Croatian Man

I was exploring a small Croatian village this summer, when I came across this man resting

on a stone fence. It was over 30 degrees, quite hot. He caught my eye with his

characteristic face, but I chose to carry on.

About 100 meters past, I stopped myself, thinking I could not pass up the opportunity to

attempt a capture of this wonderful individual. I tracked back to him, where he only gazed

at me, rather indifferently.

We came from worlds apart, distinctly different lives I'm sure, me with my camera, him

with his woven straw fedora. The only way to request my ambitions was to point my finger

between my camera and him, hoping my genuinely amicable request would be acccepted.

He nodded slightly, my interpretation being an agreement, so I backed up and shot three

or five shots. Not my usual, digital era, double digit assault. Maybe a gesture of cultural

respect, I'm not sure. It just felt like the right thing to do.

In reviewing my LCD display, I was quite pleased with myself, so I enthusiastically showed

him. His expression remained mostly neutral. I can only imagine the this man has

experienced things I will never know, things I may never feel. I am certain he has walked a

life of broader experiences than my mere photograph could ever capture.

I can only hope my millisecond capture of this man's life has done him justice.