The Vibrance of Holi
The festival of Holi is not just about the action but the smaller details too!
Photograph/Bibek Smaran Paul
Protect Your Gear
With so much of water and colour flying around, you must remember to keep equipment safe! You could use a ziplock bag to protect your camera, with a hole cut out for the lens. Or, you could use an old raincoat, cut to accommodate the camera and your hands.
Make sure that the front lens element is covered with a good quality UV filter to protect it from stray drops of water and bumps. Other gear options include using underwater housing for your camera or even using a rugged camera. And, do not forget your lens hood!
Choosing a Lens
Decide on which lens you would like to use on the day and stick to it. Changing lenses in the thick of action is very risky as you may get particles and moisture inside your camera. You could use a prime lens such as a 35mm or a 50mm with an aperture of f/1.8 for portraits.
Or, you could find a high vantage point and use a telephoto lens. If you really want to have the option of different focal lengths, then you could even carry more than one camera body.
The Best Place to Go
Some places in India like Vrindavan and Mathura, celebrate Holi with massive get-togethers. The women of Barsana, beat men up on the day of Holi in an event known as Lathmar Holi! Every place has its own unique way of celebrating the festival.
However, it is not always necessary to visit a different place to make memorable pictures. Your own neighbourhood Holi celebrations could be just the place, if you pay enough attention!
Finding the Quieter Moments
While most of the fun of Holi plays out in the morning, you will be surprised with the gems you will fi nd towards the afternoon, when things are winding down. Leftover pails of colour, mud with various hues splashed on it, people sitting in corners catching their breath, all these make for interesting frames. All you have to do is walk around, take it all in and shoot.
This article originally appeared in the March 2015 issue of Better Photography.
Children and their gaiety make the best subjects during Holi. Do not be afraid to approach them for a portrait!
Photograph/Nirvair Singh Rai
