use of their living conditions in our consumption societies? Just treating an animal like a stupid object.

The look of the frog at the top of this "pyramid" invites me to question myself, my human condition. I am under the impression that she (I want to give her a status) is glaring at me, as if I did something wrong. Or maybe is she waiting for my help?

We can notice the pyramidal effect as well as the closed bag. Those frogs are living their last instant. The closure of the bag on top of the image, shows us an end... their last breath; their last life.