Coppersmith at work in Lahic, Azerbaijan, March 2017
Perched in the southern foothills of the Great Caucasus, sits the ancient settlement of Lahic. As long as you visit slightly out of season and avoid the masses of local tourists you step into another world. The cobbled streets and old buildings, the smoke and clanking of copper, and locals chatting in their Persian dialect will whisk you back in time.
The locals still practice their old crafts of which copper making is the best known. Stick your head in through a doorway and you’ll be welcomed to watch the work in progress. It’s hot and hard labour, but they are immensely proud of their products, which are seen decorating the walls of the local houses. And, of course, you can buy any products that take your fancy.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 6 September 2020
Posted as part of Lens-Artists
…
Beautiful images!
LikeLike
Wow! Wow! Wow! Debbie, I love the look of these images. It’s almost like looking through the window of a time machine.
LikeLike
Oh, wow. These are wonderful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Margaret
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos! And what a face he has! It is a good one for the portrait of him working.
LikeLike
He seemed a nice guy though their local dialect was beyond me so we couldn’t talk
LikeLike
Oh Debbie, these images are wonderful. If it wasn’t for his puffy jacket, I would have sworn it was a painting (trying to remember the artist whose art it resembles) Some of your best editing work Love these so much ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brian for such kind and enthusiastic words. This was a trip I ready enjoyed and I knew just the feeling I wanted the photos to convey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That first image is fantastic, Debbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What fabulous pictures of these craftsmen. Such an old-world feel to them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you like them, Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
truly treasures – all the items in his workshop and what a cool place to visit – and maybe take away a bought item
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting journey inside a crafter’s workshop! I know many people who craft — some to sell their wares, others as a hobby. And it’s all a labor of love since they are usually doing it for the love of just doing it. Thanks for the photo — darkly mysterious, truly natural. And for continuing to support the challenge.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, I had great fun editing these images to make sure they had the old, dusty and warm feel
LikeLiked by 3 people
Absolutely love your response this week Debbie – you really took us all there! That first image is truly wonderful
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Tina – I loved my brief visit to Lahic, once i had recovered for the scary drive in on narrow mountain cos with sheer drops and landslides
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photographs of a craftsman in his natural habitat.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you – it was a very atmospheric little place
LikeLike
And he has a children’s book in his workshop 😍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I like the book and was confused about what it was. There’s a novel Absurdistan that is my to read pile but the cover doesn’t match that theme. Turns out this book is of the Absurdistan film, a German-French comedy about women withholding sex. Still seems an odd choice to have on his shelf. But i solved it eventually – some of it was filmed in Lahic. I’m not sure it’s my kind of film but I’ll have to watch it now 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I obviously didn’t look close enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, but you made me find out something new – I had been too lazy until you commented! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people