Holi Festival – Jaipur, India

It’s always a challenge in photography to try and put the viewer into the midst of a scene with just a single image. Although I shot numerous portraits at Holi, I also experimented a little with movement to try and show the excitement, disorientation, speed and color of the festival.

Holi Festival – Jaipur, India

When you’re out on the streets, Holi is celebrated like a fast paced, contact sport. Bikes swoop in, unleashing a flurry of hands and powder. It’s all fun as long as you don’t mind dozens of extremely excited  Indian men smearing you face and hair with paint.

Holi Festival – Jaipur, India

If you’re a woman, you’re probably going to get far more attention that you want, and the mob of hands will invariably stray from your head and shoulders. Depending on your outlook, this can be anything from annoying to a nightmare. The hotels recommended tourists to not walk around on the streets while the celebrations took place.

Holi Festival – Jaipur, India

I was particularly amused by this car full of bright pink bearded men. I hope the driver wanted a new more colorful interior.

Holi Festival – Jaipur, India