Neville Bulsara Photography | The philosophy behind our photo tours, workshops & expeditions in India

About us : Our Philosophy

The core philosophy of Neville Bulsara's Photography Workshops, Photo Tours & Expeditions for the Discerning Photographer is to combine excellent photographic instruction with the most beautiful locations of India so as to enable participants to come back with those evocative images they've always wanted to make.

Based on our experience, photographers who wish to embark on a photography tour (which by the way is very different from a tour with photography thrown in) are primararily looking for seven things. These considerations (and an eight not directly related to photography) form the bedrock upon which the foundations of our photo trips to India are built.

1. Locations : The destination / choice of location must offer an abundant range of photographic opportunities characteristic of that region, preferably not available elsewhere.

2. Knowledge of locations : We do not believe in the "let's wing it" approach to photography. Yes, much of photography is chance, but chance does favor the prepared mind. Our trip leaders know the regions we visit like the back of their hands, having been there several times in the past. All this with the sole intention of getting you to the right places, at the right times of day.

3. Time of day : This should be a primary consideration, but you'll be surprised about just how many "photography" tours ignore this as though it were of no consequence. Can you imagine landing up at Buckigham Palace to photograph the Changing of The Guard at the wrong time? Or, land up at a place when the light is all wrong?

Being at the right place, at the right time of day, in the right light is crucial to making good photographs. Our photography trips emphasize on-location shooting during the golden hours (and often, twilight) so as to enable you to make the best use of light.

4. Time at location : Photography isn't about tripping the shutter, it's all about seeing, and seeing involves slowing down, identifying what catches your eyes, and then going through the process of making the image in your mind before actually tripping the shutter. It's impossible to do this if you're pressed for time and need to hurry on to your next location.

This reflects in our itineraries - they're designed so as to give you ample time at each location (in the best light of course); of course we presume that it's a photography trip you wish to undertake, not a trip with some photography thrown in!

5. Group Size : Photography, by it's very nature, is a solitary activity. One does not make an image in one's mind by committee. While a larger group size may help bring individual costs down, it also quite often results in chaos that does not contribute to the photo making process. Larger groups also result in less personal space per photographer (a common symptom of which is tripping over the other guy's camera bag or tripod) at locations.

We keep our groups as small as possible - usually no more than eight participants. This allows for greater flexiblity in schedules, allowing an intimacy with fellow photographers and photographic subjects that won't crowd out their experience.

6. Knowledge : Apart from our knowledge of locations, customs & traditions, the land and the people, we really do know photography! And know how to communicate that knowledge in our Zen of Travel Photography Workshops

7. Social Interactions : As experienced travel photographers we understand the value of social interaction with our subjects. We frown on the act of pointing a lens in someone's face, taking a shot and scurrying away. We value the need for social interaction of the people we photograph, while being aware of their need for space and privacy. We delight in our interactions with the locals we choose to photograph on location - it makes for such a rich cultural exchange of viewpoints and knowledge. In our experience, not only does this lead to a better travel experience, but results in far better intimate, portraits of our subjects with their full and hearty cooperation!

8. Respect for tradition, culture, people, and the landscape : If we cannot leave a place in a condition better than we found it, the least we can do is not leave it in worse shape. That, for us, spells being respectful to tradition, culture, people and the good earth.

While we always strive to support the local economy of the places we operate our Photo Tours and Photography Workshops to, we frown on activities that are exploitative in nature; for example, we as a rule do not advocate tipping for portraits of locals, as we believe that in some ways it encourages begging - as already mentioned we advocate social interaction that leads to voluntary, joyous portraits.

So that, ladies and gentlemen is a summary of what we do, and how we go about doing it. If a photography workshop or photo tour to India based on these premises is what you seek, please contact us.