The Water Collector

Peter Hill

The Water Collector

Zanskar 1984 Series.

We were on our way to cross Shingo Lal. She was on her way to collect water for the family, whose stone hut is in the right background. We were resting for a few minutes and had stopped to view the valley that rose up and beyond, unseen on our left until virtually in front of it. That was the way of this trek – the mountains so steep and huge, always hiding from view other stunning landscapes. All we could do was look and marvel at these sudden vistas – our goal ahead of us always beckoned, excep for exploratory rest days, of which there were few and far between, and none until we reached our goal and began descending the other side. The girl said nothing, she seemed oblivious to what we found awesome, and her silent expression reeked of “What the hell are you people doing here?”

Olympus OM1, slide. Scanned at 4,000 dpi. Untouched.

The Water Collector belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, Himalaya, Landscape Photography, Scenery, Square Photography and Travel and Adventure Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
The Water Collector by Peter Hill
  • cheridan

    cheridan

    this is spectacular! and I love the story too :)

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thankyou cheridan :)

  • richiedean

    richiedean

    What a fantastic landscape … what a beautiful place to live …. if that girl were to be transported to a big city, she would be in awe too …... then probably yearn to return home !!

  • Peter Hill replied

    You may be right richie!

  • Irene Burdell

    Irene Burdell

    A wonderful shot of this great landscape.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Irene

  • Catherine Davis

    Catherine Davis

    Awesome, great portrait

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Catherine!

  • avocet

    avocet

    great human and landscape shot

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks avocet. The shot just seemed to suddenly be there

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    The little girl with the big, dry mountains, the harsh light on her face, your choice of crop… A very dramatic effect. Great shot.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks for those comments Peter. The canvas was there … just had to capture the moment. A bit like your shipwreck duck (though not as good as your moment!)

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    But is seeing that canvas that is an art Peter! And you saw it.
    Coming back here looking at it again I appreciated it even more. Such a powerful composition.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks again Peter. Must admit I can’t wait to see it on my office wall:

  • Peter Zentjens

    Peter Zentjens

    I’m sure it will look mighty fine there. It merits a large print!

  • Gerard Rotse

    Gerard Rotse

    Great shot and very nice scenery.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks for your compliment Gerard, it is much appreciated.

  • Sean Farragher

    Sean Farragher

    awesome image

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Sean, I do appreciate your feedback!

  • Jeff Burns

    Jeff Burns

    Incredible shot

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Jeff!

  • Linda Ridpath

    Linda Ridpath

    so beautiful and so REAL, the comments you make are so typical of the region. fab shot!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks linda!

  • jacqi

    jacqi

    Great perspective in this shot and a good portrait of the little girl.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks jacqi!

  • Glenn Alderson

    Glenn Alderson

    Wow! what an image, great capture.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Glenn

  • JKomendanovic

    JKomendanovic

    Beautiful photo!:)

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks J!

  • JanG

    JanG

    Beautiful! I love how she just blends right in to the soft greys of her environment. What stunning mountains. It must have been incredible traveling here.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Jan – yes it was quite an exprience and I am so glad I kept diaries on all my trips.

  • Ekascam

    Ekascam

    A great capture mate!

  • Peter Hill

    Peter Hill

    Thanks Ekascam!

  • Lila Alias

    Lila Alias

    This is stunning! Fantastic endless mountain landscapes, and what a wonderful little girl. Its amazing that people live like this, we seem so far from this kind of life.

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thankyou Lila. I urge people to remove themselves from their modern precepts and experience firsthand other’s lives, like this. It tends to change your perspective on what is real and what is important in your life. We can change ourselves for the better far easier as a result. :)

  • Lila Alias

    Lila Alias

    Yes, I totally agree. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine…. that is why I my biggest dream in life is to travel the world.. and see these places and people first hand. I can’t wait. I think about it everyday. But first, to finish year 12! Hehe. I like your perspective! (:

  • Peter Hill replied

    Yes, please do finish HSC – then you’re away!

  • Tainia Finlay

    Tainia Finlay

    Beautiful unique capture, enjoyed the narrative too!

  • Peter Hill replied

    Many thanks Tainia!

  • Marcus Grant

    Marcus Grant

    Super capture, the pic tells it own story i think

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks Marcus – glad you enjoyed

  • Zoltan Madacsi

    Zoltan Madacsi

    Wonderful image !!!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks Zoltan! Sorry I’m late

  • Kristal

    Kristal

    wow. This photo really tells a story and has so much character. Makes me want to jump in the photo! nice work!!

  • Peter Hill replied

    Thanks Kristal! If you ever get a chance – go there!

  • anisja

    anisja

    Great work as always by you.

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks anisja

  • Joyce Dickens, IPA

    Joyce Dickens,...

    Very dramatic image Peter; thank you for having the child in this one to project the magnitude of the mountain….......fantastic composition….....beautiful work here!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thank you Joyce. Just luck I guess.

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau

    Wonderful photojournalism, I very much enjoy your commentary as you tell your story and bring this beautiful image to life! Congratulations on your feature in our group Dimensions!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thank you very much!

  • Stzar

    Stzar

    marvelous landscape ~ so rugged and wild ~ the gorge is incredible ! and i love your description of the girl’s expression :))

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks Karon!

  • Ken Thomas

    Ken Thomas

    This is great work!! I also still have my older manual focus 35mm cameras. They take superb pictures.

  • Peter Hill replied

    they dure do. thanks for your comment

  • Nat Hall

    Nat Hall

    wonderful shot, Peter :))

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks Nat!

  • Cora Wandel

    Cora Wandel

    Peter, the image of the young girl is quite startling, and her grayish black clothes with the mountains in the background of a similar color contributes greatly to the striking effect of this photograph. And your writing is superb, it briings everything together. Thank you, Cora

  • Peter Hill replied

    And thank you Cora! I really appreciate your comments.

  • seoulma

    seoulma

    What a wonderful shot. Your story really brings this to life. Thanks for sharing.

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks seoulma!

  • Isa Rodriguez

    Isa Rodriguez

    what a wonder of a girl. stunning and powerful

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks Isa!

  • evekaczmarska

    evekaczmarska

    love it!!!!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks eve! And thanks for favouriting my work :)

  • KcranmerArt

    KcranmerArt

    Peter you not only captured an amazing landscape, but pure heart wrenching emotion…Missed you my friend!

  • Peter Hill replied

    hey thanks Kellie! You were missed too!

  • jase8812

    jase8812

    Amazing capture !

  • perplessita

    perplessita

    utterly fantastic.!

  • Peter Hill replied

    thank you perplessita!

  • SueAnne

    SueAnne

    Awesome shot, very moving

  • Peter Hill replied

    thanks again SueAnne!

  • Globalphotos

    Globalphotos

    Peter, fab capture and story, would love to visit this region :)

  • Peter Hill replied

    2010 is my plan to go back, this time with my teenage boys. Alas I suspect the romanticism may have gone, but we’ll see …. thanks Varinia!

  • sunshine0

    sunshine0

    This image makes me think of the Disney lyrics from the movie :Jungle Book” called “My Own Home”. Here are the lyrics:
    —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-

    My own home, my own home
    My own home, my own home

    Father’s hunting in the forest
    Mother’s cooking in the home
    I must go to fetch the water
    ‘Til the day that I’m grown
    ‘Til I’m grown, ‘til I’m grown
    I must go to fetch the water
    ‘Til the day that I’m grown

    Then I will have a handsome husband
    And a daughter of my own
    And I’ll send her to fetch the water
    I’ll be cooking in the home
    Then I’ll send her to fetch the water
    I’ll be cooking in the home

  • Peter Hill

    Peter Hill

    I never made that connection, but it’s so spot on! thanks very much for sharing that! :)

  • Jens Helmstedt

    Jens Helmstedt

    Really great shot!

  • Tom Gomez

    Tom Gomez

    Stunning shot, wonderful composition …

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