Travel Photography Tip - Early Morning Light + Haze/Smoke

If you've been to Varanasi or happen to live there then you know that moments like these are rather rare as it is a hotbed of activity for the spiritual realm involving a constant stream of the recently deceased to be cremated in this most auspicious of cities in India.

Early morning light through thick atmospheric haze is magical. It doesn't always pan out, but when it does... the beauty of photographing in Asia is that there are so many cookstoves starting up (purely a bonus in terms of photography not environmental) and the particulate matter they emit mixes with the humidity to create vistas unavailable in places like the US (except when there are forest fires). As the world strives to have cleaner air expect these sights to dwindle, but I don't think you have to worry about them disappearing anytime soon.

Varanasi is one of the most intriguing places I've visited, but it's not for everyone as Westerner's are not well accustomed to be in such proximity of death. It's a very hands off type of thing in the West (for the most part). In India and many parts of the world, family members serve directly in the preparations for open cremation. If you take a flash photograph in Varanasi at night, you'll see what appears to be snow in your image, but it's ash.

Cremation here ensures rapid ascension. This image is a compilation of three still images that were merged back in 2007 just as the Kumbh Mela was ending not far from Varanasi.

Even if you don't know how to process a RAW file, but want to ensure the best possible photo later down the line - go ahead and capture it in RAW+JPG. I cannot tell you how many images I have that were shot in JPG because I was economizing with regard to my CF card. They are so inexpensive now, I carry 128gb cards at a minimum so the only possible way I can fill them is with 5 to 7k shots when I shoot time lapse sequences.

#India #Varanasi #cremation #sunrise #hdr #photography #travel