INDIA PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAYS HOLI FESTIVAL

Travelling by train in India is surely one of the ‘must-do’s’, so we’re up a little early this morning to catch the 12466 SF Express to Jaipur. With the soft morning light flooding the carriages, we’ll try our hand at documentary photography in perfect light, chance to tell a story about authentic Indian life, in a location that can’t be any more real. The shots our groups shoot on trains are consistently jaw-dropping, so you’ll be sure to add some gems to your collection.

We’ll check into the Narain Niwas Palace just before lunch, a 10-acre heritage-listed estate in the heart of the city, perfect to escape and unwind in. Later, we’ll take you on a quick tour by auto rickshaw through the highlights of the city – cameras in hand  – before drinks at Bar Palladio, the coolest bar in India (Vogue Magazine call it “supremely chic”, and we have to agree!).

Next day, we head to the morning flower market, to shoot all the vibrant colours in soft light, before witnessing the darshan – an unbelievable hypnotic chanting ceremony in the grounds of the Govind Devji Temple.  Later, we’ll dive into the myriad backstreets of the city, tour the technicolour spice markets, observe the stunning pink architecture of the Hawa Mahal and get to grips with shooting high energy street scenes in saturated colours. Along the way, we’ll stop for a few snacks – or chaat – tasty Indian street food famous in Jaipur – and learn the fine art of travel food photography, getting tips on lighting, position and lens choice – for best effect.

Later, we’re back at the palace for chilled refreshments; its breezy verandahs and pool provide solace from the energy of downtown Jaipur. Here we will round of the day reviewing our creative hard work from the last few days, then dine on an open-air walled restaurant, waiters buzzing around bringing local delights for you to try.

And the next day is all yours – time to relax by the pool, the best shopping just metres in small boutiques in the hotel grounds, or head out to the famed Amber Fort and take an elephant tour to the summit. Your choice!

Today we head east to our final hotel, the majestic Laxmi Niwas Palace – completed in 1926 and a fine heritage hotel with ornate furnishings, huge pool and oversized rooms. En-route, we’ll stop off at Chand Baori, one of the most beautiful stepwells in India, and the location of several period Hollywood films. Built by King Chanda in 800AD, the well is 20m deep and 3500 steps on 13 levels – at the bottom of the well, the air remains 5-6 degrees cooler than at the surface. Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat.

Next day, a short drive later, we arrive in Agra in time to visit one of the icons of India at sundown – the Taj Mahal – the magnificent mausoleum which eptomises the golden age of Mughal architecture and the reign of Shah Jahan. After finding our spot for shooting the best images, we’ll choose to stay in the compound or shoot the sunset from a secret vantage point – almost tourist free – to shoot more images for your collection

This morning, we’ll head to the first of the Holi festivities – the Lathmar Holi. It reenacts a visit by Lord Krishna to his beloved Radha at her village, who apparently teased her and her friends. Taking offence to this, the women in the village chased him away. For Lathmar Holi, the ladies today playfully wave their sticks at the men, who try to ‘shield’ themselves as much as they can. The unlucky ones are captured by the enthusiastic women who then, make the men wear female clothing and dance in public. The whole scene is hilarious, energetic and wonderful to photograph.

Next morning, we’re back in Vrindavan for the Holi celebrations, darting around the streets with our expert guides seeking vantage points to shoot the colours unfolding, dipping into the crowd to shoot portraits of the local revellers, and venture towards the centre of the celebrations at the Bankey Bihari temple, built in 1864 and the most revered shrine in Vrindavan.

Later, back at the palace, we’ll celebrate all of our hard work with a final night’s party in the opulent grounds of the hotel, before an exhibition of all your work the next morning. Following one final 1-on-1 session to give detailed feedback on your progress, style and next steps, we bid farewell to new found friends and head homewards, back to Delhi for your evening international flight back home.