Majestic - Magnificant the Taj Mahal

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The impact of this picture is amazing

Rajasthan, episode 4

Leaving Delhi for Agra, we were on our way to see the Taj Mahal. Whilst I have seen many pictures of the Taj Mahal in books and magazines, none of them can do justice to seeing this monument for the first time. It is stunning.

We visited late in the afternoon to get that soft warm glow that works so well on any number of subjects. Wherever you stood, there seemed to be a glow radiating from the structure. This is the most amazing building I have ever seen. There is something very special about this place that it is difficult to describe. I list a few facts if only to remind me when it was built and how long it took:

• The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum. It was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Empress Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. So great was the Shah Jahan’s love for his wife Mumtaz, that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on Earth for her, The Taj Mahal.

• Construction of the tomb started in 1632, and was completed in 1648. It took 22 years to complete, and an extra 5 years for the garden, with the help of 20,000 workers.

• The Taj Mahal is built from precious white marble with delicate mosiac, with inlaid precious stones. Almost every surface of the entire building has been decorated, and every detail is symmetrical. The mosaic designs are based on three decorative elements - calligraphy, abstract geometric and vegetative motifs. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture of any period.

I took a number of pictures at different locations and angles. On reviewing them, I was surprised with the quality and impact of the images. I consider these pictures as ‘snapshots’, hand-held and often jockeying for position due to the vast number of people at the tomb. However, I put this down to the majesty and mystique of the Taj Mahal, where whoever takes a picture is sure to get a cracking shot – in spite of the photographer!

I trust you will enjoy the pictures:

The first view of the Taj Mahal as you walk through the gate to the gardens

One of the traditional shots of the fountain in front of the Taj Mahal

From whatever angle, the impact is fantastic

A view of the main structure taken with a Nikkor 20-35 mm lens at 22mm showing the impact of diverging verticals from ground level. Sometimes images with diverging vertical work – as in this shot.

A rear view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River on a misty foggy morning

Rajasthan, episode 3: Soup Kitchen Extravaganza

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Soup Kitchen Extravaganza

Rajasthan, episode 3

The towns and cities we traveled through included Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are within the area is known as the Golden Triangle. Whilst we did not set out to spend long periods of time at these locations, we spent a day, accompanied by a guide, in Delhi, Agra – the Taj Mahal, and Jaipur – the Pink city.

Now, buildings and monuments are not my first choice of subjects, but you could not fail to be impressed with the sites and buildings at these three locations.

Delhi – has a number of interesting sites, but we expressed a desire to see the working side of Delhi rather than the tourist bits. I have shown a number of pictures of ‘Street Life’ previously (blog post of 5th March), but I cannot resist showing a number of pictures of a Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Sikh Temple and the soup kitchen.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan.

We had the most amazing afternoon visiting the temple and in particular, the soup kitchen. Again, I must comment on the friendly nature of everyone we met. Many wanted their photograph taken, particularly with my wife – but not me?

What a fascinating place! Men and women of all ages volunteer to prepare the food for all who turn up on the day. The temple is open to all Sikhs and a free meal is guaranteed to all. The cost to volunteers; some of their time helping others who, perhaps, cannot help themselves. That’s food for thought.

An Indian family with Memsahib on the left of the picture outside the temple

The central point in the temple for worship and meditation

One of the large cauldrons with what’s left of soup of the day

One of the meals set out on a tray ready for serving

A close up of a cauldron showing the gas burners

A group of volunteers preparing onions for the day’s meal

A line of cauldrons showing the size of the kitchen

Rajasthan, episode 2: From Delhi to Roop Niwas by road and by train
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Basingstoke Camera Club: What to do with all those pictures

A talk by Michael Huggan

I spent a super evening at Basingstoke Camera Club earlier this month showing a range of my pictures from Africa, USA and India.

The African images were selected from seven years of regular visits capturing the people, places and wildlife. The second show was a selection of my equestrian pictures of cross country, show jumping, carriage driving, heavy horses ploughing and images from the Camargue.

Zebra

Great Egret in Florida

Aligator at Gatorland in Florida

After a coffee break, I continued the talk with images from Florida and my recent trip to India. I always like to get as much audience participation as possible. There are many members who do not have the opportunity to travel as far afield as I have, so it is it pleasure to share my experiences with them. I emphasize that my photography is nothing special and anybody can produce the same results. However, preparation, anticipation and luck do play an important part in getting the ‘right picture’. “F8 and be there”.

Eastern Bluebird in Florida - bronze medal winner Photographic Society of America 2009

Sunset at Lake Blue Cyprus, Florida

Afternoon tea

The main interest seemed to be the pictures of ‘Street Life’ from India showing all manner of activities of people going about their daily business. I also brought along a number of large framed and canvas pictures of a variety of subjects.

Donkeys and bricks

A dancing horses display at the Horse Endurance Show in Dundlod, Rajasthan

Carriage Driving Championships 2009, Windsor Great Park

My thanks to Basingstoke Camera Club for their hospitality and in particular, Cath Farrow, Programme Secretary, for arranging the talk. I received a nice compliment from her as follows:

“Hi Michael,

Thank you again for your excellent presentation. It was a nice mix of AV, prints, you talking about your travels and the images you have taken. The India pictures were different from anything I had seen before, and gave a whole new picture of that part of the country.

It isn't often that the members want to go on after 10 o'clock, and I think we were all amazed at the quality of your prints.

Best wishes,

Cath”
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From Delhi to Roop Niwas by road and by train

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Rajasthan, episode 2

Our road travels took us from Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur and on to Ranthambore by train, back on the road to Jaipur and onto our final destination, Roop Niwas Kothi, Nawalgarh (Shekhawati).

Of all the road trips I have made, either as a driver or passenger, this journey was the most memorable. Never before have I witnessed so many people in so many different modes of transport mixed in with camels, donkeys, horses, ‘sacred cows’, monkeys, dogs and anything else that pops up! Yet, for some reason, the number of accidents are few. However, when you are exposed, for the first time, to rush hour traffic in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, you cannot believe that all these people manage to get to their destinations intact. Road rage does not exist, but everybody sits on their horns.

Let's have a look at some of the more interesting images:

We took the option to visit Old Delhi where our transport was a three-wheeled bicycle resembling a type of Rickshaw.

Yours truly and Memsahib about to depart in the capable hands of our ‘Wagon Master’

Over a twenty minute period we wove and maneuvered through the pedestrians, scooters, motor bikes, bicycles and other forms of wheeled transport.

Old Delhi: Some of the scenes as we passed by

“Another one of the ‘I don’t believe it’ sights to behold was the electricity distribution system!”

The Central Baptist Church ‘bus’ picking up children on their way to school. There looks to be about six children in the ‘bus’ with two more trying to get on.

Travelling between the major cities and out of in the more rural areas, the volume of traffic decreases, but not the intensity of the driving. Roundabouts and central reservations are often the reserve of small family units and their livestock. On more than one occasion, we encountered cows and cattle walking in the middle of the road towards the oncoming traffic. What is amazing, the traffic swerves round the animals, which are totally oblivious to the dangers around them. You have got to see it to believe it.

Street life:

Sacred cow lying in the road at the edge of a roundabout

The village bus off on another journey

A long rest after a busy morning waiting for trade

One of the intersections in Jaipur

A woman collects water from one of the municipal pumps in Jaipur

Rajasthan, episode 1: Rajasthan - a photographer's paradise

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Endurance GB: Competing in Rajasthan, India

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Photos by Michael Huggan are used on the front cover of Endurance GB Magazine as well as in the article entitled, "Competing in Rajasthan, India" by Lesley-Ann Parker

Volume 7, Issue 1, January/February 2010

Endurance GB Magazine

The Team

"A French camera crew and photographers filmed the Championship, as did other distinguished reporters and photographers, including our own photographer, Michael Huggan (www.michaelhuggan.com) so hopefully there will be a lot of publicity for the event which will promote the beautiful and tough Marwari breed."

Crossing the finishing line together!

Presentation of medals and prizes
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Rajasthan - a photographer's paradise

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Rajasthan, episode 1

Sometime in 2009, Caroline Moorey asked if I would like to go the Rajasthan, India and photograph the Great Britain team in the 81 km endurance race during December 2009. I knew Caroline from previous equestrian events.

The following transpired: Caroline was one of a team of four riders who won the endurance race for Great Britain in Rajasthan in 2008, and the team had been invited back in 2009 to defend their title. Caroline, who I knew to be an exceptional horsewoman and organizer, got my interest. She had provided the pictures for last year's event, but had some difficulty riding and taking photographs at the same time – I am not sure why!

As someone who does not even eat curry, and with many friends who had returned from India with upset tummies, it made good sense to stay away. How wrong that turned out to be!

I came to learn that Caroline is the UK representative of Friends of the Marwari Horse Society. Marwari is the name of a particular breed of horses indigenous to India, the state of Rajasthan in particular. The horse can be identified by their distinctive ears that touch each other at the top.

Marwari horse, with both ears touching, being washed down to reduce body temperature before a vet inspection.

As I photograph a lot of horses, how I could resist the invitation to photograph these special horses in their natural environment? Decision taken; we were off to India!

What camera equipment to take?

The next step was to decide on what camera equipment to take and how best to get on and off the plane. After many trips to Africa and the USA, I considered myself quite adept at packing cameras and lenses into suitable baggage for ‘carry-on’ and ‘checked’ luggage. With continuing restrictions on passengers for weight and size of carry on luggage, I have developed a system that works for me.

My present camera bags are: a Tamrac roller suitcase that complies with the restrictions for ‘carry-on’ (just), that houses my Nikon gear; my second carry-on bag is a ‘duffle’ type soft bag that holds my Nikkor 500mm AFS f4 telephoto lens. The remainder of my photographic gear goes in my checked luggage.

One of my checked bags showing the Lowpro mini trekker with other equipment plus a batch of baseball caps for the grooms

Tamrac ‘carry on bag ‘showing the Nikon cameras, lenses and accessories.

I usually fly British Airways because their Economy and Economy Plus allow two carry-on bags. Other airlines are more restrictive and do not allow two carry-on bags unless you travel Business Class.

All my cameras and lenses are Nikon; the only changes over the years I have made are upgrades to new digital camera bodies and lenses. I pack my roller bag with a full set of cameras, lenses, filters, leads, battery charger, back-up drives, various accessories and, recently, a small laptop computer. As my wife (Memsahib) travels with me most of the time, the laptop, or an extra lens is often placed in her carry-on bag too.

I ensure that I have a full range of equipment in my carry-on bag so that, in the event of my ‘checked’ luggage going astray, at least I have some camera bodies, lenses, back-up drives, a battery charger and a few accessories so I can carry on taking pictures.

The following is the minimum amount of equipment I pack in the carry-on bag:

• Nikon D3 camera body
• Nikon D700 camera body & power grip
• Nikkor 300mm f2.8 AFS VR prime lens
• Nikkor 80-200mm AF f2.8 telephoto lens
• Nikkor 24-85mm AFS f3.5/4.5 lens
• Nikkor 20-35mm AF f2.8 lens
• Nikon SB800 flash gun
• Dell laptop computer
• various accessories (battery charger, spare compact flash cards, polarizing filters, cleaning cloths, batteries etc)
  

My checked bag(s) include:

• a Nikon D2x camera body (back up)
• Nikkor 85mm f1.8 prime lens
• Nikkor 70-300 f3.5/4.5 AFS telephoto lens
• Lowpro Mini Trekker bag
• Nikkor 50 mm AF f1.4 prime lens
• Artic Butterfly sensor cleaning pack
• plastic bags etc.
  

The next stage of the plan is to book the flights and organize transport and accommodation in Rajasthan. I seldom use travel companies to arrange my trips, not because of the cost, but because I customize my trips and so have a better control of events – most of the time.

However, as this was my first trip to India, I sought advice. Caroline, the GB team rider, has been in and out of India for about ten years on a regular basis and advised me to use Royal Expeditions, an Indian-based company. (See the Rajasthan - 81 km Endurance Horse Show Championship section on this page of my website for more information about Royal Expeditions. If you ever go to India, use Royal Expeditions - they are the best!)

I prepared an itinerary and sent it to Royal Expeditions and obtained a price, booked the flights and waited for the day of departure.

Following our arrival in Delhi, we spent a few days doing the tourist thing - visiting Agra, Bharatpur, Ranthambore and Jaipur before spending our last week at Roop Niwas and Dundlod for the 2nd International Invitational Endurance Championships.

We spent most of our time on the road travelling between towns and cities. What an experience! A few words cannot describe my feelings and impressions of Indian life on the street. It was wonderful, amazing and spectacular to say the least. The colour, smells, sheer volume of people intermixed up with camels, cows, donkeys, horses, cars, motorcycles and bicycles are a site to see. The impact totally blew my mind away – a photographer’s paradise.

Reference sites:

• http://www.friendsofmarwari.org.uk
• http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?ItemId=1795
• http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/item.asp?itemId=1791
• http://www.royalexpeditions.com/
• http://feeds.endurance.net/news/2010/01/india-marwari-horses-succeed-in.html
• http://www.michaelhuggan.com/news.php?pg=1

Rajasthan, episode 2: From Delhi to Roop Niwas by road and by train
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Michael Huggan’s 2010 African Wildlife Calendar Released in Collaboration with Born Free Foundation

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All 12 photos in Michael Huggan’s 2010 African Wildlife calendar were selected by Born Free Foundation, the wildlife charity founded by Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers

Young male lion in Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania

Alton, Hampshire: Award-winning wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, has released his African Wildlife Calendar for 2010 in association with the world renowned international conservation and animal welfare charity, Born Free Foundation.

The 12 stunning pictures and intimate portraits which appear in the calendar were selected by the Born Free Foundation team, and sales of this outstanding photographic collection will help raise funds for the charity.

About half of the photos in the calendar are, not surprisingly, of cats whilst the remainder are of giraffes, hippopotami and elephants – each one bearing the Born Free logo.

Giraffes on the Masai Mara, Kenya

“I noticed that Born Free - a charity I have known, worked with and supported for many years - did not have a calendar of its own, so I asked if they would like to select the photos for me for 2010 – and I am honoured that they agreed,” explains Michael.

Michael Huggan’s 2010 African Wildlife Calendar – the ideal Christmas gift - is exclusively available here: http://www.michaelhuggan.com/salesarea.php. It is 42 x 29 cm (A3) in size and is priced at £10 plus postage & packing (only £3 for UK delivery).

Award-winning photographer Michael Huggan

About Born Free Foundation
Founded by Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers following their starring roles in the classic film ‘Born Free’, the charity is in action in Kenya and worldwide to save lives, stop suffering and rescue individuals. Born Free works to phase out zoos and protect lions, elephants, cheetahs, gorillas, tigers, wolves, bears, chim panzees, marine turtles and much more, in their natural habitat. Find out more at http://www.bornfree.org.uk

About Michael Huggan
Michael, a long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), lives in Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures will be on display at the Bluebell pub in Dockenfield, near Farnham, Surrey on Friday 23 Oct 2009 and can also be viewed and purchased at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/salesarea.php. Michael has also launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com. He is also a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

01962 773697
michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com
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