I’d like to share my first “made in America” blog post.

I was previously in the Indian (Native American) jewelry business so photographing powwows has been a great way for me to stay connected with Native American traditions.

Powwows are social gatherings that are spiritual celebrations as well as dance and drumming competitions. The colorful regalia (outfits) worn by dancers are equally matched by the passion of the drum groups.

I regularly attend powwows in New Mexico and California and once visited the great Crow Fair in Montana. This gallery is a selection from New Mexico powwows held in  2009 and 2010. I hope the photos convey the sense of wonder and gratitude I feel.

There are 12 large images in this gallery so please hang on if they are a bit slow to load.

Although he is from South India his primary ashram is in Pokhara, Nepal.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting him when we were both visiting the ashram of his brother Bun Giri Baba in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Below are a few images of devotees receiving his blessings (darshan) along with other moments from my time with him. It was a pleasure meeting him. I hope our paths cross again.

First of all…where to go? India of course, no surprise there. Some of my friends have been around the world several times while I’ve continued to go back to the same place each year. What can I say? I’m hooked. I wish I had the time and money to see and do it all but if I can only go away for a few weeks there’s nowhere I’d rather be than India. It’s home. Photographically, returning to the same place challenges me to see in a new way, to go deeper. Also there are long term projects I like to continue working on and new ones to start. For balance I’ll try to add in a spot or two that I’ve never visited along with my favorites.

Next…when to go? After talking with the airlines I discovered my favorite (most direct) routes were either fully booked or filling fast since I am looking to travel during November/December, a peak time. Hearing this I quickly reserved my tickets. Now I have no flexibility to change my travel dates because the plane tickets have stiff penalties but I can be flexible with my time while in India.

I like to prepare in advance, have some ideas of what I think I’d like to do but be able to change course at any moment. If something interesting comes along I want to be able to be as spontaneous as possible. I also like to move at my own pace when shooting. If I find myself in a sweet spot the last thing I want to do is leave. Flexibility is the great opportunity one has when traveling alone. There are many advantages to traveling with friends or a group but I usually prefer to travel on my own.

For those of you considering travel, whether for photography or other reasons…Do you prefer to visit new places or return to ones you’ve been before? Do you like to make plans or keep yourself open and see what shows up? Do you like to travel alone or with others? I’d love to hear your comments. Safe travels to all!

Here are a group of photos taken in and around Indian temples.

Until now most of my 13 visits to India have been spent in South India. All of India is amazing but South India has a special place in my heart. I could go on and on as to why but here’s one reason…the food. Nothing on earth beats a South Indian breakfast. Idlis, Sambar, Pongal, Upma and Dosas are examples of what’s on the breakfast menu along with fresh Coconut, Tomato and Mint chutneys. Delicious!

Below is some of what I saw in January on the streets of South India. I like to make these photos as “close up and complicated” as possible, to quote the mantra given to me by a great photographer, teacher and friend Norman Mauskopf. I’m looking to include as much information as possible without cluttering the frame. That may mean using limited depth of field or just moving a step or two to position the key elements where I want them. Often I will set up the shot and then wait for someone to walk or drive into the frame, adding another dimension to the story. Street photography often reminds me of a juggling act. My thought process goes something like this…  ”Here comes a lady in a great sari that’s perfect for the background.” “Hurry, the main subject is leaving.” “Oh no, get that arm out of the way.” “A cow is walking thru…great.”  It can be challenging but also extremely rewarding when all the elements come together. I’ve heard stories of photographers who spend an entire day in one spot waiting for their shot. Talk about patience and dedication.

To get multi layered photographs it helps to be in a place that’s filled with action. I’m interested in knowing…what are your favorite spots for street photography?   Phir Milenge. (See you later.)

I want to share the story of how I got involved with photographing in India.

Just weeks before my first trip to India I swore it was the last place I’d ever go. Then I discovered the great spiritual teacher HWL Poonja,  also known as Papaji and quickly decided I had to go to Lucknow, India to meet him. I rented a room and a bike and became part of the community. Once I had a taste of India I was hooked.  Each year I returned. At first I went to be with Papaji and after his death I continued to visit for extended periods at the ashram of his teacher where I would climb a small mountain and meditate in caves.

You may wonder what any of this has to do with photography. The answer…not much. That’s the point. Before I was photographing India I was visiting India. It was an important part of my life. Even now I don’t go there to take photographs. I take photographs because I am there. The photos are the icing on the cake.

Eventually the beautiful light and bright colors of India drew me out of the caves and into the world and I had to find a way to share what I was seeing. The snapshots I was taking with my point and shoot didn’t do justice to what was in front of me so I was inspired to study photography. India gave me this gift.

We each have our own unique way of finding what interests us as photographers.

I recently attended a lecture given by Hungarian photographer Peter Korniss who has spent over 40 years photographing Eastern European peasant culture. I particularly like this Q and A from an interview with Peter on AlfaFotoLab.

Student: “How do you choose the topic of the series on which you are working? I am wondering for the duration of the series which could last even several decades.”

Peter Korniss: I choose my topics mostly by my interest. The work of a documentary photographer is very much influenced by his curiosity. If something really interests me then I feel an urge to dig deeper and deeper. This is the explanation to the second part of the question: The longer I work the more I learn about the subject. The more I learn about it the more is given to photograph. This is the way someone works for weeks, or months or for years on the same subject which – step by step  – offers more and more for the photographer. That’s why you are not bored by your topic – on the contrary: you can be addicted.

I’m interested in knowing…
Do you have one particular subject you are passionate about photographing above all others?
If so, how did you discover it?