India for Photographers – Portraits
India is a dream destination to photographers. At least I’ve heard. It is just one of the must visit places if you think photography seriously. I do think my photography career seriously, so I had a high hopes before I came to India. India is a land like no other (although this is the slogan of Sri Lanka Tourism Board…). The colour, religion, architecture, cows… but most of all, I was interested in getting great portraits of people of India. I was never good at taking portraits, but I didn’t have any interest, really. I started my photography career as an astronomical photo (long-exposure star-trail photo) with a mechanical camera, and didn’t spend much time taking pictures of people except school events. That’s why I’m so into wide-angle lens with low f (hence, my main gear has been Tokina 11-16mm for last four years.)
It’s been a month since I landed in New Delhi. Before I came, I was determined to take more portraits. So I did it, I purchased a new lens (Nikkor 18-105), for the first time in four years. Very satisfied so far, I might add. You can be the judge of that from these photos. Even though India was giving me a hard time, I’m very happy with some of the fine photography I got. Most of the people had quite deep eyes, and implicit smiles. I will have more opportunities (I have to make more opportunities, really) in next two months, especially in more holy towns, but here are photos of people of India I met so far. I’m actually enjoying taking pictures of people on the street, more than the pilgrims. Hope to have more series of portraits.
Wow! Awesome photos! Great cross-section of people. I need to request photos from more people–not just sadhus!
Veeery nice shots! India is indeed a paradise for photographers. I especially like the eyes of the rickshaw guy, and the smoking pilgrim in Varanasi.
Thanks for thinking about me:) Will be waiting for part 2!
I remembered your portrait of Beduin people. I’m trying to capture more stories through people’s face. 🙂
These photos are just gorgeous – I wish I had the eye (and extroversion) to take such striking portraits!
Thanks! I’m trying to be a better portrait photographer!
Beautiful pictures! Is it hard to approach people for these kinds of portraits? Do you ever feel awkward asking? I get nervous about asking people to do that, especially strangers!
Great portraits Juno! I especially like the man blowing smoke. Did anyone ask you for money when you took their photo (especially the kids)? How did you ask?
Lovely photos of Indian people. You have done a wonderful job of these photos.
sorry madam…this isnt the only people of India. You missed South , central, north eastern India. You would be amazed to see so diversed people living in one country for thousands of years. Some blacks, some whites, some brown, some aryan, some mongoloid, some negroit etc etc.
I understand. India is a huge country. I simply featured portraits of people I stumbled upon.