Great account of Holi Lynn. Lots of detail and of course, your photos are magical. I felt I was right there in the middle of it with you. Oh, wait! I was!!! But your eyes saw things I didn’t. Thanks for sharing xx
Wow Lynn!! What a fabulously myriad experience of colour and tradition and belief! Your photographs, as always, are spellbinding! I couldn't resist checking the website for the next photo trip to Varanasi... sadly way over my budget but I hope you go! x
A wonderful tale of your travels through the Holi festival Lynn, your words and images bring it all to life! Powder and camera gear don't quite go together though...but it was all worth it!
This is so well written Lyn. And your photographs enhance the experience brilliantly. You captured both of these memorable events perfectly and brought them to life! Thanks for doing this and for sharing your talents with us!
A wonderfully colourful and joyous celebration of renewal. Amazing images and an engaging read, full of warmth and the spirit of the day. Thank you for sharing.
Btw I've got to ask, how on earth did you jeep you camera kit clean... or didn't you? 😬☺️
Thanks Ralph, it was a great experience to be part of it all.
My kit ... well ... I did try to protect it with plastic wrapped round the lens, but, with all the powder and my hands getting covered, it was really difficult, actually impossible, to keep it clean. I put my camera in to be cleaned when I got home and, thankfully, there was only one speck of dust on the sensor. My lens, however, didn't fare well; it was full of dust. I had also been in Bangladesh and visited the brick fields which were pretty dusty too. Probably a combination of the two locations plus using it a lot over the last couple of years did for it. But they're tools to be used, and can be replaced (at a cost of course).
Indeed. It's an interesting aspect of our art/craft - total gear reverence at one end and getting those once in a lifetime, creatively unique images at almost any cost at the other. Placing one's bias towards the latter end opens up creative freedom for sure and can separate the great from the good. Your courage to get in the thick of it here amply demonstrates this (not to mention your other fabulous portfolios). I'm afraid I'm too much of a gearhead to ever go beyond the safe. Still, I'm quite happy as a plodder lol 🤓.
I guess I'm of the opinion that I will probably not visit the places again so I have to make the most of the opportunities as they arise. With Holi there was no option but be in the thick of it - the question really was camera or no camera. A fixed lens may have fared better, but I didn't have one.
Absolutely right regarding 'grabbing the bull by the horns' and making the most of it. As you say, you may never get the chance again and you've come away with something priceless. Cameras are replaceable. I'm sure my overly cautious approach is quite the hinderance at times. I remember watching a tv program featuring Andy rouse, where he was taking a wide-angle portrait of an animal (camel?) whilst virtually laying on the ground. To get the shot he wanted, he rapidly changed lenses (if I remember rightly the other lens in his pocket was already de-capped in case). The one he took off he just quickly dumped in the dust so that remain focussed on getting the shot. I winced a bit at the time, but his approach got him the shot. The end result was fantastic. I've no doubt this purely image-focussed approach contributes to him being able to fully realise his huge talent for wildlife photography. I was in no way criticising your approach, indeed, I'm grateful for the images you captured this way and your generosity in sharing them with us. Thanks again 😃
Great account of Holi Lynn. Lots of detail and of course, your photos are magical. I felt I was right there in the middle of it with you. Oh, wait! I was!!! But your eyes saw things I didn’t. Thanks for sharing xx
Thanks Amanda - I’m sure we all saw different things.
Wow Lynn!! What a fabulously myriad experience of colour and tradition and belief! Your photographs, as always, are spellbinding! I couldn't resist checking the website for the next photo trip to Varanasi... sadly way over my budget but I hope you go! x
Thanks Susie - hopefully going 🙂
Beautiful and funny narration, oke cokey hehe love reading this Lynn and following along with all the images. Wonderful! Wish I was there with you.
Thanks. Come next year, Mali - you’d fill your boots! 😁
Dream come true, I’m working on it but it might be 2027.
A wonderful tale of your travels through the Holi festival Lynn, your words and images bring it all to life! Powder and camera gear don't quite go together though...but it was all worth it!
Thanks, Lin. My gear didn't come out of it unscathed, but it was worth it. A great experience!
Wonderful photos and writing Lynn. I love seeing places through your lens!
Thanks, Pamela 🙏🏼
It’s wonderful to see what you’ve sought out to photograph in your travels!
Thanks, Pamela - I think it's more a case of the images finding me 🙂
Wonderful Photographs 🙌💫
Thanks Arvind 🙏🏼
A great read and amazing photos, Lynn. You were very brave to use your camera around all of that powder.
Thanks, Mark - perhaps foolhardy would be a better word!
This is so well written Lyn. And your photographs enhance the experience brilliantly. You captured both of these memorable events perfectly and brought them to life! Thanks for doing this and for sharing your talents with us!
You're too kind, Bill, but thank you. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I do believe we were the Uncles and Aunties at the Holika Dahan! Super pictures and memories from this incredible adventure.
Indeed, lol
Wonderful images Lynn.
Thanks, Gill 🙏🏼
You know, these photos are really great! My favourite is the third one from the top:)
Thanks Davor - the young girl was really sweet 🙂
Yes she was, and the background is fantastic as well👌
Wow Lynn
Storytelling at it’s best.
Thanks Shivam - looking forward to what next year brings 🙂
A wonderfully colourful and joyous celebration of renewal. Amazing images and an engaging read, full of warmth and the spirit of the day. Thank you for sharing.
Btw I've got to ask, how on earth did you jeep you camera kit clean... or didn't you? 😬☺️
Thanks Ralph, it was a great experience to be part of it all.
My kit ... well ... I did try to protect it with plastic wrapped round the lens, but, with all the powder and my hands getting covered, it was really difficult, actually impossible, to keep it clean. I put my camera in to be cleaned when I got home and, thankfully, there was only one speck of dust on the sensor. My lens, however, didn't fare well; it was full of dust. I had also been in Bangladesh and visited the brick fields which were pretty dusty too. Probably a combination of the two locations plus using it a lot over the last couple of years did for it. But they're tools to be used, and can be replaced (at a cost of course).
Indeed. It's an interesting aspect of our art/craft - total gear reverence at one end and getting those once in a lifetime, creatively unique images at almost any cost at the other. Placing one's bias towards the latter end opens up creative freedom for sure and can separate the great from the good. Your courage to get in the thick of it here amply demonstrates this (not to mention your other fabulous portfolios). I'm afraid I'm too much of a gearhead to ever go beyond the safe. Still, I'm quite happy as a plodder lol 🤓.
I guess I'm of the opinion that I will probably not visit the places again so I have to make the most of the opportunities as they arise. With Holi there was no option but be in the thick of it - the question really was camera or no camera. A fixed lens may have fared better, but I didn't have one.
Absolutely right regarding 'grabbing the bull by the horns' and making the most of it. As you say, you may never get the chance again and you've come away with something priceless. Cameras are replaceable. I'm sure my overly cautious approach is quite the hinderance at times. I remember watching a tv program featuring Andy rouse, where he was taking a wide-angle portrait of an animal (camel?) whilst virtually laying on the ground. To get the shot he wanted, he rapidly changed lenses (if I remember rightly the other lens in his pocket was already de-capped in case). The one he took off he just quickly dumped in the dust so that remain focussed on getting the shot. I winced a bit at the time, but his approach got him the shot. The end result was fantastic. I've no doubt this purely image-focussed approach contributes to him being able to fully realise his huge talent for wildlife photography. I was in no way criticising your approach, indeed, I'm grateful for the images you captured this way and your generosity in sharing them with us. Thanks again 😃
Don't worry, I didn't take it as a criticism; we're all different in thought and approach!
Ah, good. Thank goodness we're all a bit different in thought - life might get a bit boring otherwise 😊
Wonderful story telling Lynn, the photographs are of course wonderful and have even more resonance with the words accompanying them. What a trip!
Thanks, Sarah - it was a fabulous trip!
Fantastic story and wonderful photos Lynn. Thanks so much for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it, Sally - it was quite an experience.