Words, thoughts and invite from Neale James, presenter/producer of The Friday Photowalk. Pictures from Jason Florio with further photographs from Shivam Pandey.

Having enjoyed a West African experience earlier in ‘24, next year in March ‘25, the show travels to India for a photographic adventure in Delhi and Jodhpur.

Discover Delhi, a photographer's paradise teeming with rich opportunities to make social and documentary pictures. Capture the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, where the chaotic symphony of street markets bursts with colour and energy and document the intricate details of Mughal-era monuments, standing as timeless sentinels of history amidst the city's modern pulse. Delhi's unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrance offers endless inspiration for both street photography and architectural shots. Railways are deeply woven into the social and cultural fabric of India and we’ll also visit the city’s bustling train stations and ride the cars to make stories of our own train adventure in a country celebrated for its railroad heritage.

Being reasonably close, we’ll be taking a day visit to document the Taj Mahal on the first leg of this tour; an iconic architectural marvel and symbol of enduring love.

For the second half of our adventure, we’ll take a short internal flight to Jodhpur, a city often referred to as the "Gateway to Thar" because it’s located on the edge of the Thar Desert in the state of Rajasthan. This desert setting adds to the city's unique charm, with its golden sands contrasting beautifully with the city's famous blue buildings. The desert environment also influences Jodhpur's culture, architecture, and lifestyle, making it a fascinating destination for travellers and photographers alike.

We visit the bustling Sardar Market and wander through the azure-hued streets of the old city, capturing the mesmerizing blue houses that give Jodhpur its nickname, the “Blue City”. We explore the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, with its stunning architecture and panoramic views, and visit the serene Jaswant Thada, a beautiful marble cenotaph offering tranquil photo opportunities and a moment of retreat.

We’ve timed our adventure to coincide with the Holi festival, where the riot of colours and joyous celebrations create potent documentary opportunities. This truly is an immersive experience that blends culture, history, and the art of photography.

The full itinerary is below, and we are now accepting interest from prospective explorers via the contact form below. As you consider this wonderful adventure, here are photographs from India, from two of our photographic guides, international photojournalist Jason Florio and India-based guide and photographer Shivam Pandey.

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL, 7TH MARCH 2025

DAY 2: YAMUNA GHAT, TRADITIONAL WRESTLING, TIBETAN COLONY AND MAJNU KA TILA MARKET

DAY 3: OLD DELHI LANES, SUNDAY CHOR BAZAR AND HUMAYUN’S TOMB UNTIL SUNSET

DAY 4: AGRA, MEHTAB BAGH AND TAJ MAHAL

DAY 5: CHANDNI CHOWK, JAMA MASJID AND AZADPUR VEGETABLE MARKET

DAY 6: TRAINS AND PLANES, delhi to jodhpur

It’s a travel day, and that includes our photography.

Railway travel is the lifeline of India, connecting remote regions with bustling cities and driving the nation’s economic and social fabric. Capturing the vibrant scenes of Delhi’s trains offers a glimpse into the pulse of the country. From the bustling platforms to the iconic routes, the trains symbolize India’s connectivity, economic strength, and cultural richness. They’re a testament to everyday life and an essential part of the nation's identity.

The pictures above were made by Jason Florio on an assignment to Mumbai.

In the afternoon/evening, we fly to Jodhpur for the second leg of our adventure.

DAY 7: JODHPUR, SARDAR MARKET AND BRAHMPURI COLONY THE “BLUE CITY”

DAY 8: THE OLD CITY, MEHRANGARH FORT AND HOLIKA DAHAN

DAY 9: THE HOLI FESTIVAL FULL DAY

Photographs of Holi by Bhupesh Pal

Our tour culminates with Holi, the festival of colours, one of the most vibrant and joyous celebrations in India. It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, as well as a time for love, laughter, and unity among people of all backgrounds.

The festivities begin the night before Holi with Holika Dahan. Bonfires are lit in communities across India to symbolize the burning of the demoness Holika, representing the victory of virtue over vice. People gather around these bonfires, sing and dance, and perform rituals to ward off evil spirits and welcome the arrival of spring.

On the day of Holi, the real fun begins with Rangwali Holi, the playing of colours. Streets and open spaces across India become a riot of colours as people of all ages come together to drench each other in coloured powders and water. Traditional songs, dance, and music add to the festive atmosphere, creating an electrifying mix of scenes to photograph, video and sound record!

DAY 10: JASWANT TADA, THE LANES, THE TRAINS AND EVENING DEBRIEF

Morning session: Jaswant Thada and nearby lanes.

We take a gentle grounding walk to photograph the elegant Jaswant Thada, a stunning marble cenotaph built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, with its serene gardens.

Evening session: Photo Review.

In the evening, we gather for a farewell Indian supper and a photo review session, during which our adventurers share the photographs that shaped their visit and experience.

DAY 11: TRAVEL BACK TO DELHI

YOUR EXPLORER GUIDES

NEALE JAMES

The presenter and architect behind The Photowalk Podcast, Neale started his professional career as a broadcaster in the Canary Islands based in Lanzarote at an English and German language radio station, returning to the UK to train and present within BBC regional radio, before joining the national network, Radio 1, to host a wide series of music shows and documentaries, including television. Upon leaving the BBC, Neale continued to present programmes in the commercial radio industry including co-directing a radio and television training school. In 2004, he switched his full-time occupation to become a social reportage and commercial photographer, initially studio-based in Berkshire, UK. In 2019, Neale returned to audio launching his podcasting interests, joining forces with Fujifilm ambassador Kevin Mullins to co-present The FujiCast, and in June 2020 launched Photography Daily/The Photowalk - a programme that celebrates the ‘why’ of photography.

JASON FLORIO

Award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker, Jason was based in New York for 18 years before relocating to Malta and The Gambia in 2013. He has produced images and documentaries for clients including The New York Times, National Geographic, Amnesty International and the World Bank. He focuses on under-reported stories about people living on the margins of society and human rights. His work has received a number of awards, including The Magnum Photography Award for his work on migration. Co-leading with his wife Helen Jones-Florio, Jason completed the first recorded circumnavigation of The Gambia by foot and then together again, the first recorded expedition of River Gambia from its source in Guinea-Conakry to the Atlantic Ocean, in The Gambia creating a document of the communities that live along the river. For his photography-based expedition projects, Jason was made a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society in the UK. He worked alongside Neale, leading the photo tour to West Africa.

SHIVAM PANDEY

Shivam Pandey is a passionate photographer based in Kolkata, one of India's most beautiful and vibrant cities. India, known for its rich tapestry of colours and cultures, inspires his work endlessly. As a dedicated photo-explorer, Shivam navigates from place to place, immersing himself in local cultures. Despite having no formal training in photography, Shivam has been fortunate to work with some exceptional professionals from India and the west, who have helped shape his skills and vision.

PRICE AND RESERVATION OF INTEREST

What’s included: hotels and accommodation, price of all entries to historic sites, tuition and mentoring, meals, transport within the ten days including internal flights, train travel, buses and taxi.

What’s not included: air travel to and from Delhi’s international airport, alcoholic beverages, personal and equipment insurance.

Price of the adventure: £4,900