The leaves have fallen. The winter chill has set in. More time will be spent indoors than out. That's just how it is going to be. I don't expect to be traveling much for the next few months, so I have taken it upon myself to make some changes. Small changes and big changes.

This blog will look, feel and be different. I am hoping for a mid-December re-launch; consider it an early Christmas present to you and myself. I don't want to over promise you anything. But the changes will be happy ones for photographers working in South Asia and for writers, artists and musicians of South Asian origin.

If my silence here has been deafening (grin), I hope the new website will be a symphony to your ears and eyes.

Meanwhile, email me with your suggestions and links to cool people and projects that I should know about and blog, at tiffinbox (at) pipalproductions (dot) com. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

What Remains: The Life And Work Of Sally Mann documentary screening. The movie, “follows Mann as she embarks on a new project, exploring the subject of death and inevitable decay.”

Changing Ideas – “We assist charities and other individuals, including photographers and journalists, by providing effective, practical and pragmatic support to achieve lasting, effective and above all measurable change.”

I want a kite-mounted camera like Yvan's

Photojournalist James Nachtwey “is the winner of the 2007 TED Prize, awarding him $100,000 and one wish to change the world. This was his wish: “I'm working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age.”

He will be announcing his wish TODAY – October 3, 2008.

What's the TEDPrize?

“The TED Prize was created as a way of taking the inspiration, ideas and resources that are generated at TED and using them to make a difference. Although the winners receive a prize of $100,000 each, that's the least of what they get. The real prize is that they are granted a WISH. A wish to change the world.”

[Via APAD]

UPDATE: DUE TO A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY HERE IN CHENNAI, THIS WORKSHOP HAD TO BE CANCELED. I REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO YOU.

With a forthcoming trip to India, I figured I would rope in some friends to conduct a photography workshop in Chennai. I have “virtually” met so many people through this blog that I figured it was time to see some of them face-to-face.

Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan of Selective Amnesia and Mahesh Shantaram of The Contrarian readily accepted my idea and will now be leading the first Chennai Photo Workshop with me.

Mahesh Shantaram is a documentary photographer based in Bangalore. For his personal work and art, his interest lies in urban reality and vestiges of life in the city. For commercial work, he applies the aesthetics of documentary photography to weddings.

Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan is a writer and photographer (and goofball) from Chennai, India. Who, when not talking about himself in the third person, organizes a monthly Photowalk in his hometown.

Seshu Badrinath is a documentary wedding photographer and blogger based in the US. He spent 12 years in Chennai and called it “Madras” back then.

Who Should Attend:

20 of you photo-enthusiasts who want to advance your exploration and experiences of the visual world

Where:

Chennai, India. Venue: TBD

When:

October 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please be on time as a professional courtesy to other participants and to the workshop leaders. [Anyone who is late will have to recite the inverse square law of light to us ]

What:

Each of us will have a presentation and then open it up to a round of questions and answers. We believe that this will be a collaborative forum, where we are likely to learn some new things from you as well.

How Much:

Rs. 3,500, includes lunch and a tea-break (gotta have one of those, right?) and potentially some other goodies. Payment at the door and only in cash. Indicate your interest to Chandru, who will keep a running tally on who is coming and how many will be in attendance.

What To Bring: You may choose to bring a camera, if you wish. Also, select 20 of your best images and have them critiqued by Seshu. Most of all, bring an open mind.

Here is what Mahesh will be discussing with you:

Soul Searching / seeking new inspiration into personal photography –

Photography courses are dousing nascent talent with an overdose of technical crap and rigid rules. This is a crisis, as I see it. Where do we look for inspiration and encouragement? The answer may surprise you. This session is for anyone who has even a fleeting interest in photography. It will be driven by a selection of audio-visuals that will leave you with more questions than answers.

Soul Selling / the pulls and pressures of commercial photography –

I keep getting asked whether photography as a full-time career pays well. What are the creative ways to answer this? How much soul-selling happens as we go from hobbyist to professional? This session is for those who have aspirations of getting into photography as a career. I'll share my experience, bust some myths, and say it like it is.

Chandru will tackle street photography and give us an overview of The Chennai Photowalk. Expect tips, techniques and funny anecdotes about walking the streets of Madras with a camera.

Seshu will address editing your images for presentation and may delve into off-camera lighting if time permits. He will also be available for individual 1/2 hour portfolio reviews. So, bring your portfolios!

After expenses are taken into account, the remaining amount will be donated to Sankara Nethralaya, the premier eye institution in India. We all think it is appropriate that a workshop about vision and photography benefits a organization that does so much to eliminate blindness in India.

Please note that there are only 20 spots open so that the workshop leaders and the participants have a fair chance of soaking up all that we have to offer each other. The kicker is that this workshop involves three people, who have never met each other, presenting their slant on photography and speaking from their hearts.

It's gonna be good. Perhaps, even great. We hope you can join us for the day to celebrate photography.

Bloggers: We could use your help to spread the word about this photography workshop. Could you please: 1) blog about this workshop on your site, 2) comment below or set a trackback from your site and 3) Do 1 & 2. Thank you!