American Diaries

American documentary photographer Matt Brandon, 50, says he8217;d had enough of typical images of foreigners being ferried around on rickshaws through Old Delhi. 8220;I wanted to get into the crowded streets of Old Delhi and shoot the area8217;s many architectural marvels, its people and culture,8221; says Brandon, pictured in the red T-shirt who has been holding photography workshops in Old Delhi for foreign travelers, called 8220;Lumen Dei8221; since 2007. Lumen Dei, which literally translates from Latin into 8220;Light of God8221;, is a two-week workshop that tries to, as Brandon puts it, 8220;follow in the footsteps of the Mughals as they traveled from Delhi to Agra, a major seat of Mughal power, finally culminating in Kashmir8221;. Brandon8217;s team of seven an Australian, two Canadians and four Americans, all history enthusiasts have concluded the Delhi leg. However, unlike last year, they will not be going to Kashmir this time to visit the Mughal Gardens, the pristine Dal Lake and other historic shrines. Instead, they will be off to Ladakh to interact with the locals and capture the rugged beauty there.

The workshops are conducted for a small group of people interested in photography and a cross-cultural experience. 8220;For years nobody focused on understanding Muslim history. Often I meet people who have visited the Taj Mahal and have no clue about who built the monument. Most foreigners consider the Taj to be a Hindu shrine,8221; he explains. Brandon is assisted by friend, David Du Chemin, 36, a Canadian photographer whose expertise lies in guiding aspiring photographers on how to achieve the perfect shot. 8220;I believe that you can tell a compelling story in a single frame. So we teach the students how to make a picture visually powerful. We also like to introduce people to experiences that we have shared,8221; says Chemin. Brandon also recently published a coffee table book about the Valley called Kashmir: The Mystery. The members of the workshop do not want to explore the city in its entirety for a simple reason, points out Chemin, 8220;We know Old Delhi and Nizamuddin Dargah fairly well. There is so much vitality in Chandi Chowk. We would rather have a deep experience in one place.8221;

For more details log on to lumen-dei.com