Pushkar : Getting perfect photos on your first trip. #BucketList2019

The world famous Pushkar Camel Fair which happens every year around the month of November (Nov 22-30 in the year 2020) is like a Mecca of photographers and content creators. People from all around the world visit this place for the purpose of photography and getting the feel of this amazingly rustic and mystical place on the edges of desert.

Well, I am a travel photographer and here are some of my tips to get stunning and visually-inspiring photographs in Pushkar, even if you're visiting for the first time even for one day.

Reaching Pushkar:

Always take the night bus/train to travel. It gives you a place to stay in night as well as you reach your destination and makes an otherwise no functional night productive.

Pushkar is well connected by roadways and the nearest railway station is Ajmer.

I took a bus straight from Varanasi to Jaipur for INR 900 and then a local bus from Jaipur to Pushkar for INR 160.

Stay in Pushkar:

There are numerous hotels and hostels which offer cheaper stays. Try to book your stay in advance for better options since hotels and hostels are usually sold out for the duration of Pushkar Camel Fair.

Eating Right & Light:

The local delicacies of Pushkar (Rajasthani dishes) are simply mouth watering and at the same time very easy on your pockets. You can get full meals for as low as INR 60.

Camera Gears:

Take whatever equipments that you have and keep an extra battery for your camera(s) as Pushkar won't tire you from offering frames. Carry at least two different lenses along with one that provides you wide angle perspective. Keep your smartphone camera so that you don't miss out on anything. Keep a power bank handy as well.

Camera Settings:

Keep your camera in aperture priority mode as shutter remains more or less constant throughout. The main game is of aperture. You need to crank down you aperture for those amazing light rays and golden glows (f/8 and above).

Morning Lights:

DO NOT MISS MORNING LIGHTS. PERIOD.

Without wasting any times, go straight to the camel area which is behind the main mela ground, where you will get all the amazing frames along with great golden lights.

The magic of Pushkar increases exponentially when you get to see it and feel it in morning hours, when the lights first hit the grounds Pushkar, illuminating everything to gold.

Frame in Frame:

Try to frame a person or a primary subject through a herd of camels or any peculiar frame that you can find. It increases the focus on the primary subject along that desert pushkar vibes with all the camels.

Using Silhouettes:

Silhouettes of camels and desert photos increases the authenticity of the image that it has been shot with all the struggle. Use silhouettes by shooting against the light by lowering down your aperture.

Using the crowd and background noise:

There will always be a lot of background noise in your frames in Pushkar. Be it another photographer or be it anything else. You can either frame that noise interestingly in your frame by making it a part of your photo,

or you can change your own perspective to avoid any noise by going down so that only sky can be there in the background of your frame.

Keep money handy:

People of Pushkar will ask for little money when you go to click their pictures. And it is totally apt for them to do so since this is the only time when they get an op to earn some extra bucks by giving you amazing photos. A win-win situation.

If you want to avoid paying, click different shots and don't go for portraits (like I do). Click side profiles of people and click distant subjects in a unique way.

Sunsets:

If you want some differently good sunset shots, just type 'Pushkar Desert Hills' in Google Map and reach the location where the sun sets beautifully into the desert. It is a relatively small piece of sand area but it has a lot of potential for amazing photo if you have an eye and patience.

Have patience:

Now when you have got all the go-to informations, all you need is patience. Act calmly with locals and do not move frequently. Spend some time at one location and you will definitely find amazing pictures.

Pushkar offers hell lot of opportunities for a travel photographers. All you have got to do is to be there at perfect places on perfect times. Please ping me on Instagram for any further queries and help.

Thanks

Santshree Sinha

(Alphayaatri)