Early Morning Flowers at the Hindu Temple

A young Hindu woman chats with her friends as she

strings flowers into garlands for a temple ceremony.

 

Old-time newspaper photographers used to say that the key to great pictures is "f8 and be there!" But where is there? I don't know. You'll have to work that out for yourself. But I can tell you that if you're enjoying a leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Madras as the sun rises and the streets begin to come alive with people, you're not there. There is out on the street, taking advantage of that lovely light and the relaxed, early-morning mood of the people.

Some photographers prefer evening light, but I've often found my best pictures early in the morning. There's a different, softer quality to the light, a calm freshness in the air, and both people and nature seem more relaxed and approachable.

(Olympus OM2n camera, 35mm f2 Olympus Zuiko lens, Fujichrome 100D film.)

Photograph and text copyright 2022, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone

My book, Backroads and Byways of Georgia, is now out of print, although copies are apparently still available from Amazon, and possibly other sources. The second edition is now in the editing stage and is scheduled to be released on December 6th.

Madras Street Photography

Looking out through a courtyard gate in Madras

 

Much of life in Madras is lived out on the streets in a kaleidoscope of constantly swirling colors and movement.

I was sheltered from the view of passersby in this photo, but usually I'm out on the street in the midst of the action.   

An American with a camera in a third world street or marketplace is conspicuous and there's nothing I can do to change that.  Everyone knows I'm there, so I don't try to sneak shots. If I'm furtive, if I try to hide in the shadows and pick off shots with a long lens, if I appear indecisive or uncertain, I will be greeted with suspicion.  So I accept the fact that I'm not going to get fly-on-the-wall candids and go with the flow. I work in an open, straightforward, and businesslike way and concentrate on what I can get. Which can often be pretty good. People in other cultures are usually gracious, hospitable, and patient with strangers who observe the basic courtesies.

 

(Olympus OM camera, 85mm f2 Olympus Zuiko lens, and Fujichrome 100D slide film.)

 

Blog Note: Sorry to miss Monday's post. Last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were unusually difficult days.

Photograph and text copyright 2022, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone

My book, Backroads and Byways of Georgia, is now out of print, although copies are apparently still available from Amazon, and possibly other sources. The second edition is now in the editing stage and is scheduled to be released on December 6th.

 

Portrait of a Shopkeeper, Madras

                                                      A small businessman in his shop, Madras 

Resting his arm casually on his soft drink cooler, jars and baskets of cookies and candy lining the shelves behind him, the shopkeeper was friendly, but serious, reflecting my friendly but serious approach to him.

My experience has been that people in other countries are can be amazingly gracious and patient, and when I treat them with courtesy and friendliness I'm able to make excellent photographs and new friends at the same time.   

The key to making good pictures of people is simply to be natural.  Behave as if you have a perfect right to be there and go about your work in a pleasant, matter-of-fact way and most people will respond in a positive way. If you sense that your presence is not welcome, simply thank them and move on.

(Olympus OM camera, 85mm f2 Olympus Zuiko lens, and Fujichrome 100D slide film.)

Photograph and text copyright 2022, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone

My book, Backroads and Byways of Georgia, is now out of print, although copies are apparently still available from Amazon, and possibly other sources. The second edition is now in the editing stage and is scheduled to be released on December 6th.

Portrait of a Hindu Woman

Hindu woman, Madras

I don't do much foreign travel these days, but I've done a lot over the years and loved every minute of it. The Hindu lady in Madras was sitting by a construction site, perhaps the wife of one of the workers. She regarded me with great seriousness and dignity as I made her portrait.

As a photojournalist creating magazine features and audio-visual programs to help Christian and humanitarian agencies communicate their mission, I always looked for opportunities to make portraits.  Strong photographs of people add power to the message I sought to communicate because people are interested in people.  That's why we call it "human interest."  When someone from another culture is portrayed in all of his or her humanity, dignity, and individuality, both the subject and those who view the photograph are served.  As the great Edward Steichen, creator of the landmark "Family of Man" photography exhibit said, "The function of photography is to explain man to man."

            Photography bypasses the logical centers of the brain and communicates directly to the heart.  When the subject is someone from another culture, an incisive portrait can arouse in the viewer a deep awareness that this also is a person, a member of my species.  Different from me, yes, but part of my family.  More than 50 years have passed, but I still remember the first time a photograph connected with me in this way.  It was an Emil Schultheiss portrait of an African girl in the old Modern Photography magazine.  Her face plastered with ceremonial paint, she peeked at the camera from the corners of her eyes.  I looked into her soul and was hooked for good.

(Olympus OM camera, 85mm f2.8 Olympus Zuiko lens, and Fujichrome 100D slide film.)

Photograph and text copyright 2022, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone

My book, Backroads and Byways of Georgia, is now out of print, although copies are apparently still available from Amazon, and possibly other sources. The second edition is now in the editing stage and is scheduled to be released on December 6th.