As a travel photographer, every year brings a wealth of images, memories, and fleeting moments captured through my lens. But every now and then, a single shot stands out, one that encapsulates the vibrancy, culture, and sheer joy of the moment. For me, 2024’s standout image was taken right back in January, on the serene Temple Beach in Mahabalipuram, in Tamil Nadu, India. My stay in Mahabalipuram was one of the highlights of my last India trip, and I captured lots of nice images there.
Colourful Travel Photography, A burst of red in India
The Story Behind the Shot
Tamil Nadu has a lot of colourful festivals in which the attendees are dressed in vibrant red religious clothing. One of these festivals turns Temple beach into a sea of red with thousands of pilgrims visiting the coastline on the southeastern coast of India. Temple Beach, next to the famous Mahabalipuram Shore Temple was alive with activity during my visit offering plentiful photographic opportunities. Local women were busy washing and drying their vibrant red fabrics on the rocks under the midday sun, their movements rhythmic and purposeful. Among them was the beautiful woman in my image, her laughter echoing softly as she worked. What caught my eye was the striking red of the fabric, billowing in the breeze like a crimson wave. Her happiness was infectious, and I knew I had to capture it. I cropped the image substantially to highlight the joyful women amongst the red fabric.
Why This Image Stands Out
This shot is a celebration of everything I love about candid street and travel photography. The low perspective draws you into the scene, almost as if you’re standing there on the sand. The vibrant red fabric dominates the composition, contrasting beautifully with the clear blue sky. And then there’s her expression, a natural, unfiltered moment of joy that speaks volumes.
As a photographer, it’s these spontaneous, unscripted moments that fuel my passion. It’s about being in the right place at the right time, with your camera ready to immortalize something fleeting yet timeless.
The Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF50mm f/1.4 USM
Settings: ƒ/5.0, 50.0 mm, 1/3200, ISO 100
I was on Temple beach with just my 5D4 and the trusty 50mm lens, this set up allows me to remain discreet and move around freely capturing images. The settings allowed me to achieve sharpness while isolating the subject against the backdrop. The fast shutter speed froze the movement of the fabric, ensuring every fold and ripple was perfectly captured.
How You Can Support My Work
If you’d like to own a piece of my journey, many of my photographs are available as prints. Additionally, you can license my images via Getty for your projects or campaigns. You can view my travel and art images available through Getty on their website here. Interested in collaborating on a photography project or commissioning custom work? Feel free to reach out—I’m always open to new ideas and adventures.
Website: www.geraintrowland.co.uk
Getty Portfolio: Geraint Rowland Photography on Getty
Keywords
India, travel photography, candid portraits, Mahabalipuram, Temple Beach, vibrant colours, cultural photography, Canon photography, natural light, Geraint Rowland Photography, red, Indian fashion, Tamil Nadu culture, the colour red