As a continuation of the photos in Asia I wanted to finish it with these street shots, and the people that speak for themselves. My idea in doing this post was because of the tendency we have to over-romanticize other cultures, and I understand this because I do it myself. “Oh look, they’re eating with chopsticks, that’s so amazing and cool!” Well, it’s how they eat, and they have to eat just like everybody does.

My point is instead of taking a cool picture because we think it’s amazing how well someone eats with chopsticks, we should look for the reality of their life. Are they with, family, friends, coworkers? Is this their routine everyday? This isn’t just a random group of people at a table, this is a specific group that live very real and unique lives, and have this complex history we don’t know anything about. When we look at it that way, the photos are framed differently, and most importantly, we actually catch moments and details we’d otherwise miss.

Capture life, not just things within life

Asians value beauty, and they also value their kids. Despite the reputation of being overachievers, if you only have the chance for one child you will work extra hard to make sure he or she can be everything possible. How that works out in the long run can be debated but the love for children is always a good thing.

One of the things that is so cool about the Asian culture is their use of color. The combinations don’t always make sense to my taste, but I’m willing to bet it does to them. Taking it a little out of the box is how genius is born, and new things are discovered.

 

So it is. It is their life, and they live it everyday. Just as we live our lives every day like everyone else in our own culture and society. We all are unique, we are all special, and we are the same. Humans. People. Employees. Families. Children.

So from the still moment of a little lady sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the next customer, to the bustling streets of a wider scene, to the world of Hong Kong, Hanoi and China, thanks for the look into your life.

 Photo credits to Hannah and the team at Vision Beyond Borders.