As I was driving around my hometown of Renmark, I noticed a rather handsome gentleman. I tried to convey my intention to take his portrait, but since he didn’t speak English, my efforts were reduced to hand gestures and smiles, which didn’t quite work. I wished him well as he continued his walk.

A few days later, while chasing the soft afternoon light, I saw him again, sitting on the front porch of a house with a young woman. His face lit up when he saw me, and he gestured toward the young woman, who was his niece, Singara. Finally, we could communicate. Through her, Mr. Sukhi shared how much he loved the open spaces, but his heart ached for home. He was nearing the end of his three-month stay and was eager to see his family again.

What really struck me was his magnificent smile and the elegance of his presence. When he wasn’t smiling, though, his demeanor could easily be misread—a reminder of how narrow minds and assumptions can distort perceptions of different cultures and religions.