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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Fifty Five: The Agra-Jhansi Express – a black and white travel picture story > Baggage handlers, Agra, India, 2008
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27-MAR-2008

Baggage handlers, Agra, India, 2008

I don’t show them handling baggage. Instead, I use the first image of this picture story to launch my theme – the nature of the people who travel by train in India and those who depend on them for a livelihood. These men represent a cross section of those who serve the traveler’s needs: one is old, the other young. I shot it from the window of our bus as we waited for own luggage to be unloaded and transferred to the train platform at the Agra station. I don’t show them stacking mountains of baggage. Instead, I allow my caption to tell the viewer what these men do. I leave it to the image itself to convey a sense of resignation – their work is hard, their pay minimal. They must do whatever they can to survive.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/200s f/4.5 at 88.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Phil Douglis25-Apr-2008 18:58
Thanks, Jenene -- there was kindness and understanding in the eyes of this man. Tim makes a good point here about the generations. These men could be father and son. And yes, they are both baggage handlers, Tim. You make a good point though -- the image depends much on my caption, particularly because I abstract it as a black and white image. The original color image shows both men wearing identical red shirts and scarves -- the uniform of baggage handlers in India.
Tim May25-Apr-2008 18:03
this image also speaks of generations. I'm not sure if both men are baggage handlers, but your title indicates that they are.
JSWaters25-Apr-2008 04:38
I really like that the young man was able to make eye contact with you and smile. It elevates him in my view...he knows who he is and what he does, knows he relies on you for his livelihood and is willing to acknowledge it eye to eye.
Jenene
Phil Douglis21-Apr-2008 18:11
The description is important, Alina. It gives the picture its context. In a travel story such as this, the words are as important as the pictures. This is a journalistic approach to story-telling, a blend of words and pictures.
Alina21-Apr-2008 09:25
I like the shot and description of what those men are doing. Great portrait!v
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