Old legs need a rest Photo

Photographer’s Note

An old woman taking a rest during a village festival in central Lesotho in early 1984. I visited the little mountainous kingdom, completely surrounded by the republic of South Africa, during a long tour through southern Africa doing freelance-stories. Being temporarily out of work, I preferred to spend the winter in Africa rather than staying home on the dole. I think I made a wise choice.
By the way, if anyone is puzzled by why the woman is wearing a woolen hat and wrapping herself in a blanket, it's because Lesotho is situated at such a high altitude that it can get quite cold.
This was scanned from a Kodachrome slide.

fanni, JanD, jmigueln, saxo042, paololg, Kielia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

BennyV (4512) 2009-02-10 3:13

Great scan shot, Gert, with a lovely colour pattern. Lesotho is a country I haven't seen many pics from, so that gives it extra value for me. Thanks for sharing.

Benny

fanni (8713) 2009-02-10 4:02

Hej Gert,
very good portrait of a tired person...! and some more info about this place which to me sounds very exotic and for you is already reality!
What may she be thinking about? the festival? her past? or her future?.. (rhetoric questions, I know...)
Interesting pattern of the woman's clothing: strong contrast of red and black (at least I see it as bluish-black). But WHY is she wearing a hat?? a woolen hat?? in the heat!.. it is hot in Africa!
:)
Kind regards,
Elena

JanD (14375) 2009-02-10 5:36

Howdy Holmertz!
Very interesting woman, wonderful colors, good saturation. Fantastic scan. Good work.
Regards!

jmigueln (186) 2009-02-10 6:17

Hello Gert!

Without a doubt, a beautiful picture and great photo composition. A big hug!

Miguel

saxo042 (15160) 2009-02-10 8:47

Hej Gert,
Certainly very good and strong colours in this excellent scan. I don´t know much about Lesotho, so I checked the other photos here on TE from this country. There you can even see snow, so I gather this is quite a cold place (as you point out). But it still surprises me to see this woman with such warm clothes...
Hälsningar
Gunnar

bantonbuju (48340) 2009-02-10 13:30

the blanket people of the mountain country of lesotho...

this is a pearl, this image, gert!
love every bit of it!

best wishes, j.

emka (21143) 2009-02-10 14:29

Hi Gert, Impressive portrait of the oldwoman, anyway, looking old. Nice colours and very interesting pattern - something like spades? For me and probably many pthers there are nothing coming to mind hearing the name Lesotho. I think you made good choice going to Africa. You have great mamories and photos. Splendid quality of the old photo. Regards

Malgorzata

paololg (13248) 2009-02-10 15:24

Ciao dear Gert,
stupendous portrait of this the old woman in her traditional custom. You have captured really a beautiful expression in her face. Excellent they work, compliments!
Ciao, have a nice time!
Paolo

Kielia (8195) 2009-02-11 8:21

Hej Gert,
excellent portrait of the old lady and a wonderful document. In Internet I have found some very interesting articles about the Basotho blankets. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

kschanna (2598) 2009-02-14 3:54

Hello Gert,

What intrigues me more is the pin keeping the blanket together. The PoV and composition is fine, like always.

Thanks for sharing
Kamran

scroller (2883) 2009-04-27 1:58

Hej Gert,
beatuiful portrait here! About the temperature its also so that the people in around consider it as cold as the temperature is "falling" under 22 degree celsius...
Hälsningar
/Stefan

tomauer (306) 2009-09-26 20:26

Amazing portrait... Well, well, well done Gert. Could not have captured it any better. You have a great gallery.