Since I enjoyed posting pictures and getting people's feedback while I was in India, I have started a photography blog in Chicago... www.MerinChicago.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, September 28, 2008
What is Documentary Photography?
I am not sure how to approach all the images I shot while in India. I sort through them and feel nostalgic, but only for part of the experience, the part that created a beautiful image. The images re-create the memories each time I look at them.
From the Chris Marker's film Sans Soleil: "Remembering is not the opposite of forgetting. We re-write memory, much as history is re-written. How can one remember thirst?"
So enjoy my re-written trip.
From the Chris Marker's film Sans Soleil: "Remembering is not the opposite of forgetting. We re-write memory, much as history is re-written. How can one remember thirst?"
So enjoy my re-written trip.
Looking Back
I have to say that when I was in Calcutta during the hottest/muggy time of the year it was not my favorite place. But looking back it sure was picturesque.
For the photo geeks out there, these images were shot with my twin-lens Rolleicord with expired film. Thus the square format and the really 1980's feel.
For the photo geeks out there, these images were shot with my twin-lens Rolleicord with expired film. Thus the square format and the really 1980's feel.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Home At Last...
So I am back in the US now (same cell number although all my numbers are erased). I am adjusted to the time difference, but still feel a bit lost as to where I should call home. I blame it on the fact that I am still living out of a suitcase. Soon very soon I will be in Chicago for good...but for right now it feels like moving purgatory.
The final weeks in India were a whirl wind of visiting friends, taking a 24hr train ride from Kolkata to Delhi, and trying to both slow and speed up the clock.
In one of my very first posts I relished in some of the unusual and unexpected things I could get in India. (I mean who knew that I wouldn't need to bring enough Peanut Butter to live off of for 6 months?) So as a bookend to that post I would like to present to you a list of things that you can get in India that became core to my experience:
1. Gummy Sour Straws, Apple are the best.
2. Rickshaws, These fantastic small car/bikes. I got a great deal of thrill as we drove at high speed on the white line between buses and cars. Or on the occasional sidewalk.
3. Chai. What we serve in coffee shops should be called water compared to the milky sweet Chai you get in India. I even had a dream about Chai while there...let me explain before you open the phone book to see if there is an addiction withdrawal program for Chai. On any train there are guys who walk up and down the aisles with Chai for around 12 cents. So when they called out Chai at 5:30am I was still asleep and it became incorporated into my dreams.
4. No voice mail. It is nice to not have to check messages, but if someone really wants to get a hold of you they call and call and call and call....
5. All groceries are delivered to your home if you ask. A necessity when you are three floors up and getting a water drum delivered. But I also had a small bag of groceries delivered once when I was sick and didn't know if I could lug home all the orange juice I had bought.
6. You can get just about anything repaired on the street. The most intriguing being umbrellas! Break the handle, ripe the fabric, bend the spokes all of these things can be fixed! Which is nice in a country that has monsoons.
7. A complex recycling system. An example of free market doing some good. There are big companies who buy plastic, cardboard, glass, etc. So there are individuals who come get your trash sort everything, and then redeem it for cash. They also then place the biodegradable waste into specific bins the city has out.
This is just an initial reaction to my trip. As I go through my pictures I am sure I will remember more things I will miss about India. For example: I have a picture of a guy riding on the back of a car feet on the bumper one hand on the roof and smoking a cigarette with the other!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
I need a vacation to recover from my vacation
I am coming to the end of my six months here in India (only 10 days left in fact). The heat, food, and constant hagglers have worn me down a bit. But before you roll your eyes and ask: "Is she really going to go on a vacation after being gone for six months?" the answer is no. I am already on vacation right here in India: I am in Darjeeling.
The British had the right idea when during the summers they would retreat from the heat up to Darjeeling. So for the past month I have been trying to follow suit. I have been impeded by striking, protests, and general political unrest. (see Bethany's post). A halt was called to the strikes so I hopped in a jeep up the hill. It was well worth the wait. The weather is exactly like Michigan in the fall. It is cool but not cold. (which is going to mess with my mind when I get home and it is hot). The rain actually brings out a colorful array of umbrellas. And it also relieves any guilt I might have about spending a whole day inside with hot chocolate and a book.
But between downpours I have wandered around the city, which is kinda like working out on the stairmaster. I have stood for several hours at a political rally (they have happened almost everyday we have been here). I have also toured a tea plantation. The tea plantation was really an interesting experience. I went to Makaibari Organic Tea Plantation who sells most of their tea to Tazo Tea. My tour guide named Om says that Tazo Tea names one of their varieties "Om" partly because of him. Other interesting facts: Green tea can go from plant to package in about 4hours while Black Tea takes 24hours. Both of those time frames seem very short (It takes me way longer than 24hours to get even a sock to dry here). The machine in the picture sorts the tea according to grades, from whole leaf to tea leaf dust. I am bringing some tea back to the States, all are welcome to come over for a cup of Darjeeling Black Tea!
The British had the right idea when during the summers they would retreat from the heat up to Darjeeling. So for the past month I have been trying to follow suit. I have been impeded by striking, protests, and general political unrest. (see Bethany's post). A halt was called to the strikes so I hopped in a jeep up the hill. It was well worth the wait. The weather is exactly like Michigan in the fall. It is cool but not cold. (which is going to mess with my mind when I get home and it is hot). The rain actually brings out a colorful array of umbrellas. And it also relieves any guilt I might have about spending a whole day inside with hot chocolate and a book.
But between downpours I have wandered around the city, which is kinda like working out on the stairmaster. I have stood for several hours at a political rally (they have happened almost everyday we have been here). I have also toured a tea plantation. The tea plantation was really an interesting experience. I went to Makaibari Organic Tea Plantation who sells most of their tea to Tazo Tea. My tour guide named Om says that Tazo Tea names one of their varieties "Om" partly because of him. Other interesting facts: Green tea can go from plant to package in about 4hours while Black Tea takes 24hours. Both of those time frames seem very short (It takes me way longer than 24hours to get even a sock to dry here). The machine in the picture sorts the tea according to grades, from whole leaf to tea leaf dust. I am bringing some tea back to the States, all are welcome to come over for a cup of Darjeeling Black Tea!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A week at 10,000 feet
At the end of June I went on a week long trek in Manali with a group of photographers from India and one from Singapore. It was an amazing trip, both climate wise and photographically. Feel free to ask me for the highlights of 1,271 photos I took when you have a spare hour... or two... But for those of you who have more pressing things to do here are the highlights of the highlights:
The distance between our three camps was about a 5hr walk, a lot of uphill and it did rain on us. But with the rain and hills came some beautiful scenes.
The weather in general was in constant flux. I wore four layers one day and the next I got a sunburn. But the fast movement of the clouds created some stunning views, like this one that was the view from our tents.
It was a great chance to relax and enjoy nature. It is absolutely amazing how many different climates and landscapes there are within one country.
(By the way this was with a point and shoot digital, behold the power of the macro):
The weather in general was in constant flux. I wore four layers one day and the next I got a sunburn. But the fast movement of the clouds created some stunning views, like this one that was the view from our tents.
It was a great chance to relax and enjoy nature. It is absolutely amazing how many different climates and landscapes there are within one country.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Museums and Crazy Roads
Kolkata is an unusually beautiful city with crumbling British Architecture and monsoon weather, BUT it has not completely won me over. Let me explain the reasons, in case anyone accuses me of judging a city too quickly... or simply on reputation.
1. Picking a driving direction is like picking out a dress for a wedding, it depends on the time of day of the ceremony. Observe:
2pm: (Same buildings in the background)
1. Picking a driving direction is like picking out a dress for a wedding, it depends on the time of day of the ceremony. Observe:
10am:
2pm: (Same buildings in the background)
2. The Indian Museum. And you think your child hood field trips were bad?!?! Check out these exhibits. While they would make a beautiful set for a twilight zone movie, they remind me why I can't remember a single field trip from my childhood. Except...nope still can't think of one.
Ok, enough on the quirks of Kolkata, I also have two equally shallow and irrelevant reasons to like the city:
1. There seem to actually be traffic laws. For stopped vehicles at least. I feel bad for the bike owners in this photo. If you aren't going to enforce red lights than why enforce no parking on a 6 lane road?
2. There was a newly renovated section of the museum that had one of the displays that makes ones' skin crawl, then makes one think.
Ok, enough on the quirks of Kolkata, I also have two equally shallow and irrelevant reasons to like the city:
1. There seem to actually be traffic laws. For stopped vehicles at least. I feel bad for the bike owners in this photo. If you aren't going to enforce red lights than why enforce no parking on a 6 lane road?
2. There was a newly renovated section of the museum that had one of the displays that makes ones' skin crawl, then makes one think.
Caption: Ornaments (anklets/toe rings) from the stomach
of an estuarine crocodile weighing 7,207 kg (15,888 lbs).
of an estuarine crocodile weighing 7,207 kg (15,888 lbs).
Although I could continue my point, counter point list on Kolkata, I have a ton of photos from Manali where I just returned after a week at high altitude. And yes I mean above sea level, not Manali's other reputation. (Hint: It is a hippie hang out city).
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