Colour me India

My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

Worldwide | Tuesday, November 8, 2011 | 5 photos

I never believed I could try and submit any of my photo's in a competition, especially being an impulsive young actress from Sydney with a brand new DSLR that I tried to figure out how to work properly as I jumped on a plane to India. But with India as my muse, I believe anything is possible. The Indian people invited and inspired me to not only capture their stories, but encouraged me to show the world, the beauty and gentility of the nation. Their people. From the Sadhus and Jain's walking the harsh terrain, to the artists, the performers, the hardworking mothers and their children eating the sugar cane from the fields on their way home from school. India made me a better person. I truly believe, this is the gift you receive from traveling. As a performer, it is so easy to become caught up in the existence and importance of one's self. To step outside the box for a brief moment can be life changing. To step into a world, where if you have a roof over your head to keep you dry from the rain and a job to go to, be it as a street vendor or a politician, this is a country who see's themselves as truly blessed. These are happy people. They appreciate the little they have and as long as food is put on the table, if only a grain of rice, they are lucky. I decided to travel to India for an adventure. I came back with not only some amazing memories, photo's, a little bit of hindi under my belt for next time, but I came away with a great appreciation for the country and it's people. Something I never had until now. Ignorance is not bliss. I need to experience and see everything that life has to offer. I don't receive this performing in front of a camera. I receive this being on the other side. Capturing those moments for those who have never had the chance.