When I saw this week’s Sunday Stills photo prompt topic, I knew that I wanted to participate. My first thought was to share a photo – or two, or three – of the wonderful texture found on the buildings, doors, and objects that we’ve encountered on our travels. I find old much more interesting than new, textured more intriguing than smooth. I love the peeling paint, the patina of age and weather, and the character that is created – layer upon layer – with the march of time.
Then, I remembered a woman I photographed last year in the central square in Oaxaca, Mexico and knew that would be my picture. Her clothes were typical of the older indigenous women we saw in Oaxaca: flat black shoes, a simple, long-skirted dress, and an apron… always an apron. She was quite small and stooped, and her hair – thick and wiry, mostly free of gray despite her obvious age – was worn long and braided. It was her face that intrigued me the most. Her strong features told of her Zapotec ancestry and the lines on her weathered skin was a roadmap of her life.
Sunday Stills is a weekly photography link-up co-hosted by my blogging friend Terri Webster Schrandt. Each week there is a new word prompt to inspire a shared photo (or photos). Follow this link to learn more about it, see other submissions, and to share your own.
Retirementally Challenged 
This is lovely Janis. 💜
Thank you! I loved watching her (we saw her often in the square) and I’m glad I was able to get her picture.
I love your description of her. She is lovely.
Thank you… she had a quiet dignity about her that I loved.
Great photo but be very careful of posting pictures of people without having a model’s release!
Different countries have different laws but generally capturing images in a public place is fine (if it wasn’t we could never take or post pictures if they had people in them). And, as long as the images are not for commercial use, it’s also OK to post or even enter them into a contest. We should always use our best judgement. For instance, even if legal, I would never take or post a picture of a child.
What a wonderful photograph, Janis.
Thank you, Jill.
She’s beautiful, Janis
Thank you for sharing
Laura
Thank you, Laura. She was lovely.
It’s easy to forget when we see an old person that they once were young. In her face I see the young woman she once was. Great photo, Janis, and a beautiful description.
I would have loved to have seen a picture of her as a young woman and to have learned her story.
Everyone has a story to tell 💕
Before I even read what you wrote, my eye went right to her face and that’s all I was looking at. One can only imagine the stories and years of wisdom she has to give to others. I think you really captured that, Janis. This photo is amazing. – Marty
Thank you, Marty! As bad as my Spanish is, my Zapotec is nonexistent so talking to her wasn’t possible, but I would have loved to hear her story.
That face! And her lovely woven jacket…was she a vendor?
She was selling some sort of food item that she probably makes at home and brings to the square. I have no idea how long she sits there while making just a few pesos a day.
A great portrait of a woman whose face is telling volumes!
A face full of stories.
Wonderful photo and description, Janis. I always find it more challenging to take photos of people at the right moment so that the people look natural, and not posed. Well done!
I guess the good news for me was that she wasn’t moving very fast and I was able to take a series of pictures from a distance so she wasn’t aware of my camera.
I, too, love your description of your wonderful subject, Janis! I’m sure her life also has a wealth of texture as well! Thanks for linking up with Sunday Stills!!
Thanks for putting the series together, it seems to be picking up steam!
This is such a wonderful photo Janis, the likes of one you would find in “National Geographic” … you’ve captured her perfectly, the lines in her weathered face, the colors especially.
That’s very nice of you to say. She was such a great subject to photograph.
Well, I kid you not Janis – she was a great subject and you did a wonderful job capturing her image. I like “National Geographic” and follow their “Best of” different subjects via e-mail – their photos in some foreign or primitive countries are just exquisite and you are on par with those pics.
That is a great photograph and what an interesting woman. I bet she has some stories to tell.
I bet so too. I hope she has a family that she has passed down all of her stories to.
Perfect photo for this topic!
Thank you.
Beautiful
Thank you. I thought her face was magnificent.
Really wonderful shot. And subject!
So beautifully expressed! We second that preference for texture over smooth and old over shiny new. Your photos is perfect for this title. So well done!
Peta
Thank you, Peta! Surrounded as you are by nature’s colors, textures, and perfect imperfections, I’m not surprised at all that you prefer the beauty that results from the passage of time and the impact of weather.
A beautiful photograph of a beautiful woman! Thank you for sharing this with us, Janis. I will definitely be pestering you for photography tips at our upcoming Meet Up!
Thank you Donna! I’m looking forward to that, and all the other topics we’ll talk about!
I love this photo and am now inspired to think of textures when I take my photos. Thank you for the link as well!
Textures can be so much fun to keep an eye out for and photograph.
Great photo. She looks so calm and still.
She has probably been doing the same thing for a long time and knows just where to sit and what her customers like. She was so interesting to watch.
I wonder how old this woman is. Her weathered skin looks so beautiful, and oddly ageless. Great photo, interesting new [?] person adding prompts to the blogosphere?
I have no idea how old she could be. Maybe really old since I found many of the older Zapotec women I saw looked younger than their years.
What a great photo of a truly beautiful woman!
Thank you, Ann. She was so interesting to observe (I’m a big people watcher).
Perfect choice!
Thank you, Laurie!
This is a wonderful image, taken with care and respect.
That is nice of you to say.
Beautiful, Janis. There are so many layers of life experiences in this noble woman’s face. I suppose she has lived a life of hard work, but appears to have aged with grace and dignity.
Thank you, Joe. I would have loved to have been able to talk with her and learn her history.
We tend towards beautiful architectural details when we travel, or delight in nature, but taking notice of the people in their home is what adds depth to our understanding of a region or place. You really captured a highlight in taking notice of this woman. It is a standout photo!
Thank you, Debra. I don’t usually photograph individuals but I loved her look.
Wow, Janis. That is an incredible photo! The texture in her face is as (or more) intriguing than the texture in her clothing. And, how incredible that her hair doesn’t show any grey! I’m glad you selected this photo. It’s special and a unique interpretation of the theme. And, going through all your “old” photos of your travels would have taken ages! 🙂
Thank you, Liesbet! I sure had a lot of pictures of texture to choose from. I’m glad you liked this one.
What a gorgeous textured face you’ve captured here Janis. I love it!
Thank you. She was very intriguing to watch.
Love this image!
Hi LuAnn! I’m glad you like it.