Source of inspiration can be many things but what makes one a Muse?

I floated this topic on twitter and naturally got a whole discussion going. The first answers came in suggesting that a muse would have an influence on the whole photographic career not like a regular subject that might or might not do that. I insisted and pressed that in this sense what about a subject that influences us over a year of our career. And how about a month, or a week? Can a muse be defined by the length of time she inspires?

Another person suggested that the subject is what we photograph while the muse is what makes us pick up the camera to begin with. I like this explanation as it has a link to the divine which connects back to the origin in Greek mythology. But can we tell a muse from a subject just by looking? A fiend said there is doubt the realisation is that abrupt and complete unless the person sees a body of work with the muse. I tend to agree. It makes sense that there has to be a continued interaction and exploration of the relationship with a muse to identify it as one.

There are still so many questions open. Can the relationship with the muse be professional or does it always come from or lead to the erotic? Can the subject choose to become a muse by inspiring the artist or is it only for the artist to be inspired or not.

Have you ever had a muse? Do you have one now? Let’s take this one step further. To celebrate the photographer’s muse we are running a small photo contest and have gotten our sponsor BlackRapid to donate some gear as prizes. The contest is open to anyone who’s ever been inspired to take a picture. Here are the details.

SEND US YOUR BEST SHOT OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC MUSE

At home, on the beach, in the forest, on vacation; we want the emotion,
the dignity, the inspiring force, the erotic power, the love,
the beginning, the end, the one that is many.

AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL

ENTER THE CONTEST

The list of photographers mentioned in the invite, and I am certain most of you will recognize many of the names. Each photographer contributes two images. I am going to show two images titled ‘Gods of Earth and Heaven’ 1 & 2. Print size is 20″x30″, limited edition of 10 prints.

A poster of Shirdi Sai Baba and a street food vendor's sieve, on an MTNL telephone box in down town Mumbai. 'Gods of Earth and Heaven 1'. Print size is 20"x30", limited edition of 10 prints.

A village God on a construction site of a new temple in Vallapalam, Tamil Nadu. 'Gods of Earth and Heaven 2'. Print size is 20"x30", limited edition of 10 prints.

Please come by the gallery to view the exhibition. I look forward to seeing you there.

The exhibition titled ‘Juvenilia Juxtaposed’ will stay open September 10 till September 26th daily from 11am-7pm. The Gallery Ragini is at F213C, Lado Sarai, New Delhi (see Google map). Please join us for an exclusive preview of the works on September 9th at 7pm.

The images I am showing are from two projects; the ‘Street food of India’ book, and my series ‘Mall Generation’ in Indian malls. All prints are 20″x30″, printed on archival fine art paper and are a limited edition of eight prints.

Fast food, Ludhiana mall, 2008

Movie ticket, Ludhiana mall, 2008

Dosa, Khao gali, Mumbai 2007

Fruit vendor, Khan market, New Delhi 2006

worldwide photo walk in Old Delhi from Sephi Bergerson on Vimeo.

As part of Scott Kelby’s worldwide photo walk event, a group of fifty photo enthusiasts headed out to the by-lanes of old Delhi on a hot and humid saturday afternoon. Old Delhi can never be a disappointment and indeed we had some fun experiences. After the walk we reassembled at a local bar & restaurant in New Delhi and only broke the party later at night. Next time we should plan for winter :-)

we waited for 20 minutes before we took the group picture but regretfully we left about ten people out.

It is already July and we are getting close to the day of the Old Delhi photo walk.
The response has been overwhelming and we have filled up the list within a couple of weeks, way before the schedule. There are still many people who would like to join and I keep receiving emails all the time. I have requested all the registered participants to confirm their arrival or write and ask to be removed from the list to make room for others who wish to come.

The Old Delhi photo walk will also be a tasting experience and will focus on the street food of the old city. We will go from Chandni Chowk’s Natraj Dahi Bala through Paratha wali gali, Nai Sarak to Chowri Bazar and will follow the vendors of Chhole Kulcha, bread pakora, chai and other seasonal delicacies that will be on the streets in that time.

Unfortunately, there is no place that I know of in Old Delhi that can host fifty people for some drinks and snacks, so after the photo-walk we will take the metro form Chowri Bazar station and head to CP (Rajiv Chowk) where we will re-assemble at a restaurant to show our work and have a couple of drinks together.

I look forward to meeting you all on July 18 for the WorldWide Photo Walk in Old Delhi.

Here are a few images from the photo walk.

Flavored Chuski in the alleys of Old Delhi

A vendor selling berries (Falsa) in Old Delhi

A watermelon vendor near the Jama Masjid on friday afternoon

Biryani rice stall near the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi

Fennel seeds and sugar at Paratha wali gali

Fourchette et sac a dos – Destination Inde from Sephi Bergerson on Vimeo.

A hard cover, 192 pages coffee table album with 156 images, STREET FOOD OF INDIA is a stunning visual documentation of the mind-boggling array of roadside snacks available in even the remotest corner of the country. From masala chai to vada pao, from parathas to chhole-bhature, this book will take you on a journey that no true-blue foodie can forget. The local flavor is palpable as you turn the pages, and what’s more, you can actually reproduce these mouth-watering eatables with the help of the 46 detailed, authentic recipes provided.

visit the page HERE for a small gallery of images form the book.

The German edition is now available online from Christian-Verlag and Amazon.de