Camera Labs

I was very lucky at New Year's Eve to win a trip to Mumbai some time this year.

Even more lucky as it was a Westin hotel, so it will include flights and accommodation in a nice 5* hotel!

My question is - has anyone visited Mumbai and if so do they have any tips on photogenic areas and places of interest? I'll be travelling in March just before the Cricket World Cup final, which is sure to make the city even more chaotic than its normal self!

Congratulations Phil, i'm jealous. How long are you there?

It was about 15 years ago since I was there, only 3 days though & absolutely loved it.
You'll either feel the same, or hate it. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.
It's a real cosmopolitan place & there are LOTS of expensive shops & restaurants etc there..... but also extreme poverty (more obvious at night)

`The Gateway to India` is I suppose, a must & The Taj hotel in the area around Collaba causeway.

We also went on a short boat trip over to Elephant Island, which was a release from the hustle & bustle for half a day (The QE2 was visiting at the time & docked) you might get a few good pics if there are any liners in at the time. Be careful photographing anything `millitary` though.

The biggest problem in Bombay (apart from the heat, humidity, smell & pollution) is getting around in the traffic, but I enjoyed the visit to the Dhobi wallahs & the SCALE of the outside laundry

I remember reading about the Hanging Gardens too, which looked great, but sadly we didn't have time to visit.

Cafe Mondegar & Leopolds, amongst others, are/were legendary places at night for travellers & the richer young Indians.

LOTS of old buildings in the centre of the city worth photographing + the markets, traffic, people....etc etc, you won't be short of subjects for sure.

There is also the MASSIVE slum area not far from the airport which would be a fantastic photo opportunity, depending on hiring taxi driver/guide .... + plenty of 20 ruppee tips for the locals

I thought the beaches were a little dirty, but usually popular with locals esoecially w/ends, should be able to get some good sunset shots though.

There was a new poster on here a couple of months ago from Bombay; http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtop ... sc&start=0 not sure if he still posts, but it he could be useful for info via pm?

Don't forget to post on your return please, i'd love to see your take on the place.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Just googled `Westin Hotel`, oooh very nice. If it's the same one (off the Western Exp Hwy) so a few miles from where I stayed BUT you're within easy walking distance of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, so I know where i'd be heading.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

It’s been a while since I travelled in that part of the world, but one place that sticks in my mind, and where I spend about a month in was GOA (just south of Mumbai).
A world class resort destination with countless miles of beautiful beaches.
Google it.
http://www.goaholidayhomes.tv/

You're right there WestCoast, beautiful place. I spent nearly 4months chillaxing around Candolim & Callangute.

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

“I spent nearly 4months chillaxing around Candolim & Callangute”

When were your there?. I travelled through there before GOA was discovered as a tourist destination and the westerners converged there for the beaches and beer.

Oh not until 1993 the 1st time, i'm probably not as old as you mate. It became an easy option once we chilled out, we'd actually planned on travelling around for up to 6mths, but we got lazy & ended up with only a few weeks left to travel.
Still enjoyed it though & would love the chance again tbh.

I really wish i'd seen the place before it became so commercialised & Anjuna market was still the old hippies hangout.
We have friends out there now (they go every year for several months) & there are new builds going up year on year. tbh I don't think i'd like it the same as I did even 15yrs ago.

Next time, health permitting, it'll be further south I reckon.

_________________

Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

“i'm probably not as old as you mate”

I’m not that old, but I did spend over a year going from England to Sri Lanka and back when I was 18.
I could easily spend another year discovering India and not seeing 1% of it.

Haha, I was gonna start calling you OLDWestCoast.

I love India & would love to be able to spend 50% of my life travelling around it. Sri Lanka is also somewhere i'd love to see.

Anyroad, back O/T, where's Phil?

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Thanks for the tips - I've been on mother-in-law duty! Only 3 days of a 2 1/2 week stay to go

I'll be used to the extremes, having lived in Dubai for a while now!

Compose and take photos quickly. The people on the streets are insanely alert. Any delay and you will get stares in your photos of street photography.

There's a large population from the Indian subcontinent here so I'm very used to the staring! It's constant, especially at my wife who is fair skinned with freckles - it can be quite uncomfortable at first but you get used to it.

It's the men walking along holding hands that get's me though!

Are you just going there to watch the final......if so than all the best as i have heard that it is all together a different experience when you sit among the asia or moreover indian crowd........
There are many places to visit gateway of india, elephanta caves, haji ali and many more...
All the best

Be ready with your gear when you visit Mumbai. It is relatively hot in the place and very humid. You must also be watchful with your stuff as you would never know what could happen to them. My friends and I did a planned a day of photowalk in the area and it was a unique experience. There were a lot of kids in one alley we passed by. Be ready for them to sort of "mug" you as they would all race for their pictures to be taken.

Plan your travel as the traffic in the city is really heavy. Bring a close proximity lens. Mine was an 18-55 and i think that was apt for what we shot.

(Bump)
Phil, did you manage to get to Bombay?
Was really looking forward to seeing some of your images & hearing your views. (apologies if i've missed a thread on it)

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Nikon D700 & D7100 bodies + Nikkor 300mm F2.8 VR11, 1.7TC, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/