One Shot: Anoop Negi

Image Copyright © Anoop Negi-All Rights Reserved
Anoop Negi is a photographer from India, whose above photograph of a Theyyam dancer in Kerala can only be described in my view as "National Geographic" quality. I found his work on Flickr, but his biography is sparse.

This photograph is of a dancer symbolizing a male deity in the dance form popularly known as "Theyyam". Theyyam is a popular ritual dance of north Kerala,generally performed in front of the village shrines, and also performed as ancestor worship with elaborate rites and rituals.

In earlier posts on TTP, here and here, I wrote this on Theyyam: Theyyam is a popular ritual dance of north Kerala, south India, particularly presented in the Kannur and Kasargode districts. It originates from centuries old traditions, rituals and customs, and as such embraces almost all castes and classes of Hindu religion in this region. The term Theyyam is a corrupt form of daivam or God. It is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects important features of a tribal culture.

Anoop Negi's Flickr page is here.

NPR: Nina Berman & Ashley Gilbertson

Four and a half years after the war in Iraq began, NPR's Leonard Lopate discusses the toll the war is taking on American soldiers, both on the frontlines and here at home. Ashley Gilbertson’s new book of photographs of the US-led invasion of Iraq is called Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Nina Berman has gathered images and stories of injured American soldiers in her book, Purple Hearts: Back from Iraq.

VUVOX

I'm always on the lookout for easy and innovative ways to showcase my photography on the web, and recently stumbled on VUVOX.

This is an easy to use production and instant sharing service that allows you to mix, create and blend video, photos and music into a visual display, be it on a website or a blog. Provided you're a Flickr (or other similar photo-sharing sites) user, you can create a simple slideshow in under 5 minutes. The nice thing about VUVOX slideshow is that it allows for full screen view, although one has to use higher resolution photographs so as to have them display properly.

There are some other neat examples of very interesting visual displays on VUVOX's website, including collages made into slideshows.

I've done some ferreting around, and found that VUVOX is used by the multimedia savvy MercuryNewsPhoto.com (San Jose Mercury News Photography Department) for some innovative multimedia presentations.

VUVOX

Mercury News Photo Blog

Haiti: Bon Bagay (Cite Soleil)

Image Copyright © Marcello Casal Jr.-All Rights Reserved
Bon Bagay is one of the first expressions that foreigners arriving in Haiti understand...it means "nice people" in Creole. It has become the symbol of friendship between Haitians and foreigners.

This is a multimedia feature produced by RadioBras (Agencia Brasil), and there's a version in English. The photography is by Marcello Casal Jr., and is produced by Aloisio Milani.

A combination of still photography and video, it's about Cite Soleil...the slum where over 250,000 Haitians live in abject poverty. It includes interviews with residents of the slum.

Bon Bagay is perhaps predictable but it is still solid photojournalism.

Bon Bagay

Martin Scholler at Hasted Hunt Gallery

Image Copyright © Martin Scholler-All Rights Reserved
Mary-Presley Adams sent me an email announcing a new exhibit of large format photographic portraits by Martin Scholler entitled "New Work" at the Hasted Hunt Gallery. The exhibit will run from January 8 to February 23, 2008 with a reception for the artist on Thursday, January 10th from 6 to 8 PM.

This new exhibit will showcase a specially commissioned group of striking, mysterious faces of the rarely photographed Pirahã people, an indigenous hunter-gatherer tribe that lives primarily on the banks of the Maici River in Brazil. Currently numbered at approximately 360, the culture is in grave danger of extinction. The photographs were specially commissioned by The New Yorker.

Hasted Hunt Gallery is at 529 West 20th Street,3rd Floor, New York,NY 10011 (212 627 0006).

Jake Warga: Lalibela

To lighten the mood of TTP's recent posts, here is independent producer Jake Warga who has always dreamed of taking the perfect photo. He tells this story from a recent trip to Lalibela in Ethiopia, where he tried -- in vain -- to duplicate a photograph he saw in National Geographic Magazine. The quality of the photographs is impaired by the video compression, but it's still enjoyable.

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NPR: Thai Tattoo Tradition

Image Copyright © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
In July 2005, I was traveling to Indonesia and stopped en route in Bangkok. It is there that I heard of the famous Wat Bang Phro monastery just outside the city's limits. It wasn't easy to find, but I found Bannasad "Nai" Radabutr, a taxi driver, who knew where it was and who also spoke some English. Through his intermediation, I photographed the tattooing monks at the monastery, and was quite pleased with the results. The resulting Tattooing Monks of Wat Bang Phro is probably one of my preferred documentary photo essays.

So imagine my pleasure at seeing that a similar photo-essay by Scott Carney was published by NPR's website less than two weeks ago, and doubly pleased to see that one of the photographs was almost identical to mine...in terms of subject, of composition and viewpoint. Here it is:

Image Copyright © Scott Carney/NPR-All Rights Reserved

The NPR article tells us that Thai soldiers have covered their bodies in protective tattoos called Sak Yant, and that the ancient ritual is increasingly popular in Thailand and beyond, and people are flocking to master artists to have the powerful designs inked on their bodies.

Naturally, I would've been happier had NPR chosen my photographs to publish in this feature, but that's how it is. It'll be for another time.

NPR's Photo Essay

NPR's Thai Tattoo Tradition

NY Times: Forged Barefoot In India

Image Copyright © J. Adams Huggins/NY Times-All Rights Reserved
The New York Times brings us an interesting audio slideshow feature on the Shakti Industries in Haora (West Bengal)which produces manhole covers for Con Edison and for departments of New York City, New Orleans and Syracuse. Con Edison, for instance, buys a quarter of its manhole covers, roughly 2,750 a year from India.

The accompanying article states: "Seemingly impervious to the heat from the metal, the workers at one of West Bengal’s many foundries relied on strength and bare hands rather than machinery. Safety precautions were barely in evidence; just a few pairs of eye goggles were seen in use on a recent visit. The scene was as spectacular as it was anachronistic: flames, sweat and liquid iron mixing in the smoke like something from the Middle Ages.

Naturally, the reason for these manhole covers being manufactured in India is that they can be anywhere from 20 to 60 percent cheaper than those made in the United States, and the workers at Indian foundries are paid the equivalent of a few dollars a day, while foundry workers in the United States earn about $25 an hour.

This may raise peoples' hackles, but I don't totally agree with the notion that the buyers in the United States and elsewhere should stop buying these products from the Indian manufacturers until the standards of workers safety improve. Should that approach be taken, it'll inevitably be the workers who suffer the consequences.

The New York Times' Forged Barefoot in India

TTP: Recap of The Week

I'm fast approaching The Travel Photographer's first annual anniversary (annual anniversary...is that a tautological statement? Maybe not), and I've been thinking how to improve TTP's content for its readers.

I thought I'd introduce a weekly recap of the previous week's most viewed posts for those who may miss their TTP daily shot. So here's the first TTP Recap:

In order of popularity by being the most viewed for the week of November 18-24, the posts were:

Hands On The Canon 1DS MK III which is self explanatory.

Unsung: Extraordinary People. An inspirational book about Indians with ordinary backgrounds who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities.

Beyond The Frame: Puspa Wresti Dancers. A Beyond The Frame feature describing a background story to one of my photographs of Balinese dancers.

Micah Albert: Southern Sudan. The captivating photography of Micah Albert of Southern Sudan subjects.

Colourful Street in Old Delhi

Towards the end of our trip to India, we spent the last two to three days in New Delhi. We visited Jamek Mosque on our first day. It was a very old mosque with lots of pigeons in its compounds and there was a colorful street just opposite it where we found a hotel to put up for the night. The street there bustled with activities and at night, it was simply fabulous to walk though its streets. The streets seemed long and never ending and they were practically swarmed with people: vendors plying their wares, customers and beggars too, so many of them! Disheveled men could be seen waiting outside eating shops for handouts and I heard part of the day’s proceed would be channeled to feed them, which I think is a good idea.

Jamek Mosque...





A street opposite Jamek Mosque...




An eating shop....





Outside an eating shop....










Traveling Tip: Contemplate humankind while traveling.

Having a Bite at Oriental Village

We did not immediately make off back to our hotel after the cable car ride at the Oriental Village in Pulau Langkawi. Someone had suggested taking a bite and we passed off a posh Japanese Restaurant for some cheaper local delights at a little food court there. My friends had some Hai Lam mee which they said were quite delicious while I opted for some Penang Laksa. The proprietor had said that the laksa would taste the same as the Penang Laksa in Penang Island but it was really far from expectation. In fact, it was not as good as the average laksa in Malaysia. The Perlis Laksa which I took at the jetty in Kuala Perlis when we left for home the next day, in fact, had a better taste. However, I had no complaint for the mango juice which I had ordered. It was not really sweet but at least, the juice was fresh and authentic.



At the food court in the Oriental Village...




We had a bite...




My friend ordered Hai Lam mee...




I had Penang Laksa...





and Mango Juice...



But the Laksa Perlis at Kuala Perlis....





was better!...


Traveling Tip: Try the local delights!

WP: Cluster Bombs in Lebanon

Image Copyright © Jahi Chikwendiu/WP-All Rights Reserved

Okay...it's Monday and let's get back to some serious posting with this sad story.

Leena Saidi, a Lebanese journalist tells the story of Rasha Zayoun, a 17 year old girl whose foot was mangled beyond repair by an Israeli-dropped cluster bomblet which exploded in her home in South Lebanon.

The arresting photography is by Jahi Chikwendiu, a staff photographer for the Washington Post, and who won Best Portfolio awards from the White House News Photographers' Association and the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar.

From The Washington Post article, we learn that:

Rasha lost her foot after the summer 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the radical Shiite militia. U.N. officials estimate that the Israeli military dropped between 1.2 and 4 million cluster bomblets on southern Lebanon -- 90 percent of them during the last 72 hours of the 33-day conflict. The Israeli military says it aimed only at military targets.

In early December, delegates from more than 80 countries are scheduled to meet in Vienna to work on the text of a new treaty to ban cluster bombs. The United States is not expected to attend.

This is a gut-wrenching photography from an unblinking photojournalist, who does an admirable job in documenting this sad story. You'll have to wait out the obnoxious advertisement ( note to the WP: no one watches these ads) which precedes the multimedia feature, but it's worth it.

The Washington Post's Cluster Bombs In Lebanon

PBase Magazine

PBase is a photo sharing website on the internet, which despite the competition from other photo sharing sites, remains a favored choice for professional photographers who prefer its simple interface.

It also publishes (in PDF) a free quarterly magazine titled PBase Magazine which features a PBase member, and has articles on photography and related software. It's very nicely done, and there are already 11 issues published, so happy browsing!

PBase Magazine

Sunday Rant II

Here's my rant for this sunny and cold Sunday morning...and it has nothing to do with travel or editorial photography.

Most of us know there's a shocking difference in terms of depth of coverage and intellectual content between CNN and CNN International cable channels, but the disparity is also evident on its websites as well.

It'd be too long to list disparities in the news items, but I thought its Quick Vote features illustrate this well.

Here's an example from yesterday's editions:

CNN International had these questions on its Quick Vote feature: "Do you think former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be successful in his attempt to return from exile to Pakistan this time?" and another: "Will Australia's Kevin Rudd be a better prime minister than John Howard?.

For its American web audiences, CNN had this question on its Quick Vote feature: "Will you spend more, less or about the same for holiday gifts?"

God help us.

Flickr Places: Useful for Scouting?

Flickr has recently introduced an innovative feature called Places that allows anyone to scout out geographical locations through photographs. The photographs are combined with maps, geotags and groups, and these give you visual heads up of what the places you're interested in can offer.

For instance, since Kashmir is on my photo expeditions' "radar screen", I've used Flickr's Srinagar to look at various photographs of the town and its environs.

Flickr Places

Beyond The Frame: Puspa Wresti

Image Copyright © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
This Beyond The Frame post features Puspa Wresti dancers applying their makeup, and readying themselves for a photo-shoot in Kerobokan in Bali.

I arranged a photo-shoot with Puspa Wresti dancers during my Bali: Island of Gods photo-expedition by locating a classical dance school, and convincing its head teacher to make available these young women to photograph in a Hindu temple.

As I wrote elsewhere in this blog, the Balinese people's belief in animism and ancestor worship, in addition to Hindu traditions, governs their everyday life and actions. This was demonstrated to us when -in the middle of the photo-shoot at the temple- one of the dancers suddenly became lightheaded, and had to stop dancing.

During the ensuing discussion with the teacher, I learned that her dancers were reluctant to resume dancing because of their belief that they had offended the temple's spirits...which caused one of them to feel unwell. Here, the sekala niskala was amply in evidence, with the spirit world affecting the physical world, and we had to move the whole troupe to another location.

It is a wise photographer who accepts with respect, humility and understanding other people's belief systems and works within its parameters.

One Shot: Goran Tomasevic

Image Copyright © Goran Tomasevic-All Rights Reserved
I chanced on this great photograph on the MSNBC photoblog (link below). The photograph is by Goran Tomasevic for Reuters, and is of an Afghan little boy looking at Dutch soldiers as they search his family's home in the Uruzagu province in Afghanistan. Tomasevic photographs for Reuters, and has made quite a name for himself in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mish Whalen, one of MSNBC's multimedia editors (who must've chosen this photograph for inclusion on the blog) commented on the photograph by writing this: "This photo caught my eye at first glance. I love the one eye of the woman on the left peeking out from the hood."

Whaaaat?!!! Ms Whalen ignores the overall tension in the scene, ignores the fear in this little boy's eyes, glosses over the apprehension in the woman's eye, and ignores the mother's protective crouch over her children... and crows about the "eye peeking out"?

Yes, I know...it's a storm in a teacup, but I'm just saying.

MSNBC's Photo Blog

Up in the Mountain in Simla

North India was definitely cold in December! Before I stepped foot on Indian soil, I had thought that it was a very hot country. The overhead fans in the trains served no purpose then and they were only to be turned on only during the hot season and I supposed, in South India too. It was actually so cold while I was there that more than 60 people died in the street; at least that was what the local paper reported. I saw some people started a fire by the roadside to warm themselves and wondered how others in the street survive, those people who laid motionless on the concrete floor of the railway stations with stained blankets covering their bodies from head to toes and especially those dark bodies whom I believed I saw lying under a car near our hotel in Agra. Even as India was cold, it amazed me that there was no snow there in New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. But in Simla, it was different. I understand that while the British were there colonizing India, they had always escaped the heat of the hot season by going to Simla. We had took a special luxurious red train there called a toy train and were served food and drinks by a waiter as the train chugged through hundreds of tunnels, passing picturesque scenes before finally presenting us with this fascinating city, which when I first saw it, thought it was plastered on a mountain! Yes, that is Simla where the evergreen Bollywood movie Bobby starring Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia was shot and where there was snow!



The Toy Train...



Simla...







Snow in Simla...


Traveling Tip: Go up the mountain!

Micah Albert: Southern Sudan

Image Copyright © Micah Albert-All Rights Reserved
Born and raised in California, Micah Albert studied and earned his B.A. in photography and graphic arts from Point Loma Nazarene University, Keller Visual Arts Center.

He has extensively covered Central and East Africa, notably Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan. He documented and published his writing and photography ranging in topics from; Sudanese IDP and refugee camps, HIV/AIDS awareness in Kenya, active war zones in Sudan, village life in post-war Eastern Congo, slum life in Bukavu (Congo), and life in insurgent controlled North Kivu (DR Congo).

His website is a visual treat with captivating photographs, particularly those of Southern Sudan. Many of his photographs have interesting compositions...such as the one I chose for this post, showing some children in Southern Sudan studying math by using the dirt as an easel.

Micah Albert

Holy Varanasi

The first time I heard the word ghats (Bengali: ঘাট ghaţ) which refers to a series of steps leading down to a body of water, is none other than the ancient city of Varanasi. Kalai, my Indian friend from Ipoh told me that the British called Varanasi, Benares and that Hindus believe that a person who passes away here will go to heaven. The Hindu God Shiva is said to live here once and it is no wonder that this ancient city becomes a holy place to the Hindus just like Mecca is a holy place to the Muslims and Hindus want to come here for a pilgrimage. It is said that more than a million pilgrims visit Varanasi each year and the last time I was here, the railway station was practically swarmed. There were people everywhere and later, I heard some people come here just to die. I remember seeing many deaths occurring here. Funeral processions are a norm and at the bank of the River Ganges (Ganga) where this holy city stands, cremation is carried out openly and while you can witness a body being cremated, you are not allowed to take a photo of it. I remember taking a boat ride in the river Ganga during which our guide was disappointed to find out that we would be going back the next day. Otherwise, he said we could go for a dip in the River Ganges. Females take their bath in the early morning and the males take theirs at the later part of the day and Hindus believe that bathing in the river will remit sins.

Dropping In At A Bay

There was supposed to be a boat at nine to pick us up to the remote fishing village. When it didn’t turn up, we waited for another hour. Ah Seng then suggested that we go elsewhere. Let’s go Sitiawan. We can have cendol there and red wine vermicelli. I said. And so off we went! We had a quick lunch, after which Ah Seng in jest, suggested that we drive to Pulau Pangkor but of course, that was really impossible. To get to the island, we’d have to go to Lumut to catch a ferry. We would then have to travel for an hour or so and God knows when we were to hit for home. We really did not have so much time to spare. So, we went to Teluk Batik instead, the bay near Lumut, a spot for picnickers…

Travel Tip: Always be open to suggestion

Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, Johor

Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal, Johor (N01°26.015’ E103°55.201’)
Jalan Feri, Pasir Gudang.
Tel : +607-2543990, +60197273990 (Ms Selina)

The Ferry terminal started operations about one year ago, located at left of Johor Port entrance.

Providing daily ferry services from :-

• Pasir Gudang <-> Batam (Indonesia)
• Pasir Gudang <-> Tanjung Pinang. (Indonesia)
• Pasir Gudang <-> Leisure World Gambling Cruise

Information about the Leisure World Cruise as below:-

Counter at PG Ferry Terminal
Mon
0930 – 1130 hrs
1230 – 1415 hrs
1630 – 1745 hrs
2000 – 2115 hrs

Tue – Sun
0830 – 1000 hrs
1200 – 1330 hrs
1630 – 1745 hrs
2000 – 2115 hrs

From Ferry Terminal to Leisure World Cruise
Mon
1115, 1300, 1730, 2100 hrs

Tue – Sun
0945, 1315, 1730, 2100 hrs

From Leisure World Cruise to Ferry Terminal
Mon
0430, 1700, 1730, 2245 hrs

Tue – Sun
0730, 1700, 1730, 2245 hrs

Free Shuttle Bus Services to & from Ferry Terminal
Mon
From :
The Zon – 0930, 1230, 1600, 1930 hrs
Jusco Permas – 0945, 1615 hrs
Giant Plentong – 1000, 1630 hrs

Tue – Sun
From :
The Zon – 0800, 1200, 1600, 1930 hrs
Jusco Permas – 0815, 1615 hrs
Giant Plentong – 0830, 1630 hrs

Charges
Adult
RM50.00 per person

Children below 18 years
RM55.00 per person (Because they don’t encourage children on board)
RM75.00 per person (School holiday season)

Check out time : 1600hrs

Cabin Prices
Mon-Thu
RM70.00 (From 2 – 4 beds)
Fri & Sat
RM140.00 (From 2 – 4 beds)
Holiday
RM160.00 (From 2 – 4 beds)

Beside the Ferry Terminal, there’s a new budget hotel started operations 5 months ago.

PPT Terminal Hotel

Related post :-
* Leisure World Cruise, Johor

MY TRIPS - Home

Jaipur, the Pink City

Jaipur, Rajasthan Capital is popularly known as the Pink City for obvious reason. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur is built of pink stucco in imitation of sandstone. While there, we had visited the Hawa Mahal, or palace of winds which is actually a sprawling palace complex, Nahargarh Fort , Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar and Jal Mahal among others. Jaipur, with its rich and colourful past, is now one of the most important heritage cities in India, and is a must-see for tourists. My friend had told me that Britain's Prince Charles had visited here once but well, I don't know. As far as I am concerned, I have been here and it was a fantastic experience, seeing the splendid pink buildings of old. The Hawa Mahal especially surprised me. It reminded me of a prop in a movie studio. The front is all beautiful and glamorous but there are many ugly unkempt houses behind it. I heard ladies of days gone by used to sit here as they watch a procession from their windows but now, the only procession available is the haphazard heavy traffic on a dusty road.


At the Palace of the Wind, Hawa Mahal...




There's a lot of pink or is it orange here in Jaipur...