Photography Documentary and Street Photography

We ambled around artists' workshops, hidden streets, temples, villages, the ghat.

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.

via Tripadvisor

Excellent all the way :)

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 :).

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day photographing together in the streets and ghats of Varanasi. I’m very happy that you enjoyed the experience and the time we spent with the sadhus and local people. For me, it is always important not only to take photographs, but also to create a respectful connection with the people we meet along the way. I’m also glad you liked the behind-the-scenes video from our day together — it’s a small memory of our time shooting in this special city. Thank you again for your trust and for recommending the experience. I hope to photograph together again someday, either here in Varanasi or somewhere else in India. Warm regards, Manoj

via Viator

A great photographer and teacher

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.

Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your generous and thoughtful review. I am truly grateful that you chose to travel with me again, and I sincerely appreciate the trust you placed in me throughout this journey across multiple cities. It was an honour to spend those early mornings and long days photographing, learning, and creating together. I am deeply thankful for your support and recommendation. With sincere gratitude and warm regards, Manoj

via Tripadvisor

A Fantastic photographic expercience

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.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind and generous words. It was truly a pleasure to spend those days with you and the group in Varanasi. I’m very happy to know the experience was meaningful for you and that the time we shared connected you with both the place and the people. I truly appreciate your trust, your energy, and your approach to photography. I look forward to meeting you again and working together in India in the future. Warm regards, Manoj

via Tripadvisor

More Than a Workshop—A Deep Dive into the Soul of Varanasi

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!

Response from the operator: Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. I’m truly grateful for your openness, your energy, and your dedication throughout the workshop. It means a lot to know that the experience helped you grow both technically and personally, and that Varanasi revealed itself to you in a deeper way. It was a pleasure to walk the streets, share early mornings on the Ganges, and spend time reviewing images together. Your curiosity and patience made the experience very special for me as well. Thank you for your trust and for being fully present during the journey. I wish you all the very best in your photographic path, and I hope our paths cross again in Varanasi or elsewhere in India. Warm regards, Manoj

via Tripadvisor