Travel & Humanitarian Photos
The first free desktop wallpaper of the year shows the often overlooked Humayun’s Tomb in Nizamuddin, Delhi, India.
Humayun’s Tomb has similar Mughal stylings to the Taj Mahal although its construction was completed over sixty years before Shah Jahan began to sketch out plans for his monument to enduring love. If you ever visit Delhi and can persuade a tuk-tuk driver to meet you before dawn, not a difficult task if you promise to buy the chai, then you may get to Nizamuddin before the sun rises and the tourist hordes descend.
If the Gods are feeling especially gracious, you might even get to the entrance of Humayun’s tomb half an hour before the gates officially open and, for the price of another cup of chai, be able to persuade the security guard to let you into the grounds where you can spend those precious thirty minutes in complete solitude. Indeed, for those golden, cherished minutes on that particular day, I was the only person to see the first light of the day light up the magnificent tomb. In its five-hundred year history, I had thirty minutes alone with it. And now you can spend a whole month enjoying the solitude of Humayun’s Tomb. Free desktop wallpaper downloads for January are below.
Here’s to at least one more such serendipitous moment in 2009 for each of us!
Canon EOS 1Ds MKII, 24-70mm L @ 24mm, 1/125 @ f/8, ISO200
January 2009 Wallpaper (1024x768)
January 2009 Wallpaper (1280x800)
January 2009 Wallpaper (1280x1024)
January 2009 Wallpaper (1920x1200)
Finally, I was recently asked to write a foreword for the Travel section of the Digital Photographer Yearbook and thought I’d share my brief thoughts on Travel Photography. A kind of Mission Statement if you will, it seems like a good way to kick off the new year.
“As a travel photographer your studio is the world outside your door and the only equipment required is a camera and a willingness to look for new perspectives. Lighting comes courtesy of whatever is available; sun, sky, tungsten and neon – travel photographers have access to it all. We are not restricted by subject or location, only by an obligation to record the world we see with honesty and compassion. More than just exotic locations and wild adventures, travel photography is about seeing your surroundings with fresh eyes and childlike enthusiasm.”
Easily your most beautiful wallpaper to date – gorgeous, Gavin. Wish I’d seen this at Humayan’s tomb – this makes me want to go back when the light is nicer. As it is I was thoroughly unimpressed with the place. This’ll sit on my laptop to inspire me all month as I travel around the world.
Stunning wallpaper Gavin and a truly inspiring set of images you’ve been posting! My thanks to you for all that inspiration, not only in Dorset but throughout the site and beyond. Have a really great New Year and may 2009 bring you all your dreams and the beginnings of many more
All the best
Ian
Awesome photo, Gavin! Absolutely love the framing, the colors, and of course the subject. I’ve been using your wallpapers for the past few months. Happy New Year to you as well!