India

Jul 13 2016

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

Last time I visited India, I spent most of my time in the north. So on my recent trip to India, I decided to check out some of the bigger cities in the south, starting in Chennai. Previously known as Madras, Chennai is one of the biggest cities in India at over 8 million people.

Chennai brings the chaos that India is known for, but adds to it with its old world atmosphere, the most impressive urban beach you’ll find anywhere, and much more. So here are my first impressions of Chennai, from my personal Street Photographer perspective…

Jul 10 2016

Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week:
“Chennai After Work”

Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Chennai, India at Marina Beach. This 13 km long beach is not only the longest urban beach in the world, but it’s also one of the most chaotic. For the morning and most of the day, it feels more like a deserted island, but once people get off work and out of school, it starts filling up fast.

People don’t come here to sunbathe, but they do enjoy getting in the ocean. Swim attire is not required, though. Men roll up their slacks and unbutton their collar, while women go in the water in full saree.

It was getting close to sunset and the shoreline was crowded with people getting wet or watching others do so. Amongst the shoreline of crowds, I noticed one man facing away from it all. He seemed to have his mind on other things as he looked towards the sun. Many people in Chennai come to the beach after work to escape work, and the city. He seemed to be trying to escape it all. So I walked up above him on the sand and took this photo trying to capture him deep in thought amongst the scene.

Stats:

Camera: Fujifilm Xpro1
Lens: Fujinon XF 18mm
Focal Length: 18mm (27mm full frame equivalent)
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/500
ISO: 800

Jul 04 2016

20 Questions in Hyderabad, India with Swarat Ghosh

*A new interview series with a play on “20 questions,” where I try to mix it up with different questions. Some serious, some not so much. I’ll also be focusing the series on some of the best street photographers from the cities I visit around the world during my 100 Cities project.

During my recent month in India, I visited Hyderabad, a royal city famous for its rich history, culture, cuisine, and architecture. Hyderabad is also home to the talented photographer, Swarat Ghosh, who thankfully agreed to take on this edition of “20 Questions.”

Swarat is a member of one of my favorite photo collectives, That’s Life, which I highly recommend checking out. Much of Swarat’s work captures stories from everyday life in a way that uses layers and multiple elements to help add to the moments he discovers. He’s also able to work well in both black & white and color, and uses them each in their own way to really bring out his scenes.

So now to learn more about him, it’s time for 20 Questions in Hyderabad, India with Swarat Ghosh…

Jun 20 2016

20 Questions in Chennai, India with Gurunathan Ramakrishnan

My recent month in India started in Chennai, home to the most interesting and chaotic urban beaches I’ve ever been too. And also home to the talented photographer, Gurunathan Ramakrishnan, who thankfully agreed to take on this edition of “20 Questions.”

Gurunathan’s photographs really bring you into the life of the scenes he captures. Not only can you feel what’s happening, but he’s able to put his own touch on what you feel and see. Often times there’s a little mystery and surrealism, or even humor, added to the complex scenes he’s able to find within ordinary life. His eye for observation, color, and contrasting scenes help make the ordinary look extraordinary. And Chennai provides a perfect environment for this talent.

So now time for 20 Questions in Chennai, India with Gurunathan Ramakrishnan…

May 30 2016

Behind the Book w/ Kaushal Parikh:
Fragments of a Spinning Rock

Kaushal Parikh is a street, travel and documentary photographer from Mumbai, India. In 2011 he founded the Indian street photography collective, That’s Life, and has become one of the most well-known names in contemporary street photography in India.

Kaushal recently took almost a decade’s work across India to create his first book, titled Fragments of a Spinning Rock. Fragments is not your typical photo book, though, as Kaushal created a full, artistic and personal experience for viewers to enjoy. Poetry is used throughout the book to help take you along the photographic journey and India’s streets and natural life are blended with his own personal life. This creative approach really helps showcase Kaushal’s beautiful black and white images of gritty and striking contrast.

From the book’s layout to how it juxtaposes the streets and nature, while including a strong touch of Kaushal’s personal relationship with his family and son, everything about Fragments of a Spinning Rock is unique. Since Fragments was released at the end of March, it has only been met with high praise and glowing reviews. So in honor of his new book, I got together with Kaushal to talk about Fragments in a new series here at Shooter Files, Behind the Book.

Apr 04 2016

20 Questions in Bangalore, India with Arindam Thokder

I’ve decided to change up my photographer interviews and create a new series for the year. It’s a play on “20 questions” and I’ll try to mix them up with some different questions than you might get in other interviews. Some serious, some not so much. I’ll also be focusing the series on some of the best street photographers from the cities I visit around the world.

I just finished up a few weeks in India that included a stop in Bangalore, home of the very talented photographer, Arindam Thokder. Arindam is also a member of one of my favorite photo collectives out there, That’s Life, which I highly recommend checking out. Arindam’s work is full of life. He uses color, light, shadow and an observant eye to capture the special out of daily life in Bangalore.

So a big thank you to Arindam for being the first to participate in the new series! And now time for 20 Questions in Bangalore, India with Arindam Thokder…

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