Anyone had problems shooting in new delhi.I'm hoping to be staying for 5 days in October/november.I will be shooting the tourist hot spots but also would like to shoot some editorial of the poor which begs the question,no pun intended,will i incur any problems ...

Thanks Cascoly.I am also hoping to travel down to Jaipur for the day.Train journey looks like 4 hours and read it might be best to hire a car/driver for the day ?

I was in India in March for about a week, luckily when it was Holi festival, which I have never seen before. I did mostly editorial shots. Very good acceptance rate on the sites for the shots and they are selling reasonably well too, especially on Shutterstock. I didn't encounter any problems taking photos of people. Here are some photos from the trip.

http://www.dreamstime.com/india-colldet15760

Not sure why anyone would throw purple paint over each other but.....Thanks for the link though.
travel plans are going ok.Looks like my journey is going to be..Newcastle/Dubia/New Delhi..15 hours !

Quote from: Microstock Posts on June 26, 2011, 13:24

I was in India in March for about a week, luckily when it was Holi festival, which I have never seen before. I did mostly editorial shots. Very good acceptance rate on the sites for the shots and they are selling reasonably well too, especially on Shutterstock. I didn't encounter any problems taking photos of people. Here are some photos from the trip.

http://www.dreamstime.com/india-colldet15760

Not sure why anyone would throw purple paint over each other but....

You have a lot of research to do before your trip, then. 

Personally, just because the person allows you to photograph him, that doesn't give you the right to sell those images, even as RM. I would be very selective regarding how to use these photos.

Personally, just because the person allows you to photograph him, that doesn't give you the right to sell those images, even as RM. I would be very selective regarding how to use these photos.

These will be getting sold as editorial..Real people,real situtations....

2. Always ask if you can take someone's pic.  I was taking a pic of a lady behind a flower stand and she kept shouting at me in her native tongue and pointing her finger at me.  Then she came after me with her fist and started pounding on me as I curled to protect my equipment and my face.  Police came.  They laughed.  Then educated me on what not to do.

Heck, I don't think I would have half my port. if I always asked and my port is already small enough! I know people have moral issues about not asking, but we are recorded on a daily basis, cctv cameras etc. and I've never been asked if I can be recorded (plus we don't know who is shown this footage). Some of the best pictures I have and top sellers are when I haven't asked. I'm used to being shouted at and able to diffuse the situation, if things get dicey. The image below is of immigration in Singapore, the image wouldn't exist if I had asked. So far 12 downloads on dt and 40 downloads on ss. Shoot fast, smile a lot, if you get caught taking a photo speak to the person, say "Wow, you look great", "I love this country" etc. If ever I'm in any kind of trouble, police, immigration, someone getting angry after I photographed them, praise them, it's virtually the only time I suck up to people, usually the bigger the ego a person has the better it works and if their ego isn't big, they usually don't mind being photographed anyway.

2. Always ask if you can take someone's pic.  I was taking a pic of a lady behind a flower stand and she kept shouting at me in her native tongue and pointing her finger at me.  Then she came after me with her fist and started pounding on me as I curled to protect my equipment and my face.  Police came.  They laughed.  Then educated me on what not to do.

This doesn't help if you want good editorial shots - it's better if they're not posed.  99.99999% of people won't get angry - and for the tiny percentage who do, it's an opportunity to apologise and make friends.

Quote from: Mantis on June 26, 2011, 19:38

2. Always ask if you can take someone's pic.  I was taking a pic of a lady behind a flower stand and she kept shouting at me in her native tongue and pointing her finger at me.  Then she came after me with her fist and started pounding on me as I curled to protect my equipment and my face.  Police came.  They laughed.  Then educated me on what not to do.

Heck, I don't think I would have half my port. if I always asked and my port is already small enough! I know people have moral issues about not asking, but we are recorded on a daily basis, cctv cameras etc. and I've never been asked if I can be recorded (plus we don't know who is shown this footage). Some of the best pictures I have and top sellers are when I haven't asked. I'm used to being shouted at and able to diffuse the situation, if things get dicey. The image below is of immigration in Singapore, the image wouldn't exist if I had asked. So far 12 downloads on Dreamstime and 40 downloads on Shutterstock. Shoot fast, smile a lot, if you get caught taking a photo speak to the person, say "Wow, you look great", "I love this country" etc. If ever I'm in any kind of trouble, police, immigration, someone getting angry after I photographed them, praise them, it's virtually the only time I suck up to people, usually the bigger the ego a person has the better it works and if their ego isn't big, they usually don't mind being photographed anyway.

Yea, it's been awhile.  The police basically said that if someone tells you to stop you should stop.  I too have a pile of people shots I took without asking.  Just was educated on the fact that some people have certain beliefs and dislikes, so it they clearly don't want their picture taken then move on.

Thanks Cascoly.I am also hoping to travel down to Jaipur for the day.Train journey looks like 4 hours and read it might be best to hire a car/driver for the day ?

we almost always use a car & driver - first, it's faster than any other public transportation, but more importantly, you have flexibility and you see more.  you dont get any pictures from a train.  good drivers often seek out pictures FOR you - itinerant temple elephants, isoalted shrines, washing day, local festivals, etc

we've done 6 week trips in 2003 and 2009 after several shorter trips.  the major sites are in incredible, but it's the journey that makes india so fascinating

http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-for-Travel-in-India
http://hubpages.com/hub/Darshan-at-Tirupati-in-South-India

Getting a Visa is going to be a PITTA imo....

Mine was easy the last time, and I haven't heard anything recently - have you?
Have you been watching the Caroloine Quentin series? I only caught tonight's, the last episode, but interesting 'snippets' of some aspects of Indian life.

Slainte
Liz

Getting a Visa is going to be a PITTA imo....

getting a visa is  easy and straightforward - i had mine within a week -- all the info you need is online

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 27, 2011, 13:22

Getting a Visa is going to be a PITTA imo....

getting a visa is  easy and straightforward - i had mine within a week -- all the info you need is online

Well i got the impression i apply online/download the application/sign and send two photos/my british passport/money and then need to be seen in person.Sent them an email for clarification.
I am going as a tourist  but a good titp not to mention photography.Thanks

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 28, 2011, 01:07

Quote from: cascoly on June 27, 2011, 18:54

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 27, 2011, 13:22

Getting a Visa is going to be a PITTA imo....

getting a visa is  easy and straightforward - i had mine within a week -- all the info you need is online

Well i got the impression i apply online/download the application/sign and send two photos/my british passport/money and then need to be seen in person.Sent them an email for clarification.
I am going as a tourist  but a good titp not to mention photography.Thanks

Make sure you send it whatever the modern equivalent of registered post is (?special delivery?), and that your SAE is also registered. Also do it well in advance. They say four weeks, but you want if possible at least 8 in case things go wrong. Mine came back within a week, but that was a while - too long! - ago.

Well i certainly want it to hand before booking hotel and flight....
Oh and i dont eat curry so whats tasty in india?

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 28, 2011, 13:36

....Oh and i dont eat curry so whats tasty in india?

    

Get ready for the meaner, leaner Shankie.
Whatever, be prepared for Delhi belly; most people get it. Take rehydration sachets and use them if necessary; take imodium, but don't use it unless you get stricken when you need to travel on. It doesn't cure you, just 'plugs' you - it all has to come out, and better sooner than later.

I shall be careful what i eat.Got a pretty strong stomach.
Been looking through Magnum Agency tonight.Some fine editorial work on show...

Oh and i dont eat curry so whats tasty in india?

Tandoori!!!!!!!!!! : )

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on June 27, 2011, 18:06

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on June 27, 2011, 13:22

Getting a Visa is going to be a PITTA imo....

Don't call yourself a photographer, they will want you to get a journalist's visa (double the price) and provide guarantees that you won't take photos. Logic doesn't come into it. Just be a tourist.

When I applied for mine to China I wrote photographer on the visa form, the lady at the embassy told me to change it to something else and proceeded to white out what I wrote and said I should write "unemployed" since I wasn't working for anyone.  I again wrote photographer for my India visa and they said that it is really bad to have that on the form so I quickly told them China let me change it to unemployed and they agreed it would be better and they whited out photographer so I could write unemployed.  I think it's pretty funny that the world's largest democracy and communist country have both come to the conclusion that a photographer is worse than an unemployed person.  You don't need to write photographer on the form and you shouldn't unless you want to pay a lot more, send in credentials, explain a lot, and wait months for a visa, you aren't a journalist so you won't have any problems.

Depends what kind of visa you're applying for. If it's a tourist visa, definitely don't put dancer, volunteer worker, photographer or anything like that. The indian government will want a letter from your employer guaranteeing you won't be doing those occupations during your stay.

I see no issues taking a camera. I never leave it in the hotel, it's always in my backpack. I don't go to places where it would be dangerous to go with a camera. Depending on the place, I just don't use it on my neck all the time, I take it only when photographing.

I'm curious how you all deal with your camera equipment on these trips. I just can't see myself taking lots of gear, for fear its going to get swiped either during a shoot, or somewhere in between. This is especially the case given I don't see myself spending the money for high end hotels where I know a safe will likely exist. Sure insurance exists, but beyond recovering the cost of lost equipment, this won't salvage trip wasted due to lack of gear. Thoughts?

Even considered going totally minimalist, and investing in a high end point and shoot that can take decent shots when light is decent.

.
When i'm in India,getting valid concerns by the family on why i should not go !, i shall have one camera,one lense and 51 years expierance of life.I will be just fine.

I think the biggest risk for a traveler in India is the food!

Quote from: madelaide on June 30, 2011, 19:18

I think the biggest risk for a traveler in India is the food!

Buffalo is quite tasty by all accounts.....

I don't think you've fully grasped the concept of the sacred cow, i.e. beef is relatively difficult to come by.
FWIW, I found the meat tough but tasty, but I like most 'curries'. In Rajasthan the carrots are bright red, but taste exactly like UK carrots.

Quote from: shank_ali_reborn on July 01, 2011, 01:02

Quote from: madelaide on June 30, 2011, 19:18

I think the biggest risk for a traveler in India is the food!

Buffalo is quite tasty by all accounts.....

Oh buffalo. You know you've got that when the butcher said it was beef when you're still chewing your first mouthful at 3 in the morning.

And mutton is goat, and lamb is goat. Who knows what goat is because i've never seen it on the menu - maybe lamb?

Do they have Tesco's in India ? .Must have a few  McDonalds or Burger King's ?

I was told that McDonald's in India does not have meat burgers - maybe they use soya protein

Shank, I was on the iStock IndiaLypse last year - you might find it helpful to contact the organiser (istock contributor eRomaze) for tips.  He lives in Delhi and is very helpful.  He could probably give you a few suggestions.

As for food, yes they do have MacDonalds, but I've been to India a few times and I'd always recommend going vegetarian, even if you aren't generally.  Their veggie food is the best and available everywhere, and you're less likely to get ill eating it.  The safest food is the food you can see being cooked.

they dont use beef - buffalo is not considered beef, however,

That's an interesting concept.   I like buffalo meat, at least what I've eaten here in Brazil. Very tasty.

Hello everyone.. I live in India and would tell you that there are numerous food dishes from veg to non-veg.. I guess you will never worry about it.. not too costly..
India being the best place for spicy, delicious food..

Now for photography purpose you are free to shoot anything but there are some places for which you have to take permissions.
There are lot of festivals in India. I will recommend you ppl that from September there is Ganesha Utsav festival beginning.. which is extremely huge and enjoyable



Do visit at this time for nice photography... 

Have to put my plans on hold for India.Istockphoto just announced a Lypse to Milan,Italy.
Lots of names will be going into the draw.Might get lucky again !