Vinita Agarwal
Mobile: +447957124181
Email: vinitaseye@gmail.com
Skype: myriad

  • Archives

  • Ganpati Festival in Mumbai

    After the photography workshop in North India, I witnessed the largest festival celebrated in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The festival begins with the installation of huge elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. Artisans put months of effort into making the statues. On Ananta Chaturdasi (the last day), the statues are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then immersed in the ocean or other bodies of water, as are shown in my photographs below.

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    Perseids Meteor Shower

    This was my first attempt at astrophotography. Using my dad’s old 85mm f1.4 Nikon lens, focusing on infinity, I tried with many attempts to photograph the meteor spectacle which was meant to brace our skies yesterday evening on the 12th of August. What was interesting to notice was the amount of light pollution the camera actually picked up; pollution which we do not realise is so present never really providing us with a crystal clear sky for star gazing. Some light did however come through, with long exposures of about 20 seconds each, with magnificient clouds which appeared towards the end of the night. We managed to catch about five shooting stars, which appeared like a flash, and soon disappeared leaving a trail of dust in the sky.

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    My photograph in ‘Impressions of China’ Blog

    This photograph was chosen to be in the blog called ‘Impressions of China‘. This photograph chosen was taken during my visit to the border between India and China which is only accessible by Indian nationals. It was quite an experience, as local Chinese came up to the border lines trying to exchange money with us whilst being shunned by Indian guards. The reason they do this, is so they can go home with proof that they have actually visited the border.

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    Henri Cartier Bresson – Moma

    Whilst in New York, I got a first viewing of an extremely comprehensive show of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work at Moma. It is a rare opportunity to see the breadth of his work, at a venue like this, and so was naturally excited. It is my personal belief that Henri Cartier, can sometimes get stereotyped, as the classic, French photographer, of his time; his work available on post cards and posters all over the world. Saying that, this exhibition is a real eye-opener. It allows you to understand how he started, and the impact he made during his career to LIFE magazine, covering stories and incidents all over the world, from wars to droughts. Before you enter the exhibition there are three extensive maps, showcasing the travels of his lifetime: He spent almost 53 years on the road, spanning almost every country possible at a time when travel was not like it is today. It is a great show – a must-see and a true celebration of one of the pioneers in photojournalism.

    Henri Cartier-Bresson at Moma, New York
    Till June 28th, 2010

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    Nikhil Chopra ‘The Drum Soloist’

    In January, I got the opportunity to photograph India’s most acclaimed performance artist Nikhil Chopra in Mumbai during his last performance piece in character of Yog Raj Chitrakar. It was a fascinating experience walking the streets of Mumbai, venturing through new parts along with a character as serene yet enchanting as Nikhil Chopra aka Yog Raj Chitrakar. He currently has a show entitled ‘Drum Solo a Live Performance’ and Yog Raj Chitrakar Memory Drawing Series Photographic and Video Works at Chatterjee & Lal Gallery and on display is one of my photographs, of which you can see below. It is a fantastic show, which truly showcases the breadth of his talent as a performance artist, and the beauty that lies within those very performances and on until the 9th of April.

    My photograph of Nikhil Chopra on display at Chatterjee & Lal Gallery in Mumbai

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    Michael Kenna

    Whilst in Paris, at Paris-Photo, I came across the works of photographer Michael Kenna for the first time. The silent beauty of the photographs attracted me almost immediately, and I think as a photographer more than often we come across works, which resonate with us, with which we seem to immediately form a bond, and leave’s a lingering presence in our minds.
    I would like to include an extract from an interview I read of his this morning, and with a photograph to share his style, serenity and the beauty which drew me to them in the first place

    There is a tendency in human beings to pre-visualize and try to predict and control what is happening. But, I think we are bound by our own limited sense of aesthetics and intellect – and our abilities, which perhaps are not so great. I think there are so many possibilities out there. The potential is so great that if you allow yourself to be, in a sense, controlled by the external when you are photographing, or you combine your internal with the external and allow it to form a relationship the results are often far, far stronger. At least they are for me.

    Four Birds, St. Nazaire, France, 2000

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    Photography in TIME Magazine

    An article released in this March’s issue of TIME Magazine, with a write-up on my cousin’s new gallery space in Mumbai titled Volte. Chosen for the piece is one of the photographs that I took of the gallery. Coincidentally the article adjacent to thehappens to be written by my friend Tim Kindseth, a beautiful piece on the poetry of Korean poet Ko Un, and his experiences of the Korean landscape, carved beautifully with imagery of history, culture and politics through his words. Attached here below, is the article with the image.

    Article on Volte, March Issue of TIME Magazine

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    My photography at ‘Rang Mahal’

    I am happy to announce that my photography has just been placed on display at Rang Mahal, a new Indian restaurant opened last month in Singapore. The photograph fits well into the theme of Indian celebration, in their private dining room which has suspended sitars and a wonderful long dining hall. My photography is also on their menus, and attached below is a picture showcasing the work on display

    Private Dining Room, Rang Mahal Restaurant, Singapore

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    The Elephant Bath

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