PART TWO: On the road in India, one is immediately struck by the variety of modes of travel all sharing the same lanes of highway. Everything from trucks and busses, to cars and motorcycles, to rickshaws, and of course, bicycles, each occupying its distinctive space in the hierarchy that is Indian traffic. Bicycles are a major presence, in that so many people are dependent on them for transportation. While they may be the lightest and therefor the first to give way in the proverbial game of chicken with larger vehicles, they do have the advantage of being the most nimble mode of transportation, and often will make progress while the cars and busses are jammed up in a long line.
PART ONE: If India has a billion people, they must also have 2 billion bicycles, in one form or another. Most are well-used, tough, often-repaired, and decorated to the hilt. The perfect blend of form and function. I’ve shot a few over the years in an attempt to capture the spirit of the thing. Watch for more Indian bicycle posts, and let me know what you think of these.
These photos were shot in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where young children put on a mock wedding ceremony for our group in March of 2007. The third picture, taken by Darryl Swenson, is of myself, shooting photos and video in very tight quarters, unassisted.
While the children in these shots were obviously not of marrying age, one is struck by just how young many of the mothers in Bangladesh are. We were told that the ‘groom’ is covering his mouth with his handkerchief as a sign of modesty. The look on his future ‘wife’s’ face requires no explanation.
In my travels, I find myself shooting pictures of feet. I’ve asked myself why this is and two distinct answers come to mind. 1. I find feet interesting. 2. No need for signature releases.
The first two photos were taken in the West Bengal region of India, in March, 2007. The last picture was shot in rural Honduras, in April, 2007. In each instance I showed the subject the digital thumbnail of his or her feet, much to their delight.
