Vadodara: My Lens, Lenses, and a Lot of Chaos
just got back from vadodara and my camera's still humming with leftover dust and street-side spices. honestly? this city doesn't take itself seriously, which is either brilliant or terrifying. one of those. my gear list was basically my sanity kit: *nikon d850, a dusty 35mm prime that's seen more action than i have, and a makeshift lens hood made from a chai cup lid. worked surprisingly well for avoiding sunset point pigeon droppings.
"someone told me that the secret to the best street food near makarpura palace is to follow the stray dogs. they know where the real chaat is, apparently."
i just checked and it's...that sticky 25°C where your camera strap feels like it's trying to fuse with your collarbone. humidity's low but the air's thick with exhaust and hope. if you get tired of dodging auto-rickshaws, ahmedabad and surat are basically next-door nightmares. like, a quick bus ride away where you can pretend you're on a budget film set.
"heard a drunk guy at sayaji baug whisper that the botanical garden's oldest tree has a ghost that only appears to photographers. i spent three nights there. saw zero ghosts but met a very confused security guard who thought my tripod was a rocket launcher."
trouble finding shots? wander into alkapuri at dawn. that's where the city's still half-asleep and you can catch grandmothers feeding pigeons like they're running some underground avian commune. also, this hostel near waghodia road? forget the reviews. the owner's a retired magician who keeps rabbits in the lobby. true story.
found the golden bridge at night. turns out it's not actually golden, but the way the streetlights hit the concrete makes it look like it's melting. which is probably why a local warned me it's where poets go to have existential crises. took some long exposures. my tripod almost blew into the river. the photos? still processing.
"a rickshaw driver swore that if you photograph the champaner-pavagadh ruins during monsoon, the stones whisper your name back. haven't tested it. monsoon season here's basically a water park that's open one week a year."
"someone on a local forum said the best photo op in vadodara is during the garba festival when everyone's moving like they're connected by invisible threads. also said you'll get trampled if you try to shoot from the middle."
pro tip: avoid shooting near makarpura gate at noon. the light's brutal and the heat will liquefy your camera's soul. unless you're into photos that look like they were taken through a fever dream. then, go wild. also, this cafe near sursagar lake* serves chai so strong it'll develop your film in your stomach. not kidding. my stomach acids are currently processing a roll of kodak portra. hope it turns out.