Namaskar - A 3 week journey in India
DecisiveMoment
Registered Users Posts: 7 Beginner grinner
Hi fellow world trotters,
Stumbled upon this forum while updating my gallery at Smugmug. It's always delightful to see others travel photos to whet my insatiable wanderlust.
Recently came back from a 3-week trip in India. A fascinating country with such a rich cultural history, religious overtone and colorful people (both figuratively and literally). Throughout the journey, I was in nirvana (photographically speaking).
The incessant honking on the road, chaotic traffic, air pollution and not to mention the overwhelming crowds did wear on me towards the end. But all in all a memorable experience that I will cherish for a long time to come.
Namaskar. A very courteous doorman greeted me at the hotel I stayed in Orcha.
Not only does Agra have Taj Mahal, its Agra Fort is also a must see. This lady was 'guarding' the entrance of a temple within the Fort.
Well, not so much guarding the entrance but she looked after tourists' shoes while they were busy checking out the artifacts.
It would not be an India travelogue without a picture of Taj Mahal. I found this the most challenging photo to take because it is such an iconic structure that most of its photos become kind of cliche.
Well, I will let you decide whether this is just another banal image of Taj Mahal.
1.13 billion of people are living on this sub-continent and you'll find fellow human beings literally everywhere.
These locals are lining up to see the Taj Mahal.
Colorful and glittering saris are common sights in India. It's amazing how Indian women can walk and work so elegantly while under wrap.
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Gotta go back to work. There are many more photos to come, so stay tune.
Cheers
Jonathan
Stumbled upon this forum while updating my gallery at Smugmug. It's always delightful to see others travel photos to whet my insatiable wanderlust.
Recently came back from a 3-week trip in India. A fascinating country with such a rich cultural history, religious overtone and colorful people (both figuratively and literally). Throughout the journey, I was in nirvana (photographically speaking).
The incessant honking on the road, chaotic traffic, air pollution and not to mention the overwhelming crowds did wear on me towards the end. But all in all a memorable experience that I will cherish for a long time to come.
Namaskar. A very courteous doorman greeted me at the hotel I stayed in Orcha.
Not only does Agra have Taj Mahal, its Agra Fort is also a must see. This lady was 'guarding' the entrance of a temple within the Fort.
Well, not so much guarding the entrance but she looked after tourists' shoes while they were busy checking out the artifacts.
It would not be an India travelogue without a picture of Taj Mahal. I found this the most challenging photo to take because it is such an iconic structure that most of its photos become kind of cliche.
Well, I will let you decide whether this is just another banal image of Taj Mahal.
1.13 billion of people are living on this sub-continent and you'll find fellow human beings literally everywhere.
These locals are lining up to see the Taj Mahal.
Colorful and glittering saris are common sights in India. It's amazing how Indian women can walk and work so elegantly while under wrap.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gotta go back to work. There are many more photos to come, so stay tune.
Cheers
Jonathan
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New Delhi - the capital city of India since 1911. The city planning and design was the work of the eminent British architect, Edwin Lutyens. Take a stroll down the city center, there are ubitquitous remnants from the colonial era.
Connaught Place is still the commercial hub of New Delhi to this day.
Most first time travelers to India would agree that riding through its traffic is a constant source of excitement and adrenalin rush. A conglomerate of automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, tuk tuk, bicycles, rickshaws and pedestrians all competing in a free-for-all mad dash. It is a scene of lawlessness, yet miraculously this organized chaos seems to sort itself out without too many hiccups.
These yellow and green auto rickshaws (aka tuk tuk) are ubiquitous in India and their drivers are notoriously anarchic. I highly recommend having a tuk tuk experience to give you a true taste of Indian traffic.
My tuk tuk driver non-chalantly posed for this photo shoot while instinctively dodging hazards on the road.
Want to kick it up a notch? Hire a rickshaw to take you around the old town. These rickshaw wallahs have my utmost respect.
A quick google search tells me that India is the second largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, next only to China.
Before we leave Delhi, a visit to the old town and take a trip down Chandni Chowk would no doubt captivate your senses. No photo can really do justice to the old bazaars. To experience the din, the smell and the infectious emotion of the hectic markets, you have to be there.
Garland and flower vendors in Old Delhi - buying garland for puja (prayer) is daily ritual for most Hindus.
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Until next time. Stay tune for more images from this vibrant country.
Cheers
Jonathan
Thanks for sharing. Please post more.
"The knower of the Self crosses over all sorrow"
Lovely work!
ann
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The use of Richard Dawkins' book title as the heading of this post was not meant to stir up any religious debate. Suffice it to say that being an atheist, I found the religious overtone in India on one hand fascinating (as a social phenomenon), but on the other hand depressing given that millions were killed throughout its history due to religious conflicts and intolerance.
Nowadays Hinduism accounts for 80% of the population of India, followed by Islam at about 13%. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity represent the minorities.
In Varanasi, an Hindu guru strategically located at a main intersection. He earned his living by posing to the tourists. I was told by my local guide that his authenticity or credential (if there was such a thing) was debatable.
This Hindu priest eagerly ushered me into his temple and willingly posed for me. If not for the 'rosary' on his neck, he could have easily passed off as some Bollywood star!
A Buddhist monk was completely absorbed in the scripture at a temple in Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.
A Sikh devotee on duty during a Sikh festival in New Delhi.
Jainism followers... so are they called 'Jainites'?
The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi - innumerable pilgrims who flock to the river to take a bath in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. The water is choked full of E. Coli and heavy metals. So I guess it is the work of god that not many people got ill from drinking the water?!
A local boatman having his moment of epiphany along the holy Ganges.
Holy Ganges at dawn.
Nowadays Muslims only represents 13% of the Indian population but it is the largest minority religion. Islamic presence is still very much palpable in India.
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Next time we will look at some palatial and ceremonial architecture. Stay tune.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jonathan
All these shots are very well composed and just about the right amount of colors in the color shots and great tones on the b/w's.
Congrats.
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful shots. I love the photo of the boatman on the Ganges - really really beautiful!
Can't wait to see more.
Live today like you'll wish you would have 10 years in the future. You only get one life; this is it...live it up. - Joy Nash
My fellow grinners,
Thank you so much for your compliments. I really appreciate it.
Sharing my photos here gives me the momentum to grow photographically. There is still so much to learn and experiment!
Wish you all have a productive year.
Jonathan
In case you haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1010048/), it's one of my recent favorites. The movie really highlights the country's religious conflicts, social injustices and gut-wrenching poverty but without any preaching. At the end, there is still a glimmer of hope...
Despite India's soaring GDP and phenomenal growth rate, according to the latest World Bank estimates on poverty, 256 million Indians, or 41.6% of the country's population, survive below the updated international poverty line of $1.25 per day.
However, for the financially (usually politically as well) privileged few, exorbitant living was / is the norm.
Chand Baori is one of the deepest and largest step wells in India. It was built in the 9th century. With 3500 narrow steps and 13 stories leading down to 100 feet. It was used by royal family as respite from the summer heat and for ritual baths before worshiping.
Lavish city palace and lake palace complex in Udaipur. One of the James Bond movies, Octopussy, was shot at the palace. It was Roger Moore in case you are wondering.
Extravagant decor - city palace, Udaipur
Gold plated roof top - Amber Fort
Amber Fort interior
Catholic nuns and palace - Orchha
Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. In addition to the famed white domed marble mausoleum, other neighboring structures are equally impressive. The entire complex took over 20 years to finish.
Humayun tomb - Delhi. The resting place of the Mughal Emperor Humayan.
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This concludes my second last post of the India series. Thanks for your attention so far.
Cheers
Jonathan
Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
Hi,
Here is the final installment of my India portfolio. All I can say is that it was an exhilarating trip! Truly eye-opening experience.
Mother and Sons (1) - Sikri Fatehpur, India
Mother and Son (2) - Delhi, India
Modernity - Agra Fort, Delhi, India
Mustache - City Palace Museum, Udaipur, India
Enlightenment - Jain Temple, India
Antiquity (1) - Udaipur, India
Antiquity (2) - Orchha, India
Hindi Lock - Orchha, India
Worker in Sari (1) - Fort Amber, India
Workers in Sari (2) - Fort Amber, India
Worker in Sari (3) - Fort Amber, India
Workers in Sari (4) - Fort Amber, India
Gossip - Sikri Fatehpur, India
Antique Post Office - City Palace Museum, Udaipur
City Palace - Orchha, India
En-Route - Delhi to Varanasi Train, India
Awe - Varanasi, India
Street Vendor - Mumbai, India
Taxi - Mumbai, India
Post 26-11 - Mumbai, India
Three Men - Orchha, India
Three Children - Orchha, India
Ray - Agra Fort, Agra, India
Room 22 - Udaipur, India
Boatmen - Varanasi, India
Wedding Procession - orchha, India
Sisters - Agra, India
Barbed Window - Mumbai, India
New Delhi, India
Remnants - Delhi, India
Dhobi - Mumbai, India
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Thank you all for viewing. For my other portfolios from my other trips, check out my smugmug site (http://decisive-moment.smugmug.com)
Comments/critiques are much needed.
Cheers
Jonathan
My Gallery
Thank you for your work.
What I'd love to know is how you go everyone to pose so nicely for you? Did you have to pay them? or were you using a long zoom lens?
Thanks for sharing the trip!
Jase // www.stonesque.com
www.morffed.com
Fantastic. I grew up in Varanasi, and visited many of the cities in your photographs every year. You have captured India and its vitality
Hi,
It's really encouraging to hear all the positive feedback. It really helps to keep me motivated.
Most of the portraits are candid shots and for those where the subjects were posing, I simply smiled and asked politely. By and large, Indians are very friendly and don't mind being photographed. Having said that, I did encounter some subjects asked for money after shots were taken. I would normally give an appropriate amount.
I know there are some photographers who are not willing to pay under these circumstances. It's a philosophical debate. Personally, I don't see any problem.
For those candid shots, my trick was to pretend I was shooting something else by pointing the lens in other direction. Then quickly redirect the camera and snatch a shot. This worked well for me. The subjects would act natural without being too self conscious.
Once again, thanks for the compliments. And I have looked at your galleries (too many to specify individual name), most are of high quality!
Best regards and happy shooting.
Cheers
Jonathan
I am so impressed by the quality of your photographs-- they are all breathtaking, and what impresses me also is your ability to understand the things that you are seeing, despite the cultural differences. informative, intersting, ispirational!
My Website
David
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Los Angeles dance photographer
Website: http://www.allenparseghian.com
Namaste.
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Ditto on wow. If I were you, I would be looking for publishers to take my work to the next level. I was an avid reader of National Geographic. If I were to open one of their magazines on India and you were featured, I would not be disappointed.
You haven't told us much about yourself...maybe you are already published, if not, I wouldn't know why.
Thanks for sharing.
Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.
Ed
I have to agree. Looking through the photos my thought was "There is a book in here." So very well done.
Spectacular!