This is Secret

this is Beautiful

This is Secret.

I found her walking with her hooded ilk around the back streets of Mumbai. Usually when I see a cadre of the enshrouded, they are accompanied by Muslim man that is glaring at almost everyone. This time there seemed to be no alpha around, so I asked her for her name. She looked at me and smiled (I think) and then looked furtively around to see if anyone was watching. I got the distinct impression that since I was a white oddity that actually spoke to her that she wanted to talk, but then thought better of it and made a slight bow before gliding away.

This comes from my portrait series here: www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/sets/721575942039392...

from my daily photo blog at www.stuckincustoms.com

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(158 comments)

horstgeorg says:

Great picture, very well done ! ! !

You are invited to display your image in:

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Seen on my contacts
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Genesis Dearest says:

Beautiful image!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

jetbluestone says:

Stunning image!!..truly wonderful..
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

largo! says:

brilliant!!!

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

decembre71 says:

This is really lovely

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

strussler says:

Stunning, and very beautiful!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Carlos Lorenzo says:

Fantastic snap. I love those happy and intense eyes
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

overthemoon says:

lovely eyes, and her smile is quite visible
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

dperry1952 says:

Great capture, I also like the reflection in her eyes!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Leonardo Martins says:

Beauty capture!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Masala Cha Photography ™ says:

This is a stunning image...her eyes are so expressive....
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Anne Strickland says:

The photo is amazing (as all of yours are) but your comments put it all together in one riveting story.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

rahulmarkande says:

greats hot !!! the eyes asy it all !!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Carlos (Barcelona) says:

Great one. I have just been in Egypt and tried, with no such good luck, to take the very same picture.

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Kristen J Guerrette says:

gorgeous eyes, wonderful portrait
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

thatstickerguy says:

That's a risky shot!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Codec says:

great story!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Shubh M Singh says:

a great capture
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

photofriendly says:

So perfect are the eyes, they tell stories that she can't. Awesome!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

cpaustin2000 says:

what is way of life...there is no way I can even begin to imagine what her world and reality is all about. Great candid shot...very powerful...you could almost crop in very tight and blow it up to 30x40. Powerful....I wonder what her dreams are???!!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Deea™ says:

great portrait! another great job from my favorite artist on flickr :)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Yayagirls says:

such a meaningful capture! thank you for posting the story with it as well!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

C.A.R.L.O. says:

Great capture!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

kasmil (away) says:

Must be beautiful woman.. her eyes are amazing:)
good shot..
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Patrik Radacovsky says:

great capture...
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Essam Al Hedek says:

Great capture .
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Roby Ferrari says:

Wonderful!

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Johny Day says:

Simply a Superbe photo , Congrats !!

Fav++++++++++

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

benno78 says:

very nice shot
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Vilot says:

Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

buruneko says:

excellent shot! well done

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

thepeepmeister says:

Bokeh really does accent the focus on her lovely eyes...Amazing work you do! Seen on Explore front page!

An Awesome Shot Award
You are invited to add this image to An Awesome Shot!
~CONTESTS~ Enter/Vote now
Please tag the photo with "AnAwesomeShot"
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Dude with a Camera says:

Wow! What a fantastic photo!

You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

miss_vieira [deleted] says:

great capture.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Werner Schnell (1.stream) says:

perfect

faved
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Hans-Ztz says:

beautiful shot!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

antsplan says:

Stunning, stunning eyes.

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Yannik Rockstroh says:

Perfect focus on subject.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

leeroy09481 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Coolest Damn Cool Photographers In The World!!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

tooth fairy:-) says:

superb!!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Sibo Frankfurt says:

Great shot! Very nice.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

i b u says:

what a great capture...its AWESOME !

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

maryac58 says:

A sad kind of beautiful.

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Metáfora says:

I don't know whcih is better,
the story or the photo.
Elegant, revealing shot.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

M.Alharbi says:

Very beautiful capture ....
Lovely colors ...

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeff__M says:

Stunning. Thats all I can say
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

apple martini says:

amazing capture
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

adric1010 says:

Congratulations!
Your photograph has been nominated for
"Amazingly Beautiful World " TOP 10% (by Invitation Only)
Please add this image to ~~ *ABW* Gallery
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*
excellent my friend
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

karl.simpson says:

Great caption and excellent portrait, you are wise to tread carefully.

Thanks for continuing to share your non-stop, international adventure. If
you travel for work and your employer is ever hiring, I'm Interested ;o).
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

<-Freda-> says:

Stunning, I love that you can just see traces of her smile..
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Flixos ;) says:

National Geographic mood ;)...and yes, she smiled to you ;), amazing my friend, congrats again

An Awesome Shot Award
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Invited with SIC
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

loverfishy says:

So much personality in those beautiful eyes...
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

ropmann says:

Sensitive protrait!
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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

rougerouge. says:

excellent detail!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

mi_kirk says:

Tremendous Eyes!!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Muziclvr says:

Seen in Explore! Congrats!!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

KatarzynaNowak says:

mysterious beauty, one lives for such shots..;)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

BBMaui says:

Great photo.

But what a life... Why such personality, life energy, hopes, and dreams must be shrouded behind a black curtain opression?

Makes me very sad and sorry for her.

Seen in my contacts' photos.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Discaciate says:

Truly impressive image.
So much emotion on it.
Congratulations for making into the explorer. It sure deserves.

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

R.o.b.e.r.t.o. says:

Wonderful capture!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Rainer ❏ says:

Better it does not go!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Magzbee says:

Brave move but well worth it! Amazing shot, you can see her smiling!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

6element says:

Superb!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

protean2k6 says:

The smile is in the eyes, great photo, great words!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

susan_r4 says:

Simply and amazing shot Trey - Yes, you can see her smiling at you!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

GreyGooseMartini says:

Well, I suppose the upside of wearing a hooded ilk is that you never have to worry about a bad hair day. Great shot, as always!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

LebronPhoto says:

Beautiful Photo!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

kainet says:

this is an incredible portrait, and great story, you had guts there :-)
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

AlaskaTeacher says:

Wow! I love this series!!!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

The Sage of Shadowdale says:

Lovely shot.
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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

.:[yorch]:. says:

Fuck, perfect, perfect, excellent shot.
The texture and expresion are lovely.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

freef0cus says:

lovely portrait shot, the patterns on the headscarf really add to the shot

Seen in a darckr view of your flickr stream (mine, ?).
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Alix King says:

Lovely, very special moment and encounter.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Salvatore Lapignola says:

non ho parole, dico solo che mi sono alzato e inchinato.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Tylfe says:

Awesome capture.....those eyes say so much !!

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Lisa-S says:

Wonderful portrait. She is definitely smiling.

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Rea Family says:

This is one of the few pictures that I just sat and stared at.... I wonder what happens in her life, what she thinks about, what she does in her little part of the world. I noticed the flowers and dots on the cloth, so she is interested in fashion somewhat.....
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

guenterleitenbauer says:

This is perfect! Simply perfect!

Please add this fine image to Mega Shot; Post 1 - Nominate 4 Mega Shots
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Goldenpixel says:

Excellent photograph!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Goby1 says:

great shot and story.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

InTheLandOfTheMorningCalm says:

This is an awesome, shot! Looks really great, viewed on black
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

mbkozera says:

Wonderful!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

i_am_bishop [deleted] says:

Very compelling to look at... masterful shot! I love it...
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Lupinanto says:

ottimo taglio, nitidissima
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Sherry Jackson says:

Absolutely beautiful and a wonderful story as well.

This is Perfect!

This photo has been selected for www.flickr.com/groups/theperfectphotographers /
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

LucaPicciau says:

This is so beautiful!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Giorgos~    says:

great shot this one! Great portrait my friend!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

{Danna} says:

fantastic!
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

mveaches says:

I like the look and shot. Good job, though my inital reaction was 'ninja woman' and I see you thought the same by the tags !
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

3rd foundation    says:

Quite a story. The texture of her garment is very cool.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

kukumismelo says:

great photo i like it
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

HUSTON PHOTOGRAPHY [deleted] says:

Nicely done
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Spraggon    says:

The eyes say so much. Brilliant.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Lili Vieira de Carvalho    says:

Very beautiful, shiny eyes.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

brynmeillion - JAN    says:

Its the texture of the material that i noticed first but those eyes with the deep mascara are also well caught
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

tom )º(    says:

sad story
but great portrait!!!

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

yeoldeblackhippie    says:

Beautiful
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Cherishthemoment    says:

Outstanding! Added to my favs.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

Never Was An Arrow II    says:

– sad, really.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

radicalgel says:

Awesome shot! intense eyes..
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

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	Stuck in Customs' photostream
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Taken in Mumbai, Maharashtra (map)
Taken with a Nikon D2Xs.
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Taken on November 12, 2007
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