I wander through the back streets of Agra, and I repeatedly run into a skinny, full-bearded man with neatly trimmed hair. He feels calm. He seems studied and present. He has the look of an ascetic.
We finally meet in a restaurant with a sign that says “A/C. Very Cool!”
Pedro, an architect from Portugal, born in Angola, raised in Venezuela who started on a 20-day trip on the sub-continent and has been here for 6 months.
I ask him if he is on his way back to Portugal. He smiles and says, “Maybe. I’ve learned that nothing is certain, especially here in India.”
Pedro shows me a sketch he had done in Varanasi and tells me how he normally prefers sketching to photography but here in India, he feels that photography is a much better medium.
I flip through Pedro’s images on his little Luminx and I don’t know what to say.
The compositions are flawless, the timing superb, he understands timing and rhythm and the images are beautiful. Pedro’s images feel like him and that is the most impressive thing to me. They are studied and unassuming, they feel calm and patient just like Pedro. You are aware of his presence but it never distracts from the image.
Pedro says that he only likes to do one thing at a time. He wants to either sketch or take pictures or design. Too many things distract the mind and then he doesn’t do anything well.
Stop. Breathe. Focus. Be Present.
That is all Pedro is doing and the proof is in the pudding. Pedro’s images are so clearly articulated, it would put many established photographers to shame.
As we part ways, he gives me a hug, a kiss and said, “Enjoy your life Charlie!”
Enjoy your life … The rest will take care itself!
Please share this, then stop, breathe and be present.
Great article. Your article makes me feel like I was there talking to him. Sounds like a great guy and I really like his philosophy towards photography and life.
Enjoy your life Manyu! … Tell me about it when you get a chance….
Beautiful story, Charlie. I’m constantly aspiring to stopping every moment and holding onto it for as long as possible … though it might be far easier to do that when I’m not at work. 😉
I only feel sad that I cannot hold on to the moments longer. It flows through you and then its gone. However, it is always a pleasure to rediscover it again.
Awesome article. Makes me want to see his art. And by the way, he didn’t ask you out, did he? I remember from ur last blog asking people how to make excuses lol.
I wish you could see his work too. It really was beautiful! No. He didn’t ask me out. But he had the kindest eye … so lovely and kind, it just makes you melt a little.
Way cool story. I love meeting new people when traveling. We all need to stop, breathe and take it in. Makes me want to do more sketching. Thanks for the inspiring reminder.