Bolivia is often identified in the public mind as a “colorful” country because of the vivid costumes worn by the ethnic groups representing its culture. Photographs of people wearing such costumes sometimes call our attention first to the colors themselves, diluting the potential presence of the people within them. That is what originally happened here. The colors of this mother’s poncho were so vivid that they overwhelmed her calmly determined attitude. The striking white reflections dancing across on the gray wall behind them were competing with the color, as well. After converting this image from color to black and white, the mother comes to our attention first. She now strongly represents the present moment, instead of the past traditions of her people. Meanwhile, the young girl who walks beside her, as well as an infant wrapped within the poncho, are equally important. They represent the future. The stripes on the mother’s costume are now relegated to the past, while the mysterious reflections on the wall (caused by light bouncing off windows on the opposite side of the street) become far more symbolic as well. They seem to dimly recall the past, while at the same time implying the future. The focal point of the image now rests in the mother’s profile – eyes closed, head bent forward as she climbs a long hill to the school with two children in tow. This image underscores the potential importance of black and white abstraction in shaping our interpretation of photographs.