For most everyone, the front of the market stall is the focal point of activity. Buyers pick through the best goods while sellers angle for a premium price. Each day, though, I find some of my best photographic opportunities behind the scenes, in the back of the stall.

That’s where I found this image today. Away from the crowded storefront, the slower tempo of the long day is left mostly to the elderly. The light is softer here, and the noise is subdued, like a quiet soundtrack lying low across the scene. A smile and a simple nod are often all that’s exchanged. It’s one of the best prices you’ll find in the whole market.