Le Trait

Hanoi Bus Riders, Summer 2007

2007-12-21T11:11:00.002-08:00

On Hanoi's public bus No. 34 (not airconditioned, "the bus from Hell,"). Sitting just a seat away, I was immediately attracted by the interaction of these three guys (in the great, late afternoon light). But, since "stolen shots" aren't my specialty, I choked in the clutch. Maybe I will know better next time. (Nikon D70/Sigma Lens)

Fried Chicken, Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City, Subic Bay 1980s

2007-12-12T16:48:00.001-08:00

Oh, how dearly was fried chicken loved by Olongapo's denizens (and, probably still is) Was it I who bought the chicken? I cannot now remember.

Denis, Hanoi Summer 2007

2007-12-10T15:28:00.000-08:00

Here, crossing the road in the Old Quarter and caught in morning light, is Denis, my friend and colleague.

The River Ou, Nong Khiaw, Laos 2005

2007-12-08T17:21:00.000-08:00

On the urging of a friend, a little landscape.

Nong Khiaw, a sublime river junction in northern Laos, where the morning mist lingers to about 9AM or so. A great place to spend a week, a year, a life?

Photo taken with a little Canon A510 set at the lowest resolution - simply to show what this neck of the woods looks like.

Sisters at Long Bien, Hanoi Summer 2007

2007-12-07T15:30:00.000-08:00

Hanoi - to me - a "city of pictures" just waiting to be stumbled on.

As much of life is lived on the street, family love can be observed out in the open air.

Here, across from the Long Bien bus terminal, sitting in a drink shop, I am about to be served a cup of iced water by the young girl who has a cup for me in one hand and her little sister more or less in the other hand.

Some time later, a large print was taken back to the the little shop; my reward - several glasses, gratis, of "bia hoy," fresh, green beer.

Barmaids Subic Bay 1990

2007-12-05T18:24:00.001-08:00

Two barmaids at "The Body Shop Bar," caught in the light of direct flash. Behind them another figure, not seen through the viewfinder, makes her appearance. This photograph is part of an extended collection, taken during the years 1981-1991, the last decade of the US Naval Station Subic Bay, the Philippines.

Hanoi Girl With "Nem."

2007-11-29T13:29:00.001-08:00

This photograph was taken on March 19, 2007 in Hanoi's Old Quarter. I think it's one of the better photos taken during the six months I lived and worked in Hanoi.

The girl, who was with a group of friends just let out of school, is holding a kind of "nem," that group of small Vietnamese snacks which includes the spring roll. When I return to Hanoi, I will find out exactly what type of "nem" this is, and, of course, sample this street-food item.

Roland Barthes spoke of the "punctum," that element or detail of a photograph that "wounds." Where is the punctum here, if there is one at all?