The old man and the paper, a photo from Chiapas, Southeast

Photographer's Note

In the evening he sits by the door. He has a little piece of paper in his hand that he shows to everyone who passes. He asks something. I stop, look at the paper and try to read. I do not understand. I try to explain my inability by miming. "No entiendo español..no entiendo," I venture. He keeps repeating the same sentence. "...habla inglés?", I ask, helpless. He keeps repeating, and eagerly gives me the paper once again. I shrug, gesture my inability, smile politely, shake my head, and move on. He keeps calling after me softly and repeating the same words.

I return to the same spot the next day. He is there again. Through the open door I see the inner courtyard surrounded by dark rooms, a few chairs. He asks me the same thing and shows me the paper once again. I point at my impenetrable head and move on. I see a woman approach. He shows her the piece of paper and asks her the same thing. She reads and tells him something in rapid Spanish, smiles, returns the paper and moves on.

I have no clue what he asked for or what her reply was.

fireflyz, don_narayan, arnabchat, Isabelle, KevRyan, jhill trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

fireflyz (2097) 2006-01-24 20:26

Hi Animesh,
Interesting Daily LIfe post. There are so many people in the world living in poverty. Life is so cold for so many of us.. I think the crop is a bit tight but I like everything else. Good B&W, and a touch of noise is nice.
regards,
Skye

don_narayan (2014) 2006-01-24 21:58

Hi Animesh. A great street scene, classic, really... with the man sitting and a woman walking by in a traditional garmet. the exposure is also good. nice job.

Narayan

Salil_B (737) 2006-01-25 0:06

Wonderful.
Animesh, you have created an enduring story here ... even if the note wasn't there, the image says almost all of it. The old man's tale and the girl's reply, both stand out. I love the luminous fringe on the girl's shawl, her tote bag of groceries (?), the tentative look on the old man's face, the cracked sidewalk, the weed in the gutter ...

arnabchat (7233) 2006-01-25 3:50

another of your amazing monochromes. the tightnes of the frame makes us concentrate on the action.

Isabelle (9046) 2006-01-25 7:18

love the tight frame, Animesh. the diagonal made by the walls breakes gently its remarkable verticality and the same does the stripes in the woman´s shawl.
your almost scientific note - meaning you do not give us any clue - together with my culture - I could bet in at least 3 possibilities about what is written - makes the whole even richer.
encouraging to begin my day this way :)

KevRyan (22956) 2006-01-25 19:14

You've got everyone here wondering what's on thast paper too now my friend!! :-))

Nice candid street shot - good tonal values - a really nice in formal moment and such a great story!!

Fantastic.

best wishes kev

verde (957) 2006-01-26 18:04 [Comment]

Show Comment +

Svillegas (1169) 2006-02-21 8:45

Hi Animesh
I like this shot a lot. Great election for black and white (wide grey scale) and very good composition.
Have a nice day,
Sonia

Polonaise (5802) 2006-06-25 23:59

The more I browse thru your portfolio Animesh, the more amazed I am about your photography.
Your pictures are causing quite often a dilemma of special sort.
Which one to choose out of many greats.
So, my method is (and I recommend it to all of you reading my comment): Don't bother to choose. Just click one and write about it. You can't go wrong. Sure shot. Bulls eye.