All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer

I was in Multan city, Pakistan, working on a personal project to document the ordinary people of Pakistan in the province of Punjab in their daily environment. I met many people in the streets and took photographs of what I saw but the most important aspect was that I first developed a rapport with my subjects to understand them better from various points of view. I wanted to know their beliefs, their culture, their religion and their apprehensiveness to be photographed. I was at an advantage as I speak their language and understand their customs. Some of the stories I heard were emotionally draining. They are poor not by choice, but they are street-wise and some very intelligent too.

This girl’s name was Nageena and she was resting against a brick wall away from the hot sun. Otherwise she sells roasted peanuts.

This particular picture was taken with Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f/2 lens.

Why I use a Leica:
I owned my first Leica at the age of 14. It was a Leica 111 with an Elmar 3.5/50. I still have that camera after 56 years. I have always owned and used Leicas several at times with Leica lenses. The reliability of the camera is unmatched. I currently own 9 Leica M type cameras with 16 lenses (all Leica lenses). They are designed to fit in hand so well and excellent to work with discretely on the streets to take candid shots which I love taking. The quality of images one gets from Leica has a certain signature to them which is unique to Leica lenses only.

Please visit Afzal Ansary’s personal website at www.afzalansary.co.uk to see more of his work.

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