Knife Maker Grinding Blade on Water Wheel

Pale, rain-misted light bounces off the rough plaster walls of a high warehouse loft in Jeddah, illuminating a craftsman at work. The maker stands before a large, slow-turning water wheel, his hands guiding a steel blade against the rotating stone. Sparks fly in a sharp, bright arc against the muted gray of the rainy afternoon. The low angle emphasizes the height of the loft and the mechanical scale of the wheel. Dust hangs suspended in the soft beams, catching the glow of the grinding metal. Wet stains mark the lower sections of the walls, evidence of the season's heavy moisture. One spark lands on the dark concrete floor, leaving a brief, fading orange dot.