A few months ago, I read a helpful column on travel photography that advised, “Ask yourself what story you are trying to tell.” In other words, play photojournalist, not tourist.
I thought of that as I took in “Sacred Waters”, a vibrant new photo exhibit of people celebrating, worshiping and otherwise interacting with water, now on at National Geographic headquarters in downtown DC. Photographer John Stanmeyer, whose work is also featured in this month’s Nat Geo print edition, tells the story of how cultures identify with water, showing us a river baptism in Kentucky, ritual bathing in the Ganges, and Lunar New Year celebrations in Laos, complete with super-soakers.
The photos really hit home. Not only did Stanmeyer snap water scenes in several countries I’ve traveled to–Haiti, Turkey and Indonesia–he reminded me that water makes for great narrative because it touches on everything from religious rituals to daily chores.
This water-themed photo I shot last fall shows two men washing before prayers at Istanbul’s New Mosque. It calls up a vivid memory: Observing noontime prayer at the mosque, which has an open courtyard filled with pigeons, was one of the highlights of my trip.
I’m no Stanmeyer, but at least he’s given me a benchmark to shoot for.
Sacred Waters runs through July 25, 2010.
