India

[mamanton]

Hello hello!

My wife and I go to India for 3 weeks in January. I am in any case take the large format with me. Linhof Kardan Master L 13x18 )) I plan to buy a hard case for flight, and there walk with a backpack.
Tell me, please, who was in India, what the local reaction to the large format, which will be tips, funny stories ... useful information...

Thanks!

[John Kasaian]

I've really only spent a little time (2 weeks) in the Khali Temple area in Calcutta and the people where so poor that I felt using them for photographic subjects would be demeaning to them.

However, that is one small neighborhood in India.

I think by and large there is great beauty there---both natural and architectural as well as the people. I would strongly suggest hiring a guide. If you wonder into an area like Khali Temple you'll be mobbed by curious onlookers and without a native guide to get you through to where you're going---well you'll waste a lot of time. I had a Sihk (sp?) driver who was incredible helpful---your hotel can arrange for a trusted guide.
Have fun & don't drink the local beer (really, don't!)

[John Kasaian]

Or the corn flakes. Don't do it!

[John Kasaian]

Oh, start taking you malaria tablets when you get to India. Buy them over there as they've got better ones that will defeat the current strains encountered in India.

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

Its been a very long time since I have been to India (1990 and 1999), but John's advice on hiring a local guide/driver is good one. I found the reaction to my 5x7 to be positive, but sometimes had a difficult time working since there was always someone standing in front of my camera looking in the lens.

I don't remember the beer being that bad, and Kingfisher is fine.

[John Kasaian]

Its been a very long time since I have been to India (1990 and 1999), but John's advice on hiring a local guide/driver is good one. I found the reaction to my 5x7 to be positive, but sometimes had a difficult time working since there was always someone standing in front of my camera looking in the lens.

I don't remember the beer being that bad, and Kingfisher is fine.

Jason, the beer we had has a picture of a Tom selleck looking dude dressed up like Clint Eastwood in one of those spaghetti westerns on the label. It contained formaldahyde and guaranteed a brutal hangover.
Distilled liqour is prohibitvely expensive so if you want to see some very happy faces, bring in a couple of bottles of scotch with you and gift it to your guide and concierge when checking in. You'll be treated like royalty!

[Frank Bunnik]

Where in India are you going? I have been all over the country, except for the far east and Gujerat, so I might be able to give you some tips. There are some images on my website.

Kingfisher is indeed a fine beer. Nothing wrong with it. There are some holy towns where alcohol is forbidden and they serve you "special tea" (beer in a tea pot). I remember sitting in a garden restaurant in Madurai (Tamil Nadu) a few years ago. The garden wall had a big sign (about 2 meters wide) painted on it: ALCOHOL STRICTLY FORBIDDEN! The waiter comes up to me and the first thing he asks is "you want beer?"

www.frankbunnik.zenfolio.com

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

While we are on the subject of alcohol, it is worth remembering that Muslims make up a significant part of the population, and giving a bottle of scotch in public to a Muslim may not go over as intended...

[E. von Hoegh]

While we are on the subject of alcohol, it is worth remembering that Muslims make up a significant part of the population, and giving a bottle of scotch in public to a Muslim may not go over as intended...

... no matter how much he may appreciate it in private.

Probably a good idea to be discreet no matter who the recipient may be.

[mamanton]

I've really only spent a little time (2 weeks) in the Khali Temple area in Calcutta and the people where so poor that I felt using them for photographic subjects would be demeaning to them.

However, that is one small neighborhood in India.

I think by and large there is great beauty there---both natural and architectural as well as the people. I would strongly suggest hiring a guide. If you wonder into an area like Khali Temple you'll be mobbed by curious onlookers and without a native guide to get you through to where you're going---well you'll waste a lot of time. I had a Sihk (sp?) driver who was incredible helpful---your hotel can arrange for a trusted guide.
Have fun & don't drink the local beer (really, don't!)

Thank you John and Jason! Ya, I think it's a good idea about driver (if it's not very expensive)).
I think we'll be drink some scotch or vodka before dinner for disinfection ))