First photo

John Spies

First photo

An intrigued Black Lahu elder, and his amused friend, looks at his portrait for the first time. This picture was taken on film in 1979 in a remote village far from a road in Mae Hong Son province in Thailand. The old man had not only never seen a photograph before, he had never been to a town, ridden in a car or seen a westerner. He asked me if I had come from the moon, as he had seen planes fly overhead.

First photo belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, 50+ GROUP, Amazing Asia, Capturing Emotion, CIRCLES OF LATITUDE - From Capricorn To Cancer, Exotic Thailand , Film Photography, First Things, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, Images & Ideas, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Solo Exhibition, Southeast Asia and Street Photography and Photojournalism Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
First photo by John Spies
First photo by John Spies
  • macro magnon

    macro magnon

    Very beautiful portraits !!!

  • khosie

    khosie

    It’s funny that you take for granted photos and forget how magical it must be seeing one for the first time! Beautiful shot and story!

  • Dusker

    Dusker

    Wonderful photo of lovely people. To catch this moment is indeed magical.

  • John Spies

    John Spies

    Thanks macro magnon and Dusker. The subjects are both deceased now, but they were lovely people. The man on the left, Ja Lek, was the village blacksmith, an opium addict like all of the other elderly men in the village back then (which gives him his scrawny chest), and a very kind man. It was a pleasure to be able to have the opportunity to be give him his first photograph. I will search my pics and look for the original shot that I took of him.

  • Critical Vision

    Critical Vision

    Brilliant shot John and what a lovely interesting tale.

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks Critical, appreciated

  • Sue Cullumber

    Sue Cullumber

    John – great portrait with a wonderful story!

  • John Spies replied

    Sue, glad you liked it, thanks John

  • Shelly Hiebert

    Shelly Hiebert

    Brilliant image! And what a great story! You live such an interesting life John :)

  • John Spies replied

    It has been quite a trip. I have written a book about it, still looking for a publisher…

  • Angie Muccillo

    Angie Muccillo

    I was just wondering if you had a book!! This image really moves me, their expressions are priceless. Magnificent work :-)0

  • John Spies replied

    Hi Angie, appreciate the comment. For many yeqars i did a bit of sporadic photojournalism, usually when i was low on cash…and many of my hilltribe etc pics have appeared in Mags like Australian Geo…but this photo has never been published. And, as for a book, hhmm, I have written one about my life, tentatively titled ‘Wild Times’, and am in the process of looking for an agent/publisher. Hopefully it will have many of my photos in it. If i do manage to get it published or go the self publishing route i will let people know on this site. thanks John

  • Angie Muccillo

    Angie Muccillo

    That’s great John, I will look out for the book! I’ve noticed that quite a few red bubblers have published their work using blurb.com Thanks for posting these rare images, your work is incredible. Cheers.. Angie

  • Jordan Miscamble

    Jordan Miscamble

    A great captured moment in time!

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks for the comment Jordan, appreciated.

  • Margaret Harris

    Margaret Harris

    The photograph and the story are amazing…they don’t look like they eat much..or is it just their diet.

  • John Spies replied

    Their diet is mainly rice and chillie, and as opium smokers, food is not the most important thing in their lives.

  • DwCCreations

    DwCCreations

    I love this photo! It tells such a story without ever a word being said about it. The smile on that one mans face is priceless. Well done! ;o)

  • John Spies replied

    Well said, thaks for that.

  • caradione

    caradione

    another moving image and story john…
    what a life
    thanks for sharing it

  • John Spies replied

    My pleasure

  • monaiman

    monaiman

    Great capture !! very moving image.. it says it all

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks a lot Monai, appreciated

  • Martin Kohl

    Martin Kohl

    That is so great, love the story

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks Martin, glad you liked it.

  • walela

    walela

    Wonderful shot!

  • John Spies replied

    Appreciate your comment walela

  • Jean M. Laffitau

    Jean M. Laffitau

    This is fabulous!!!

  • John Spies replied

    Their reaction was a very quaint experience .

  • Katri Lumi

    Katri Lumi

    Beautiful story!!! My fav!!!

  • John Spies replied

    thanks Katri, appreciate your comment

  • Georgie Hart

    Georgie Hart

    Brilliant photo, love the expressions!

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks a lot Georgie

  • Jenni Atkins-Stair

    Jenni Atkins-S...

  • John Spies replied

    Thanks Jenni, that is good news!

  • Patrick Monnier

    Patrick Monnier

    Beautiful story and great moment you fixed. Beautiful.

  • Rudywalsh

    Rudywalsh 2 days ago

    Great photo i can see where you got your inspiration from.

  • John Spies replied 2 days ago

    Inspiration can be momentary, so you have to be quick….

  • Rudywalsh

    Rudywalsh 2 days ago

    You are right,thats the thought provoking type of inspiration that comes and goes,true inspiration changes something in you for life.’’ for better or worse’’ It’s a lovely capture that you took here.full of expression.harder to find than just a pretty picture.

  • KreddibleTrout

    KreddibleTrout less than a minute ago

    perfectly captured wonderment. it’s childlike. perfect. a bit sad too as, in the time since that photo was taken, progress has surely stripped more identity & wonder from places like that.

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.