I usually avoid passerby pictures of disabled or disadvantaged people. It’s a pet peeve of mine, photographers showing pain in photos without getting to know the subjects or their stories. It’s an easy way to emotionally tug viewers. But I couldn’t avoid taking this photo. I was walking around near my dorm room just absorbing the sites, smells, and sounds when I began to hear a wonderful wood instrument in the distance. It continued as I wove in and out through different alleyways and streets for a good hour.
Finally I took a turn and there they were: a blind musician and his wife slightly tugging at his shirt leading him in the right direction. I listened to the instrument (the traditional Sheng) for a while, gave some change, and snapped a photo. I went on my way and continued to hear the music until sunset.
The image is not anything special, I just really like the story behind it.
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