Travel & Humanitarian Photos
Exuberant: adjective, filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement
I don’t think you could find a much better visual definition of “exuberance” than when the school children of Delhi were set home earlier this week after constant rain left floods across much of the city. Whilst the rest of us huddled beneath umbrellas and ran in search of cover, the kids simply saw an opportunity for play.
As the kids splashed around, kicking water at anything that moved; including each other, pedestrians, passing traffic and snap-happy photographers; I played a game called “How Wet Can You Make A Pair Of 5D MKIIs?”. The answer, if you’re wondering, is very wet indeed. It wasn’t quite as dramatic as a McCurry “up to your armpits in monsoon rain” day but it was pretty wet nonetheless. I employed two of my trusty Buffs to cover my cameras and soak up the worst of the rain water and slotted an umbrella into the chest strap of my rucksack, tying the handle to the belt of my trousers to keep it in place. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention!
Delhi kids must have seen rain a thousand times yet the level of delight seen on Chandni Chowk yesterday was tremendous. It reminded me of how kids in England react when it snows and there’s a chance for a day off school, building snowmen and throwing snowballs at each other.
As a travel photographer, I think photographing in adverse weather conditions can be really rewarding. Rain, sleet, snow and storms generate different behaviour in people, whether it’s the playfulness of the Delhi kids or the frantic search for cover that we adults tend to resort to. I’ll be in Delhi over the weekend, meeting up with some of Matt and David’s Lumen Dei team. Don’t tell them I said so, but I’m secretly praying for rain!
Wow…fabulous shots and love your parting comment; great insights. And the expressions on the faces of the children are indeed wonderful. Thank you for “tweeting” this update!
What a lovely set of images. They’re way above snapshot levels, which of course you know.
Great work…makes me feel like I am there…makes me want to be there!
Beautiful images. I’m glad the 5D Mk2 held up to the rain challenge.
jack
wow!!!! that’s all i can say!
Looks great! I’d be tempted to have fun in the rain, too!
Wow, love the feel of movement..