I went to India without really any understanding of the country. I knew of some the monuments and structures I’d visit but other than the Taj Mahal, I really had no idea what I was going to see or experience. I have traveled a fair amount to places like Cambodia, Japan, Belize and Peru and these places certainly offer new experiences with radically different cultures. Nothing quite like India. The depth and complexity of India - the people and culture - was staggering, it’s about as close as I’ll get to meeting aliens.
These images represent a sort of diary, chronologically displaying some of my experiences and observations. It was overwhelming; difficult to photograph. It was an overloading of the senses (quite literally sometimes) and a cacophony of imagery where everything was novel and worth looking at. Sifting through the noise to find great images was daunting and it was too easy to think I’ve distilled the scene before me. The question “was there more that I could do?” itching my mind at every turn.
I am ultimately happy what what I came back with. These photographs provoke me and remind me to reflect on how my life exists in comparison to what I briefly experienced in India. The country is beautiful, with rich history and deep cultural roots that I have only scratched at. In comparison, I live in paradise - at least by my own measure. Water flows cleanly from my taps, the air isn't suffocating and the temperatures stay well with within comfort. But despite all of that I want to know more about India, the people and their way of existing, their way of coping and thriving.
