In late June 2015 I travelled to India with my wife for a four week photography expedition. Months in the planning, our itinerary included New Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi, Chennai, Pondicherry, Madurai, Alleppey and Mumbai.
Just 4 days into our trip we had to return to the UK (family emergency). Coming within hours of completing a 19 hour train journey from Delhi to Jaisalmer the timing was unfortunate. Nevertheless, refuelled with some excellent vegetarian curries, we headed for the only approved booking agent for rail tickets in Jaisalmer. We secured berths on the return train departing at 1am.
If the train was easy, booking flights on a mobile phone as we sped across the Indian countryside proved a challenge. Consequently, we found ourselves 20 hours later in a taxi to Indira Gandhi Airport (Delhi) hoping to board a 0.45am Lufthansa flight to Munich with no tickets. Thankfully, fate relented and at the last minute we got an email confirming we had tickets!
The above explains the title of this post, but what of the photography in those four short days?
This scenario might not seem like a recipe for productive photography but experience photographing in Asia over the past dozen years has taught me a few lessons that helped salvage something from this shortened trip.
Essentially, I try to adopt a mindset of dogged commitment to getting images. The key is to avoid becoming a tourist snapping pretty pictures. Furthermore, its about putting in the hours wandering the streets for as long as possible (or as long as energy allows in 100 degree temperatures). Basic focused street work in other words.
I’d been warned, by fellow f50 member Peter Barton, that my prior experiences in Asia (esp. Hanoi and Saigon’s notorious traffic) wouldn’t be enough to prepare me for New Delhi. He was so right. New Delhi is by far the most hectic, chaotic, energetic, friendly and colourful city I have visited.
So, with the trip cut short it was a case of what might have been. Had we stayed the full four weeks we wouldn’t have scratched the surface of India photographically. In just four days, I’d barely got going and so am left feeling I came away with fragments. Just a glimpse of what delights India has to offer.
All of the images presented here were taken in New Delhi between 27-29th June 2015.
John
ADJUNCTIVE 
really sorry you guys were cut short! nonetheless you made the best of it. really enjoy the intensity of the photos. wish you a better time for your next visit.
Thanks Tina. We may get back.
beautiful scenes
Thanks Victor.
You certainly made the best of your short stay, John… truly beautiful images.
Many thanks Tony. Regards, John
Reblogged this on The Fuji Freak and commented:
These images are by my good friend and fellow ƒ50 Collective member, John Meehan. Sadly, as you will read, John and his wife had to return. He made the most of his short time as you will see in his blog post. Enjoy!
Mixed emotions. You must have been feeling frustration and yet concern for the family member. But, what a few days you had! Great images. I love the girl on the tightrope. And yes, what a place. The photographer is overwhelmed by India and it’s people. Great pictures John. It must have whetted your appetite for another trip.
Thanks Peter. I think a return is very probable. We were both taken by the warmth of the people more than anything. And no stomach upsets thanks to your advice. (Lufthansa changed that on the way home though).
The pictures are breathtakingy professional. The compositions, clarity and contrast are a feast for your eyes.
This confirms it, you must plan to return there one day.
Thanks for sharing these images.
Colin
Many thanks Colin. We’ve the little matter of our next Vn trip first!
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Just stumbled over your blog. Your articles are a great read and highly educational, love them!
Sadly you did not have more time in Delhi, one can easily imagine what a monumental photographic journey it could have become. One thing I was wondering, why did you chose b&w since you describe it as a colorful city?
Kind Regards!
Dejan
Hi Dejan
Thanks for your kind words. Good point about colour too. I shoot in RAW format and have post-processed many of the images in colour (I almost never do colour and bw versions of the same image), but I am locked into the bw aesthetic and the colour images seem to lack character to my eyes.
Best,
John
Hi John,
Thanks for the fast reply. I understand your passion for the aesthetic of bw. I did not feel that something was missing while observing your pictures. It was just the text, which evoked the idea of color.
Have a nice day,
Dejan
No problem, have a great day yourself and thanks for your interest.
Best,
John
Fantástico trabajo ¡¡¡
Saludos
Jose Gálvez
Many thanks Jose. Much appreciated. Best, John
Loved the photographs. 🙂
Hope you liked our colourful India John. 🙂
Thank you! I loved it. So much I was back in August this year and will be back in January. Humbled by the kindness of the Indian people. Best, John
🙂
You are most welcome, John.