Photographer Captures the Story of People’s Lives Through Portraits of Their Hands

omar reda photos of hands

Holy man.

With his new project Hands: The Story of Life, Lebanese photographer Omar Reda documents global cultures and traditions with a unique point of view. By focusing just on the hands of his subjects, rather than their portraits, he asks us to reflect on what hands reveal about each person.

Reda, who traveled to different countries and environments for the series, places each palm at the forefront. Every line, crack, and crevice is pushed toward the viewer. It's stunning to see how every photo of hands deviates from one another. Whether it's a potter's palm caked in clay or the calloused hands of a carpenter, we are given a window into each participant's world.

“The hand like the eyes reveal what's hidden below the surface. It is essential for our evolution and survival,” writes Reda. “Early humans used it to ignite a fire, hunt, fight and other survival actions. The hand is the main part that helps us to excel our skills across all the industries since the beginning of time.”

Reda's work pays homage to those who practice manual skills. For them, their hands truly are a storybook that unfolds over time. The photos of hands, particularly those close-up, demonstrate the struggle and burden placed upon them. We, as viewers, are left to fill in the story behind each one.

Reda traveled to villages, tribes, and cities to shoot photos of hands that tell the stories of people's lives.

omar reda photos of hands

Barber.

omar reda photos of hands

Tribal boy.

omar reda photos of hands

Elderly woman.

omar reda photos of hands

Soldier.

omar reda photos of hands

Farmer girl.

omar reda photos of hands

Mechanic.

omar reda photos of hands

Carpenter.

omar reda photos of hands

Tailor.

omar reda photos of hands

Potter.

omar reda photos of hands

Driver.

omar reda photos of hands

Baker.

omar reda photos of hands

Gardener.

omar reda photos of hands

Holy man.

Omar Reda: Website | Instagram | Behance
h/t: [PetaPixel]

All images via Omar Reda.

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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