the photographs I never took

I took far fewer photos on this trip than I did last year.  Not through lack of imagination or inspiration - I saw plenty of images in my head that I would have been pleased and proud to have posted.  For example ……..

We’re driving down a very straight and narrow road.  It goes on for a couple of miles.    Either side are green fields, far greener than you might expect, given that this is the dry season.

In the fields, water buffalo and cattle egrets - some hitching a lift, others taking advantage of whatever the buffalo disturb.  This not what catches my eye though.  
Walking towards us are three women, carrying implements of some sort - rakes or hoes.  They’ve been working in the fields.

They’re dressed from head to toe in red. There are a few splashes of gold, but the red shouts out amongst the green.  

It’s the sort of image you’d see in the pages of National Graphic magazine.  No one could fail to make a decent picture out of this scene.  But I did.

I did not have the confidence to get out of the car and talk to them; to explain that I would like to take their photograph.  

Perhaps it’s because we’re in a rural setting.  In towns and cities, everyone has their phones at the ready, taking selfies or whatever catches their eye.  No one gives it a second thought.

There were other instances like this, that I missed.  Which is a shame given how visually rich India is.  Thinking about it, I’d rather it was a lack of confidence, than simply laziness on my part. 

So - next time.  Definitely, maybe.