The Passage of Time
I met this wonderful woman near the Myanmar border. She was descending a rather steep set of stairs (it was amazing she didn’t tumble down) when I decided to
assist her. At the bottom I tried speaking to her. I pointed to my camera while asking in Thai if I could take her photo hoping she would understand. She held up her index finger and I took this one image. There are some photos – regardless of how well they turn out that you carry with you for years. This is one such image. She was really quite remarkable; especially to let some stranger with a DSLR to take her photo. I was even more surprised when I reviewed this photo later
to notice she was doing her best to keep eye contact with the camera.
Mike Pratt Photography Blog 
Moving image, Mike. I get why you’d love this and be connected to it. it’s so much better than the straight facing forward street portraits people do of those they e counter while traveling to exotic places. you feel her struggle and the burden of her years and her humanity and femininity. great photograph.
Thank you Donald. Your words mean a lot. I recently read an article about a photographer who created some rather beautiful photos of the “World’s Remotest Tribes”. Although the photos are stunning and several even powerful, I couldn’t help get the feeling they were so overly posed/staged that the message had been lost. I’m not saying the above portrait is technically amazing but I simply took the photo without having her adjust position (you can notice the harsh sun and some shadows on her face) which in my opinion takes away from a moment like this. This is her, exactly as I encountered her. I suppose this is why I love street portraiture / street photography; it is very raw and real.
this has that timeless magnum photography quality. it’s hard to really describe what it is that makes photos work on this level. punctum? whatever it is, this has it.
Remarkable!
I am sure this woman has some stories to tell. She was quite remarkable!
i. love. her.
:)
Hmm….sometimes rules are meant to be broken :-) Another beautiful portrait; another touching moment.
Yes, I suppose they are :) Thanks always, Cathy!
wow!! incredible photo!
Thank you!