In 1988 I wanted to travel and explore India. The largest subcontinent in Asia and the birthplace of the major religions in Buddhism and Hinduism. I felt it was the most beautiful and exciting place to travel and do some great photography.
During that time I was also looking for ways to find my own voice in photography after some first initial professional success in magazines and advertising work. India is a guaranteed explosion for your senses and a visual overload experience.
For me, it was about trying making art and taking my photography to the next level. Discover the world, discover new colors and cultures, and capture it in a multitude of amazing frames. For this expedition, I found a fully mechanical panoramic camera, the Widelux7 and I brought my small 35mm rangefinder, Leica style Minolta CLE.
Taking travel photography to the next level.
The day before departure my girlfriend discovered she was pregnant. With our first baby in her womb, we started our journey and we got blessed by Indian spiritual sadhus and shamans during the famous Kumbh Mela festival. The Kumbh Mela is the largest religious festival in the world and happens every other four years.
During these times all of us need to be able to look back at the wonderful times we had and experiences that made us who we are today. As some doors close, others will reopen, I am confident.
The Taj Mahal from an unusual perspective
This is an image of The Taj Mahal in India I once shot back in the days of film photography of the perhaps most photographed and iconic landmark buildings of the world.
The Taj Mahal in India was completed in 1643. This photo was made by me in 1988. Lucky then to be in the right place at the right time everything fell into place. Capturing the Taj Mahal from a more unusual perspective was the challenge.
Photographed with a special Widelux panorama camera, loaded with my favorite Kodak Gold negative 35mm film.
The other jewel I found in my archive I shot at the Taj Mahal is the picture below. Two Indian women in colorful traditional dress, leaving the white marble mausoleum.
This picture was shot on a Minolta CLE rangefinder camera that was the result of a collaboration with Leica. A very special small camera well sought after even today.
When I look back in 2024, I see a type of photography that I fully support even today.
A play of light and shadow and images of ‘decisive moments’
This was Varanasi in 1987-88, I wonder what it is like now in this time of greater prosperity in India and the influence of social media. Do you want to go back and travel with just a backpack and your camera?
All photos here were taken on Kodak Tri-x film and scanned with a Plustek 35mm scanner. Then ran it through Lightroom for minimal adjustments, no cropping in the images.
“Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing a meditation.” Quote by Henri Cartier-Bresson.“The picture is good or not from the moment it was caught in the camera”.
