I recently participated in a photo walk in Jaipur “See The Unseen” conducted by a photography club for The World Sight Day on 12th October. This world sight day event in Jaipur by way of a Photo walk took place in the walled city area of Jaipur and was attended by a large number of photographers – the highest in any photo walk that I have attended. Do you know Jaipur is one of the best places for street photography in India?
Participating photographers were paired together. One of them would click pictures while the other would be a navigator. The underlying idea was that the photographer needs to click pictures with a blindfold -it was a Street Photography without relying on one’s ability to see!
Read the previous post: Photo walk in Jaipur/ Street Photography – Faceless Frames ” Hands”
Since the event was for The World Sight Day, photographers were asked to click pictures relying on other senses like sound. That’s how a blind person clicks pictures. After a designated time, both would switch places.
The photo walk took place on a Sunday morning. It created a lot of stir as people on the road were amused to find blindfolded people armed with a camera clicking pictures. Many of them couldn’t contain themselves and came up to ask what this was all about.
The walk started at 7.30 AM even though the designated time was 6.30 AM. By 8 AM the bazaars were buzzing with activities.
Devotees at the temple, morning walkers congregating at eateries for the Sunday breakfast and Chai shops… the excitement and subjects swelled as the clock progressed.
I also captured a few frames blindfolded. It’s a different ball game when you lose the concept of composition. You are out of your comfort zone; just bring the camera on your eye level and click! A few important elements of photography like leveling the horizon, changing aperture or ISO settings become irrelevant. I shot the following pictures at a fixed setting – blindfolded.
Don’t miss: Photo walk in Jaipur/ Street Photography – Faceless Frames ” Hands”
The Sweeper!
This sweeper was distracted upon seeing a blindfolded lady with the camera!
Something new!
These rickshaw owners were amused to find a blindfolded person taking a shot at them and inquired what this was all about from the accompanying navigator. They demanded money for being subject. Upon realizing that there’s no money to be made here, they settled for tea instead! I guess they just weren’t lucky!
Breakfast point – The Poha seller!
The tea point!
Let’s light up a joint!
Street urchins
Street urchins waiting for the free food in front of a temple.
Vegetable seller outside a temple.
Sometimes you get it right, too!
If you are wondering how I shot these images, have a look at the below set of pictures which has a group of people chanting Bhajan on their way to the temple.
You have to keep clicking in succession hoping you will get at least one right!
I stood still and kept pressing the shutter button -one after another.
The milk seller!
This is the last picture I shot blindfolded! It was time to switch places with the navigator!
The concept was novel and none of the participants were aware as to how the walk will unfold until they were briefed. Unlike earlier photo walks in Jaipur, this walk ended with press coverage.
So what was great about this world sight day event in Jaipur? One, as a photographer you get exposed to the novel concepts which are important for your mental stimulation. Two, it is also a place where you can mingle with other photographers. Three, it’s great to see so many photographers attending a photo walk in Jaipur cutting across the age and gender. Four, there was no prerequisite of photography equipment. One could click pictures with DSLR, point, and shoot/ compact camera or a smartphone.
I have mentioned in my previous post that generally, I avoid photo walks because of distractions and concentration on the specific subjects but sometimes we need to break out of our shells and see things from a fresh perspective. Streetlife photography is an enriching experience.
Street Photography in Jaipur is quite rewarding with varied subjects and buzzing bazaars. Photography on Streets of India is a highly rewarding experience, something that Indian photographers will vouch for. Generally, people are okay with their pictures being clicked…..but there are exceptions too! TIP: For Street Photography you must be in the right place and the right time.
Don’t miss: Photo walk in Jaipur/ Street Photography – Faceless Frames ” Hands”
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Wow! I was intrigued by your eyeless photography and am glad you explained it . Really these pictures are amazing – I suppose instinctive in a way though you rely on other sensory perceptions which become more acute when you can’t see – like hearing and smell I suppose ( aroma of food , weed etc) .iwould love to do one blind photo walk like this in Mumbai but would probably get killed in the bargain. Still one Sunday will persuade my husband to come with me.
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It is nice to get out of your comfort zone sometimes! I know it’s difficult in Mumbai but I suppose you’ll be able to find places which are not overly crowded. Otherwise, fly down to Jaipur 😜
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I will definitely do this one day in Mumbai itself . will have to majorly butter up my husband!
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Ha ha! Why butter up? Ask fellow bloggers and photographers to join!
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That’s another story…..
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Leaving it to be unfolded some other day 😃
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This sounds so cool, would love to do something like this sometime…thanks for sharing the wonderful stories and photos.
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I’m happy you liked it. BTW, it’s not my idea. I was just a participant. 😃 Do you undertake any kind of photo walks?
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I have done a couple but nothing like this
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Arv, what an inspiring idea, to shoot images blindfolded. That adds an entire perspective of how ” to see”…… thank you for sharing your inspiration. As usual I miss being in Jaipur.
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Definitely it’s not easy to adjust with your sight gone since photography is all about the sight!
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It’s such a wonderful concept. And such beautiful pictures you clicked even when blindfolded…amazing!
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Ashwini, the pictures clicked during blindfolded walk are in monochrome. I’m happy to hear that you liked this idea. Have you ever joined any photowalk?
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No I have never been to such walks. I have conducted a few heritage walks in Mumbai. But photowalk… nopes.
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Ah…. heritage walks? You got me both curious and interested! Do you hold them regularly?
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Haven’t conducted one in over a year. But yeah planning one real soon (hopefully).
In case you are wondering what Heritage Walks are, they basically consist of local history nerds taking people around their city showing historical buildings and giving basic information as to the etymology of the place’s name n so on n so forth.
It’s kind of fun! 🙂
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I’m aware of heritage walks. I have undertaken quite a few of them. I usually walk through heritage sections of the city and do it my way. But wasn’t aware that you are into it. 😃
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Okk.. :p I’m a super history buff 🙂
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Great 😃
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Me too 😊
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Really good photographs considering you were blind. This post highlights an important point. How does a person who is sight impaired or even totally blind take photographs and can they enjoy photography?
Listening for sounds, as you say, is a good way and having a guide with you as well would really help.
Thank you for posting this.
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I’m yet to come across a sight impaired person who is into photography, Mike. At another level, it would quite interesting to actually note how the pictures clicked by a sight impaired person turns out. Since we were only posing but didn’t have that extra power of ability to hear we were no where close! But certainly it is an interesting thought as to how pictures will turn out?
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This is one real gem of a story. I immensely like your work
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Thank you. You are too kind with your words. I’m not a professional photographer. 😆
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What a cool idea & your photos are fantastic!
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Such an incredible and rich experience!
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This experiment is really awesome. I have never heard about this experiment “See The Unseen”, but it`s really fantastic. I like the idea 🙂 Your pics are beautiful 🙂
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Thank you, Mirela. It is a novel concept. Have you ever undertaken a photo walk?
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I love doing street photography 🤗😊
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Happy to know 😃
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Blindfolded camera men? What an inspiring idea worth imitating. The guides were forced to put themselves into the shoes of a blind person. No wonder it created quite a stir upon the onlookers. Great post, my friend!
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Thank you. Yes, it’s a novel concept. It was interesting to participate too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this photo walk. 😃
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Fantastic shots. Your navigator must be next to perfect 😀
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Thanks, Rupali. Only monochrome pictures were shot blindfolded. I suppose you are referring to complete set of pictures?
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Great series Arv, many great shots! Love to see Indian street life through your eyes! Thanks for sharing! Marcus
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Happy to hear this, Marcus 😊
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Loved the post, Brilliant monochrome clicks. Blindfold photography great concept.
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Thank you, Rupam. Indeed it’s a new way of looking at things. BTW your phone clicks are awesome.
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Wow! Sounds like a fun challenge. Looks like you did very well! 🙂
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Thanks, Cheryl! Certainly, a fun event 🙂
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A good idea. Your photos makes the street life quite interesting.
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Thank you. The idea is certainly interesting one. Jaipur is a great place for Street photography.
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Interesting concept to try!
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Happy to hear that you liked it. 🙂
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Wow, great clicks. Just wondering, was your navigator also being your eyes, in terms of explaining the on going scenarios? Or were you using your other senses only without any external help?
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Mist have been quite amusing for onlookers.
BTW, Happy Diwali. What does Diwali in Jaipur look like ? That merits a blog post definitely.
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Yes, Rahul..it created quite an amusement for the onlookers and people on the street.
Happy Diwali to you as well.
Diwali in Jaipur? I created a post last year. I guess you haven’t read it. Let me provide a link for you to read.
Here’s the link: https://jaipurthrumylens.com/2016/11/03/pictures-of-jaipur-diwali-celebration/
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Sounds really interesting.
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Happy to hear that, Rachael! 🙂
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