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Headstrong by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Headstrong by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Apr 10
The Boy at the Temple by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: Outside the gates to Fatehpur Sikri, an Indian boy waits to take my shoes. I pay him a few rupees to keep track of them for me. I walked several miles in bare feet inside and quickly discovered why everyone has such dirty feet. It’s always been a pet peeve of mine, but, like dropping your keys in a river of lava, I just had to let it go. Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

The Boy at the Temple by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Outside the gates to Fatehpur Sikri, an Indian boy waits to take my shoes. I pay him a few rupees to keep track of them for me. I walked several miles in bare feet inside and quickly discovered why everyone has such dirty feet. It’s always been a pet peeve of mine, but, like dropping your keys in a river of lava, I just had to let it go.

Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 21
The Secret Chambers of Beautiful India by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: I am thankful to my host Anil who was able to set me up with some amazing guides that took me to the most unusual and seemingly secret places. It was just amazing… the only downside is that I am sworn to secrecy on the location. In case anyone else has ever been there, then there is more than one iota of a chance that this crazy place called the internet will soon tell you where this place is. The internet has a habit of finding out such things. Doesn’t this want to make you pack your bags for a week’s adventure? What’s stoppin’ ya?!! (I mean, other than excuses) See it large on my blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/04/26/the-secret-chambers-of-beau… Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

The Secret Chambers of Beautiful India by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I am thankful to my host Anil who was able to set me up with some amazing guides that took me to the most unusual and seemingly secret places. It was just amazing… the only downside is that I am sworn to secrecy on the location. In case anyone else has ever been there, then there is more than one iota of a chance that this crazy place called the internet will soon tell you where this place is. The internet has a habit of finding out such things.

Doesn’t this want to make you pack your bags for a week’s adventure? What’s stoppin’ ya?!! (I mean, other than excuses)

See it large on my blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/04/26/the-secret-chambers-of-beau…



Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 19
The Afternoon Glowing Temple by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: Here we have another beautiful and exotic temple in Delhi in the height of the afternoon, shot from another nearby beautiful and exotic temple. You can see the full size soon on the blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/05/05/the-afternoon-glowing-temple/ Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

The Afternoon Glowing Temple by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Here we have another beautiful and exotic temple in Delhi in the height of the afternoon, shot from another nearby beautiful and exotic temple.

You can see the full size soon on the blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/05/05/the-afternoon-glowing-temple/



Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 18
Spending Time Inside My Head by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: I do tend to distract myself, rather than have ample time to sit around and think about things. Why I drive myself to distraction is another matter altogether, but one that usually has delicious complications. And then I come across men like this one, several hundreds of miles north of Delhi in India. He has nothing but time to sit around and think about things. I wonder if he is able to better figure things out. from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Spending Time Inside My Head by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I do tend to distract myself, rather than have ample time to sit around and think about things. Why I drive myself to distraction is another matter altogether, but one that usually has delicious complications. And then I come across men like this one, several hundreds of miles north of Delhi in India. He has nothing but time to sit around and think about things. I wonder if he is able to better figure things out.

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com



Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 17
A Godly Dance at the Taj by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: I was barefoot like the rest of them. The day must have been around 95 degrees and as stuffy as can be, but the cool marble seemed to keep me from being drenched in sweat. After a long walk, I had finally made it to the inner core of the Taj Mahal, around the main tomb structure where pilgrims from all over the country had gravitated. The faithful coiled in long lines and snaked their way around the complex, waiting patiently to reflect at the megamausoleum and communing with the god of their choice. How could a billion people be wrong? When I travel, I actually always enjoy talking to Indians (or whoever) about their religion. Here is a little thing I do… I’m not sure it’s totally ethical since I say the same thing over and over, but I enjoy seeing people’s reaction as a probe a panoply of personalities. Inevitably, when I’m in a taxi or man-powered trike-mobile, there is some sort of deity that is jiggling about on the dashboard or handlebars. It can be anyone from Shiva to Brahma to Vishnu to Krishna to Ganesha and beyond. So, I always ask, “Who is the god to whom you pay reverence?” They respond quickly and directly, usually naming one from of the top ten from the pantheon of possibilities. I respond back, in all seriousness, “Oh! He is a very powerful god!” To this, they always turn to me and nod gravely. My guide there was from no from one of the traditional Hindu sects — he was a Jain. The Jain don’t recognize the divine origins of the Vedas (made popular in the US from Oppenheimer’s re-quote after testing the Bomb), nor do they believe in any one supreme deity. They instead revere Tirthankaras who have raised themselves to divine perfection. So anyway, if you ever try out the little trick above, don’t bother with a Jain because they will just give you a funny look and a wobble of inconsequential solitude. So if any of you get the chance to go, I recommend it. The people are all nice as can be and very eager to engage in conversation about just about everything. Or, of you’ve already been, then you know what I mean! By the way, this comes from my new Lucis Pro Tutorial. from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

A Godly Dance at the Taj by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I was barefoot like the rest of them.

The day must have been around 95 degrees and as stuffy as can be, but the cool marble seemed to keep me from being drenched in sweat. After a long walk, I had finally made it to the inner core of the Taj Mahal, around the main tomb structure where pilgrims from all over the country had gravitated. The faithful coiled in long lines and snaked their way around the complex, waiting patiently to reflect at the megamausoleum and communing with the god of their choice. How could a billion people be wrong?

When I travel, I actually always enjoy talking to Indians (or whoever) about their religion. Here is a little thing I do… I’m not sure it’s totally ethical since I say the same thing over and over, but I enjoy seeing people’s reaction as a probe a panoply of personalities. Inevitably, when I’m in a taxi or man-powered trike-mobile, there is some sort of deity that is jiggling about on the dashboard or handlebars. It can be anyone from Shiva to Brahma to Vishnu to Krishna to Ganesha and beyond.

So, I always ask, “Who is the god to whom you pay reverence?”

They respond quickly and directly, usually naming one from of the top ten from the pantheon of possibilities.

I respond back, in all seriousness, “Oh! He is a very powerful god!”

To this, they always turn to me and nod gravely.

My guide there was from no from one of the traditional Hindu sects — he was a Jain. The Jain don’t recognize the divine origins of the Vedas (made popular in the US from Oppenheimer’s re-quote after testing the Bomb), nor do they believe in any one supreme deity. They instead revere Tirthankaras who have raised themselves to divine perfection. So anyway, if you ever try out the little trick above, don’t bother with a Jain because they will just give you a funny look and a wobble of inconsequential solitude.

So if any of you get the chance to go, I recommend it. The people are all nice as can be and very eager to engage in conversation about just about everything. Or, of you’ve already been, then you know what I mean!

By the way, this comes from my new Lucis Pro Tutorial.

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com



Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 16
The Blood-Colored Walls of the Tomb by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: This is Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. It’s a wonderful place full of a rich bouquet of textures and light. There isn’t a bad shot of it to be had in this well-preserved Moghul tomb, and these light levels were made for HDR. I’ve put another image of this tomb in the upcoming book. I talked a little more about the shot and some additional explanation about how it was made. When I go around and give talks, get feedback, and hear all the comments here on the blog, flickr, and facebook, I get a lot of repeat questions. I think the book will be a good chance to get them all in a nice definitive place where almost everything can be addressed. At least, I hope so! from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

The Blood-Colored Walls of the Tomb by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This is Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. It’s a wonderful place full of a rich bouquet of textures and light. There isn’t a bad shot of it to be had in this well-preserved Moghul tomb, and these light levels were made for HDR.

I’ve put another image of this tomb in the upcoming book. I talked a little more about the shot and some additional explanation about how it was made. When I go around and give talks, get feedback, and hear all the comments here on the blog, flickr, and facebook, I get a lot of repeat questions. I think the book will be a good chance to get them all in a nice definitive place where almost everything can be addressed. At least, I hope so!

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com


Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 15
Flowers of Diwali in India by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: When walking around New Delhi and getting lost in the backstreets, I came to an active area where everyone was selling accoutrements for the Diwali festival. I think the ladies knew that I was not a potential buyer, but all of them on the street were very happy to show me what they had to sell. Delhi itself is a very gray and dusty town, so it makes these colorful outfits and flowers stand out even more. from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Flowers of Diwali in India by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
When walking around New Delhi and getting lost in the backstreets, I came to an active area where everyone was selling accoutrements for the Diwali festival. I think the ladies knew that I was not a potential buyer, but all of them on the street were very happy to show me what they had to sell. Delhi itself is a very gray and dusty town, so it makes these colorful outfits and flowers stand out even more.

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com



Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 15
The Largest Gate in the World by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: This is the larger than life Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri, in the far north of India. I spent a long time around here, looking at all of Akbar’s Mughal architecture from every angle. I pictured many a fantastic battle being fought for control of the palace and inner cloister. It’s the highest gateway in the world and you can easily see the detail of the red sandstone and the inlayed white marble, which still has remarkable architecture, even though it has been there for over 400 years. A very close look uncovers verses from the Koran, winding their way up and around the towers. from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

The Largest Gate in the World by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This is the larger than life Buland Darwaza in Fatehpur Sikri, in the far north of India. I spent a long time around here, looking at all of Akbar’s Mughal architecture from every angle. I pictured many a fantastic battle being fought for control of the palace and inner cloister.

It’s the highest gateway in the world and you can easily see the detail of the red sandstone and the inlayed white marble, which still has remarkable architecture, even though it has been there for over 400 years. A very close look uncovers verses from the Koran, winding their way up and around the towers.

from the blog at www.stuckincustoms.com


Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 12
Akbar’s Royal Bathing Chamber by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.Via Flickr: Akbar the Great was quite a guy I am sure. This was shot in his palace near Agra. Most people go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, but in my estimation, this is a much more exotic and interesting place to explore. See it large on the blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/05/23/akbars-royal-bathing-chamber/ Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Akbar’s Royal Bathing Chamber by Stuck in Customs on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Akbar the Great was quite a guy I am sure. This was shot in his palace near Agra. Most people go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, but in my estimation, this is a much more exotic and interesting place to explore.

See it large on the blog at stuckincustoms.com/2008/05/23/akbars-royal-bathing-chamber/


Via travel-in-india.tumblr.com

Sep 11