Photos: the parting of the sea at Jin Island

summeronrepeat — Fri, 5 Jul 2013 11:29:00 GMT

First, I need to apologize for the lack of editing and adjustments done to my photos. The reason for this leads to the brief story of my life. The moment when I first realized my love for creating photography was on a family vacation when my Dad let me shoot all of the photos on his SLR. From then on, I was hooked. Most of my life I was just a hobbyist; my photos focused mainly on composition and subject interest value, rather than technique. One day, through a series of random events, I met a photographer who sparked my interest in going back to school to study photography. I learned so at school much from techniques to lighting, processing, and printing. After two years of school and interning I came to a crossroads: should I stay and try to build a career or is it finally time to finish my lifelong dream of traveling the world? I chose the latter. I’ve spent the last five years of my life traveling the world and taking photos and trying to edit them on my little netbook. If picked it will be the chance to learn with a photog who is doing work I find fascinating. I know that what I can learn will give me the insights and know how to push me to the next level in my photography.!!!

A Local Encounter that Changed my Perspective - A Life Lesson in the Hills of Munnar

summeronrepeat — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:42:50 GMT

Upon landing in Delhi, I found myself choking on the intensity of life that rises up from its streets; every pore and orifice on my body suffocating on the mixture of smog and dirt that perpetually hangs in the air. As I traveled alone through India, I felt a mental fatigue brought on by the crush of human life; so many people, with so few resources, sharing so little space. When you live in such an ecosystem, everyone seems to demand something from you. Your money, attention, and belongings are all up for grabs. Nothing feels safe. And as the days crept by, I felt myself building a fortress of indifference around my mind as protection from all of the wants being demanded of me by others.

Weary from the chaos of daily life, I escaped to the verdant green hills of Munnar, in the southern state of Kerala, hoping for a moment of tranquility and peace. On a morning hike among the impossibly green and lush tea bushes, I came upon a group of ladies who had just finished their work of picking tea leaves. Upon seeing me, the women immediately drew me into their group and motioned for me to take their pictures. I obliged with a wary caution; expecting at any moment to be asked for some sort of compensation, though they never asked.

As I walked away, one of the workers, a spry grandmother type, fell into step with me. We walked along together for some way, and though we couldn't speak the same language, it became apparent that she wanted me to follow her. I soon found myself at the doorstep of her home, greeting her daughter and grandchildren, and eating a home cooked meal of chapatti, rice, and dahl with the only spoon in the house, reserved for foreigners unused to eating with their hands.

Later that day, as I sat on the bed in my hotel room listening to the afternoon rain, I found myself thinking about this chance encounter and the way I was experiencing India. I had perceived the constant wanting of the people as a sort of harassment and a burden. I closed myself off and stood to the side, hoping to be ignored. But did I travel this far to just observe? I needed to stop being a bystander and to let myself experience more by understanding that the key to receiving is to give first. Once I understood this, I could see that all anyone in India wanted was to exchange gives: a smile in exchange for some rupees; an expensive taxi ride in exchange for a good travel story; a home cooked meal in exchange for a happy memory.

i hope this summer never ends

Photos: the parting of the sea at Jin Island

A Local Encounter that Changed my Perspective - A Life Lesson in the Hills of Munnar