Travel and Photography | A Glimpse of Bhaktapur

© 2014 Wazari Wazir | An Old Man Sitting On a Roadside in Bhaktapur

It is not difficult to spot an old man sitting on a roadside in Bhaktapur, plenty of them, there is a lot of temples and porches in Bhaktapur and there are the favourite place for this men to have a great time with their friends. Sometimes it is too perfect, it’s like you are inside a movie set up. Sometimes, there are a group of them, wearing a beautiful Nepali Topi or “Dhaka Topi”, actually The hat is made of a fabric called “Dhaka”.

Sometimes when a group of them sitting on a porches, it looks so beautiful, but then most of the time, I was a little bit nervous to ask them for a photograph, the thing is, if you have been to Bhaktapur, you will know why, there is a lot of tourist here in Bhaktapur, most of them carrying a big DSLR and I think some of these old men, can get tired of it, posing for a photograph for nothing, I do know they are not expecting money but maybe just a simple conversation, so when I’m in a hurry, I just look at them and just smile without taking any picture of them.

I simply love Bhaktapur and the life here, even though just like any other part of Nepal, power shortage is common, most of these people just get on with their life, still generous enough with a smile, eager to strike a conversation with you. I really can’t wait to get back to Bhaktapur again, and hopefully spending as much time as possible with them, especially with the old man, Bhaktapur is a living museum and these old man is a treasure.

I am a nutty traveler. I never hide myself during I am photographing or traveling. I interact with the community whom I go to visit. I give them time to understand me and I take time to understand them. In any place you will find children and dogs first to welcome you. They will follow you and you have to win their hearts.

If they accept you then the community will accept you. Documentary/travel/street whatever photography I am doing I always know I have to respect people and their thought. If someone refused me take picture I accept it with respect. I take photography when I feel the person is easy with me and in the time when I got an affirmative signal.

After taking picture I show them and heard their comment. Sometime I take print with me to show them, surprise them. Small interactions make you confident as a communicator and a photographer. It is important to be trustable when you are a photographer. A small thanks and a big smile can win many hearts.

– Gmb Akash –