India Photo Tour: Jaipur To Agra & Taj Mahal

After the Pushkar Fair, our tour group headed to Jaipur, “the pink city”, and then to Agra to view and photograph the iconic Taj Mahal. We made two trips to photograph the Taj, one at sunset, at the back side, across the river. For several years now the “back side of the Taj” has been closed. There’s a military/security outpost there and a barbed wire fence preventing anyone to enter the riverbed, which is where we used to shoot reflections of the Taj Mahal in the Yamuna river.

Despite not being able to get into a position to shoot reflections, we still visit the “back side” to make photos that are less ordinary than the typical photos people see of the Taj. The photo above, and the one below were taken from the standard tourist entry. We arrived early and were first in line for tickets, entry, and security screening. As you can see being first in line, allows us to quickly get some shots of the Taj Mahal without people. I’ve not done any cloning or trickery in Photoshop to the reflecting pool shot, and the sunrise shot from the west side contains a lone photographer in silhouette. Moments later there were many people in view.

Along the roadside near Jaipur, we make a stop at a marble factory and spend some time making some “industrial images”. The dramatic backdrop of heavy equipment makes a great setting for an impromptu model shoot with one of the workers. Here is a series of shots of the same man, one in black and white.

The following images were made at the Amber fort in Jaipur and the Red Fort in Agra. The corridors and courtyards of the forts always provide great backdrops for our images.

My long time friend and local guide DV.

The image above shows tour participant John getting his photo made by my friend Mr. Chand who continues in the footsteps of his grandfather, making portraits of tourists, using an old 50 pound, 150 year old wooden camera on the streets of Jaipur, just like his grandfather did many years ago. There is an on line video made by Frances Schwabenland, a Philadelphia based photographer/videographer, specializing in travel and portraiture,  showing how Mr Chand’s camera works have a look.

Below is a lighthearted group shot that we set up at the City Palace in Jaipur, perhaps it’s reminiscent of an old rock album cover?