In 2011, I came to Pushkar with my family during their annual
Camel festival, held every November at the time of the Kartic
Purnima full moon. This was one of our first stops in India and I
was completely blown away by the exoticism of it all. It is a
photographer’s dream which in itself can become a problem.
You are quickly exhausted by the intensity of the colors, the
crowds, the endless possibilities. Strange as it might seem,
because there is so much to process your brain can lock down. I
think that it took me a year to absorb all I had seen.
Coming back in 2012, I needed to try something different. This
time I brought bigger cameras and lights. I am fascinated by
how the camera itself affects the photo we take. How bigger
cameras can slow us down and perhaps force us to take a more
studied photo. The Rajasthani people are incredibly handsome,
the detail of their clothes and jewelry are incredible; they have
an eye for color and form that few possess. I needed the
precision and care that these tools bring to capture the subject.
Inspired by Irving Penn's, “World In A Small Room", I set up a
small studio at the camel fair. On Monday when I got to
Pushkar, I found Inspired by Irving Penn's, “World In A Small
Room", I set up a small studio at the camel fair. On Monday
when I got to Pushkar, I found a large tent and rented it for two
days. It wasn't ideal as it had green netting on the sides and the
roof was full of holes. I had some cotton cloth died black
overnight. It took most of Tuesday morning to get things set up.
