Colors of India 2024
HOli, History & Culture photography ADVENTURE
Mar 17 – Mar 28, 2024
Experience Highlights
• The Holi Festival of Colors – in all its joy, madness and vibrancy. We know all the the best locations and times to capture the colors and chaos of this ancient celebration.
• The Magnificent Taj Mahal – no picture can capture the majesty of this ancient monument to true love. But we'll try, on multiple occasions, inlcuding sunrise and susnet shooting sessions.
• Ancient Varanasi – Hinduism’s holiest city on the banks of the Ganges is Ken’s favorite place to photograph in India. Find out why.
• Jodhpur, the Blue City – experience the rellaxing vibe of this small town dominated by immense Mehrangarh Fort
Past Participants Say…
““Colors of India 2020 was my first trip with Ken but it certainly won’t be my last. In addition to being an all around good guy and great traveling companion, Ken is a knowledgeable and patient teacher.” ”
AT A GLANCE
Dates:
Mar 17-Mar 28, 2024
Cost:
$5950
Single Supplement:
+$900
Deposit: $1000
Difficulty Level: Medium (see FAQ's for details)
Locations: Various locations in northern India
Starts/Ends: Delhi, India
Instructors: Ken Lee & Harsh Agarwal
What's Included: All Lodging, Meals (B/L/D), Transportation, Guides & Photography Instruction throughout the workshop. All entrance fees and photo/video fees at the monuments we will visit.
What's Not Included: Airfare to/from Delhi, Tourist Visa, Travel Insurance, Personal Expenses (including alcohol), Gratuities, and anything not specifically listed as included.
an immersive photography adventure
“This is India; the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of a thousand nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of tradition...” - Mark Twain, Following the Equator, 1897
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal is a breathtaking experience
In many ways, not much has changed since Mark Twain's visit over a century ago. India is still a land of contrasts, carved by deep rivers of spirituality and history. In other ways, however, change dominates every aspect of Indian society today. Fully exploring, much less understanding this vast nation in a brief visit is impossible, but we will catch authentic glimpses of the India of yesterday and today throughout our image making adventure. Our itinerary covers the best of the must-see monuments including, the incomparable Taj Mahal, but we veer off the beaten path early and often in search of more genuine visions of Indian life.
Ken will be with you each step of the way to help you make the most of these opportunities. We'll work together in groups and one-to-one to help you better understand your equipment, master new techniques, and expand your creative vision. Ken’s specialty is teaching practical ways to develop your 'photographer's eye', but he's happy to work with you on any aspect of the image making process.
Want to know more about what to expect from an Art of Seeing workshop? Read more about Ken's approach to teaching photography or check out the Feedback & Testimonials from past participants of this and other Art of Seeing workshops and events.
MORE ABOUT SOME OF OUR DESTINATIONS
Holi...not a spectator sport!
Holi Festival of Colors
Holi, India's Festival of Colors, is a riotous celebration of the arrival of Spring. Enthusiastic revelers 'play Holi' with handfuls of colored powders that are thrown, rubbed, and smeared over everything and everyone. Participation is mandatory. Rich, poor, tourist or local, no one is exempt. But it's all in the spirit of celebration and good fun. In fact, another name for Holi is the Festival of Sharing Love.
No matter what you call it, it's an amazing spectacle to see and even more so to photograph. Precautions must be taken to protect cameras and lenses, but Holi is an event no photographer should pass up. Our itinerary is crafted so that we experience Holi celebrations in several times and places including a very special version of the festivities known as Lathmar Holi, where the women of one village, armed with sticks, beat back the advances of the men from the neighboring village in a mock reenactment of an ancient legend.
The Magnificent Taj
Known as the World's Greatest Monument to Love, the story behind the Taj is almost as inspiring as the marble masterpiece itself. This icon deserves the time to be carefully considered with our cameras and we will pay it proper homage with multiple opportunities to photograph the Taj Mahal from various vantage points and in different lighting conditions including sunrise and sunset. You will have your opportunity to make the classic reflecting pool photo, but we will also look for more unique perspectives including some not usually available to tourists.
"Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together." - Mark Twain
ANCIENT VARANASI
On the banks of the Ganges River, the holy city of Varanasi is India's spiritual capital, and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Early morning on the historic stone ghats (terraces) that line the river bank is a magical experience. Mist filtered sunrise light bathes young monks practicing yoga as the first pilgrims of the day arrive seeking blessings in the waters of Hinduism's holiest river. But Varanasi has even more to offer. Poignant scenes of everyday life await discovery in its winding streets and markets. Varanasi is also the center of India's silk weaving industry and much of the work is done in the surrounding villages by hand using traditional equipment and techniques. We will get a taste of rural life in India as we visit with and photograph these master artisans at work. Be prepared to be mobbed by curious children who may have never seen a foreigner.
Delhi
Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur
Sprawling Delhi is India's capital and the beginning and end point of our journey. Nowhere is the clash of old and new more apparent, with its 25 million inhabitants living amidst luxury townhomes, the remnants of colonial rule, and ruins dating back millennia. Here we can find a bit of everything: the serenity and self-reflection of locals practicing meditation and yoga at sunrise in the gardens of Humayun's Tomb; commerce and chaos in the maze of Old Delhi's crooked narrow lanes; compassion embodied in a Sikh temple that serves 10,000 free meals daily; tradition and craftsmanship in the Kumhar Gram, a potters colony reputed to be the world's largest but largely unknown even among locals.
JODHPUR, THE BLUE CITY
Jodhpur exudes an incredibly relaxing vibe that makes you want to do nothing but park yourself on a rooftop terrace with a cool beverage and stare at massive Mehrangarh Fort dominating the skyline. The only problem is that there is so much to explore and photograph here as well. The once ubiquitous blue facades of the old city are slowly disappearing but still make striking backdrops for scenes of everyday life. Early morning is a great time to visit Jaswant Thada, an ornate monument to a former Maharaja carved from white marble. Later, as the sun and temperatures climb, is an ideal time to explore the interior of hilltop Mehrangarh Fort from which fantastically wealthy rulers once surveyed their domain. Bustling Sadar market underneath the old city's historic clocktower is an experience to remember and photograph. With so much to see, maybe the relaxing will have to wait.
Cancellations and Refund policy:
We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply to this workshop:
Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferrable to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:
Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:
· Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 mos.
· Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
· Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.
*canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity
Click here to read our complete Terms & Conditions
We highly encourage participants to purchase travel insurance to recover expenses not covered by our Cancellations & Refunds policy in case you need to cancel your reservation.