Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Travel

7 First Impressions of Riga, Latvia
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After Seoul (and return stop in one of my favorite cities, Saint-Petersburg) it was time for major city #55 Riga, Latvia on the 100 City project. I might include other Baltic capitals in the future, but Riga was my first pick mainly because it’s the region’s largest. I wanted a city big enough to really explore in the Baltics, with more than the touristic areas. With Riga, I got even more than I’d hoped for. Most visitors spend their time in the old town, but Riga has so much more interest to offer, especially for street photography. Starting with the most Art Noveau architecture in the world, you can also find the unique Moscow district, providing an edgier atmosphere filled with character. There’s a mix of interest here and a relaxing vibe made for walking with your camera. I enjoy Eastern European cities for their authentic atmosphere, but Riga brings its own characteristics with it too. If you like some unique character in your photography, Riga is a great spot to visit.

So here are my first impressions of Riga, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Kolkata, India

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Kolkata

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City Street Guides by f.d. walker:
A Street Photography Guide to
Delhi, India

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Delhi

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33 Street Photography Photos from Dhaka, Bangladesh

After finishing my last leg of India, I flew to Dhaka, Bangladesh, major city #51 on the project. Dhaka is the densest, fastest growing city in the world, with world leading traffic to match. Working against the congested traffic, city layout and other troubles can bring some challenges, but within all that chaos, is a friendly city full of life. Filled with chaotic streets, markets, old world atmosphere, history, spirituality, and energy, you won’t get bored in Dhaka. Along with all that, though, it brought the most welcoming experience and passionate photography community to date.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Dhaka…

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7 First Impressions of Dhaka, Bangladesh
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing my last leg of India in Kolkata, I took a flight to major city #53 Dhaka on the project. At first sight, Dhaka is the densest, worst traffic, fastest growing city in the world. That can be an overwhelming first impression, but if you’re willing to explore underneath all that chaos, you’ll find one interesting city full of charm. While not the easiest city to just jump into as a traveler, the people are as friendly as you’ll find anywhere, and you’ll find them everywhere. No matter where you are in Dhaka, there’s something going on. Filled with chaotic streets, markets, old world atmosphere, history, spirituality, and energy, you can’t get bored in Dhaka. It also happened to have the most welcoming photography community I’ve ever met, which really made my first experience what it was.

So here are my first impressions of Dhaka, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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33 Street Photography Photos from Kolkata, India

After photographing Varanasi, the last stop on my final leg of India for the project was Kolkata, coming in at Major City #52.

Years ago, Kolkata was my first introduction to India. After visiting so many other cities in India since, there was always something I missed about Kolkata. I didn’t know if it was how you never forget your first or if Kolkata something special, even by India standards. Well, after coming back to include it my project, Kolkata does have something special. It’s confirmed. While one of India’s largest cities, it brings an old world atmosphere and chaos compacted into a city that’s much easier to walk than other big Indian cities. It feels made for city photography too, which is why it’s known so well in the photography community. While not as known to the general traveler as places like Mumbai, Varanasi or Rajasthan, I’d recommend Kolkata just as highly as any of them. Especially for street photography.

So here’s 33 photos that I was able to capture during my time in Kolkata…

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7 First Impressions of Kolkata, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing Delhi and Varanasi, I took another train down to major city #52 Kolkata to finish my second leg of India on the project. While new to my project, Kolkata isn’t a new first impression to me, but it was my first impression of the country many years ago. It was such a good first impression too that I knew I had to come back to include it in my 100 major cities. One of India’s largest cities, Kolkata doesn’t have the same big city atmosphere as Mumbai or Delhi. It feels a little more welcoming and easy to step out the door and start exploring away with your camera. It’s one of the most walk friendly cities you’ll find for its chaotic size, which makes it perfect for street photography. Kolkata has a special, old world atmosphere mixed into a highly populated urban city. The colonial-era architecture contrasting with urban slums, it’s also gained a reputation as the most friendly of India’s metropolises. While it might not be as known with the general traveler, it is known among the photography community. It’s made for bringing your camera and exploring away.

So here are my first impressions of Kolkata, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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Candid Frame Interview

 

For anyone who may be interested, but didn’t catch it, I was recently interviewed on The Candid Frame. Going strong for 10 years now, The Candid Frame is one of the best photography-related podcasts out there. Interviewed by the multi-talented Ibarionex Perello, they’ve featured in-depth conversations with photographers as well-known as Mary Ellen Mark, Joel Meyerowitz and, most recently, Jeff Mermelstein, while also focusing on emerging photographers. It was an honor and great experience finding time on the road to chat with Ibarionex and that’s what we talked about most, life on the road and my 100 major city project.  

So, give it a listen if you’d like to hear more about myself and the project, and be sure to check out some of the other interviews from The Candid Frame, as well. 

LINK:

The Candid Frame #428 – Forrest Walker

 

7 First Impressions of Varanasi, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing Delhi, I took the train down to Varanasi, India for major city #51 on the project. Just like Delhi, I’d been to Varanasi before, but not yet to photograph for the project. If you know anything about Varanasi, especially for photography, this is a city that had to be included.

What can you really say about Varanasi? It’s honestly a city that needs to be experienced, not described. No cliché bs, Varanasi is truly unlike any other place in the world. One of the world’s oldest and holiest cities, you can really feel this in its atmosphere. The holy river, the ghats filled with life, the chaotic spirituality and more make this a city you can’t forget. From early morning to night, Varanasi is one magical place. Be ready for touts, hassle and other photographers, as this city is far from a hidden gem, but if you want to experience a city that goes at every sense of the imagination, Varanasi is at the top.

So here are my first impressions of Varanasi, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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7 First Impressions of Delhi, India
(From a Street Photography Perspective)

After finishing Ethiopia in Dire Dawa, I took a flight to Delhi, India. While I’d been to Delhi before, and India many times, I’d yet to photograph Delhi for the project. So, after focusing on Mumbai and Southern India’s major cities the previous year, now it was time for a few in Northern India, starting in chaotic Delhi.

When many people imagine India, they imagine chaos filling the streets, smells filling the air and honking horns filling their ears. Well, if that’s what you imagine, then maybe no city in India brings that to life more than Delhi. Mumbai and Delhi are India’s largest cities, but they’re very different in character. While they both have that India flavor, Mumbai feels more cosmopolitan while Delhi feels older. Packed with history, markets, life and yes, pollution, Delhi has an atmosphere and look all its own. If you really want to experience India, you can’t miss Delhi.

So here are my first impressions of Delhi, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

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