Friday, February 1, 2013

Faces of the Minefield


Jet lag has kicked my butt this time.  The adrenaline of vacation makes the time change so easy on vacation and returning to the doldrums of everyday life makes it so difficult after vacation is over. I went to work on Wednesday after having slept from 7-11 Tuesday night---I am so ready to be back on schedule.  

All that extra awake time in the middle of the night has allowed me to make a dent in my photos.  While too tired to be productive enough to clean or cook, editing photos can be done with one eye closed and your head braced up with a hand.  Sort of. 

Cambodia and Minefield Village was such an emotional experience.  More than anything I struggled with constant worry that I when I looked through the lens I stopped seeing people and life and started seeing photo opportunities. It would be an understatement to say I was fixated on not crossing over the line to exploitation.

In the end I can say it really was about seeing people and lives lived and appreciating the beauty that can be clouded by the shocking poverty that initially grabs the eye.   I deleted photos that I thought were beautiful but I would not want shared had they been taken of me--such as bathing in the river  on the Thai Burma border.  If I had profited from the photos I took rather than donating my time, I'd send it over to them.   

Every time I look at these, my soul smiles as I remember each of these people and these moments vividly.  The camera just happened to capture those moments to share with you. 

















14 comments:

Lila said...

beautiful words, beautiful pictures, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

sophia said...

These are such amazing photographs. I especially love the ones of the babies they are just to cute! We have always wanted to visit Asia but it seems like a hard place now that we have kids. If these kids can live there though, maybe we can travel there.

Lila said...

These photos evoke a strong sense of emotion in me. You've really captured a feeling in these. I love them and thank you for sharing them. I love what you wrote as well!

Lila said...

These are stunning photos and beautiful words. The eyes have such beautiful detail and lights to them and the faces, even the non smiling ones are very expressive. Looks like an amazing place to visit!

Lila said...

These are amazing pictures. I love the eyes and that they almost seem to speak in every picture! Wow so pretty!

Lila said...

You seem to have captured their souls here. These are such lovely photos all around and very moving. I like your thoughts on exploitation and how we really have to think that through in everything we do, even when interacting here in the US. We should always be aware.

Lila said...

I am catching up on your trip. What a trip this must have been. These faces are just so dear!

Bonjour! said...

,,,BEAUTIFUL, every single one of them!,,,

Melody said...

wonderful pictures ~ what a great opportunity ~

Lila said...

Wow, wow, wow! They are all great pictures!

Lila said...

Gorgeous face. What a great trip this looks like!

Lila said...

WOW!!!

Bronwyn said...

These are so beautiful! You have a great eye!

Monica said...

Two words - Awe Some.