Somewhere over Greenland
India
2016
I went to India without really any understanding of the country. I knew of some of the monuments and structures I’d visit but other than the Taj Mahal, I really had no idea what I was going to see or experience. I have traveled a fair amount, to places like Cambodia, Japan, Belize and Peru and these places certainly offer new experiences with radically different cultures. Nothing quite like India. The depth and complexity of India’s culture and people was staggering.
These images represent a sort of diary, chronologically displaying some of my experiences and observations. India was overwhelming and difficult to photograph. An overloading of the senses (quite literally sometimes) and a cacophony of imagery where everything was novel and worth looking at. Focusing to find great images was daunting and it would be too easy to think I’ve distilled the scene before me. The question “was there more that I could do?” itching my mind at every turn.
I am ultimately happy with what I came back with. These photographs provoke me and remind me to reflect on my own life in comparison to what I briefly experienced in India. The country is beautiful, with rich history and deep cultural roots that I have only scratched at. In comparison, I live in paradise - at least by my own measure. Water flows cleanly from my taps, the air isn't suffocating and the temperatures stay well within comfort. But despite all of that I want to know more about India, the people and their way of being and thriving.
Humayun's Tomb.
The Qutb Minar, the Alai Darwaza on the left.
Wholesale dry goods in Old Delhi.
Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.
Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.
Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.
Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.
Evening Street vendors.
Wholesale bangles.
Old Delhi.
The gates to the Red Fort in Delhi.
The Jama Masjid, Old Delhi.
Rickshaw and bicycle repair in Old Delhi.
Our driver Raj returning to the car after paying a road tax on the way to Jaipur. He had to cross 5 lanes of traffic just to reach the booth.
A toll stop on the way to Jaipur. It was common to see young woman - sometimes with children - walking car to car begging for money. As heartbreaking as it was, we were discouraged from assisting because any money would go to their abusive handlers who forced these young girls to beg.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur.
Amer Fort (Amber Fort), Amer.
Jal Mahal, Jaipur.
Laghu Samrat Yantra sundial, Jaipur. The shadow cast from the edge of the stairs onto the white curves with detailed etchings shows the time of day down to less than a minute.
Jai Prakash Yantra, Jaipur.
Traffic in Jaipur.
Entrance to Galtaji, Khania-Balaji.
Lower pool of Galtaji.
Rhesus macaque of Galtaji.
My Dad and a rhesus macaque of Galtaji.
Rhesus macaque of Galtaji.
Me at the summit of Galtaji.
Jaipur from Diwan Kriparam, above Galtaji.
Entrance to the Taj Mahal at sunrise. It truly was breathtaking. Like I actually felt tight in the chest as I walk through the entrance. The scale, color and textures of the Taj Mahal are just incredible.
Although it was undergoing cleaning (due to yellowing from industrial pollution in Agra) it was still magnificent.
The early morning light is just magical. There were very few people as well. So peaceful.
The Taj Mahal is covered in beautiful Arabic script and delicate decoration all made of incredibly detailed stone inlay.
On the road between Agra and Bateshwar, Uttar Pradesh.
The Bateshwar temple complex.
Details of the Bateshwar temple complex.
Details of the Bateshwar temple complex. Pilgrems at the temples mark the walls with swastika and sauwastika.
On the road between Agra and Bateshwar, Uttar Pradesh.
Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah.
Details of the Tomb’s inlay work.
Inside the Tomb.
Stone screen from inside the Tomb.
Detail of the Khajuraho temples.
One of the Khajuraho temples.
Woman on the outskirts of Varanasi.
Young couple at a stop outside of Varanasi.
The ghats in Varanasi.
Pilgrims on the Ganges river in Varanasi.
Life on the ghats in Varanasi.
A child selling religious trinkets on the Ganges.
A view of Varanasi from the Ganges.
A Brahmin in Varanasi.
Marigolds at a wholesale market.
Children playing cricket on the shores of the Ganges in Varanasi.
In the wet season the river swells, covering the land up to the edge of the trees on the opposite shore.
Woman drying freshly washed sari on the ghats.
