A never-ending procession of people carry heavy baskets of sand on their heads from a ship at the Mandalay Jetty. The sand will be used for construction work. One of these women, however, is returning to get another load of sand, her basket empty. And so the cycle repeats itself. Load after load after load.

I saw this image as a tableau commemorating the traditional work process of Burma. For example, the Burmese technology of moving sand – fill basket with sand, put on head, walk to dump, empty sand, come back for more – has not changed much in 100 years. This colorful scene is like a vintage stage play. I layered it heavily with levels of action. In the foreground, a blurred pile of sand. Then the slope of the beach, a triangle slashing across the bottom of the image. Then the cast of players, each with his or her job to do. And finally, the old double decked boat, giving context to the scene.

If I were to make an image that captures the essence of how Burma works, this would be it.