Why? Well there is a man named David DuChemin. He is a Canadian, so you know he is friendly. But in addition to being friendly, he is also one of the biggest influences in my photography career. Now, Mr. DuChemin doesn’t know this yet, but maybe if he reads this he will. It all started when I read his book ‘How to Feed a Starving Artist’. At the time, I was, in fact, a starving artist. Ok, well the slight beer belly I carried proved that I was NOT in fact starving, but I sure as hell didn’t know the first thing about how to get my photography business off of the ground. At the time, the book was as valuable to me as Bitcoin. It taught me about some important lessons that I put to use as I actually began to make photography not only my passion, but also my career. Fast forward a couple of years, and I felt myself falling into a creative slump. I was running in circles, not being able to harness my energy and creativity towards an end goal. That’s when DuChemin published ‘A Beautiful Anarchy.’ 

One Amazon reviewer called it the ‘Bible of Creativity,’ and that is 1000% accurate. It is a book I have read numerous times over, and, now that I am thinking about it, must read again.

Anyway, back to what David DuChemin has to do with me questioning what I know about travel photography. This week, he launched his online mentorclass ‘The Traveling Lens’ on his Craft & Vision website. There are few people who can force me to sit down at a computer and watch videos and then read in depth lessons about what I just watched in order to try to become better at something, but David DuChemin is one of them. So I brewed up a fresh batch of coffee and put the Whisky on ice and went through the course. And, it changed me. After all of these years, it is still amazing to me that I can still learn so much. I wasn’t doing anything wrong before, per say, but this course opened my eyes as to what I can do BETTER. Once again, David DuChemin, from hundreds of miles away having never met me, had somehow reigned in my wandering creative mind and forced me to look at the bigger picture, while at the same time, forcing me to take a closer look.

I am excited to share with you just a small sample of important lessons from this course that I either learned for the first time or re-learned with new eyes and ears. But this is just a small sample, and I am no David DuChemin. So if you have ever wanted to improve your visual storytelling, even if not ‘traveling’, I know this course will be valuable to you, so sign up today and improve your storytelling with me. Oh, and yeah, don’t put it off. Enrollment is only open for a week. Need even more incentive? That friendly Canadian is giving away a new camera and lens and a plane ticket to anywhere in the world to one lucky person who enrolls before September 4th.

So read on, see what I learned, check out some of his beautiful photos from India, where the mentorclass was filmed.

Below are some of my favorite quotes from Duchemin in the Traveling Lens mentorclass. This is just a SMALL sample. I had over 150 of his quotes in my notepad as I wrote this article. If you have ever read Duchemin’s books, you won’t be surprised as you know he is a master of inspirational and ‘ah ha!’ phrases. 

It’s not about photographing everything that moves, but rather, what moves you.

This philosophy is a recurring theme in the class. And DuChemin makes sure to drive the point home in many ways. Go slow, develop a plan, (more on that later) and don’t scatter shot. I put this at the top of the list because it can relate to much of what is explained in the class. And is something I am horrible at. Being a ‘reactive’ travel photographer, I rarely go into a trip with a plan or a goal. Sure, it has worked for me. But am I really telling the BEST stories possible? Definitely not. I always had a feeling I wasn’t, but after taking this class, I am sure I can do better.

The postcards have already been shot, and they’re never the deeper images that reflect your unique experience and perspective on a place. Go determined to find your Varanasi, Paris, or Cairo.

As DuChemin also explains, there is nothing wrong with the postcard shots. If that is all that you aim to do on a trip, then go for it . But this is a class that is catered to those who want to take their travel story telling to a higher level. And the stories aren’t in the postcards in the gift shops. Another quote he said that relates to this point: ‘The needs of the tourist (one who tours) are different from the needs of the photographer.’ You need to determine which one you want to be, and approach your travels in that way. It’s not easy (or as enjoyable) to be both.

Don’t get so hung up on preparation that you never get on the plane.

Preach on Sir DuChemin! I am not a planner. As stated above, I am reactive. I get off the plane, and I react. All too often, I talk with photographers who invest so much time in the planning, only to have a couple things happen when they hit the ground. Nothing goes as planned, and the reality isn’t what their expectations were. Instead of rolling with the punches, they spend too much time trying to get back on track, and before you know it, the trip is over.

Most people plan to see way too much and in the end they never really see it.

I learned this lesson the hard way. The one and only time I went to Europe was in 2009. A couple of friends and myself decided to see six countries in just under three weeks. And one of those countries was Ireland, where we planned a road trip around around the Ring of Kerry in addition to our time in Cork and Dublin. As you can imagine, we saw a lot in every country. Guess how much I remember? None of it. Why? Because we didn’t give ourselves the time needed to become engrained in the locations, the culture, the history. We literally ‘followed the plaques,’ took our snapshots, and moved on to the next country via airplane, which was another nightmare in itself. These days, like DuChemin, I get much more enjoyment (and much better photos) when I plant my flag.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Your First job as a photographer is to SEE, and not necessarily with your eyes.

This may be the most obvious quote in the bunch, yet, I bet no one ‘thought’ about it before hearing it. Photography is so much more than seeing the scene. You have to read the scene. Feel the vibes. Live in the moments. All of these aspects, and many more that DuChemin covers, help you ‘see’ better.

Courage is one of the most important skills of a travel photographer.

That’s right. Not composition. Not the ability to find and capture the right light. But courage. You have that perfect light…that amazing scene in front of you. But it’s missing something…or someone. What if you had an incredible face in the frame. Someone whose story you can tell through the portraits you take in these perfect conditions. Well, guess what. You aren’t going to find those interesting people who hold those enthralling stories without having the courage to put yourself out of your comfort zone and get to know the locals you might otherwise walk by as you angle your head down to the ground.

How to approach the locals, how to keep them engaged, and most importantly, how to earn their respect, is all covered in depth in the mentorclass, and DeChemin nails it perfectly.

Establish some relationships and from those, you’ll create new opportunities that no passing tourist will ever have.

Once you have found that courage, learning how to connect with the people is an important part of the lessons, and for good reason. EVERY travel experience that I look back on with amazing memories stemmed from relationships that were established. Some of them have taken years and multiple trips to cultivate, while others happened over minutes in passing. But those connections would lead to amazing experiences that I can promise, very few other tourists ever had in those locations. DuChemin says it best: ‘Respect opens doors. Disrespect closes them and often locks them.’

Your attention is a resource, like money and time. It’s not infinite. Did you really come all this way to spend time on your iPhone, answer the same emails you do at home, or to check in on Facebook or Instagram to see what others are doing rather than having an adventure of your own?

This really needs no explanation. Read it again. And again. And again.

The curious always win.

Have you heard of Humans of New York? I am assuming you have, because he is amazing. Why is he so amazing? He isn’t the most technically perfect photographer of all time. What he IS amazing at is his story telling. And how did he get the skills to be able to get some of the most sensitive and private information locked away in his subjects mind? By genuinely being curious about people’s stories. He didn’t fake it. In his early days, I imagine his curiosity came off in such a soft approach that his subjects felt comfortable with him. Over the years, he has continuously refined his skills, but there is one thing that hasn’t changed over the years. His genuine curiosity about the Humans of New York. And that is what makes him an amazing story teller.

Great travel portraits come from respect, curiosity, and courage.

DuChemin often talks about the ‘defensive’ posture of subjects that he sees in a lot of travel portraits from around the world. That is for good reason. Most photographers simply walk up to an interesting looking subject, ask to take their photo (some don’t even bother with this step) and then walk away. There is no comfort, no respect, and no real person in the resulting photo. It is simply a statue. Why? Because the photographer lacked one of the quoted traits (or even all three). I can fully attest to this in all of my travels. My most coveted portraits came from the subjects that I spent time with. The ones I got to know. The ones that respected me for not treating them like a painting in a museum.

Learning how DuChemin achieves all three of these traits when he is taking portraits was one of my favorite and informative sections of the mentorclass. Even though I felt like I knew about this before, seeing it through his eyes inspired me and got me excited for my upcoming trips to Morocco and Jordan. Not just for the photos, but for the experiences of getting to know the people that will wind up in my viewfinder.

Get used to the awkward silence; there’s nothing wrong with it.

So you nail the courage to talk to a future subject, your curiosity makes them comfortable to open up to you, and you feel that they are respecting you for it. Don’t let that relationship crumble with your reaction to the impending awkward silence. It is bound to happen, especially if you do not speak the same language. A smile and a laugh are often just as loud as your words.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Showing too much dilutes the power of a photograph. If everything in the image pulls at my eye—my attention—with the same amount of power, my eye won’t know where to go, and you’ll dilute the power of the thing that could otherwise be most important, the subject that otherwise would give the image its strongest impact.

This came from another of my favorite parts of the course where DuChemin explains how to isolate your subjects. I never really thought about all of the different ways you can isolate the subject of a photograph. But there is a couple really creative ways that he explains perfectly. This is something I never really ‘practiced’ before, but it will be at the forefront of my mind on my future travels.

Leaving Mystery is interesting and powerful.

So you have learned how to isolate your subjects. But as DuChemin explains, ‘If I know the whole story the second I see the photo, my attention is gone.’ He goes on to explain how to leave a little mystery in your photos. Just enough to keep those viewers eyes glued to the screen and engaged.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Cliche is in how you do it, not in what you do.

Stop the train! David Duchemin just laid down the hammer! This is so spot on. We photographers hear that bad word, ‘cliche’, all the time. If George Carlin was a photographer, there would be 8 dirty words you can’t say, not 7. But as DuChemin goes on to explain, there is nothing cliche about a location or a look. But if you don’t get original, if you don’t think outside the box, if you don’t FEEL the scene and let that translate to your photographs, you will just come out with another cliche photograph.

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Ami Vitale admitted, not entirely jokingly, that she didn’t really know what the rule of thirds was. Her point was that you have to shoot with your heart and that the story was way more important than following the so-called rules.

If you follow National Geographic’s Ami Vitale, this quote will blow your mind. But then, you really think about her photos, and it’s obvious that everything she captures really comes from the heart. And that’s why it resonates so strongly with us the viewers.

Make photographs that are about something rather than merely of something.

No words needed. This quote perfectly sums up the overview of the lessons DuChemin teaches us in this mentorclass.

The single greatest challenge I face as I travel is seeing the place.  That is why I take visual inventories.

I never knew what a visual inventory was, and maybe it is a concept invented by Duchemin. In essence, what Duchemin drives home is that you are NOT going to photograph it all, so you need to begin taking a visual inventory as soon as you get off of the plane. You need to take note (physically, in a journal if possible) elements of the locations that draw in your imagination. This will help you properly channel your focus, instead of just aimlessly walking the streets ‘looking’ for something to photograph.  The class has a much more in depth explanation and lesson planned molded around this concept that I can’t properly due justice, but I do know this is an insanely valuable lesson that I will be utilizing the second I get off of the plane in Morocco and Jordan this fall.

Sketch. Evaluate. Keep trying. The images that don’t work (yet) are not crap; they’re necessary steps to get to the good stuff. They are sketch images.

“One and Done is a myth.” Something I never thought about. Sure, I have gotten lucky with a photograph here and there with one take, but the majority of images I take have gone through a ‘trial and error’ system of a couple of ‘test’ photos taken before. But I didn’t really think through that process. I didn’t really realize WHAT I was looking for in my test photographs, but DuChemin explains his process of ‘sketch images’ in great detail. Before, I would think of these as failed images. But they are far from it. They are my sketch images, that are necessary in order to properly capture the final, refined piece of art.

Themes and constraints are critical to forcing you to learn how to focus and take deeper, more meaningful story telling images.

This is something I am terrible at. DuChemin says ‘Pray and Spray’ no fewer than 20 times in the course, and there is a reason. He is trying to teach you to tell a story with your images, and good stories don’t come from the ‘Pray and Spray’ approach. Go grab a National Geographic and read any of the articles and ask yourself “Did that photographer ‘Pray and Spray?'” I can guarantee the answer is no. They followed the established theme. Obviously the overview is given to them when the assignment is given, but in this part of the course, DuChemin expertly teaches you how to be your own creative director AND how to convey that creative direction into a story, based on the theme that you have narrowed your work on site down to. How can you become even more focused on that theme? By setting up constraints. As DuChemin says, having too many choices is not a good thing. Oh, you have 4 different lenses to take that portrait with? Well while you shuffle through your camera bag looking through your options, the moment with your subject has passed. They are no longer loose and in the moment. This wouldn’t have happened if you set a constraint to only shoot this theme on one specific lens. The themes and constraints portions of the class were exemplary. They have made me rethink years of my approach to travel story telling. And I couldn’t be more excited to start implementing his lessons about themes and constraints in my future trips.

A story told well can stop the frenetic Instagram scrolling and engage and that’s one of the reasons we use storytelling.

This is an issue I have long wrestled with myself about. I WANT to be a visual storyteller. And in a sense, I am through the original stories I tell on Resource Travel. But Instagram makes that same storytelling difficult. Not impossible. But difficult. So all to often, I am in a thinking about two different photos when I am traveling. What will work for Instagram, and what will work for the story. While my mind is trying to decipher how to accomplish both, I am losing the important connections and moments in unfolding in front of me.

So what do I do? Well, to be honest, I have to stop giving a damn about what people on Instagram want to see. I should be posting what I want to see. The stories I want to tell. The amazing people I want to introduce to the world. And I shouldn’t care about how many people like it, or if I lose followers as a result of my storytelling. If that story resonates deeply with just one person who I make stop in their tracks and dive deeper into the experience, it is worth more than the 500 likes achieved from the frenetic scroll that is Instagram.

And thanks to this incredible mentorclass  from David DuChemin, I now have the courage and the knowledge to start telling the real travel stories that have meaning, emotion, and an everlasting effect on not just my viewers, but also on me. Thank you once again for lighting the path on my never-ending photography journey.

The post 20 Lessons David DuChemin Taught Me About Travel Photography appeared first on Resource Travel.

Arefin began drawing and sketching at a young age and initially had hopes of becoming a painter. But while pursuing a fine art degree, the battle with perfectionism caused him to lose interest in the craft. Eventually, using a camera that he bought to take photographs of his artwork, he registered for a 365 photo project and learned photography through taking photos and engaging with the online community. And most importantly, because he had to post photos every day, Arefin stopped worrying about perfection and instead begin to focus on the process of creating. Eventually, this choice led to his unique style–which, knowing he has a background as a painter, makes sense. 

We sat down with Arefin to ask him about those interesting elements of photography, what he looks for in the city streets, and what he hopes to achieve as a photographer.

It seems most of your pictures are taken at the beginning of the day or the end. I’d imagine this is partly because of the good lighting at that time of the day, but do you feel it goes beyond that?

It’s true that the main purpose of shooting either in early morning or late afternoon is the amazing quality of light. But at the same time another important reason is the mood and the ambiance. The light I work with is perfect for the soft, serene, and whimsical kind of look I want in my images. Also, personally, I feel that that particular light makes the images look a bit wistful and adds a certain kind of emotional aspect. It’s also great to capture the details and richness of colors.

The shadows and lighting and colors in your photographs are amazing. You kind of touched on this in the previous answer, but can you tell me a little bit more about why these elements are important to you?

Well thank you and yes, certainly these elements are the most important parts of my images. I’m especially obsessed with light, it’s probably the most important thing I pay attention to when I photograph something. After all, photography is painting with light, right? A dramatic use of light can turn something mundane and simple into something extraordinary and telling. Personally, I love shooting with backlight. For me, that dramatic contrast between light and shadows adds much depth and mystery. For color, I think if the light is the soul of a photo then color is the heart. Color can trigger human emotions and that’s how I try to use it. I use the tones and colors according to the mood and emotion I want to express through my image.

Your website describes your photography as “often whimsical, with a dreamy feel, yet the elements are utterly taken from real life.” When you set out to take pictures, are you mainly focusing on the real-life element and then later, in the edit, try to find the whimsical? Or do you have an idea about the whimsical and go looking for it in real life?

It’s actually a bit of both. Most of the time I try to take an ordinary everyday object or element, shoot and edit it in a way that makes it look whimsical. My idea has always been to make people believe that, if you open your eyes, you can both find beauty everywhere as well as see your surroundings with a fresh, different perspective. But yes, sometimes it happens that I get a certain concept in my mind and for that I need some unusual objects and props. For example, in the past, I created some fairy tale type images inspired by Harry Potter or Beauty and the Beast and for those images I had to collect props related to witchcraft and fairytales. So yeah, sometimes it’s taking something very ordinary and trying to represent it in a whimsical way and sometimes its about coming up with a concept and trying to find fitting elements to make that idea happen.

Did your street photography always have the whimsical dreamy feel as well? Or did you take the fantasy elements from your still life photography and try to apply it to people and city life?

The miniature or still life photography is something I started with and has always been the main focus. I love to work with still life objects. In all objects, there is a sense of human presence, emotions, and stories. You can tell a whole story through your images without even using people. As far as the other account, I actually started shooting street in 2016 when I took a solo trip to Kathmandu, Nepal. So by the time I was shooting the streets I already had developed a personal style and tried to apply that there. I wanted to see how my street shots would look if I shot them in the same manner of my still life photos. For both styles, I try to find something simple and and try to make it look beautiful and moody.

With a few exceptions, your photography, though never claustrophobic, does have an element of containment. For example, narrow alleys or the walls of a city seem to confine the subjects in your photographs. Living in New York City, I sometimes feel a little trapped, or restricted by everything around me. Is this something you are trying to capture or convey in your imagery? Or is it just a natural result of taking photos in a city?

I have never thought to confine the subjects. Personally, I just love narrow lanes and streets. This love grew when I was traveling in Varanasi, India. The whole city is full of really narrow streets, lanes and alleys. It was incredible to see how happening and lively the space can be. I enjoy shooting these places for few reasons, one is the way sunlight leaks through the narrow walls and you can actually create beautiful dramatic lighting effects. Secondly, I love vertical compositions and narrow lanes are perfect for that. And lastly, usually the kind of stories and events I look for, happen in those places. You will often find people doing everyday chores, chatting with other people, or just taking a break and having tea, or maybe someone is just sitting on his/her doorstep at the end of the day. For me these places are full of emotions, stories, and the unique essence of local lifestyle which I don’t find in the main city streets. So yes for me, it’s more about seeing life happening rather than getting restrained.

There is a contentment and serenity in the people going about these everyday task, which is partly what makes them special. I see it as these little moments that might seem like nothing but are important because they are part of life. Or maybe that even the little moments in life can be beautiful.  Am I way off?

You are absolutely right. I truly believe that it’s the little things and little moments that make living beautiful. And to find happiness you don’t really need to do much if you know the importance of simple small moments. As I mentioned my photographs are a reflection of my own personal realization: I realized that being happy and creating something perfect, didn’t mean I had to do something big. It’s just enjoying what you have, and looking at your surroundings with a positive mind.

Okay, loaded questions. What does photography mean to you?  And what do you wish to do with it?

Well I started photography as another medium to express myself and to create my art. I know that one way or another I’d still create no matter what, let it be photography or through drawing or painting. But yes one thing photography did for me is give me creative freedom and open up both my heart and eyes to find the beauty around me. I also overcame many of my fears, traveled to unknown places, and met so many wonderful artists and people who I really admire and am proud to call my friends. So yeah, photography is a world which, right now, I just can’t live without. In my artwork, I always wanted to create something that’s meaningful to other people and that’s what I want to continue with photography. To create images that will make me, and at the same time, other people happy. Through my work, I hope I can add a little beauty to their lives. This world has so many problems and bad things are happening everyday, if my work can make people feel happy and appreciate the beauty of life even for a moment, I’ll be happy.

 

Ashraful has definitely given us a chance to appreciate the beauty of life and find a moment of happiness with his imagery. And whether it is still life or street photography, we’re excited to follow his journey as a photographer. Now, if only we could convey his message about appreciating the little moments to almost anyone who rides the subway in New York City.

Follow Ashraful Arefin on his Website, Facebook, & Both Instagram Accounts: Street Photography & Still Life Photography

The post Discovering The Quiet Side of City Life in India appeared first on Resource Travel.

My first four days were spent in Jodhpur, the second largest city in the western Rajasthan state of India and although known as the Blue City, colors were plentiful, most evident by the local’s vibrant and flowing clothing; hues of pink, yellow, orange dragged the hardened earth they lived, slept and walked, creating a stark contrast between personal beauty and the harshest environmental conditions. While my primary mission in Jodhpur was to teach photography to the young women of the Sambhali Trust, a school for “Empowering Women and Children in Rajasthan,” opportunities were endless to capture amazing portraits as I walked down the narrow streets filled with market goods under the canopy of draped tapestries. The narrow streets were a common route to roaming cattle, wild dogs and thousands of motorbikes and pedestrians. I tightly squeezed by oversized wheelbarrows filled with garlic, citrus and flowers to better position myself to photograph the smiling and aged faces of women, men and the curious eyes of children. All of whom were generous, inviting and shared their offerings of Masala Chai tea and chapatti bread with me.

The mission of The Giving Lens is to empower local communities and their youth by helping to stoke their creative aspirations. Many of the children that The Giving Lens works with are raised beliving their future is already written, and that future usually starts at a young age and involves working hard for low paying wages, long after they had abandoned their education. We aim to break the cycle by encouraging youth to continue their studies and freeing their creative minds, which may help them continue onto university and obtain better jobs when they reach adulthood. Our co-leader in India, Michael Bonocore, wrote a great piece about the mission of The Giving Lens and how our work has actually helped empower local communities and youth.

In Jodhpur, the young women of Sambhali Trust are considered “untouchables” or those who are born in the lowest level of Indian society. To me, these incredible young ladies brought me indescribable warmth and joy and reinforced my passion and fire for photography. For three days, my assigned students and I explored the markets and sacred temples that guarded the city from above. Each of my students was quick to pick up the basics of photography and had a keen eye for detail and natural lighting that others I have taught struggled to conquer. Their innocence and joy of seeing the greatness in things that seemed so simple were refreshing to experience in the middle of the absolute chaos of the city’s streets. Kindness, intelligence, humor and friendship are memories that I have taken with me. Their potential is only limited by their society and forever, I will only know them as ‘unforgettable’ and not ‘untouchable.’

Leaving Jodhpur for a 5-hour bus ride to Jaipur provided me time to reflect on the sights, sounds and compassion felt from the many strangers with whom I had already shared a human connection with in India. The hospitable, kind, loving and inviting Indian people over-shadowed the incessant honking of horns, elbow bumping and tripping over others feet due to overcrowdedness. These added layers of stress forced me to find focus and hone in on my personal photography goals, while passing along my craft to others.

Jaipur provided two particular moments that I have yet to witness anywhere else along my global photography travels and, quite honestly, I had not planned to experience. After our longer-than-anticipated bus ride that took closer to 7-hours, we started a new day in a new city (although equally as chaotic) with knowledable local guides. We traveled about an hour out of the city to an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site now home to a large colony of macaque monkeys. Monkey temple, as it is commonly called, is surrounded by a natural spring that feeds into seven ponds, creating a sustainable source of life for the monkeys. For hours, I felt like a child again. I couldn’t keep from smiling as I watched the monkeys jump, climb, run and maybe even blush a time or two as “adult” behaviors were exhibited, even at the expense of a colleague’s shoulder. Photographing wild monkeys in a sacred temple was not on my preparation list.

Approaching my last day in India, I was feeling conflicted between missing the comforts (and food) back home and preparing for the goodbyes of a country, people and experiences that filled the temporary void of my homesickness. The final afternoon was spent loving on gentle giants at the Elefantastic Sanctuary, the vision of an Indian man in 2012 to provide a safe and loving experience with Asian elephants. Akin to the childhood feeling from Monkey temple, I was even more giddy and excited as we entered the sanctuary where I would eventually meet my new companion for the day. After an orientation to the proper ways to feed, pet and care for the graceful animals, we were escorted to our individual elephant for a brief greeting and then allowed to spend time and connect through touch, talk and walk. Our connection was instant – she responded well to my soft hand on her face by emitting a deep rumble-like sound from her forehead. While hugging and loving on her for 45-minutes, I asked for her name and was not expecting the heart-pounding reaction when told, “Her name is Tara.” How can it be that my assigned Asian elephant in India on my last day of nearly two weeks away from home shares the same name as my wife? My journey then came full circle.

India was everything and more than I imagined. I prepared for what seemed like forever, but all of the preparation in the world could have made me ready for the connections, love, and inspiration that I gained in this complicated and beautiful country. Traveling photography is enthralling – no set agenda, an unbridled ability to meet strangers with the assistance of a camera, open invitations into homes and lives, and exploration of new cultures, people and traditions. While reading, talking and watching motion pictures provide some insight to the visiting community, until you put your feet on the ground, breathe in the local aromas and watch life unfold in front of your camera, there is simply no preparation for the joy and overwhelming appreciation of being welcomed into homes, families and communities. Now that I am home, I am reliving the sensory and soul overload through my photographs and memories. And with each photo that I lay my eyes on, I am reminded that I would happily return to the comfortable madness felt in the deafening and overcrowding Indian cities that I had the privilege of experiencing for 10 days. Namaste.

The post 10 Days in India: 45 Photos of Chaos, Color, and Community appeared first on Resource Travel.

The follow-up to ‘MOROCCO’ takes viewers on a journey to one of the highest and least populated regions in the world, located in the Indian Himalayas. Connella captured the area’s beauty and magnificence and witnessed the incredibly rare celebration and arrival of his Holiness the High Lama to the small town of Mudh for the first time during “this life’s incarnation.”

The Tipsy Gypsies consider themselves to have been very fortunate to be passing through the village of Mudh at the time of the festivities. “It had been over 50 years,” Connella explains. The film lets viewers witness some preparations, like the corralling of the yaks, along with the costumes, singing and unfolding celebrations.

This film was made for and inspired by Connella’s father, who passed away last year. While battling cancer, he told his son he would join him on his trip to the Himalayas if he ever got better. Sadly, it didn’t pan out, but Connella stayed true to his father’s wishes and brought his ashes with him on his trip to spread them in the Himalayas, and then dedicated his time to making this film for his father.

It’s almost impossible for me to believe that it’s been a year since I’ve last spoken to my dad. He was such a burning light of inspiration to me. One of the most passionate, enthusiastic people I’ve ever known. He was going to travel to the Himalayas with me, and it makes me so angry that this will never happen. But I’ve tried to do what I can with those feelings and turn them into something positive.

Connella and his wife have been in India for nearly six months now but their trip is coming to an end. They will soon move to other countries for more filming and more adventures. All of their experiences can be found at on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

The post Filmmaker Honors Late Father With an Inspirational Trip Through the Remote Indian Himalayas appeared first on Resource Travel.

Shom sat down with Resource Travel and explained how she made that vow into a reality.

I started taking pictures with an SLR camera, printing them out and then going back to hand out the prints. Logistics-wise, that sometimes was very tricky.

Late last year, Shom returned to Kolkata for the umpteenth time, but this time bringing along her husband, their two children, and a friend, who also happened to be a photographer. The goal of the trip was to once again give the underprivileged some precious, tangible memories, but Shom would use an instant camera this time.

The picture taking process was immensely simplified. I could take photos and hand people their prints right away.

Shom says she was greatly inspired by the movie “Siddharth“, which was filmed in India. In this movie, a young boy goes missing and his father does not have a single image of his son to help the police be able to identify him.

I think here in the West we’ve lost sight of the real power of photography. I think our project really helps people see it in a different light.

As she was preparing her trip, Shom contacted Fujifilm to see if they would support the project she had named “GivePhotos,” by possibly donating some film and cameras. Eventually, she traveled to India with three Instax wide cameras and 1,000 Instax wide prints.

“First photo!”
© GivePhotos

To avoid having x-rays damage the film, we had everything carefully hand inspected as we went through security checks in LAX and Hong Kong.

When the group arrived in Kolkata after months of planning and preparation, Shom felt more nervous than ever. As a teenager with an SLR, when she started what would become “GivePhotos”, she only photographed people she knew through her family.

“Now I’d be going up to complete strangers asking if I could take their photograph.”

“Mana never went to school. She started working in people’s homes at age 9. Married at 15, she lost all ties with her family who didn’t approve of her husband. Now her husband works in a different state. He occasionally sends money to help with the kids. Mana earns about $150 per month from her two jobs. Most of her income goes to pay for her children’s school.”
© GivePhotos

After the initial trepidation eased, everything eventually settled and the project was turning into a great success. As Shom was photographing the people she met, her husband and her friend captured her subjects gazing in awe as their instant pictures developed in front of their eyes. The Instagram-account of GivePhotos quickly filled up with inspiring pictures. Meanwhile, because Shom speaks Bengali, the group was also able to learn a little about the lives of the people they were shooting. And they quickly realized that 1,000 prints was not going to be enough.

The reaction was incredible. Although the photos were small, many told us that they would have them framed and hung on their wall. It was a simple picture that would become a lifeline to their past.

“Mom seeing her daughter’s photo for the first time.”
© GivePhotos

“Sabitri is partially deaf and works as a bathroom attendant. We gave her a photo and came back later to find that she had put it in a plastic bag. She was carrying it with her as she worked. This is the first time she’s seen a photo of herself.”
© GivePhotos

The GivePhotos team now wants to give it their all to keep their project going. They want to continue to impact people’s lives through the power of photography. But rather than going back to impoverished areas themselves, they now want to support local photographers by shipping them the film and cameras, in India and other interested countries. To support this mission, Shom launched a fundraiser.

Our hope is to give away as much as possible. Support for the arts is so low on the list of priorities for developing countries.

Shom promises to showcase the work of the supported photographers on their Instagram page. In a talk with BBC, she also admits “that giving a photo is not like building a school or a hospital or feeding the hungry, but I think a photo is something that feeds the soul,” adding the example of how people will often grab family photos when fleeing a house fire.

“This was the first photo these three sisters had of themselves. They are bamboo artisans who had traveled to Kolkata to sell their crafts.”
© GivePhotos

© GivePhotos

“Showing grandma his photo.”
© GivePhotos

This project is something anyone can do. Next time you travel to a developing country where people are living in poverty, think about bringing an instant camera or a printer with you. You’ll find that, even if you don’t speak the language, you can easily connect with people just by pointing at the camera and handing them the photo. It’s a small gift which someone will treasure forever.

Donations starting at five dollars are more than welcome on the GivePhotos Generosity-page, because “every dollar helps.” To see what you are supporting, you can head out to the organization’s Facebook-page or Instagram-account.

“This man selling cotton candy had no family photos. He was thrilled to get this portrait.”
© GivePhotos

“These were the children of artisans who had traveled from small villages outside Kolkata to sell handicrafts. They were mesmerized by the image slowly developing before their eyes.”
© GivePhotos

“First photo!”
© GivePhotos

“This is the first time he’s seen a photo of himself.”
© GivePhotos

“Rahul was once a fisherman. Now he sells jewelry and small gemstones on the beach because every year he finds there’s less and less fish. This is the first time he’s seen a photo of himself.”
© GivePhotos

The post Photographer Shows India’s People Photos of Themselves for the First Time appeared first on Resource Travel.

“One of the many attractions during Holi festival is during Sabah. We waited five hours to get this shot as there were many other photographers in the area and it was really crowded.”

The Holi festival looks like a unique and interesting festival. But with all of that flying chalk, it also looks a nightmare for an expensive camera.

Yes, it really is unique! I have always wanted to photograph Holi so I decided to head towards Uttar Pradhesh (in India) with a group of like-minded photographers from Dubai. First things first, I had to take care of my camera. I covered it with a rain cover and sealed the front element of the lens with a tape to ensure safety. It was difficult for me to shoot during the initial stages since it wasn’t that easy to shoot with rain-cover. It was one of the most amazing experiences and I will cherish the memories for the rest of my life. The photographic results are worth all the pain I went through.

What was your favorite part of the festival?

The best moment in Holi is called the Sabah, which happens at the temple in Barsana and Nandgaon. It is a gathering where all the devotees sing prayers in praise of Lord Krishna, all while colors are exploding all around them. To me, that’s the best time to photograph Holi.

“Getting this particular frame was difficult as there were many other people and photographers around that area celebrating Holi. I had to crop it like crazy to get the frame I wanted.”

“When Holi celebrations reach their peak level, you witness this magic. Devotees throw Holi powder to each other while I did my best to shoot and make sure my camera was taken care of.”

“Taken near the Aarti Ghat Temple at Vrindavan, these kids were so playful around evening time after finishing their hectic work (selling flowers for the pooja). They told me to take a few images of them and we all became great friends, indeed. Sometimes small happy moments like these can make big changes in your personal life as well.”

“The celebration of Holi at its peak level with these devotees singing praise to Lord Krishna. Even though I had to wait for hours to click this photograph, the framing was indeed magical.”

“An old man takes a smoke break during Holi festivities.”

You have been to some incredible locations and seen some amazing things. Do you still find inspiration from others??

Anything that excites me definitely inspires me. I always find time to look at other amazing photographers’ work to get inspiration and learn technique as well. Another form of inspiration would be traveling to unknown places and being with like-minded souls to talk about photography.

What is your shooting process before arriving at a new location?

1) Check the weather forecast. 

2) I Google a few images to get an idea about the location. 

3) I check the sunrise and sunset time.

4) I like to camp at the location to shoot night photography and to capture the morning sunrise. If I love the place, I will wait to capture the sunset as well.

4) I walk around and try to pre-visualize how I can get the final shot.

5) I make sure to try different compositions and learn from my mistakes.

“I loved the natural light that came through the right side of the frame and those people rushing towards the festival area. Holi is all about capturing these amazing moments.”

“On our way to Taj Mahal during the last day of our trip, we stopped at a Dhobi-Ghat (a place where many washers are present) and a few kids were playing nearby. I started photographing and this girl was so happy being clicked. Such a great display of colors in this photograph.”

Do you have any suggestions for other aspiring travel photographers? 

“Never stop learning. This is the shortest yet best advice I can give to any photographer. Finding your passion and learning the craft of your passion is really important. Make sure you spend some time learning something new every day.”

Check out a few more of Mathew’s favorite shots from around the world below.

“This photograph is the most difficult one I’ve taken in terms of reaching the destination. Two photographers and I got up around 2:30 AM and we head to a location called ATUH HILL (it’s actually a cliff) and from that cliff we needed to get down to the beach to reach this amazing location. The paths to reach this destination was not easy because the steps are uneven and a small slip from the path could put your life in danger as well. But when passion strikes us, we forget all these factors. After almost 1.5hr of walking down from the cliff, we managed to reach this destination and I was really amazed to see this great location with this amazing rock formation.”

“My friends and I went to Al Qudra Lake (in Dubai). It was really foggy in the morning with the temperature down to almost nine degrees outside. Though it was freezing cold, I had to keep shooting these amazing birds. It was such an exciting moment to capture and get the shots I always wanted. Bird photography is all about being patient and really observing the birds to get that perfect and exciting shot.”

“I got to witness one of the best weather conditions in Dubai with these amazing clouds next to this unique architecture. It gives an ever-lasting impression to the viewer. I had to pre-visualize the end result to get the shot I had in mind.”

“This photograph was taken during Al Dhafra Camel Festival in Abu Dhabi. I had to pre-visualize of what I needed for the final result. I waited patiently for almost 45 minutes for the camels and their caretaker to walk in the center of the frame. This photograph will always be on my favorite list.”

“I woke up early in the morning to catch this beautiful sunrise just a 15-minute walk from our hotel in Bali. The early morning colors behind a great subject and an amazing reflection was a good way to shoot this amazing landscape. I would love to go back to Bali someday. Such an awesome place to photograph.”

See more from Immanuel Abraham Mathew on Facebook, 500px, and Instagram

The post Photographer Captures the Colorful and Joy-Filled Holi Festival in India appeared first on Resource Travel.

But, like most of us with creative wiring, Chavez felt something was missing. He picked up a camera again, after years of neglecting the art, and immediately realized where his true passion was. Soon, the artist had given up his painting business and social life and found himself spending his savings on trips around the world. He sought to not only improve his photography but tell stories about the experiences and people that he would meet along the way.

One of those early adventures took Chavez to the southern coastal state of Kerala, India. Being the 13th largest state by population in a country of over 1 billion people, there was no shortage of opprotunities for Chavez to document the lives and the rich culture of Kerala. In talking to Resource Travel, Chavez expained his thought process before he left, an how it all changed when he arrived.

I had it in my head to create a series about the people before I got there, but I was going to make it black and white. The truth is I did not see Kerala in black and white. I saw the incredible locations, people, and scenes as colorful and full of life. There was nothing gray about it. I quickly realized this and adjusted the story that I wanted to tell. Besides the vibrant colors, I couldn’t believe how much the people smiled. No matter where I pointed the camera there was always a smile on the other side of the lens.

I did edit some photos in black and white, but in reality, I saw India in full vibrant color. I think this photo essay is a fair representation of all the people that make this such a great place.

Chavez provided us with some of his favorite images from the experience, and it’s safe to say that Kerala, India is a perfect place for budding travel and documentary photographers to hone their craft.

Check out more from Chavez on his website, Facebook, and Instagram. Chavez is also the Editor in Chief of Shut Your Aperture.

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The post 44 Vibrant Images That Will Inspire You To Photograph Kerala, India appeared first on Resource Travel.

Imagine my delight at being chosen as one of the 29 travel writers and photographers from all corners of the globe to participate in a Kerala Tourism-sponsored two-week jaunt across the state of Kerala. The experience let me learn so much about the local life, culture, tradition and landscape.

© Nomadic Experiences

Wildlife gets right up close, as you can see be our interactins with these lovable creatures at the Kappukadu Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Kottur. My friend Roja seems delighted by her encounter with this gentle giant.

© Nomadic Experiences

These Chinese fishing nets that dots the shoreline of Kochi makes for a magnificent viewing at sunset. These unusual fixed land installations used for fishing are mostly found in Kollam and Kochi in Kerala.

© Nomadic Experiences

While strolling along the beach one morning I met these football players, “Angel Boys” as their coach told me. “My name is Angel and these are the Angel Boys” the curly haired woman in black stripes proudly tells me. A game of football by the beach is the perfect way to start the day in Kovalam, Kerala.

© Nomadic Experiences

Tea plantations appear like green cotton balls laid out as far as one can see in the cold highlands of Munnar, the ‘Tea Country’ of Kerala.

© Nomadic Experiences

On a random stop en route to Wayanad,  I chanced upon this man preparing to serve “Adicha Chaya” (One meter tea) to a local. I ordered one and truly enjoyed this chai tea prepared in a unique method of stretching both hands (at a distance of one meter) while pouring the chai tea into two cups apart. This practice produces a potent concoction of the tea’s mixture, a frothier texture and improved taste.

© Nomadic Experiences

On my first morning in Kerala I was welcomed by this image of mundu clad fisherman about to wander into the vast sea. Their chiseled sunburnt bodies against the fine golden sands and blue water reminds me of a painting depicting a normal day at the beach of Kovalam.

© Nomadic Experiences

© Nomadic Experiences

Your travel to Kerala will never be complete unless you spend a night a the famed backwaters aboard one of its iconic houseboats. This was taken at Alappuzha, where we watched a spectacular sunset slowly crash into the horizon. It was a surreal moment that made me feel like I was one of the characters in God of Small Things.

© Nomadic Experiences

On a cruise along the waters of Periyar Lake, we spotted a variety of wild animals and bird species on the edges of a  lush forest, such as Sambar deers, Kingfisher birds and black monkeys.

© Nomadic Experiences

We watched the students at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Arts & Culture perform cultural dances and theater acts for us. They study various courses in classical dance and theatrical forms in order to guarantee the continuation of Kerala’s culture and traditions.

© Nomadic Experiences

The Food. Even a simple looking plate such as this one packs a wallop of rich and sumptuous tastes brought upon by an assortment of spices and meticulous cooking and preparation. I think I gained 10 lbs in my two-weeks stay at Kerala.

© Nomadic Experiences

The People. Everywhere we went we were always greeted by locals with a ready smile and eagerness to engage in a short conversations. Much like the rest of India, the people of Kerala takes hospitality to another level.

I can definitely add more to this photo narrative but will leave it for you to discover and experience when you finally visit the state of Kerala in India. Until then, I hope this piece further enrich your appetite to explore more of the world around us. And don’t forget to document it with your camera!

The post A Vivid Photographic Journey into Kerala, India appeared first on Resource Travel.

As the second-most populous country in the world with 1.25 billion citizens, India is a place where you cannot help but meet the locals.  India is famous for teeming with life, whether it’s a crowded street in Delhi, a market in Mumbai or a popular stretch of the Ganges. As the country rapidly develops and grapples with its place – and potential – in the modern world, India remains a fascinating destination where only the unexpected can be expected. The country’s trademark vibrancy lures more than 7 million travellers every year to witness the spectacle of a country that seems to be in perpetual motion. India leaves an unforgettable mark on traveller’s hearts.

Ian Sy spent 45 days travelling across India and translated the experience into this delightful five-minute film. He travelled extensively throughout the country, including Mumbai, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Ranakpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Amritsar, Dharamshala, Manali, Shimla, Chandigarh, Rishikesh, Delhi, Agra  and Varanasi. In doing so, he experienced regions with strong cultural differences, regional cuisines, histories and customs that allowed him insight into India’s many differences and contradictions, as well as common threads which bind the country together.

You can follow Ian Sy’s adventures on Vimeo, Facebook and YouTube.

Below are some of our favourite screenshots from the film.

The post See 45 Colourful Days in India Squeezed into 5 Minutes appeared first on Resource Travel.

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Diwali Festival in Delhi India by Michael Bonocore

Since this festivity promotes the importance of keeping hope alive and embracing a bright outlook in life, houses all over India are adorned with candles, fairy lights and other intricately designed clay lamps shining collectively to symbolize the guiding light that shield each household from dark spirits and other forms of sadness.

The many facets of Diwali showcase a stunning visual feast consisting of images of locals all over India indulging in a variety of manner of revelry which includes lighting up of firecrackers, staging colorful cultural shows, all while adorned with artistic costumes mimicking other forms of merrymaking.

If you are a travel photographer whose interest greatly resides in documenting colorful cultures and traditions, then photographing the Diwali Festival should be included in the upper bracket of your bucket list.

Diwali is a joyful celebration of the victory of good over evil, of our spiritual qualities dominating our basic instincts, and of intellect conquering ego.
– Anonymous

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Kali Pooja in Kolkata Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India and just preceding it is Kali Pooja in West Bengal which is celebrated with as much pomp and vigour if not more. This pic was taken during a "bhasan/visarjan" where the idol is taken to a water body preferably a ghat (river bank) and submerged amidst a lot of singing and dancing as a way to bid adieu to the Goddess.

A post shared by Rishabh & Nirali | Gypsycouple (@_gypsycouple) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:47am PST

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Diwali lights bokeh + classic head turn shot. #clarendon #diwalilights #diwali2015 #bokeh #headturn #photoshoot #portrait #fashionphotography #delhi #traditionalwear #pretty #like4like #likeforlike #instalove #tagsforlikes #photooftheday #followback

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Belated Diwali wishes everyone!! #lamps #diyas #happydiwali #diwali #celebrations #goodtimes #indian #festival #imumbai #instamumbai #mumbai #vsco #vscocam #vscogood #vscogrid #vscophile #light #festivaloflights #incredibleindia #maharashtra #maharashtra_maza #beingmumbaikar

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#Diwali2015

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Chatt Puja #festivaloflights #ganges #holiwater #holicity #varanasi

A post shared by Shridhar Mishra (@shridhar.m) on Nov 18, 2015 at 3:04am PST

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The post Photographing the Light and Joy of India’s Diwali Festival appeared first on Resource Travel.

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The Rural Life. A group of Girl friends walk home together after School in the evening.With Heavy monsoon rains causing water in river Ganga to swell,many parts of the Diara region is flooded.The swollen river water has displaced many in the villages.The continuous rise in the water level has forced the locals to pack their belongings and move to higher safer places.Wooden boats start appearing on the roadside parked near dry land.The only way to travel is through boats to reach the villages on the Ganga belt. #Asia #India #Bihar #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #dailylife #reportage #Reportagespotlight #everydayasia #iphoneography #everydayindia #ganga #river #flood #girls #school #education #climate #monsoon #enviroment

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Sep 24, 2015 at 1:02pm PDT

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The Rural Life. Camels and Elephant arrive at Sabalpur village to take part in the #kalash #puja #festival.Children gather and run around the #camel and #elephant with #pleasure and full #excitement hoping to get a ride on them.The #Mahouts are keeping a tight watch to keep the kids away in some distance while the animals are busy gorging themselves on farmers crops. #Asia #India #Bihar #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #dailylife #reportage #Reportagespotlight #rural #village #life #everydayindia #adventure #nature #beautiful #EverydayAsia #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Jul 11, 2015 at 1:13am PDT

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Hamara Bajaj. A retired Bajaj Super scooter tied on a auto rickshaw at the railway crossing. The image of an Indian family with the husband driving a Bajaj scooter, wife sitting at the back with kids will forever be embedded in our memories…..and that iconic and emotional television commercial "Buland Bharat ki buland Tasveer,Hamara Bajaj".Makes me nostalgic,an era has gone. #India #Reportagespotlight #bajaj #scooter #dailylife #machine #Asia #Bihar #travel #Everydayindia #everdayasia #iphoneonly #desi #jugaad #storiesfromindia #iphoneography #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 4, 2015 at 5:33am PDT

Returning home at the adolescent age of 16, Kumar embarked on an adventure around Bihar re-introducing himself to his countryside village. It was a short homecoming, as not long after, he would again leave and settle far away place to complete his University studies. When destiny beckons again after more than a decade, Kumar returned to Bihar once again, but this time, with a camera by his side. Using his new found skills of photography, Kumar made sure to document his home city through his photographs, and share his passion for his home on his Instagram account. As Kumar would fill his feed with awesome captures of the daily scene that surrounded him and accompanying them with a lengthy narrative caption, he provided his followers an instant familiar connection to his village in the state of Bihar. Referring to his homecoming as the “Bihar Odyssey” which was buoyed by numerous travels in between, he has now fully embraced the fine art of travel photography “I had overcome my fear and inhibitions of traveling alone, and I enjoyed it” he says.

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Pilgrims taking holy bath at sunrise on Kartik Purnima (a particularly auspicious full moon), where the Ganges and Gandak rivers meet in Sonepur in Bihar to purify themselves and visit the famous Sonepur fair.Its a annual vibrant rural Fair/mela which is famous for its religious importance along with elephants, cattles, horses and birds.. Street magicians, spiritual gurus, snack stalls, handicrafts, amusement rides, circus performers, and theater all create a carnival like no other. #Asia #India #Bihar #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #dailylife #reportage #Reportagespotlight #everydayasia #everydayindia #river #holy #bath #pilgrim #hindu #sonepur #sunrise #travel #myindiacnn #latergram

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Sep 23, 2015 at 10:43am PDT

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Landscape. Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. Rabindranath Tagore #Asia #India #Bihar #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #dailylife #reportage #Reportagespotlight #everydayasia #iphoneography #everydayindia #inspiration #life #poetry #rain #monsoon #cloud #sunset #landscape #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 22, 2015 at 7:22am PDT

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It is no wonder to see Kumar’s Instagram followers grow by the day because of the manner which he weaves telling narratives along with each image. Captioning a photograph of two women standing by a tree, Kumar writes, “The Rural Life. Two Ladies having a polite conversation after shopping at the local village market in Gaya. It’s absorbing to see how women have exceptional balancing skills developed to carry a number of pots of water and load over their head i.e generally in life too.”

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The Rural Life. Ganga Snan at the banks of Ganges River at sunrise on the eve of Satuani Festival in Bihar. As per W.H.O report,Today, over 29 cities, 70 towns, and thousands of villages extend along the Ganga banks. Nearly all of their sewage – over 1.3 billion liters per day – goes directly into the river, along with thousands of animal carcasses, mainly cattle. Another 260 million liters of industrial waste are added to this by hundreds of factories along the rivers banks. Municipal sewage constitutes 80 per cent by volume of the total waste dumped into the Ganga, and industries contribute about 15 percent. The majority of the Ganga pollution is organic waste, sewage, trash, food, and human and animal remains. Over the past century, city populations along the Ganga have grown at a tremendous rate, while waste-control infrastructure has remained relatively unchanged. Recent water samples collected in Varanasi revealed fecal-coliform counts of about 50,000 bacteria per 100 milliliters of water, 10,000% higher than the government standard for safe river bathing. The result of this pollution is an array of water-borne diseases including cholera, hepatitis, typhoid and amoebic dysentery. An estimated 80% of all health problems and one-third of deaths in India are attributable to water-borne diseases. #Asia #India #Bihar #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #everydayindia #everydayasia #ganges #river #hindu #festival #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Jul 26, 2015 at 2:42am PDT

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The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. Jacques Yves Cousteau #Everydayindia #everdayasia #sea #red #saree #travel #india #asia #monsoon #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #Reportagespotlight #storiesfromindia #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 1, 2015 at 4:37am PDT

Even though the state of Bihar seems like a world away from ours and is often overlooked as it is among the most under-developed regions in the vast nation of India  – it still finds a way to showcase its simple grandeur and many fascinating portraits of its people and charming everyday life through the lens and attentive eyes of Kumar. Viewing his photographs will make you realize how meaningful travel photography can be.

To view more of Chetan’s narrative photographs, please follow him @chetankumarstudio on Instagram.

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Arrival and Departures. If i shoot High Fashion,it will somewhat look like this,My style. #adventure #travel #everdayasia #Everydayindia #India #indian #railways #Reportagespotlight #storyteller #people #dailylife #train #iphoneonly #fashion #indianrail #storiesfromindia #Documentary #dailylife #style #MyIndiaCNN

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 2, 2015 at 2:48am PDT

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This Film #poster is not of Lord of the Rings or 300.This is Baahubali. The film came and took the Hindi heartland by surprise with no big names and star cast of bollywood. This expensive Telugu high tech visual effects film has changed the course of our cinema and raised the bar high. Bollywood should be worried. #iphoneography #storyteller #poster #film #telugu #bollywood #hero #superstar #blockbuster #bahubali #Bihar #Bihar #India #cinema #mythology #dream #actor

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 10, 2015 at 11:48am PDT

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Battle of Bihar. Bihar Elections 2015. Prime minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Gaya yesterday to give a boost to the Bharatiya Janta Party's campaign in Bihar ahead of the assembly polls scheduled in the state for later this year. Today the people of Gaya town in Bihar are voicing their opinions about the whole affair.Some gave a thumbs up to that charged speech by the prime minister while others said that he should not have scolded our chief minister nitish kumar for his good and secular work in Bihar.#Lalu Prasad Yadav is still going to come back,one avid fan of his said. #politics #bihar #elections #2015 #assembly #jdu #bjp #congress #posters #hoardings #biharpolls #campaign #battle #war #minister #modi #nitishkumar #laluprasadyadav #Asia #India #Biharodyssey #storyteller #Documentary #photojournalism #reportage #Reportagespotlight #iphoneonly #everydayindia #everdayasia

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Aug 10, 2015 at 11:17am PDT

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Portraits. Kabadi Wala.Mohd. Suleman,Pheri wale.Kabadi Khana,Patna new Market. Old and worn out Trucks dumped in scrap yard for Scrap material and Good waste re-cycling. #recycle #material #scrapyard #truck #lorry #machines #people #dailylife #jobs #pollution #enviroment #iphone #bihar #junk #metal #streetphotography #everydayindia #reportagespotlight #documentary #portraits

A post shared by Chetan Kumar (@chetankumarstudio) on Jun 20, 2015 at 11:05pm PDT

The post Photographer Returns Home to Document the Often Overlooked Beauty of Bihar, India appeared first on Resource Travel.

In Delhi, India the streets are packed. People lay on the ground, cars drive within inches of each other, and the air emits a sweaty, pungent odor amidst the 103-degree weather. With a camera bag and luggage, photographer Ryan Carville moves through a crowd of locals. It’s his first time in the country, and he’s just one out of a group of 23 travelers set out to complete the Yatra Divine pilgrimage in the summer of 2015.

Despite the “organized chaos” that’s continually present throughout the nation’s capital, the group boards a train to Hardwar—a city with an even larger population than Delhi. “If you follow the flow you’ll be okay. If you go against the flow they’ll be trouble,” Carville explains. After a four-hour trip, the group arrives at their hotel; a former palace located on the Ganges River. This is the furthest point of travel in India’s plains and the group’s final stop before the official pilgrimage begins.

Each summer, thousands of devout Hindus take part in a spiritual trek to Gomukh—known as “the source”—located at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas. It’s an ancient practice and just one of the many steps towards enlightenment in the Hindu religion. “I would say I achieved an awakening,” Carville said. “I see things more for what they are now and my priorities are much more in order.” This is your guide for exploring, surviving and photographing the country.

Lay of the Land

There are plenty of popular landmarks in India such as the Taj Mahal or Golden Temple, although Carville was most intrigued by his own explorations. “Walking the streets you never know what you’re going to come across,” he said. “It could be a dilapidated shack right next to this gorgeous, tan-carved building—there’s so much beauty in this contrast.” His most memorable stops have been highlighted on this map.

The Ganges River

The Gagnes River known by many as “the life-blood of India,” rises in the Himalayas and empties into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. Not only is it a major resource for millions on Indians, but it’s home to Punti Kash—a nightly mass that draws thousands of people.

Uttarkashi

During the pilgrimage, Carville spend a few nights at an ashram—a Hindu temple—in the village of Uttarkashi. With a population of only 10,000 people, the group participated in talks with the local monks. “It was one of the most spiritual places I’ve ever been to,” he said. “They don’t try to convert people and instead answer philosophical questions in ways a child could understand.”

Gamukh

Gamukh is the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier where pilgrims bathe in the icy glacier waters. But when Carville entered the pool, he dunked his head, shot up and screamed, “ICE!” He was hit in the head with a floating icicle and had a concussion. “You know, that’s very much like Mother Ganga. She probably needed a sacrifice from our group and you are the sacrifice,” said the pilgrimage leader.

Gangotri

This is the furthest point you can drive in the Himalayas and where, according to Carville, “the Ganga River really starts to come to life.” Just before the pilgrimage began, the group stopped here and was blessed for protection on their journey.

Travel

The most expensive part of your trip will be the airfare. Round-trip flights begin at about $900 in the winter and increase as the summer approaches. Once you’re there, however, the U.S. dollar goes very far and Carville recommends bringing $1000 for a two to three week stay to cover hotel, transportation, food and shopping.

In India, the national currency is rupees. The best way to exchange your money is to notify your bank that you’re traveling and use an ATM once you arrive. Just be careful not to withdraw more than you can spend, because you will not be able to trade it in for U.S. dollars once you get home.

Packing List

During your trip, it’s necessary to check out the both the country and city in order to get a full experience of India. With that said, your packing list will be a bit more unique than what you’ve brought on vacations in the past. This is Carville’s list of essential needs for an exploration on India.

-Clothing: light fleece, lightweight rain jacket, lightweight thermal underwear, flip-flops, sneakers, lightly colored cotton clothes, plenty of socks, long pants and no more than three to four outfits.
– Tea tree oil
– Probiotics
– Aspirin
– Sunscreen
– Toiletries
– Bug spray
– Imodium
– Aloe sunburn relief
– Bach rescue remedy
– Hand sanitizer
– Basic first-aid items
– Small flashlight
– Water bottle
– Clothesline
– Light yoga mat
– Umbrella
– Sun hat

Getting Around

When traveling between cities or long distance journeys, the train is the most ideal way to get around. While they’re much more crowded than trains in the U.S. (this even goes for New York subways), according to Carville, they’re both reliable and affordable. “Depending on where you’re going you can get a train ticket for between two and four dollars,” he said.

However, as dependable as buses are, the roads can be dangerous and accidents are always a risk. “We drove for 12 hours in a bus to Uttarkashi. You have to take back roads to get there. Just imagine 300-foot cliffs with no guardrails in an area that’s notorious for landslides,” Carville said.  “You’re also being driven by a stranger and you have no idea know what his credentials are.”

For shorter distances within cities, Carville recommends taking a “took-took,” which is an Indian motorized rickshaw. They can carry up to three people and a few pieces of luggage and are available in every city and most of the small towns. Fortunately, if you have no idea where you’re going, most drivers speak decent English. Just make sure you have a map to be safe.

Food

Despite the hot weather, it’s necessary to avoid any cold food or drinks. The country’s water is filthy and filled with bacteria, according to Carville, so it can make you sick if your body isn’t used to it. And no ice! Period. This also goes for any fruit without a peel. The one exception is yogurt, which typically comes straight from a goat and has a sweet, tangy taste. “Most newer hotels have clean water and access to cleaner food so you can be a little more lenient,” Carville said. “But rule of thumb is if it’s questionable, it’s not worth it.”

Staple foods in India include rice and dal, which Carville describes as a “lentil-puree.” However, what’s interesting about dal—if you disregard its unappetizing description—is that no two dishes are alike. “A good dal is a thick chili-like texture, a bad dal is basically like broth and it’s traditionally served over rice,” he said. Also popular in India are pickled and spicy foods and, of course, curry dishes.

Of the nation’s delicacies, must-haves include dosas, which are similar to potato crepes that, “you can have for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Carville explains. Other great dishes include paneer, a fresh un-aged cheese commonly made with lemon juice and vinegar, along with puri, a fluffy fried bread used to dip in sauces or as “a spoon for curries,” said Carville.

Unfortunately, if you enjoy coffee with your pastry, you’re out of luck. “Don’t even bother trying to find coffee; instant coffee is all they have,” he explains. But if you really need your fix, “just make sure you ask for Nes-cafe.” Oh, and most of India is a dry state so it’s generally not the best place to stop for a drink.

Carville’s 8 Tips for Survival

Pack light

You’ll be walking with your photo gear almost everywhere. Use this experience as an opportunity to limit your tools; you’ll learn much more about your style this way. This also applies to clothing. India is a beautiful fashionable country and you can get amazing clothing there for fairly cheap. Depending on where you go it might be mandatory for you to wear the local clothing, too. So keep your western clothing to a bare minimum (three to four outfits). It’s more important to have fresh undies and socks.

Let go

I’m sure your family and friends have many opinions on India and they can easily hinder your experience. Truth is, once you step out of the comforts of the international airport, the reality will hit your mind, body and soul like a Mike Tyson right hook. But let it! The faster you give in to mother India, the better. She will wrap her arms around you and show you the truth and beauty of her lands and people.

Don’t be afraid to get lost

The streets of this country are beautifully confusing. But generally, from my own experience, nothing is off limits. Walk down the back alleys. You’ll discover some truly unique treasures. Most Indians are pure balls of love and wisdom and are mainly interested in the journey that you’re on.

EAT!

It can be a VERY daunting thing to dive into a foreign food, but you’ll NEVER find food like this anywhere else! There are some basic rules to eating in India, but if you follow them you will open up taste buds you never knew you had.

Tipping is not an option

Be prepared to tip everyone. India is a country whose social soul is service. To tell you the truth, I’ve never experienced anything like it before. It comes from a pure place of wanting to help others. With that said, the way the fiscal side of it is set up is that you tip what you want, but it has a direct relationship to what you felt the service was worth.  So, if it was a short ride in a took-took or a four hour-long dinner some monetary tip has to be exchanged.

Get a window seat

When traveling by vehicle you’ll have a front row seat to life! Just sit back and take everything in.

Get a Guide

I normally hate having a local show me around, as I’m one to just do things on my own.  But with India it’s very beneficial to have someone on your side. The word “guide” is vague here. This could be a true full-time “guide” that will take care of everything for you (i.e. hotels, transportation food etc), or it could be a personal driver who can be found once you get there. They’ll take you anywhere you want to go, for as long as you want them to for the price of gas, food and tip.

Pack an open mind!

India’s a different world—scratch that—a different universe. Just go with it!  If you approach the culture and traditions in a judgmental way, you can offend someone out of ignorance. Trust me, I’ve done it and it isn’t a situation you want to find yourself in.  Leave what you know behind and open yourself up to the knowledge, wisdom and love India has to offer. Even if it’s something you don’t agree with, you’re in their home, so be respectful.

Capturing the Moments

Any photographer should know to be prepared for anything, but unexpected things can happen in India. For starters, there are only a few camera supply or rental stores throughout the country in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Delhi, in addition to a number of online rental stores.

Carville suggests a comfortable strap, extra batteries, a video light, lens and sensor cleaning supplies, an external hard drive, a universal plug surge protector (not just power strip as India is infamous for unreliable power) and a camera bag that holds everything you can keep on you at all times. Not to mention, a Polaroid camera will come in handy when shooting the locals, as it will help them open up to you.

If you’re doing a bigger or documentary style production, it’s important to bring any grip you’ll need. “You can find lights, stands and even camera and lens rentals in Dehli and Mumbai, but grips seem to be non-existent in my experience,” Carville explains. As for uploading your photos, most hotels have Internet access, which Carville describes as “wireless dial-up.” You can also find “old-school internet cafes” that are few and far between. The usual cost is about $60 rupees per hour (about $1 USD).

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