Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Two worlds apart


He was playing a roumanian traditional tune, mumbling bits of a sad chant. I put a coin in his hat and he smiled a humble smile. My daughter was totally captured by the accordion. 
He asked in his uncertain italian how old was the child and told me, using his hands that he had seven nephews and that he came from Rumania. 
I asked him if I could take a photo; he agreed politely and played again. 

21 comments:

Ann said...

Beautiful. He works so well in b&w.

Frank said...

Just great. I love his expression especially as the lovely girl walks by. The b/w works really well with this scene.

Amy said...

This is such a fantastic photo...it really speaks.

henny said...

I like this photo so much with the story behind it and accordion, but well, minus the girl walks by.

Rosaria Williams said...

It is such an old Italian instrument; yet the man is Romanian, hanging on to old ways of his land. I bet Romania is giving up those ways as he is hanging on to his.

Many Italians who immigrated to America maintained the old world's ways, cooking the way their nonne had cooked, making home-made pasta and simmering their tomato sauces for hours. I bet Italy stopped cooking that way.

Printemps said...

Beautiful photo and message!

Saretta said...

Excellent portrait of the man and contrast between the two worlds! Good job, Valeria!

Babzy.B said...

Great capture and story !

Buenos Aires Photoblog said...

Lovely black n white. I can even imagine the sound of the accordion.

Buenos Aires Photo

Leif Hagen said...

Awesome! Two worlds apart - Romania and Italy and from two generations - bravo! Ciao from EAGAN, Minnesota

lunarossa said...

Such a lovely man. Hope he can go and see his nephews soon. It's so sad being apart. Ciao. A.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

Bella, very lovely! You have a great eye for photography!

lemon said...

If it was about prizes, I would give you the Best Photo of the Year, for this one!
Perfect!

amatamari© said...

Ah that beauty this portrait ...

Tamera said...

Fantastic street photography! It's a great moment captured. This is something you'll never see in America!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to say I noticed the girl first on the thumbnail. I guess that's what becomes of being a man!

He looks very sad. Must be thinking of when he was young, and chasing pretty girls like the one whose just passed him.

Julie said...

Not so much sad, as wistful. It is a lovely portrait and the way you have composed it allows it to say so much more. I do like the sepia effect ...

monoblog said...

Very eloquent shot.

Clueless in Boston said...

Your caption says it all. Very nice juxtaposition of the old accordionist and the young girl walking by.

Kitty said...

oh I like this! nice catch!
I'm glad she was wearing white pants. They're a great contrast with everything else. wonderful!

Ming the Merciless said...

Perfect composed photo!

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