A little break from India......

This was the third time I've shot Astrologer Tim Stephens for the Courier's "Year in Stars" issue. It's a bit of a challenge to conceptualize astrology in a photo so I was really happy when the picture turned out as good as it did. A big thanks to the good folks at Vancouver's planetarium for letting us shoot there.

Dhobi Ghat - Mumbai

Just minutes away from Mumbai's touristy Coloba district is Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest open air laundromat. Servicing the city's ten million plus inhabitants, the predominantly male workforce spends each day washing laundry, mostly by hand. The work is strenuous, the heat and humidity, extreme and the vapors from the detergent, nauseating. From dusk til dawn the men stand in small pools of chemical water beating the clothes against concrete walls. It was exhausting just to walk around taking pictures, I can't imagine the strength it takes to actually put in a days work here. It was yet another experience in India that really had an impact on me. It's so humbling to meet people who work so hard for so little.... really puts things into perspective.

Mumbai Portraits

Looks can be deceiving..... it's a term I found to be especially true for the people of India and these men are a perfect example. They look intense and may seem unfriendly, yet they were anything but. All of them were warm, gracious and humble. It was an incredible experience photographing so many kind people.

India. Animals on the streets.... and beaches.

India - Udaipur

Udaipur is considered India's most romantic city..... now you know why.

Mumbai, Textile Market

India still has a very long way to go......

Camel Fair - Pushkar

The Pushkar camel fair is an epic event that draws hundreds of thousands of people from all over Rajasthan. Unfortunately, during my visit I was incredibly sick so I didn't get to shoot/experience more of it..... guess I'll have to go back one day.