““It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.”
— Paul Caponigro”
Strong Woman
“Strong Woman”. Everest Base Camp, 5200m, Tibet.
The Himalayas are very special to me. It is spiritual in a way that is indescribable; it also is a place where I recalibrate every time. I am humbled by the locals with their basic accommodations and many time meager means of livelihood compared to a western standard. Yet..they seem to be thankful and grateful for what they have. So I recalibrate…I don’t get mad when my internet goes down…because I have internet. I don’t get frustrated when our boiler breaks, because mostly I have central heating. When I am here I realise I should just be grateful for all that I have….so I recalibrate…
This picture is taken at North Base Camp in Tibet. We were not there at a time of year when the expeditions were underway. But this woman is there. She is there and her job is to sell prayer flags throughout the year. If it is not expedition time, then she sells the flags to tourists like me. And I buy them as I believe it is a way to support her livelihood. She is there and there is NOTHING else around. She is there because she needs to be able to earn money to support her family. They live in shacks or tents by the side of the road. No plumbing. No internet. No indoor heating. No running water. But she is there, because this is how she can survive. Hence, the image is entitled “Strong Woman”.
I love this photo. I love the leading lines of the prayer flags. I love that she is all bundled up to protect herself from the weather. I love that the background so nicely frames her. I like that she is looking at me. Her character shines in this photo. She is STRONG.