Portraits of Ngaputaw
My photography gear are set for two main purposes: landscapes and portraits. The heavy 300mm lens installed in one of the two cameras I always carry around is mostly used for one purpose: to capture candid images of village people living their normal village life and doing their regular village routines.
Visiting remote villages in Ngaputaw Township in the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar in December 2016, I captured these portraits of villagers that tell of the simple, sometimes challenging lives these people live.
“Boatmen” – Many of the villages of Ngaputaw are accessible only through the Pathein River and its tributaries. Passenger boats ply the river system on a regular basis as the basic means of transportation. These boatmen are taking a break while waiting for passengers and watching the hustle and bustle at the Ngaputaw jetty.
“Farm Work” – This elderly lady in one of the remote villages of Ngaputaw prepares her tools early in the morning for the days work in the farm. The farmers of Ngaputaw mostly grow rice irrigated through the vast river system but annual production is adversely affected by seasonal saline water intrusion. Ngaputaw is some 35 kilometers upstream from the Bay of Bengal.
“Care” – This villager in Ngaputaw cleans the sides of his boat. A significant portion of the local population is dependent on fishing as a source of income and food.
“Harvesting Rain” -This village man cleans his kettles using rain water collected in large earthen jars. While most villages are often close to the river system, clean or potable water sources remain a challenge for many villagers.
The drag of endless mental work in a strange land takes its toll. Fatigue can kill so petty escapades provide hopeful deviations from the brewing madness. An aging DSLR keeps good company to a walk around the neighbourhood, a short drive to a scenic place, or a silent recollection in a quiet nook granting that the host community and the elements of nature would allow one a safe passage to solitude and contemplation. Loneliness quickly turns to joy when something exciting gets captured by the cam’s shutter then set free into the laptop’s screen followed by electric words that rush from the fingers to the keyboard in an effort to describe the moment. Alas, the brain is alive once again!
I hope you’re considering publishing a book of your photos if you haven’t already. Your talent is exceptional and beats most who spread their work far and wide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m hoping to do that someday. Thank you so much for the vote of confidence. Really appreciate it. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful black and white pictures.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike