The Barber’s Routine

The barber and the client had clearly known each other for years; the conversation between them was quiet, unhurried, and occasionally punctuated by comfortable pauses. I didn’t interrupt or ask them to acknowledge the camera. I simply observed.

The red cutting cape immediately became the visual anchor. It introduces a vivid block of colour in an otherwise subdued interior of wood tones, mirror reflections, and the softened light from the fluorescent fixture above. The cape draws the eye to the centre of the frame, but the focus is ultimately on the barber’s hands. They work with confidence and ease—years of repetition distilled into steady motions.

Technically, the lighting was uneven. The fluorescent strip above the mirror casts a cool tone, while the ambient daylight leaking in from the windows brings warmth. I exposed to preserve skin detail rather than to perfect the overall white balance. The result is slightly mixed in temperature, but true to the environment. The shadows fall gently across the scene; nothing feels staged or theatrically lit.

The composition relies on the mirror to expand the space. It allows the viewer to take in both the interaction and its context without shifting perspective. The scattered objects on the counter—combs, brushes, sprays—are not arranged for visual effect. They are simply tools placed where habit has trained the hand to find them. I didn’t remove or adjust anything. The small imperfections and clutter contribute to the authenticity.