Dear Dad,

I smell of portraits.

No. Really. I do.

I smell of portraits.

Before today, I didn't know that portraits could have a smell. But they do actually. And - don't get me wrong - it's not because I'm not paying attention to hygiene; I smell like portraits because that's what I did today. I spent one hour taking portraits of the common people of India. These are the ones who spend most hours of their days working in their shops along the main streets. They are those whom we westerners would call "blue collar workers" in the most hardcore sense.

Rig-shaw drivers. Sugar cane laborers. Mechanics. Grocers. Tailors.

The Indian people don't seem to be much concerned with cleanliness or hygiene. Garbage is strewn in piles all along the streets. Sidewalks double for makeshift bathroom stalls, and the sewage slowly drips into the drains with an other worldly stench. Fingernails are grown out for, well, let's just say "business" purposes. And the dirt; the dirt of cars, bikes, rig-shaws, buses, and animals fills the air and dusts you with a layer of grime from things of which you don't want to know.  It is in such an environment that the people of India work and labor, day after day, after day.

Today, these are the people of whom I took portraits.

I  think had you been out there on the streets with me, there would have been times you would have been uncomfortable. Not because of the dirt, but because of the nature of the location. The percentage of men in public places compared to the percentage of woman is vastly different - even startlingly different. Typically, if I am in an international location, I will try to take portraits of women and children - certainly not approaching men. I don't want to give the wrong impression [I think you'd be glad of that.  ;-) You trained me well...]. Here, it is almost impossible to just go to the streets and take portraits of the women. Either they are not around, or they are shy and won't allow you to do so.

Today was interesting. I found myself following the hand motions of men and children who wanted me to take portraits of them in their work environment. The rig-shaw drivers in their rigs-haws. The shop owners with workers of their shop. I was surprised - especially after previous experience - to be the one being approached for photos of the people. It was delightful actually. Being able to give joy to these people who invest so much of their time and energy into survival.

I promise, I've never been on the street in a completely dangerous situation - I mean, it is India after  all. But overall, there have been very few times I've felt uncomfortable with my camera out among the locals. I've been surrounded by street children, old men, families, and other such crowds with nothing but a firm grip on my camera and a friend somewhere nearby to keep me. Of course, there's the greatest Protector of all who is also watching my back.

What I enjoy about going out to photograph India, is that I never know what I'm going to find. I never know what kind of opportunity I may have to photograph. In fact, so far I've gone into my times to shot with a mindset precisely the opposite of the photographs I capture. If I go out with an intense purpose to get portraits, the time and place doesn't really work out; but if I go out casually for shots of India in general - like today - I come upon the most beautiful people I have ever seen and am privilege to capture some of the most beautiful portraits I have ever taken.

Sure, I smell like portraits. I smell like the real workers and citizens of India. But it's a smell that will wash off. It will eventually go away.

I also come away with something that will never fade.

That is why I don't mind.

In fact, I kind of hope that I get to smell this way again. And soon.

Luv you Dad. Thank you for the prayers...

Christina  

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