Music Man of Jaipur by Sam W Stearman

Monday, 6th November 2006

Music Man of Jaipur

by Sam W Stearman

Music Man, taken on the steps of the Amber Fort, Jaipur India.

Equipment: Olympus E-300

Sam W Stearman

While I would like to think that I am a good photographer, honesty forces me to confess that I am a traveler who takes photos and not a photographer who travels. There are differences:
* Many of the places and sites I visit, I only see one time. Good weather or bad, sun or no sun, shadows or no shadows, beautiful skies, gray overcast or even rain — I have to take what there is and make the most of it. Photographers would find the perfect spot, make sure the light and shadows are just right for the mood they want to create and make sure they use the right lens and filters.
* When shooting, I am normally traveling with my wife and often with a tour group, so I can’t take the time to make sure I find the best angle, set up a tripod and choose the best aperture - I have to quickly choose what I want to take and take the picture — otherwise the group will be far gone and/or my wife wouldn’t be speaking to me anymore.
* I use digital cameras for all my shots, not film for prints or slides, so I take a lot more photos than professional photographers would take — After all, I don’t have to pay for processing.
That said, I hope that my pictures are not what you normally see in snapshots or in most travel guides or articles. I try to avoid typical tourist shots - and concentrate on unusual angles of buildings and landscapes to make them special, to take pictures that captures everyday life of the places I visit and which showcase the wonderful beautiful people. A fellow traveler/photographer from Japan calls his site “Trot ‘n Shoot”, meaning he takes what he sees while he walks. My approach is pretty much the same. I do try to do what I call “extending the tour” by going out before breakfast, skipping lunches and going out after dinner, to visit the surrounding neighborhoods, meeting the people and capturing the energy and spirit of the places I go.
I hope you enjoy my vision of the world.

www.samsays.com

15 Comments

a Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 4:22 am
Nice!!

Given your constraints!!. You manage quite well.
abhijit nandi Says:
November 7th, 2006 at 7:19 pm
you are really a good travel photographer. nice shot. good exposure and composition. mood is excellent. well done sam.
Phil Buonpastore Says:
November 13th, 2006 at 3:45 am
A truly excellent shot. Composition, color, subject matter - as good as anyone’s work.
MissMakaba Says:
January 3rd, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Just Beautiful!
Amit Gaur Says:
March 9th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Wow!!!
Alex Says:
May 16th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
This shot is amazing! You capitalized on this moment quite well!
shirin nouraei Says:
May 18th, 2007 at 9:48 am
wonderfull
Eli Shams Says:
June 11th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Your modesty makes the shot still better. Great colors and pause.
Anurag Says:
July 7th, 2007 at 7:49 am
The yellow of the wall plays well with the blue of the musician’s dress
Ann Says:
November 6th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
This really is an awesome photograph Sam.you have most certainly captured the energy and spirit. The colours are beautiful. I also love your resume I found it very interesting and entertaining. As a previous commenter noted your modesty is appealing. EXCELLENT.
HIRAK KANTI DUTTA Says:
November 19th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
The debate, a photographer who travels or a traveler who photographs, is immaterial. What is important is you composed the shot like a pro, and the photograph touches the senses. Well Done!
Rachel Says:
November 26th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Beautiful! Does anyone know what that insturment is that he is playing?
a. Says:
March 8th, 2008 at 1:34 am
“Hey mister music man, play a song for me. In that jingle jangle morning I come following you.”
While those were more or less Bob’s words, they reminded me of this man quite a bit.
Varanasi Says:
November 6th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Lovely. I wonder what he is looking at. The hues are so vibrant!
Su Says:
November 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I think the instrument may be a sarod, I loved this image.