{"id":2721,"date":"2014-04-01T16:50:48","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T15:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=2721"},"modified":"2025-10-19T11:54:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T10:54:43","slug":"chennai-grit-and-grain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=2721","title":{"rendered":"Chennai:  Grit and Grain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In Namibia, photography was all about long lenses, tripods, &#8220;the golden hour&#8221;, and finding the right guide. Since moving to Chennai, a large city in India, the lenses have gotten much shorter, shooting is sometimes instinctive; and sweeping landscapes have made way for the grit and grime of everyday human life, toil, and aging buildings. It&#8217;s been a perfect setting for testing out some of my older cameras, along with grainy black and white &#8211; sometimes expired &#8211; film. A recent photowalk near some of the city&#8217;s older buildings, and then through a neighborhood of car salvage entrepreneurs, drove this home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ignored a crudely hand-painted &#8220;keep out&#8221; sign to snap photos of this crumbling LIC (Life Insurance Company) building and within 30 seconds, were confronted by a man on a motorcycle who demanded to know why we were photographing a government building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"941\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037961165_96c304c1a7_b.jpg?resize=600%2C941&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9730\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037961165_96c304c1a7_b.jpg?resize=600%2C941&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037961165_96c304c1a7_b.jpg?resize=191%2C300&amp;ssl=1 191w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037961165_96c304c1a7_b.jpg?w=652&amp;ssl=1 652w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Something tells me the Bilal Hotel is not currently accepting reservations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"378\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038386814_ee08061883_b.jpg?resize=600%2C378&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9732\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038386814_ee08061883_b.jpg?resize=600%2C378&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038386814_ee08061883_b.jpg?resize=300%2C189&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038386814_ee08061883_b.jpg?resize=768%2C483&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038386814_ee08061883_b.jpg?w=1023&amp;ssl=1 1023w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This neighborhood drugstore has seen better days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037895235_788db4fc31_b.jpg?resize=600%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9729\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037895235_788db4fc31_b.jpg?resize=600%2C392&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037895235_788db4fc31_b.jpg?resize=300%2C196&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037895235_788db4fc31_b.jpg?resize=768%2C502&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037895235_788db4fc31_b.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"936\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038139255_98d0caa190_b.jpg?resize=600%2C936&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9731\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038139255_98d0caa190_b.jpg?resize=600%2C936&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038139255_98d0caa190_b.jpg?resize=192%2C300&amp;ssl=1 192w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13038139255_98d0caa190_b.jpg?w=656&amp;ssl=1 656w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037886094_d4b8ee6514_b.jpg?resize=600%2C912&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9728\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037886094_d4b8ee6514_b.jpg?resize=600%2C912&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037886094_d4b8ee6514_b.jpg?resize=197%2C300&amp;ssl=1 197w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13037886094_d4b8ee6514_b.jpg?w=674&amp;ssl=1 674w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These guys will repair your tires while you wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"387\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049716295_cfce1cbedf_b.jpg?resize=600%2C387&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9736\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049716295_cfce1cbedf_b.jpg?resize=600%2C387&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049716295_cfce1cbedf_b.jpg?resize=300%2C194&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049716295_cfce1cbedf_b.jpg?resize=768%2C496&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049716295_cfce1cbedf_b.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This fellow stopped and asked me for some money. My pockets were literally empty, and I told him so. So instead, he insisted I take his picture. Then he wanted to see, and I had to explain this was not possible on a film camera. He accepted this and offered a handshake and went on his way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"941\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049646025_9716cd2573_b.jpg?resize=600%2C941&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9735\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049646025_9716cd2573_b.jpg?resize=600%2C941&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049646025_9716cd2573_b.jpg?resize=191%2C300&amp;ssl=1 191w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049646025_9716cd2573_b.jpg?w=653&amp;ssl=1 653w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"974\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049543554_d01a217f3c_b.jpg?resize=600%2C974&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9734\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049543554_d01a217f3c_b.jpg?resize=600%2C974&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049543554_d01a217f3c_b.jpg?resize=185%2C300&amp;ssl=1 185w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049543554_d01a217f3c_b.jpg?w=631&amp;ssl=1 631w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I love this guy&#8217;s paint job!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049761034_3acf959d14_b.jpg?resize=600%2C384&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9737\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049761034_3acf959d14_b.jpg?resize=600%2C384&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049761034_3acf959d14_b.jpg?resize=300%2C192&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049761034_3acf959d14_b.jpg?resize=768%2C492&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049761034_3acf959d14_b.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"388\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049429204_ab70d871ca_b.jpg?resize=600%2C388&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9733\" style=\"width:670px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049429204_ab70d871ca_b.jpg?resize=600%2C388&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049429204_ab70d871ca_b.jpg?resize=300%2C194&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049429204_ab70d871ca_b.jpg?resize=768%2C497&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/flickr-migration\/13049429204_ab70d871ca_b.jpg?w=1023&amp;ssl=1 1023w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Namibia, photography was all about long lenses, tripods, &#8220;the golden hour&#8221;, and finding the right guide. Since moving to Chennai, a large city in India, the lenses have gotten much shorter, shooting is sometimes instinctive; and sweeping landscapes have made way for the grit and grime of everyday human life, toil, and aging buildings. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[942,1035],"tags":[943,836,1285,1286],"class_list":["post-2721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-life-in-india","category-photowalks","tag-chennai","tag-india","tag-junkyard","tag-miracle"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2721"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2721\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10120,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2721\/revisions\/10120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2721"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}