PREFACE
India is a land of myriad cultures and traditions. Every few miles offer a unique set of cultural norms that are hard to miss. These cultures manifest themselves in different forms- some in the form of elaborate rituals and pujas and some in the form of simple livestock fairs. The desert town of Pushkar lies dormant for the whole year, only to wake up from its slumber in the cold wintery month of November to thousands of tourists, pilgrims, photographers and the famous Pushkar Fair. Pushkar hosts photographers from all over the world to experience this memorable fair and to capture the fair in all its glory. ZEISS, in collaboration with Chiiz, hosted a set of workshops under the guidance of skilled mentors, covering not only street but also fashion photography. The photographs were taken with ZEISS lenses and the results are what you will see in the following pages. While some photographers opted to go to the streets of the fair, capturing the camel herders and traders with their herd of camels, the people disguised as Gods, the snake charmers, the amusement rides, the colorful hot air balloons against the blue sky and all that the fair has to offer, many others went to the lesser known, but equally interesting Budha Pushkar. Budha Pushkar is a small lake located a few miles from the main Pushkar lake. It is believed that earlier, the holy dip and other rituals were performed here. As the lake started drying up, the pilgrims started going to what is now the main Pushkar lake, to perform their rituals. A fashion photography workshop was conducted on the ghats of the Budha Pushkar, where the photographers captured amazing shots against the beautiful backdrop of the desert and the lake, made even more amazing with ZEISS lenses. Back at the camp, there was another surprise waiting in the form of Shaitan Singh- an artist who dresses up as Lord Shiva. As he was painting himself to a different avatar, our photographers didn’t waste a moment to capture his transformation from a mortal to a divine being. Usually, Shaitan Singh paints himself blue when he dresses up as Lord Shiva, depicting the God that according to a mythological tale, drank the Halahal poison, churned out from the ‘Samandar Manthan’ (Churning of the Oceans). However, this time, to advocate action against climate change- the halahal of the 21st century, Shaitan Singh painted himself as the Green Shiva- an endeavor supported by ZEISS. The ZEISS workshops did not only include photography, but the participants were also given a session on post-processing and one-on-one review sessions with their mentors. A photographer’s lounge turned into a gallery for photographs taken in Pushkar, was made especially for presentations and sessions by the mentors. The workshop was a success and the photographers left with an indelible experience and numerous photographs to keep the memory alive.
UMENDER SHAH Business Head
MENTORS, MODELS & STYLIST
ABHISHEK SINGH Photographer
ARUN KUMAR Photoshop Expert
INDERJIT GILL Photographer
JEET MUKERJI Photographer
PRITESH RAO Photographer
FIZA KHAN Stylist
SRISHTI YADAV Model
YAMINI SHUKLA Model
Copyright © 2019 by ZEISS, Chiiz and the respective photographers All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying form without written permission of ZEISS, Chiiz and the respective photographers.
FOREWORD
Fairs and Festivals have always been held for a purpose of mass gathering and mass celebrations for people of similar interests and a community to come together once in a while to celebrate each other and their common interests. Pushkar Fair might be a spiritual gathering and a trade fair where traders from faraway lands came to trade their livestock gathered every year, but it has become famous for another mass gathering. A gathering for photographers from across the world. A photographer’s paradise, Pushkar has everything a photographer could dream to capture- exotic location, vibrant cultures, a spectacular camaraderie between animals and humans (snake charmers, camel herders, etc), striking features of the native people there, the hot air balloons, the serene lake and so much more. If you look close enough, who knows what treasures one might come across. The photographers landed on some gold in the photography workshops organized by ZEISS and Chiiz. Not one aspect of the fair was left. Everything that caught their eyes was captured and how. The photographs of the ferris wheels and other amusement rides at the fair, both the long exposure shots at night and the silhouettes in the golden hours give a surreal feel. Since, Pushkar Fair and camels are almost synonymous, it is only fair that there were lots of amazing shots of the camels and the camps of the traders. Besides the fair, the shoot locations also included the forgotten land of Budha Pushkar- a side of Pushkar only a few people see. The fashion photography workshop was well received by the photographers which is evident in their work. The models were photographed in the backdrop of the Ghats of Budha Pushkar. Add the expert guidance of the mentors to the mix and you get a unique mix of photographs from extraordinary prespectives. The concept of the Green Shiva- as a statement against global warming and climate change is truly laudable and the participants have done a good job capturing the artist as he takes the form of a God. Much attention has been paid to the details which is evident in the close-up shots. In terms of photography, this journey to Pushkar was a fulfilling one for me. The culture of the place and the people there make it all worthwhile. Those who get to capture the vibrant culture of Pushkar and the famous Pushkar fair are among the fortunate ones. The whole affair, it seems, is orchestrated for a photographer’s eye. The photographs that you see inside this book are just the manifestation of the photographer’s imagination of this elaborate display of colors, culture and celebration.
JULIA CODDINGTON
RUPALI NIKHIL CHURI Rupali Nikhil Churi ’Ruh’, has been a marketing & sales professional for the past 20 years. As a hobbyist photographer, she finds beauty in everyday things. Her Nikon 5200 is her companion in capturing images along with the various mobile cameras that she has owned. Rajasthani Beauty
Nikon D5200 55mm F/5.6 1/60 ISO252
Security briefing at Pushkar
Vivo 1804 30mm F/1.8 1/546 ISO51
God resides in my home
Vivo 1804 30mm F/1.8 1/50 ISO301
PRANAV KUKRETI Pranav Kukreti is an MBA graduate and an adventure tourism professional. He has been a student of photography for over 25 years now, using various gears - DSLRs, GoPro, Drones, 360 cameras and so on. While wildlife is his core area, all genres of photography interest him equally. Patriarch
Canon 7D Mark II 90 mm F/3.2 1/200 ISO100
Young Shiva
Canon 7D Mark II 90 mm F/2.8 1/200 ISO100
Change
Canon 7D Mark II 55 mm F/4 1/180 ISO400
KAUSTUBH KALE Kaustubh Kale, a photographer who puts up in Mumbai, India, has loved photography from as long as he can remember. He had won a few photography competitions early on and without his knowledge, his hobby had become his passion. He is currently a fashion and commercial photographer with a unique artistic style and a love for candid captures! Woman in the wild
Canon 5D Mark III 70mm F/5 1/200 ISO250
ADITI KOTHARI Traveler, fashion designer and photographer, Aditi Kothari has been creative from childhood and is still excelling. Having a passion for photography always kept her around it as she gradually gathered some valuable experience. The camera is her tool through which she gives a reason to everything around her. Attire
Nikon DX 3300 135mm F/4.8 1/125 ISO100
SAMIKSHA SINGH Samiksha Singh is an Indore-based photographer. She is currently using Canon 80D and 1300D to freeze moments in time. She is an expert in wildlife, nature, fashion, product, and travel photography. Every picture speaks, we have beautiful colors
Canon 80D 85mm F/1.8 1/400 ISO160
Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart
Canon 80D 20mm F/2.8 1/60 ISO2500
ANDREW ADONAIORI Being born in a defence family, observing people and culture became second nature to Andrew Adonaiori. After finishing his degree in Management and grind in the corporate world, he was drawn to photography. He uses a Canon 550D & 5D Mark III, Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 for regular shoots. Currently, he is involved in video and photo documentary as a freelancer. Anchor me down, saddle me up
Canon 550D 24mm F/9.0 1/400 ISO100
Racing Pots
Canon 550D 70mm F/8.0 1/800 ISO100
Serene Pushkar
Canon 550D 24mm F/3.5 1/250 ISO200
Pushkar from heaven
Canon 550D 55mm F/18 1/13 ISO100
Shadow, reflection & water
Canon 550D 125mm F/8.0 1/250 ISO100
Canon 6D Mark II 105mm F/4 1/100 ISO200
JISHAN PARMAR
Decked Up
Jishan Parmar is an Indore-based photographer and uses a Canon 80D and 6D Mark II. His expertise lies in wedding photography and is equally skilled in product photography. He also loves to bring out the flavors of food through his photography.
MOHIT PARMAR “Shoot everything as if it’s going to be the best shot you’ve ever taken.” with this philosophy, Mohit Parmar believes that photography is the best cure for a bad memory. He used to click random pictures that made him capture moments that would be cherished for a lifetime, which led him to do wedding photography. The left nostril
Canon 6D Mark II 200mm F/2.8 1/200 ISO100
Little Happiness
Canon 6D Mark II 105mm F/22 1/250 ISO250
TANVI SETHI Tanvi Sethi, born and brought up in Delhi, is pursuing her degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. She realized her artistic inclination towards photography during her diploma in Digital Imaging and Photography Course and since then she is continues to explore the photographic opportunities and thriving for excellence. The third eye
Nikon D5500 52mm F/5.6 1/80 ISO250
Unknown
Nikon D5500 62mm F/9 1/200 ISO100
Camel Love
Nikon D5500 75mm F/6.3 1/100 ISO100
HARJEET SINGH Harjeet Singh is a visual artist by profession and a photographer by passion. A proficient flutist and a creative talent, Harjeet loves to capture candids because he feels capturing the real moments, expressions and catching the subject unaware adds life to his pictures. Turbaned
Nikon D7200 140mm F/5.6 1/160 ISO400
Drawing the eye
Nikon D7200 140mm F/5.6 1/160 ISO200
The eye of wisdom
Nikon D7200 116mm F/14 1/250 ISO320
The controller of fear and death
Nikon D7200 52mm F/5.6 1/640 ISO100
A steady gaze
Nikon D7200 130mm F/14 1/250 ISO320
Shiva’s Wrath
Nikon D7200 140mm F/5.6 1/80 ISO400
VRITI BHATIA Vriti Bhatia is doing a professional photography course from Pearl Academy and her main areas of interest are dramatic portraits and fashion photography. I will be there soon
Nikon D850 85mm F/13 1/100 ISO100
Ready to take over the world
Nikon D850 85mm F/9 1/5000 ISO250
Let’s be together forever
Nikon D850 170mm F/2.8 1/400 ISO64
Music heals my soul
Nikon D850 80mm F/6.3 1/400 ISO4000
SARTHAK JAIN Sarthak Jain is a filmmaker and a photographer from Kota, India. He has worked on various documentaries on sports and is currently working with Chiiz. Passionate about traveling and meeting new people along the way, Sarthak has been an active part of NGOs to work for the cause of women’s education in India. The Eye
Canon 1500D 33mm F/5.6 1/50 ISO250
PRASHANT GADGIL Prashant Gadgil, by his own admittance, is not a photographer. He likes to call himself a photoholic who is extremely fascinated by the art of photography. He is always looking for ways to capture fleeting moments. The village belle
Canon 80D 123mm F/8 1/125 ISO100
Nikon D610 125mm F/2.8 1/1250 ISO110
ANIL BHATI
Happy Trader
Anil Bhati is a doctor by profession and a hobbyist photographer, residing in Bhopal. He started photography around four years back. Since he loves to travel, most of his photography work is in landscape, nature, street and travel documentary. He has attended some of the workshops with Abhishek Singh, who inspired him a lot and is now his mentor.
Relaxing
Nikon D610 92mm F/2.8 1/1600 ISO140
Smoky Breath
Nikon D610 200mm F/2.8 1/3200 ISO220
Surprised
Nikon D610 200mm F/2.8 1/3200 ISO160
Lit Eyes
Nikon D610 200mm F/2.8 1/250 ISO180
Control for milking
Nikon D610 86mm F/10 1/800 ISO360
Balloons in a blue hour
Nikon D610 24mm F/8 1/13 ISO400
Sunset Silhouette
Nikon D610 200mm F/10 1/500 ISO100
SHLOK SOMANI From a mere hobby to a full fledged profession, Shlok travelled a long way. None of his family members could have thought that his interest would bring him here, where his photos are being published in international publications. All he can say is that capturing life in squares is what keeps him sane. Bubbling Happiness
Canon 700D 50mm F/1.8 1/100 ISO100
Life goes on
Canon 700D 50mm F/22 1 ISO100
Fearless
Canon 700D 18mm F/3.5 1/800 ISO6400
DAVID VORAGANTI David Voraganti is immensely driven by his curiosity and photography has only fuelled his passion. The collection of essays on photography and politics from David Strauss’ “Between the Eyes” (2003) has inspired him to learn more about the impressive world of photojournalism and documentary photography. Portrait of an artist
Nikon D7200 185mm F/5 1/500 ISO400
Traditional Girl
Nikon D7200 300mm F/5.6 1/250 ISO250
Man as god
Nikon D7200 260mm F/5.6 1/80 ISO400
God is an exalted, perfected man
Nikon D7200 86mm F/5 1/1250 ISO500
Snake charmer in Pushkar mela-2018, Rajasthan, India
Nikon D5100 35mm F/1.8 1/320 ISO100
Canon 5D Mark IV 42mm F/9.5 1/125 ISO800
RAJ MEHTA
A far-sighted dream
For Raj, photography was just a hobby. Later, he decided to follow his passion and attended workshops on photography and started doing photography for his college events. About, four months back Raj, along with his colleagues, established their own company with the name of Mark Studio, which provides all kinds of photography- table top, wedding, fashion and blogger shoot among others.
The Wait
Canon 5D Mark IV 40mm F/8 1/125 ISO100
I’m not afraid
Canon 5D Mark IV 70mm F/8 1/3000 ISO100
Nikon D810 25mm F/10 1/100 ISO400
SAMPA GUHA MAJUMDAR
Dawn
Sampa Guha Majumdar, from Kolkata and based in Jamnagar, Gujrat, is a freelance photographer and a travel story writer. A master at her craft, Sampa’s work has been featured in many popular pages and publications.
Camel cart ride
Nikon D810 17mm F/11 1/125 ISO640
Dance Performance
Nikon D810 26mm F/4 1/320 ISO500
Fire Game
Nikon D810 17mm F/4 1/320 ISO500
First Light
NIKON D810 17mm F/11 1/125 ISO400
VIPUL TRIVEDI Vipul Trivedi belongs to Banswara (city of the island) in Rajasthan. Photography being the family business, he was involved in photography very soon. After completing his graduation, Vipul decided to choose photography as his profession. Desert Charm
Canon 6D Mark II 110mm F/6.3 1/500 ISO250
Expressions
Canon 6D Mark II 190mm F/2.8 1/40 ISO400
Veil
Canon 6D Mark II 200mm F/3.5 1/320 ISO320
Thoughts
Canon 6D Mark II 200mm F/9 1/320 ISO125
Contrast
Canon 6D Mark II 115mm F/9 1/500 ISO250
PRATIK CHANDIRAMANI Freelancing since the age of 14 to doing a desk job for two years as well just to go back to being a freelancer has taught him many things. Starting off from basic gear - a smartphone - to a stabilizer to a mirrorless camera, having seen the advancement in technology was a phenomenal experience for Pratik. Night Crawler
Canon R 91mm F/4 1/25 ISO10000
Popeye
Canon R 91mm F/4 1/1000 ISO125
A galloping horse
Canon R 77mm F/20 1/30 ISO400
Spinning to the rhythm
Canon R 24mm F/20 1/5 ISO400
Canon 5Ds 145mm F/2.8 1/640 ISO320
NEERAJ VISHWAKARMA
Beauty of village belle and heritage
Neeraj is a confident and dedicated photographer with an experience of 25 years in both professional and freelance photography,and 5 years in photography training. He tackles any photography job quickly and effectively and five years of experience in photography training. He is known for being photographer who combines a long professional career with dedicated freelance photography ideals and loyalty.
Feeling of love, waiting for someone
Canon 5Ds 70mm F/2.8 1/60 ISO 400
AMIT CHOMAL Amit Chomal is a professional VFX/CG supervisor. A hobbyist photographer, he considers photography as his passion. He specializes in candid photography. Through his work, he has tried to frame the essence of life around him. For him, a photo is not just a click on the button of the camera, but is a way of communicating with the viewer. Pensive
Canon 550D 50 mm F/3.5 1/640 ISO400
Angel’s Eye
Canon 550D 50mm F/3.5 1/640 ISO250
A welcoming smile
Canon 550D 50mm F/1.8 1/2000 ISO400
KAUSHAL SAKARIA For Kashal Sakaria, his camera is his companion to freeze the moments which seem interesting, exciting, and special. His inclination is towards the streets, life and people as they give him a chance to capture emotions, feelings, and moments which remain forever embedded on your disk and especially in your memories. In your thoughts
Canon 80D 62mm F/5 1/160 ISO100
Bold
Canon 80D 62mm F/5 1/160 ISO100
Reaching Out
Canon 80D 10mm F/4.5 1/250 ISO100
Caravan
Canon 80D 18mm F/8 1/160 ISO200
Fair Lights
Canon 80D 10mm F/22 4.8 ISO100
PRIYASHI NEGI Trekking to the top of the hills through tiny little paths and between pines is nothing short of paradise for Priyashi. Books and poetry are her refuge. She is a foodie at heart and seems to be blessed with a sweet tooth (sweet-teeth rather) and a love for all things cheese. Of beads and the beats
Canon 200D 50mm F/4.5 1/320 ISO100
Drawing out the mask
Canon 200D 50mm F/2 1/800 ISO100
Reflections
Canon 200D 50mm F/2 1/800 ISO100
Holy Gaze
Canon 200D 50mm F/4.5 1/320 ISO100
PRATEEK KASHYAP Prateek Kashyap is a travel photographer who likes to document the culture, people and life of a place. He takes his inspiration from the mighty Himalayas, where his passion for photography took a more serious turn. With an eye for photography and a fixation with photographic compositions, Prateek is always on the lookout for innovative frames. Power of the Supremes
Canon 60D 145mm F/5.6 1/200 ISO200
Devotion Comes True
Canon 60D 18mm F/3.5 1/800 ISO250
Semblance
Canon 60D 90mm F/5.6 1/800 ISO400
Twilight
Canon 60D 200mm F/5.6 1/320 ISO320
Nikon D800 62mm F/2.8 1/2500 ISO100
MUKESH KUMAR
No roof overhead
A self taught photographer and entrepreneur, Mukesh started his career with the Indian Air Force. He worked in IT Companies.He is very passionate about Photography and loves traveling. He loves to shoot people, places and streets. His work has been been published in many publication and displayed in exhibitions.
Equestrian Reflections
Nikon D800 70mm F/9 1/400 ISO100
A musical bond
Nikon D800 66mm F/2.8 1/320 ISO100
RUPA BANERJEE A wedding photographer by profession, Rupa Bannerjee has a passion for portraits and fashion photography. She loves to capture human emotions, moods and can always be found doing experiments with lights and shadow. Wonder
Nikon D5200 85mm F/14 1/200 ISO 100
BEHIND THE SCENES