Photo walks in Jaipur? The first photo walk I ever took was when I bought a DSLR for the first time, a few years ago. I joined a photo walk organized by a leading newspaper on World Tourism Day, here in Jaipur.
I feel a photo walk is a great way to network and meet new people. As for photography, it is counterproductive in some ways when a large group distracts people i.e. subject. It’s difficult to photograph people in the natural setting. Also, the photographers start copying each other, often clicking the same subject even when there are plenty of other opportunities. On the other hand, some people feel that it provides you an opportunity to see & learn from fellow photographers. This is certainly a valid point.
After a long gap, I decided to join a photo walk in Jaipur organized earlier this month by a local photography group on a Sunday morning. The incentive to join this photo walk was to break away from the “usual mindset” rut and think afresh! Sometimes, it’s good to come out of your shell!! Also, photography on the streets of India offers a great chance to learn and adapt.
This particular picture captures few professional and budding photographers of Jaipur before the photo walk began with a backdrop of heritage buildings of the Pink City.
The theme for this photo walk was “hands”. The walk was routed through the old Jaipur bazaar in the walled city area which has many heritage buildings. I have never been into clicking portraits which fall under the street photography. Jaipur is one of the best places for street photography in India. Here are 13 Faceless Frames, I composed during this short photo walk of 30 minutes capturing the street scenes in Jaipur.
Morning is usually associated with certain routines like visiting a temple, offering prayers, reading a newspaper, drinking tea…
The Invasion!
The gentleman in this picture was enjoying tea at a roadside tea Thela (cart) when a group of photographers swarmed in. He looked disturbed when a few photographers zoomed on his face with zoom lenses, taking an aim at his tea ritual. I settled for his hand though!
Taking stock of the business!
This flower vendor was catching up with the news in a newspaper. In this case, he was flipping through the obituary section. Taking stock of how his day will be?
Tea Takeaway!!
A tea vendor pours tea into a “takeaway”!
Passing the time!
The person in this picture is a watchman at an undergoing metro(tube) construction site. With nothing to do during the morning hours, he was watching the world go by.
Lovestruck!
I found this interesting tattoo sign the hands of a boy. I found him sitting along with his friends outside an old temple entrance gate. 
Waiting…..
This is a picture of a flower vendor. Waiting for the customers.
Fruit Vendor!
A fruit vendor loading and arranging his fruit display. A usual morning ritual before the customers arrive!
The grain seller!
These grain sellers can be spotted across the walled city area in Jaipur. They survive on people looking to earn good karma! As per Hindu belief offering feed or grains to the birds and animals improves your karma!
Preparing for the day!
The flower seller gets into the action as he sorts and trims stem for the bouquet.
All set!
The flower seller waits with the marigold garlands. Marigold garlands are bought by the devotees while offering morning prayers, especially in the commercial establishments where a fresh garland is offered to God or deity as a daily routine.
Awaiting!
A scooter rider waiting by the roadside….for whom? ..No idea!
Finally, these two pictures are my favorite ones.
Homeless!
The above picture is of a poor homeless person. I felt sad-looking at his expressionless face. He was staring at “infinity”. There was so much hiding behind his face. Many stories…..
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Bachpan/Childhood!
I clicked this picture at a roadside Thela (cart). He was a four-year-old son of the fruit vendor; I composed this frame when he was leaning towards his mother for the security watching the world go by!
I will love to hear your views and suggestions. Which picture did you like of all the above? I have written a couple of blogs on the street photography in India which focuses on Jaipur, read them all Photo Walk in Jaipur
Would you like to undertake a Photo Walk in Jaipur?
This post appears as a part of weekly photo challenge Heritage.
JaipurThruMyLens 
Nice shots, the ”takeaway” tea is really interesting
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Great 😊
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Wonderful photos! I have never thought that hands could make such meaningful photos. Learned something today – thank you.
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Thanks Helen. This was something new for me too. Do you undertake photo walks?
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I have never participated a photo walk. We don’t have those in this town. My guess is a group of people get together and shoot photos at some place, yes?
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Yup. In which city do you reside Helen?
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Cool photos! I haven’t been to Jaipur since I solo-backpacked there back in 1985!
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Great. You’ll find a different Jaipur today. The city has changed dramatically. It’s not a small sleepy town anymore. Thanks for checking it out. 😃
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That’s what I thought. I like small sleepy towns. 😉
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Sadly, Jaipur is no more a sleepy town. But yes, couple of places in vicinity…you will love them 🙂
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One day I may get back. 😉
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That’s great to hear 👍
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Just the hands talk so much, telling a unique story of the time, place and person. A great idea to capture just the hands, loved it!
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I’m glad you too found it a unique idea. I feel we need some inspiration for our photography to enhance our creative juices. 🙂
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Such an interesting topic and equally intriguing captures. Hands in various activities… Beautiful and vivid captures.
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Thanks Sarmistha. I’m glad you liked it. I think you love photography too 😊
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Yes, I do like 🙂
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Pink city my fav city.
Thanks for sharing.
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Happy to hear this 🙂
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What an indigenous way to capture the essence of the city without labelling it in an obvious way. I loved the entire Faceless series. But my favorite has to be the one where the guy is packing Chai.
Chai Cheers!
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Yamini, happy to know you loved these pictures. Faceless photos is another perspective of capturing pictures. I guess most travelers & photographers are focused on clicking faces in the street, personally I don’t. I guess that tea picture is a very popular choice. Thanks for sharing your views.
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Sure. This is good. That said, faces ain’t that bad either
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No they aren’t as long as the subject doesn’t mind and you seek his prior approval 😊
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Absolutely loved this post!! Never really though of this style of capturing the essence of a place! So beautiful! So bummed that we still haven’t been to Jaipur 😦 well as a kid yes but that was ages ago haha! cannot wait to visit this beautiful place!
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Thanks, Harsh/ Aman.
Happy to hear you liked this post. Any place can be beautiful; it’s all about our perception. 🙂
You should visit Jaipur, for sure. Do let me know whenever you do. It’ll be great to catch up with you guys. 🙂
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I’m nominating you for the Versatile Blogger Award. I hope you will participate
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Enjoyed your post and the faceless frames Arv. I have never been out on a photo walk with a group Arv, but as you have mentioned it is a good opportunity to come together as a group, and creatively engage in photography. In the process, one starts appreciating the beautiful and interesting things around and this may also help to strengthen the sense of community and the sense of belonging to the place.
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Surely, Somali. Also when you are in a group people are less suspicious and more open to get clicked. For some people it also offers networking opportunities. Do join any walk in Mumbai and let me know how you found it. Thanks for sharing your views, Somali. It’s always nice to hear you 🙂
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You have a point Arv. People may be more open to getting clicked by a group than by individuals.
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That’s when their suspicion is put to rest. 😃
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I agree 😊
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🙂
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Wow I love that you concentrated on people’s hands the pictures are very interesting!! I have a friend who asks me to go to photo walks but then I am a bit prejudiced against them because as you said everybody tries to take the same picture – the group kind of creates a norm (which usually is portraits of old people or babies …) and I don’t like to show my pictures for validation. However, your take on that really inspired me, thanks!
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Enjoyed each one of the pics, Arvind. The shots were amazing, particularly the way you caught the hands— both resting or in action. I like this idea of a photo walk. I see that as a great opportunity in Bangalore where I’ve always wanted to capture two things —trees and old houses. Maybe on a quiet Sunday morning away from the snarls of the traffic… I think I will give it a shot sometime soon.
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Esha, even though nature is a big motivator for me as well but Sometimes it’s nice to step out of our chosen subject and try something new. When I framed these shots I had no idea how it’ll come out. I think you should choose old part of Bangalore for this. May be Malleshwaram? Gandhi Nagar? Just a thought. Will love to see your clicks, Esha. 😃
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I have always loved looking at peoples hands. There is so much to be told about the person in them.
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Absolutely. Do you engage in “hand watching”? I’m sure you have lots of stories to share. 🙂
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It’s interesting theme, Arv. When I was in Istanbul, there were so many events like this. Personally, since I knew the city, I prefer to shoot alone when I could stay at one spot I like as long as I like. But it was good chance too sometimes to meet other people who have same passions as mine. I love all your photos.. But my favorite is the hand of homeless man. It tears me apart..
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I agree with your thought, Nurul. I also enjoy photography on a self-guided photo walks. Yes, it is nice to interact with fellow photographers and get inspired. The picture you liked along with the hands of a young kid is my favorite. What do you like to capture during a photo-walk:)
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Well, I was always ended by taking the photos of buildings. I realized that I am not really good in catching people’s expression, particularly for portraits.
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I think it is about practice. Keep doing it. I’m sure you will get it right, Nurul. That’s how my own experience is. 🙂
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I will, Arv.. Thanks for the encouragement..
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