Saraswati Maruti Baba

Near the main ghat along the Ganges River in Varanasi, India.

 

When taking street portraits, I generally like to ask the names of my subjects, and in the best cases, if circumstances permit, to email them their photo or to even deliver a printed copy. In India, it was a different matter. Especially in Varanasi, due to the foreign nature of the setting and the language barrier, I mostly forgot that I had learned years before how to say "What is your name?" in Hindi. With this gentleman, however, who I saw for a second time the day after this photo was taken, I did manage to ask him his name.

 

In spite of his serious demeanor in this photo, he was actually quick to smile and laugh as a group of us were speaking. I think for this more formal photo, where he his presenting the teaching mudra, or gesture, he is wanting to display his genuine commitment to his spiritual path.

 

Technical Info:

Canon FD 50mm f1.4

f1.4

1/160/sec.

ISO 640

Manual focus

 

Thanks everyone for your views, kind comments and faves! I really appreciate them! Be well and happy shooting!

 

Best viewed large!

 

Done