Black and White Film Days — Baroda / Vadodara and Jaipur

Some black and white images shot on film, and precious memories, from my formative days of photography.

In the second year at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda / Vadodara (Gujarat, India), in 1992, we were requested to get SLR cameras for upcoming photography classes. Along with the camera, a Russian Zenit 220 with 58mm lens, the lovely book John Hedgecoe’s Complete Photography Course was also purchased, and the two became my introductions to the subject. I thoroughly enjoyed indulging in photography in the following three years of college, and gained from the guidance provided by the very kind Professor Khatri in the Photography department. Inspiration to shoot was also fuelled by hours spent in the Faculty library browsing through the wonderful collection of classic photography books.

Black and white film was the preferred medium: to learn the basics, for its visual power, and of course, to follow the footsteps of legendary photographers like André Kertesz, Ansel Adams, Brassi and Edward Weston, to name a few. To skillfully capture a good moment, with proper composition and exposure, and then arrive at a satisfactory print continued to be a struggle for many years. Photography became a passion and almost all the pocket money given by my grandfather went into films and printing. Many prints were developed in the Faculty darkroom under guidance of the ever energetic Ramu Kaka. Some images were also printed at Sangam Studio.

Going out to shoot around Baroda or my hometown of Jaipur (Rajasthan), with ORWO black and white film in the camera, became my favourite pastime. A few presentable images that resulted from all that enthusiasm and struggle — taken between 1993 and 1997 — are showcased below. For me, they are also precious memories.

A path leading to the old Arts faculty building, with trees and shrubs on both sides — Quiet M.S. University campus, Baroda, one evening

A man walking below a huge, leafy Banyan tree — A Banyan or *Vad* tree from which the city of Vadodara gets its name, at M.S. University Campus

Tight shot of trees submerged in and their reflection on water — Flooded garden at M.S. University Campus, Vadodara

Silhouettes of a thick and several slender back-lit trees, and their shadows on the grass below — Silhouettes on a misty morning at *Kamati Baug*, Baroda

Vertical, artistic, black and white composition of several criss-crossing trees — Trees at *Kamati Baug*, Baroda

Lone squirrel on the ground, amongst empty park benches — Squirrel enjoying a peaceful afternoon at *Kamati Baug*, Vadodara

Two large clouds floating in the sky, above a fortress on a hilltop — Clouds over *Moti Doongri* fortress, Jaipur

Two adjacent palm trees and their reflection in the water below; hills in the background — Palm trees at *Maan Sagar* / *Jal Mahal* lake, Jaipur

Street photo showing people and an elephant heading towards Amer and Jaigarh forts in the background — *Amer* town, Jaipur, on a lovely morning in 1994

Ramparts on barren hills and below them a lake with some trees around — *Sagar* lake, a landscape, at *Amer*, Jaipur

Scanty vegetation and country road in the foreground, 3 camel carts and trees in hazy background — Barren country landscape with camel carts, at *Jagatpura*, Jaipur

Silhouettes of several trees and a bicycle parked below them — Photographer’s bicycle amidst Acacia trees at *Jagatpura*, on the outskirts of Jaipur

Tight composition of trees on a dry grassland — Beautiful textures of an Acacia scrub forest, at *Jhalana*, Jaipur

Some newly planted trees and between them: three people in the distance on scrubland — Exploring the countryside near *Dausa*, Rajasthan

Geometric stairs connecting different levels of a step well, half in shade and about half in light — *Chand Baori* – a magnificent step well in light and shade, at *Abhaneri*, Rajasthan

Silhouettes and reflections of a bund, several Acacia trees, and the setting sun amidst them — Reflections of trees and the setting sun at *Keoladeo Ghana* National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan

A sleepy kitten in a cane basket — Kitten at home

Posted in Categories: Black and White Photography and Equipment / Medium

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