Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Where Travel & Street Meet:
A Photographic Journey Through India – Part 1: Kolkata

Kolkata, India 2014
Kolkata, India 2014

While I focus on Street Photography more now, I still love photography that would be considered more in the Travel category too. I also try to incorporate much of Street Photography into my Travel work because I love the authentic look of uncontrolled life. Here’s some of my personal travel work I shot in Kolkata, while working in India. (This is the 1st part of a 5 part series in India)

Kolkata, India

Good Morning

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Two girls wash up, brush their teeth and get ready for the day. Everything happens in the streets in Kolkata.
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A goatherd herds his goats down the streets of Kolkata early in the morning, before those streets are packed with people instead.

Time for Work

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A man carries a basket of chickens to sell at the poultry market
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Water drips from a bag of freshly soaked leaves at the Malik Ghat Flower Market. As you can see, your head is a popular tool for carrying things in India.

Or Time for Lunch

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A family sits down to enjoy some chai tea and street food
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A man takes a bite of an apple, which India is actually a top 5 producer of in the world

Or Time for a Haircut

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Street barbers set up shop in the streets all over India

Catch a Cab

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Nothing symbolizes Kolkata quite like the old British inspired Ambassador taxis
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These little yellow taxis line the streets everywhere in Kolkata

Or a Rickshaw

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If you been to most anywhere in Asia, then you’re probably familiar with these motorized Rickshaw taxis

Or Even a Pulled Rickshaw

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Kolkata is one of the only places in India that you’ll still see the original Pulled Rickshaws still going
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One of my favorite parts about these old wooden wheeled carts are the colorful seats
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These Pulled Rickshaws and their drivers caught my eye so much that I did a small portrait series on them while I was in Kolkata

Feeling Blue?

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There’s nothing quite like the bright, saturated colors of India

Then Buy a Book

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A book seller at the largest used book market in the world, a mile long stretch of book stands on College Street. (Looks like someone’s getting a quick nap in the corner)
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You can find any type of book here. It’s where the college kids come to get textbooks on the cheap too. These guys tried to sell me their old “Calcutta.” I’m pretty sure that’s the one they grab whenever they see a tourist.

Or Paint Yourself a Different Color

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This little girl was very focused on her work. She’d moved on past finger painting a long time ago.

Or Just Take a Break (your goat might need one too)

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Kolkata is one of my favorite cities in India. I love its mix of chaotic big city with old world authenticity. I hope you enjoyed these photos, next up in this India Series is Varanasi!

If any of you have been to Kolkata, tell me about it in the comments below! What did you think about it?

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Comments

  1. Tarun K. Bhattacharya says

    A great post in deed, Walker. In spite of it being my city I could not explore its full potential till now and also I’m missing my city a lot since I’m stationed in Bangalore at present. I have been so influenced after reading your posts on Kolkata that I’ve decided to surely take some street photo-walks whenever I’ll be present there.. I’ve since subscribed to your posts to remain updated with your street and travel photography all over the world!
    Best wishes.

    Reply

    • f.d. walker says

      Kolkata is a really special city for photography. I actually recently visited Bangalore too and will have some posts on it soon. I also enjoyed it, but Kolkata is one of my favorites. Thanks for the comment, Tarun!

      Reply

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