Fotografie Documentaire en Straatfotografie

I traveled across India with Manoj Yadav for 14 unforgettable days to see India as unfiltered as it could be with me present. He picked me up in Delhi and we drove straight to Agra, then, Jaipur, Pushkar, Varanasi, and Rishikesh. We selected the towns and cities, and I gave Manoj a short list of things I wanted to do. The Taj Mahal, block printing, possibly a dyeing class, time on the Ganga, an opportunity to meet Indian women, time to meditate, a yoga class, time to chug chai in the streets, and visit tribal communities. I wanted to experience India through all my senses. My itinerary was designed truly for me, a schedule that could relax or turned up. When I first saw Manoj’s photography work, I knew that he would be the perfect guide to help me navigate the chaos of India. I wanted to learn more about the culture that gave rise to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I wanted to get closer to the center of my practice. Yoga is the quieting of the disturbances of the mild. (YS 1.2 ). This includes the multitude of voices in my head. I am not a professional photographer. I emailed Manoj with questions. What if the only camera I have is my iPhone? What if I'm not experienced with photography at all. What if I wanted to see India with more than my eyes. Without hesitation, he said YES. I mostly have a list of considerations as I reach for my camera. I'm thinking about framing, angle, light, shadow. And, I am starting to use a few more editing tools. We ambled around artists’ workshops, hidden streets, temples, ghats, tribal communities; places I would never have found on my own. Manoj has relationships throughout India and is embraced warmly in villages and cities. Everyday we met sadhus, artists, musicians, poets, printmakers, priests, chai makers, tuk-tuk drivers who were happy to see him. All of the hotels were comfortable, clean, and had good air conditioning. The Traditional Haveli hotel in Jaipur was stunning. The palace that we stayed at in Pushcar was among my favorite places for its pool. Yet, the very simple hotel we stayed in while in Rishikesh had one of the most comfortable beds that I slept in while in India. Some of my favorite memories include petting the scratchy trunk of an elephant at Amber Fort. A peaceful boat ride on the Ganga at sunrise in Varanasi. Crashing a wedding dinner in Pushkar and staying to eat. And, the four hours we sat at the Little Buddha Café in Rishikesh overlooking the Ganga. We lingered over breakfast, I drank iced coffee and wrote. Manoj edited his photos while we escaped the heat. I highly recommend Manoj to photographers or other artists, storytellers, writers, and anyone interested in experiencing India beneath the tourist veneer, for good and bad. Even if you are not a photographer, you will have an unforgettable experience. Manoj is an enthusiastic artist and teacher who wants to support photographers who are interested in the spirituality of sadhus, naga sadhus, the agori, the Ganga, the proper setting for a Rajistani moustache. For the most part, I interacted with people one-on-one or sometime mothers through their daughters. I was surprised how open people were to a white woman with silver-white hair. Yikes, I am nearly 65, if you are like me and this kind of travel keeps your heart beating, Do it. Book Manoj now. I hope to return to India next February to study with my yoga teacher in Chennai. Before, I want to meet Manoj in Ladak.

It was an absolute delight to go on this photoshoot with Manoj. He knows the streets of Varanasi along with so many of the Sadhus and other locals. Really enjoyed my day with him and his helper. Surprised me with a behind the scenes video clip of our day shooting together. Spent fair bit of time with the subjects, but was worth the captures. Very much recommended :).

This was my 2nd time traveling with Manoj. We started in Kolkata and went on to Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow and Delhi. Manoj is an excellent photographer and teacher. He is patient, organized and has a very pleasant disposition. We started our days at 5;30 and worked until dinner and sometimes later. He gives you an honest days work. I can't recommend him highly enough, you will not be disappointed. I guarantee it. Contact me for any questions.

To finally be in Varanasi and to go out with Manoj, in the early hours, is one of the highlights of my trip through India. It was a great morning in which we worked together and Manoj gave very clear instructions for making the perfect picture. Manoj knows how to combine and convey the love of photography and the sadhus beautifully.

I took a photography group to India with CNP Safaris, and our final destination was Varanasi. Here we met up with Manoj, who led our tour for 2 days. He is an exceptional human with fantastic relationships within the Sadhu communities. He managed the time and subjects to perfection, and our group came away with many incredible images and so much better for getting to know Manoj. I look forward to our next meeting in India.

Unforgettable 5-Day Photography Immersion in Varanasi I recently completed a 5-day photography workshop with Manoj, and it was a transformative experience. From the 5:30 AM starts on the Ganges to the hidden alleyways of the city, every moment was well-organized and professionally executed. The Highlights * Professional Production: Manoj demonstrated how to organize full-scale shoots with Aghoris and Sadhus, offering deep insights into lighting, props, makeup, and directing subjects. * Diverse Locations: We explored a variety of settings, including sunrise boat rides on the Ganges, ancient temples, local wrestling schools, and bustling street scenes. * Expert Mentorship: Manoj is an excellent teacher. He helped me refine my composition and framing, encouraging me to experiment with his signature style while teaching me the "patience of the frame" to capture truly impactful moments. * Constructive Feedback: Our daily breakfast reviews at local cafes were invaluable. Reviewing and editing images in real-time meant I could apply the feedback immediately to my next session. The Local Experience What sets this workshop apart is Manoj himself. He is kind, funny, and incredibly well-respected in Varanasi. Because of his local connections, I saw a side of the city most tourists miss. We spent time chatting with locals and observing daily routines, giving me a much deeper perspective of the culture. Verdict: I finished the week not only with better technical skills but with a profound appreciation for Varanasi. Thank you, Manoj, for a wonderful experience!

I recently had a 13-day one-on-one photo tour with Manoj which started in Varanasi (5 days), and then continued to Agra (2 days), Jaipur (2 days) and finally Pushkar for the annual camel fair (4 days). It has been an incredible and very memorable experience. Manoj has a lot of experience as a photographer, he is dedicated to his work but most importantly passionate about it. He is friendly and easy going, yet very professional. When it comes to photography, Manoj has an excellent eye for subjects, light, and composition. He knows how to use light in various conditions - whether on Ganga river in Varanasi, in the streets of the cities or villages, or at monuments like the Taj Mahal. He guided me through portrait and street photography, helping me capture authentic moments. Throughout the workshop, I learned to better frame my pictures and focus on my subject. In the evening, we would typically look at the photos of the day and Manoj also guided me through editing, sharing many tips to achieve beautiful and professional pictures. He is always enthusiastic, patient and hard working, even after long days and very early starts in the morning. Beyond the technical aspects, what stands out about Manoj is his love for his country and specifically for his city, Varanasi. His photographs and the way he guided me reflect not only his skills but also a deep and sincere emotional connection to the people, streets, and life around him. Manoj's local knowledge is amazing. He knows the sadhus, the best spots and times for capturing authentic and meaningful moments, and how to navigate the various locations and their cultural nuances. This knowledge was key for our tour to flow smoothly and brought an immense added value to all the photo opportunities. Manoj also went the extra mile to make my trip effortless. From arranging train tickets or taxi drivers to helping with money exchange, he made sure that logistics did not become a burden. And this is not just nice to have, it's essential as it saved me from many potential setbacks, headaches and time losses. I only regret that these 13 days went too fast!

I found Manoj to be too close and in my personal space on a recent photoshoot . I think the boundaries of professionalism were broken several times and i had to speak to him on more than one occasion . Not great being a single traveller .

I had the pleasure of working with Manoj for 6 days in Varanasi, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. He knows the best locations for shootings. He helped me to capture exactly what I was looking for. He was incredibly accommodating, patiently handling all my requests…and there were many! Manoj also brought his expertise and ideas which added great value to my work. His great connections with Sadhus, Naga Sadhus, and Aghoris provided unparalleled access, making my time in Varanasi exceptional. Highly recommended!

Manoj is a great guide, drawing on his personal relationships with Sadhus, Aghoris and other local Varanasi people. Rather than photographing these interesting and photogenic individuals from a distance, Manoj will help you create amazing images of your time in Varanasi, and apparently other cities in India. Highly recommend Manoj for your time in Varanasi and India!