Dispatches

Photography Masterclass /

Never Mind the Bullocks – Cows, Cameras, and Camels – On the Road in Rajasthan with Gary Knight and Philip Blenkinsop

Photo: Rajasthan Roadtrip, January 2009

Following our first successful Rajasthan Roadtrip in 2009 we revisit India for our favourite workshop.

This is not for the fainthearted but it does promise to be an experience not to be forgotten. Like any road trip with Gary and Philip, expect the unexpected, prepare for the worst and travel light. Working in India is always eventful but we intend to steer you around the worst hurdles and show you authentic India so come in a state of readiness. Photography is what we are here for so every day you will edit your work with either Gary or Philip or sit around a campfire for informal seminars. Both of them will show their own work and work that has inspired them by other photographers during the course of the week. We always have talented young Indian photographers working with us to help you dig deeper into the culture, and who will also be able to share their own work and experiences with you.

This is a road trip where we photograph the journey through our own experience rather than follow a narrative arc. You won’t be herded in packs – you’ll have a vehicle with driver to share with one other photographer so you can maintain your independence and choose what route you take and when you stop. We choose great places to stay; all the accommodation is in independent hotels or havelis chosen for their character and ambiance to give you a special place to relax when you return from an intensive day’s photographing. Unless otherwise stated the rooms are for single occupancy. We’ve included some special moments along the way – one of our stops is at the Nagaur camel fair, The group meets in Jaipur where you will spend 3 days getting a sense of the Indian street scene amongst the back streets of this ancient, pink-hued city. From Jaipur we go to the cattle market in Nagaur, biblical in its proportions, and little trod by the tourist, the desert horizon is obliterated by camels and cattle in possibly the only authentic camel fair left in Rajasthan. We’ll stay in a Royal Tent encampment set up for us in the midst of the fair.

From Nagaur we travel further northwest towards Jaisalmer, a beautiful ancient city built within a fortress 60 kms from the Pakistan border. From here it’s possible to explore the desert and its communities by camel or jeep and to sleep out under the stars. The last stop is in Jodhpur, a fortified medieval city with a backdrop of blue washed houses on the hillside. There is a final day to photograph before putting together your edit for the slide show on the last night.

While the scenery and colours in this majestic area of India lend themselves to stunning travel photography, this is a serious journalistic endeavour and not a sightseeing trip. You’ll be expected to produce work which will stretch your abilities and reflect your personal journey through this exotic and romantic region.

Date:

February 7th – 16th 2011

Price:

$3950 inc. single accommodation

Registration:

masterclass@rethink-dispatches.com

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Details

DAY 1/ 2/3 – JAIPUR

Hotels : Alsisar Haveli
Group meets at 2pm on the afternoon of the 7th February at the Alsasir Haveli hotel where the workshop will be begin. Gary and Philip will introduce themselves and talk about the trip, and that night everyone will have dinner together. The first three nights will be spent in Jaipur – the pink city – a vibrant palette of colour, sound and smells. Yup, some of them not so fragrant.

DAY 4/5 – TENT ENCAMPMENT AT NAGAUR CATTLE AND CAMEL FAIR

We move to this dusty one street desert town where a Maharaja style camp will be set up for us at the edge of this huge fair and animal auction. This is still very much a local event and (so far) remains off the well trodden tourist track.

DAY 6/7 – JAISALMER

Hotels:
 Haveli Killa Bhawan, 
Haveli Gahr Jaisal
Separated by 60kms of desert and a day’s camel ride from the border with Pakistan. You can explore the desert culture of the nomadic tribes whose lifestyle in this barren region has changed little over the past centuries. Our hotels — ancient but beautifully preserved Havelis are inside the labyrinthine medieval walled fortress which stands above this sprawling town in the middle of the Thar desert.

DAY 8/9/10 – JODHPUR

For the last 3 days of the trip we move to Jodhpur to spend the final days photographing and to prepare the final edit. On the last night we’ll have dinner together and show the presentation of the past 10 days work.

DAY 11
February 17th – Morning departure. Don’t forget to arrange your departure from Jodhpur and your arrival to Jaipur. There are flights to Delhi and Mumbai from Jodhpur as well as trains and road transport to Delhi.

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Transportation

Included in the cost is a vehicle to share with one other student. You’ll have the car at your disposal from the morning of day 4 until arrival in Jodhpur, day 8. In Jaipur and in Jodhpur it’s easy to get around on foot or by local tuk tuk (motorised rickshaw).

Meals

Dinner on the first and last night are included. Breakfast is included with your hotel. At Nagaur, in the tent encampment, all meals are included. The food is fabulous throughout Rajasthan.

Preparation

Visa – everyone will need a visa and be aware that visas for India take several weeks and costs vary wildly depending on your nationality. Ask for a tourist visa, not a journalists visa and plan well ahead.

Payment

A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is payable on confirmation of a place (unfortunately we have to send non-refundable deposits to guarantee the hotels). The balance is due 6 weeks before the commencement of the course. In the event of cancellation by the course administrators, a full refund will be given minus $100 administration cost. Payment is by bank transfer. The workshop administration maintains the right to replace a workshop tutor with another similarly experienced and qualified photographer (We have never had to do this yet and it’s only in the case of a medical emergency or similar disaster).

Medical Treatment

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure he/she is covered for any medical assistance they may need and we suggest that you take some insurance. Gary and Philip are always willing to ply you with potions but they are totally unreliable. Please note you should consult your doctor regarding any vaccinations to prepare for the trip.

For registration and any questions contact masterclass@rethink-dispatches.com.

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