Shadows of Time

A photo essay by S M Chen, March 14, 2017 S M Chen has left footprints–and taken photos–on widely varying spots on this planet. Enjoy his thought-provoking photo essay. (He got the feature photo of the bison, in honor of Chief Crowfoot, from pixabay.) DLK
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.” — Chief Crowfoot (1830-1890), Canadian Blackfoot leader, on his deathbed.
Images of Life

Mother and child. Sicuani, Peru. 2005. Photo by S M Chen

Boy being potty-trained. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Kuchi girls. Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Nuristani girl. Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Windsurfer. Westlake, Hangchow, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Basket Weaver. Kabul, Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Wash women. Guilin, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Naan makers. Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Tea leaf picker. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Marble worker. Maimana, Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Tai Chi. Westlake, Hangchow, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Junk. Nanking, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Morning. Nagin Lake, Kashmir. 1967. Photo by S M Chen

Flower purveyor. Nagin Lake, Kashmir. 1967. Photo by S M Chen

Watercolor artist. Ming tombs. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Men at play. Hangchow, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Shikara. Two women. Kashmir. 1967. Photo by S M Chen

Lotus. Westlake, Hangchow, China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Women on steps. Sicuani, Peru. 2005. Photo by S M Chen

Tool sharpener. Bamiyan, Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Navigating raft. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Men play buzkashi. Outside Kabul, Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen
Images of Non-Life

Tea vats. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen

Hindu Kush mountains from Salang Pass, Afghanistan. 1960s. Photo by S M Chen

Burial pots. China. 1980. Photo by S M Chen