Travel Photographer of the Year: October 2011

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Home > Archives for October 2011

Cheryl Dunn: 'Everybody Street'

Cheryl Dunn is a photographer and the director of "Everybody Street", a feature documentary on well-known NYC street photographers. The documentary is of real stories of the men and women, who can be described as the foundation of the street photography movement and of the medium itself.

A short intro is being shown on Kickstarter by Cheryl in an effort to raise funds to film the studios and out onto the streets where the working techniques of these photographers will be seen as they unfold in the theater of New York City. "Everybody Street" is expected to provide considerable knowledge and insight into the art of photography and the City of New York.

This is an interesting project for street photographers, especially those who, like me (although I can hardly describe myself as a street photographer despite of my Leica File blog) are passionate in their photographing the streets of New York.

I do not know Cheryl Dunn nor her background, so this post should not be construed as an effort to encourage anyone to contribute to the Everybody Street project, but is merely to mention it on this blog because it's about a discipline that I like and that I'm interested in; street photography.

via the click

W Retreat and Spa

W Retreat & Spa – W Retreat & Spa is a unique combination of Maldivian island village architecture combined with the W Design features for which the brand has become world-famous. The retreat is a combination of water oasis and Beachfront oasis.The distance from the airport is 72km and number of rooms in W Retreat & Spa are 78

BEACH OASIS: The transition to your urban oasis is seamless. Dream in the king-sized signature W bed. Bathe under the stars or the clear blue sky in the open-roofed bath area with standalone bathtub and rainforest shower. Relax in your custom-made double daybed. Fire up the grill for some savory delights. Then, kick back with a glass from the wine fridge.
The Beach Oasis speciality are beach Oasis Beachfront , Private Plunge Pool, Two Daybeds, BBQ Station.

OCEAN OASIS: Perched above the lagoon, our Ocean Oasis is where the Indian Ocean meets W-style pleasure. Peep through glass sections of flooring in the living room to check out the marine life swimming below. Flip a switch to illuminate underwater lights for a night-time peek at the fauna.
The Ocean Oasis speciality are Lounge with Glass Floor, Shower with Glass Floor, Sun Deck, Signature W King Bed, State of the Art BOSE Sound System, Private Over-water Plunge Pool

SEASCAPE ESCAPE: Lounge or dine in the indoor/outdoor lounge with comfy couches and a huge adjoining sundeck. Cook up your own catch-or-the-day on the BBQ and pair it with a bottle of the best from your private wine fridge. Take in the sun or stargaze on the daybed. Float and swim in the oversized infinity Plunge Pool.
The speciality of Seascape escape are-50" Plasma TV, Two Bathrooms, Refreshment Centre, BBQ Station , Master and Junior Suite , Indoor/Outdoor Lounge , Two Bedroom Over-water Villa , 32" LCD Screen , Powder Room , BOSE® Hi-Fi , Lounge with Glass Floor , Huge Sun Deck

OCEAN HAVEN: Designed to be the ultimate getaway, the Ocean Haven takes relaxation – or entertaining – to the extreme.
The distinction fades between interiors and exteriors, with floor-to-ceiling windows that slide aside, an indoor/outdoor lounge area and glass-paneled floors that reveal lagoon fauna below.
The Speciality of Ocean Haven are Kitchenette , Lounge Chairs, Two Bathrooms, Daybed, BOSE® Hi-Fi, Oversized Infinity-edge Plunge Pool, Panoramic Views of the Indian Ocean , 50" Plasma TV, Lounging Couch , Two 32" LCD TVs, Powder Room, Lounge with Glass Floor, Wraparound Sun Deck

The facility in W Retreat & Spa are Air-Conditioning, Private Pool, Satellite TV,Safe,Mini Bar, Coffee/Tea Making Facilities, IDD line Telephone, Hair Dryer, Sitting Area, Hot/Cold Shower, DVD player, Sun Deck, Sun Chairs, Wi-Fi Internet access, Bathrobes and slippers

The Services in W Retreat & Spa are Shopping Service , Guest Service ,Business Service, Recreation and entertainment service and Internet Service.

Tony Smith: Kolkata's Cult of Durga

One of the first thing you'll find out about Tony Smith is that he's Welsh, and if it happens that Wales' rugby team is playing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup as it did during the Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop, you'll be reminded of that fact a few more times.

His biography is certainly interesting, as he “ran away to sea” on a cargo ship to South America when he was 15 years old, then he eventually mellowed and pursued a career in hospitality management that took him to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Johannesburg, and London before settling down in Winchester (that's in England, not Wales).

Tony is an Associate member of the Royal Photographic Society, and he traveled to Nepal, Bhutan, India, France, China, Spain, Morocco the USA and Canada and the West Coast of Ireland. He has attended Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Gypsy events.

He worked quite hard during the Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop to produce an audio slideshow on the festival, with his own narration. It's compelling, not only for his still imagery, but for his narrative skills which are enhanced by his precise enunciation. I gather he's still working to further improve it but it hasn't been finalized yet.

In the meantime, I suggest you view his blog entry on his experiences at the Durga Puja during the workshop, which also has a number of his photographs of the festival.

New! Panasonic Lumix GX1?

As readers of this blog know, I'm a fan of Micro Four Thirds cameras, especially the Panasonic GF1 which I use a my 'walk-about' camera of choice. So my pulse ran a little faster when reading a post on the Gizmodo blog that featured leaked photographs of Panasonic Lumix's new Micro Four Thirds Lumix GX1 camera, which appeared on the Taiwan Mobile01 forum.

Panasonic signalled that it would split their Lumix GF line into consumer and professional models. The pro-oriented GX1 is rumored to have a 16MP sensor, ISO levels up to 12,800, a new image processing engine, a touchscreen display, an LVF2 electronic external viewfinder and will include the Lumix GX 14-42mm as its kit lens.

It's expected to be announced in a week or so.

I've said a few times already, so I'll be brief...but I believe the Micro Four Thirds cameras are the future of photography.

Chico Sanchez: Mexico & Saints

I am pleased that Chico Sanchez (whose work has been featured on this blog many times) has now self-published a book of his wonderful photographs of Mexico. Chico's photographs of religion, faith and spirituality are published here in full color. It shares his journey through Mexico, a country of faith, mysticism and religiosity.

He has also announced another self-published book, Saints. In this book, Chico documents the celebrations and rituals honoring Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and all the Saints in Spain. The first part of the book features images from Andalusia, while the second is of images of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage in northern Spain.

Chico Sanchez is a Spanish photojournalist based in Mexico City since 2007, who worked in Venezuela for six years with Reuters, EFE, EPA and various newspapers.

PLANET Magazine: Global Travel Photo Contest

PLANET Magazine has announced its 4th annual Global Travel Photo Contest, which is divided into two categories; General Travel and Portrait. Photographers are encouraged to submit traditional travel images, studies of the people and environs they encounter as they travel, and even explorations of their own local surroundings.

The contest runs from September 1 until October 31, 2011. All entries must be received by midnight on 10/31/2011. Photographers may submit multiple entries. There is a fee of $20 per entry to cover administering the contest.

The prizes range from round-the-world ticket (or $1500 cash), to liveBooks pre-designed website or $500 toward a custom designed website, to Canon G12s, to coffee table photography books as well as the opportunity for all top 10 finalists to have their image shown in a special gallery exhibit and opening event at New York City's Clic Gallery in Soho.

As I always suggest in my posts involving photo contests, make sure you read the terms and conditions very carefully to avoid any nasty surprises.

Kolkata's Cult of Durga: Verdict & Epilogue

I wanted to write this post earlier, but I needed intervening time to be more objective and allow my thoughts to settle. Few if any photo workshops leaders take the trouble of publicly posting their verdict on their workshops...but I've always done that, and will continue to do so.

"Few if any photo workshops leaders take the trouble of publicly posting their verdict on their workshops...but I've always done that, and will continue to do so."

Planning the Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop, I knew full well that setting a photographic trip and workshop in a congested urban center such as Kolkata would be fraught with difficulties, and I was right for two main reasons. The congestion, traffic and the crowds (especially during the Durga Puja week) in that quintessential Indian megapolis certainly exceeded my expectations, and occasionally took me by surprise with its severity. The prevailing weather was also a factor that I had to consider when planning the duration of the photo shoots, especially when leading a group of people unaccustomed to such high degrees of humidity and heat. For the first time in all my photo expeditions, I recommended to the group that drinking fluids with electrolytes was a necessity and not an option. It's very rare for me to schedule an off day during my workshops/expeditions, and yet I did on this one. Shooting all day for almost a full week in such humid and hot circumstances made me rethink our pace, and I was glad to see that a day of respite was welcomed by the group.

But let's start from the top. Despite my travel agent's assurances to the contrary, I was somewhat apprehensive about the Lytton Hotel where we stayed for the two weeks in Kolkata, having read some negative reviews on a travel forum. My reservations turned out to be unfounded. My experience (and largely, that of the remainder of the group) was satisfactory. Sure, there were some minor hiccups here and there, but the staff were generally professional (especially Beryl at the reception, and Nicholas in the restaurant) and helpful. The Lytton is on Sudder Street right in the heart of Kolkata, and we couldn't ask for a better location. Whenever we felt the absolute need for a luxurious and posh restaurant, we popped in the next door Oberoi Grand, where we grumbled about its prices.

"If I had the luxury of rescheduling the photo expedition/workshop, I would have started it two days earlier, and ended it three days earlier."

If I had the luxury of rescheduling the photo expedition/workshop, I would have started it two days earlier, and ended it three days earlier. It would have given us more time at the outset of the Durga Puja week to document the potters in Kumartuli more thoroughly, while they finalized their effigy making. As it happened, we only had a day and a half to document both the potters at work as well as the transporting of the effigies to the pandals, which didn't didn't give us space to photograph that particular chapter of the festival at a more relaxed pace.

Transportation was somewhat of a drag. Kolkata's traffic is notoriously bad, and while we had a van for a number of days during the festival itself, we relied on taxis for the rest of the time. Taxis were not difficult to find, but with no ac they were uncomfortable in Kolkata's heat. In retrospect, I should've jacked up the price of the workshop to cover the cost of the van, even if the seasonal price gouging seemed unreasonable in comparison.

That being said, I am gratified that my photo expedition/workshop was held during the appropriate week. I heard that another photographic workshop had mistimed the Durga Puja festivities by about a week, and its members arrived when it was winding down!

We had tremendous photo opportunities; some planned and many serendipitous. Being invited to a private home to witness and document the puja and rituals revolving around welcoming the effigy of Durga, and to another large home involving return of the effigy to the Ganges were serendipitous to a very large extent, and speak volumes to the hospitality of the Bengalis. On another occasion, leaving a cluster of Jain temples, I saw the perfect backdrop for a staged photo shoot, and quickly convinced a nearby rickshaw puller and a woman to spend half an hour as models.

"These slideshows were as good as those I see submitted by seasoned photojournalists!"

Along with Chhandak Pradhan, a freelance photojournalist in Kolkata who assisted us on the photo workshop, contact was made with a Baul singer (a Bengali wandering minstrel) who treated us to a private demonstration of this ancient skill, and allowed us to record his musical prowess.

There were big time misses as well. Kolkata's Chinatown (at least where we went) wasn't worth the time, nor were the tanneries. Photographing in the Kali temple is prohibited, and the authorities kept a keen eye on us all through our brief visit. That again wasn't worth the trouble. However, the whole area around the Kali temple teems with photographic opportunities. Another area that I found fascinating in the Muslim area of Chitore...also teeming with tremendous photographic opportunities.

I don't know any other photographic expedition/workshop whose members were such media stars. We were featured in The Hindustan Times, along with some of our quotes. I was also glad to be featured in The Indian Express where I explained the objectives of the workshop.

Finally, a photo expedition/workshop is as good as its participants. I was very pleased by the quality level of the final audio slideshows. I knew the participants were all accomplished photographers, but I underestimated their quickness in mastering the techniques of slideshow making and audio editing. Consequently, when I saw their multimedia work in progress, I was extremely gratified. These slideshows were as good as those I see submitted by seasoned photojournalists who attend my class at the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop.

Dilla Djalil Daniel: Myanmar

Dilla Djalil-Daniel is a photographer currently living in Jakarta, and just returned from Myanmar where she photographed the country's remarkable people and its stunning scenery.

Although she travels around the world for her photography, especially in Asia and has a impressive portfolio that ought to be shown on her own personal website, Dilla has yet to have one. It's a shame really...but The Travel Photographer blog features her work as much as it can. Dilla is also an alum of the Istanbul and Buenos Aires Foundry Photojournalism Workshops. In Buenos Aires, she attended the class given by the incomparable Maggie Steber.

Most of her work is in black and white, which I think is courageous on her part especially when depicting countries as color-rich as Myanmar. The top photograph is of the famous Inle Lake fishermen, and is an obligatory scene for photographers visiting the region, however the lower two are different, in the sense that they are more photojournalistic in composition and vision. I particularly like the bottom candid scene of the Buddhist nuns.

Enrico Martino: Dia De Los Muertos

Time flies, and it's this time of year...once again! Observed on November 1st and 2nd, the Dia de Los Muertos is around the corner. Family and friends gather to pray for loved ones who have died. It is celebrated in Mexico, where it's virtually considered a national holiday. Traditionally, private altars honoring the deceased are built using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the dead. Visiting cemeteries, crypts and graves is also a tradition during these two days.

A common symbol of the holiday is the skull (known as calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas. Also common are sugar skulls, inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Other special foods include pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet egg bread made in many shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

For those who are interested in documenting the Dia de los Muertos, photography workshops in Oaxaca are almost a tradition as well, and are plentiful.

Enrico Martino is an editorial, geographic and documentary photojournalist specialized in travel and cultural assignments. He's a contributor to Italian and international magazines, to include Meridiani, "D"-Repubblica, Epoca, Espresso, Panorama, Focus, Gente Viaggi, In Viaggio, Airone, Panorama Travel, Sette, Traveller, Tuttoturismo, Elle, Marie Claire, Merian, Spiegel, Die Zeit, Jeune Afrique, Altair, Rutas del Mundo.

Ethan Knight: Faith

Ethan Knight is a documentary photographer and a film maker whose work focuses on the impact of war and poverty on marginalized societies. Currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, his work has been published by The New York Times, the National Geographic, the Wall Street Journal, Lonely Planet Images, Australian Geographic and New Zealand Geographic amongst other publications. He also worked with NGOs such as UNHCR, ICRC, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Ethan suggested I viewed his Northern Sri Lanka/Jaffna gallery of images, especially those of the Festival of Murugan, The Tamil god of war, but I went further and viewed his entire Faith Gallery in which he features about 34 monitor-sized images of photographs made in Jerusalem, in Sri Lanka and Kenya.

I thought his most powerful images in the Faith gallery were those of the Thaipusam religious festival, especially those of devotees rolling on the ground for 2 kilometers to the entrance of a temple, and self-inflicting wounds to their bodies in the hope of redemption.

After doing so, you may wish to recuperate from the graphic images by viewing Ethan's photographs of the New Zealand Fashion Week 2011.

Zara Bowmar: Kolkata's Pandal Mania

Zara Bowmar is one of the participants in my Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop, and produced a remarkably compelling documentary of the Durga Puja festival.

A native of New Zealand now living in Sydney, Australia, she is the founder of ZeeGlobe, an independent travel site featuring stories and photography, which highlights adventures in new places and cultures in off the beaten track locations or old favorites in new ways.

As featured in her audio slideshow (converted to an mp4 movie) above, Zara was one of the first participant to complete her project in Kolkata. You can view it in black & white above or in vivid color here.

A talented photographer who quickly grasped the photojournalism style in shooting and editing, Zara also provided me with a number of black & white photographs of the Durga Puja festivities. These are as follows:

Jehad Nga: Cairo Corners

One of my favorite photographers is Jehad Nga, and I've featured his work on many occasions on The Travel Photographer blog for his superb chiaroscuro work, for his distinctive photographic and visual style and for his choice of subject matter.

In recent interviews, Jehad shared that he was no longer interested in editorial work, but I'm glad he decided to feature recent work on Cairo on his website. Those who know his work will realize that the Cairo work is, in a way, more art than documentary-editorial.

There are two galleries relating to Cairo; one of which is Cairo Corners, in which his trademark unabashed shadow-play is clearly evident.

"I respond more to fashion and fine-art, carrying these fields and variables in photojournalism." -Jehad Nga

On a personal note...I've been urged by a number of Egyptians to photograph my homeland, and even to lead photo workshops there...not necessarily in Cairo, but to outer regions such as Siwa for example, which boasts a distinct culture. Such a workshop may well occur in the near future, especially as I pore over Jehad's beautifully crafted images. Is my hesitancy to photograph in Egypt caused by what I call the "native's blind eye"? I don't know....but Jehad's work certainly inspires me to see Cairo in a different light.

Time LightBox: Xavier Comas' The Rumoh Raja

Photo © Xavier Comas- Courtesy TIME Lightbox

LightBox, TIME’s photo department's blog, is really one of my top photo destinations almost every day, and one of its recent features is incredibly compelling.

The feature is titled The Rumoh Raja, and is by Spanish photographer Xavier Comas, who shows us photographs made in Thailand’s southern region. The people of the region are mostly ethnic Malay and Muslim, and are descendants of people who had lived once in an independent sultanate.

"Somehow, the house possesses its inhabitants, who merge into the darkness of its shadows."

Xavier spent three months living with an ethnic Malay Muslim family in the decrepit shell of a once splendid palace at the invitation of a local imam's helper and a shaman-healer. The Rumoh Raja (ie the “Raja’s house”) used to be occupied by Tengku Samsuddin, a turn of the century aristocrat who governed the semi-autonomous Malay state of Legeh until it and other territories were swallowed up by the kings of Siam in 1909.

The current inhabitant claims the upper floors of the palace are still haunted by he spirits of two women in red, court concubines who still dance in mourning for their fallen Raja.

Dark and brooding as befits the subject matter, this feature is will leave you wondering whether the building hosts ghosts or not.

Angkor Photo Festival: Updated Website

The Angkor Photo Festival website's just announced facelift is quite substantial, so have a look at the 2011 schedule of events and you may be tempted to drop by, if you aren't already planning to attend.

The festival is to take place in Siem Reap from November 19 to November 26, 2011. This well established event is the first photography festival held in Southeast Asia and for 2011, will exhibit the work of 110 photographers, out of whom 60 are from Asia.

The 2011 list of exhibiting photographers includes Andrew Biraj, Pep Bonet, Paula Bronstein, Marco Di Lauro, Tewfic El-Sawy, Siddharth Jain, Yuri Koryzev, Liz Loh-Taylor, Wendy Marijnissen, Erica McDonald, Palani Mohan, and many more.

Adaaran “Club” Rannalhi:

Adaaran “Club” Rannalhi is built on an island of 5 hectares of luscious green vegetation, with a beautiful beach all around the island and a house reef that is home to a diverse species of exotic marine life and corals.

The facilities in Adaaran “Club” Rannalhi are 24 Hour Coffee Shop, 24-hour room service, Laundry/Valet Service, Gift Shop, Beach Volley, Snorkeling, Wind Surfing, Fishing, Excursions, Table Tennis, Scuba Diving Facilities, Spa, Wake Boarding, Reflexology centre, Beach football, Aqua Aerobics, Entertainment Show, Disco, Canoeing, Karaoke, Hotel Doctor, Cyber café

The rooms in Adaaran “Club” Rannalhi are called Standard Rooms. The Rooms offer views of the verdant gardens or the tranquil ocean. The rooms have wide patio doors for the sea breeze. Gardens in the soft beach sand for some fun in the sun.They provide the drinks on your private terrace clear night skyfor your enjoyment.All standard rooms offer convenient access to the main hotel area and facilities. Air-Conditioning, Satellite TV, Safe, Mini Bar, Coffee/Tea Making Facilities, IDD line Telephone, Hair Dryer, Hot/Cold Shower, Sun Chairs, Bathrobes and slippers

Adaaran Club Rannalhi Water Bungalows allow access to the ocean waters featuring private sun decks and are equipped with the latest modern amenities. The glass panel available in some water bungalows act as your private portal .Watch Parrot fish, stingrays and schools of colourful fish may swim past revealing a colourful aquatic universe.

From the freshest picks of the ocean to colourful tropical cocktails, the maestros at Adaaran Club Rannalhi hope to take you on a delicious journey to arouse the senses.Our main restaurant features a diverse menu daily from breakfast to dinner featuring both continental and local fare. Our theme nights offer a variety of international cuisine ranging from Asian to Italian. Fresh seafood delicacies are a key aspect of our restaurant, our veteran chefs’ whip up a variety of dishes from local to international favourites using succulent crabs, prawns the size of your fist to meaty fish dishes. A private candlelit dinner on the beach is also available upon request.After a long day of touring the Maldives or partaking in the hotels choice of excursions, wind down at our Nika Lounge Bar with a chilled cocktail amidst panoramic views of the endless sea. Fantastic seafood, fresh from the local fishing boats is guaranteed to serve up the finest local delicacies enriched with the distinct, mouth watering flavours of the Maldives.

After a fun filled day of swimming in the sea or touring the nearby atolls of the Maldives, the ideal place to relax and unwind is the Nika Lounge Bar. Choose from a wide variety of beverages on offer from tantalising tropical cocktails, chilled beer to fine wines let our experienced bartenders whip up a drink to suite your mood.Cocktail Bar in Adaaran Club Rannalhi upto 10.00 am to 12.00 mid night

Traditional therapeutic methods handed down over generations naturally purify both your mind and body to formulate a holistic spa experience enhanced by the atmosphere .Unique range of massages which utilize several conventional therapeutic techniques in addition to Warm Stone Massage Therapy, Black Stone Massage Therapy, and Sea Shell Massage Therapy among others. Shiatsu, Swedish Massage, Four Hands Massage, Coconut Spa, Balinese Traditional Massage, Head, Back and Shoulders Massage.

David Lazar: Myanmar Redux

I featured David Lazar's work on The Travel Photographer blog a few months, and having learned that he had uploaded two new galleries unto his website, I was eager to take a look. I was not disappointed.

The first gallery is titled Return To Myanmar, and features about 45 portraits and set up photographs made in this beautiful country. These are heavily processed and over saturated, perhaps following the style of many South East Asian photographers who like such effects.

The other gallery is titled Bangladesh In Portrait, and has just under 50 facial portraits and environmental portraits made of Bangladeshis. A far different photographic approach than that of the so-called Bangladeshi school...which is usually black & white, edgy, gritty and super contrasty.

David Lazar is a musician and photographer from Brisbane, and who loves traveling and capturing moments of life through photography. He has won a number of awards and recognitions for his photography which include Shutterbug Awards 2011, Kumuka Travel Photo Contest 2010, Lonely Planet Photo Competition 2010, Asian Geographic - Poetry in Motion Competition 2010, Intrepid Photography Competition 2009...and many more.

Aujin Rew: Cuba

Born and raised in South Korea, Aujin Rew is a freelance photographer based in Singapore. Having studied engineering at Stanford University, she had recently undertaken long travels in South and Central America.

Whilst there are quite a number of galleries on her website, I chose to feature Aujin's work in Havana in which she makes a lovely use of the city's light. Don't miss her lovely photograph (fifth in the series) of a street scene in Havana...a scene with a number of protagonists frozen as if in suspended animation. To my mind, this photograph encapsulates all the ingredients of a successful street photograph in the real sense of the word.

I met Aujin at the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Buenos Aires, where she attended a class by the legendary Ron Haviv.

Carsten Bockermann: The Sunderbans

Carsten Bockermann is a German photographer who specializes in photographing everyday life in different cultures around the world using a combination of direct reportage and visually interpretative style. He has photographed in West Bengal as well and, as I just returned from Kolkata, I thought I'd feature his work on the Sunderbans.

The Sunderbans is located at the southern tip of West Bengal, and is a stretch of impenetrable mangrove forest of great size and bio-diversity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sunderbans is a vast area covering 4264 square kilometers in India. The area is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests.

While I have already featured Carsten's photo essay on the Ambassador cars on this blog, you may want to revisit his photographs on his website. These are the type of cars that form Kolkata's yellow cabs fleet...literally thousands of them can be seen on its streets on any given day. Battered, painted over many times, and literally held together with strings, these taxis are key to Kolkata's commuters.

A word of caution to those who are 6 feet tall and above...do not sit in the front with the driver.

Canon EOS 1-DX Is Launched

Canon just launched the EOS-1DX, a digital SLR with a full-frame sensor. It's Canon’s new flagship professional DSLR, and boasts an 18MP CMOS sensor. It can capture RAW bursts of up to 12 frames per second, and is replacing the 16MP Canon 1D Mark IV and 21MP Canon 1Ds Mark III at the top of Canon’s professional line. It's obviously targeted at pro sports photographers, nature photographers and photojournalists, with a 14 frames a second super high speed mode.

But before we start salivating and get all excited, the DSLR is scheduled for March 2012 availability and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $6,800.

Canon Europe has an intro movie advert for those who like that sort of thing. And for Canon USA's press release, click here.

Would I consider it as a replacement for my Canon 5D Mark II? I don't think so. I may change my mind in due time, but now having a Leica (not that it's comparable in any way) has altered my tolerance for big, heavy and complicated cameras. In the meantime, let's see if Canon (or Leica) has something up its sleeve for a mirrorless camera. That's what I'm really waiting for.

Al Jazeera Documents Mustang

Tibetan Buddhism still survives intact in Upper Mustang - a once forbidden kingdom high in the Nepalese Himalayas. Here is Al Jazeera's Steve Chao's documentary on his travels to Mustang, the former Kingdom of Lo and now part of Nepal.

Mustang was once an independent kingdom, but tied by language and culture to Tibet. From the 15th century to the 17th century, its strategic location granted Mustang control over the trade between the Himalayas and India. It now relies on tourism, animal husbandry and trade.

I also noted the recent death of Michel Peissel, who was a French explorer and an ethnologist who devoted a good part of his life to recording the culture of Tibet. He managed to gain access to the Mustang region in the early 1960s; which led to his book “Mustang: A Lost Tibetan Kingdom.

Al Jazeera also features a wonderful gallery of photographs of Mustang.

Readers of The Travel Photographer's blog may recall that I wrote of a cashier at a corner store near my building, who told me she was born in Mustang! A Mustang born woman working in a corner store in New York's West Village. How incredible is that?!

The Indian Express Features The Travel Photographer

Piyasree Dasgupta, Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express newspaper, interviewed me for an article she titled Visual Documents Of Culture which appeared today in its Kolkata edition.

The mutual introduction was initiated by Chhandak Pradhan who assisted me during the Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop, and is the second article feasturing the workshop and background information.

The "Gamsha"...Yet Another Scarf Fetish

Well, I'll be at the Delhi Photo Festival for most of the day, reviewing photographers' portfolios, and then presenting a seminar Introduction To Multimedia in the afternoon. I shall post something on the event as the day progresses.

However, I discovered yet another type of scarf that fits extraordinarily well in the panoply of photojournalists' scarf collections. It's the gamsha...a cotton scarf worn by many Bengalis, and especially useful for the rickshaw pullers of Kolkata who use it for virtually everything. They range from 35 to 60 rupees depending on quality, and haggling skills of the vendor.

The rickshaw pullers use it as a sarong when they shower, as umbrella when it rains, as face wipes when it's humid and they sweat, a fly swatter....almost exactly like photojournalists use their own scarves.

The one above at 35 rupees is the cheapest version, and is super absorbent.

Seriously, this is a must have for photographers who suffer of scarf-fetish.

Correction: Kaushik Saha, a Bengali photographer living in Delhi pointed out that the correct spelling for the scarf/towel is 'gamchcha. I don't know if the pronunciation differs from what I used, but the rickshaw puller I asked for directions as to where to buy them understood me perfectly.

Zitahli Resorts Kuda-Funafaru

The Zitahli Resorts and Spa mean to provide you the nature in it’s purest form, enjoying all aspects of it in a harmonious and pleasant way. The Maldivian hospiltality is seen in the Zitahli Resort and spa. The zitahli provided the best 5 star deluxe service and the resort is very unique in maldives.The unique name Zitahli was originated by combining “Zita” a star that rotates around the Sun and “Li” a Chinese unit used to measure distance. Both indicating that our resorts are a bliss away from the hectic lives of reality but near a source that will rejuvenate our souls.

The accommodation of zitahli resort ia very Spacious and luxurious accommodation on Zitahli Resorts and Spa Kuda-Funafaru is comprised of 50 exclusive villas, 30 of which give all appearance that they float on the idyllic waters surrounding the island. The remaining 20 are nestled amongst the natural landscape. All super deluxe beach villas and super deluxe aqua villas are equipped with private plunge pools.

The dinnig in zitahli resort is delighted by your dining experiences at any of our restaurants and bars. ‘Mosiac’ located on the waters edge is the focal point of Zitahli Resorts and Spa Kuda-Funafaru, taking in amazing sunsets and offering an extensive menu of local seafood and continental fine-dining. Relax at ‘Breeze’ which caters to your every taste anytime of the day. Explore our international wine list at ‘5 Degrees North’ or enjoy poolside drinks at ‘Indigo’.

Zitahli Resorts and Spa Kuda-Funafaru provide a organic therapies in opulent pavilion style treatment rooms, complete with plunge pools, herbal baths and luxurious relaxation lounges. Dedicated to a holistic approach to health and well-being, guests will take delight in the spa menu selections and the special attention to individual needs. A combination of herb infused skincare and body specific therapies result in a perfect mind and soul balance.

The services provided by the Zitahli Resorts are Spa, Yoga Pavilion, Swimming Pool, Fitness Center, Library, Boutique, Island Clinic, Tennis Court, VolleyBall, Water sports, Dive center, Board games, Excursions, In villa dining, Twice daily house keeping, Wake up calls, Turndown service, Cribs, DVD/CD, 24hr reception, Airline ticketing, Wireless Internet access in public areas, Laundry service, Doctor on call, Gift shop, Currency exchange, Multi-lingual staff.

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