“If you reject the food, ignore the customs,
James Michener
fear the religion and avoid the people,
you might better stay at home.”
“Beware of the person who
William Feather, American writer & publisher
can’t be bothered by details.”
When you travel beyond your own country or even your state or province, you quickly realize that people are the same all over the world. We all want and value the same things: health and happiness for our families and a better life for our children. It is only in small details that people and cultures differ. And it is these differences that I find so fascinating and which form the greatest part of why I enjoy travelling so much.
Yet, I see so few images by amateur photographers highlighting these fascinating differences that define a culture. This really is a shame. You can’t come home with pictures of landscapes and cathedrals and think you have captured the essence or spirit of a place.
The image above is from Singapore —a true mosaic of four different cultures: Malay, Han Chinese, Arabic and Indian. Virtually everywhere you look (outside of the purely business districts, perhaps), your senses are assaulted by myriad sounds, sights and smells. The Indian neighbourhoods are a heady combination of incense, music, and Colour. This image is a simple detail you will find in any number of Hindu temples throughout that quarter of Singapore. It is culturally distinctive and creates a visually interesting image that helps to tell a story of what life is like in the Indian community.
Of course, there are many other details to focus on. On your next trip, take some time and pay attention to the small details that define the place you are visiting.
