School Custodian

An old and wonderfully preserved two-room school house is on her

property, very near her home. She didn't go there, but her siblings

did. I took a friend recently to take pictures of the outside. This

lady saw us and asked if we wanted to go inside. She said that she had

shown it to many people, some from as far away as California. It was

clear that she loves the place, and spends what she can to keep it

from deteriorating. I looked and listened to her, and thought she

could have been a teacher here. Dedicated, caring, and outgoing, but

it wouldn't be wise to cross her. I'd learn those lessons on the

blackboards.

good portrait! Regards.

wonderful story. great image

Thank you Pep and Mary. It appears you two are in the minority on this.

Your images always please and amaze me, but the stories with which you often accompany them makes them such great little gems. I think of you as the Charles Kuralt of photography. And so it is with this one. Great glimpse of the old school house, the lady who cares for it and your humanity. Doesn't get much better than that.

Your comment could be turned and focused right on you. The fingerprints of humanity, in all our grace and disgrace, are all over your pictures.

Very good capture, extremely evocative. Congrats !

I saw this photo the other day when it was posted but was on my way out the door and didn't have the time to comment. I had meant to get back to it, but as you know, these things often slip by! I love the portrait - the motion shows how interested she is in showing passers-by a piece of history she is obviously interested in. Her enthusiasm shows in her facial expression, and the work on the chalkboards really sets the storyline. The colors are excellent, from the very warm red tones of her face to the colors of her blouse matching the blues and creams of the background. What I really like in addition, however, is the story that you put with the image. I am becoming a big fan of additional text with photographs. I think the notion that a photo is worth a thousand words, and good photos need no text, does a real disservice to photographers and their images. While I could guess much of the story (or imagine one at least!) from this photo, which does an exceptional job of having all of the needed elements, there is so much more to it of interest to the viewer that you have included. It humanizes her even more to know the backstory. So thanks for sharing both, and for your comments on my images as well. Happy hunting with your camera this summer!

Mark