This is what I saw...

Back to reality...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Well, all of the India openings have come and gone, the book and DVD are amazing souvenirs that I am loving to share with everyone I can, and I have finally reached the theoretic place that I have been talking about for over a year where life settles down..."when India is done." I'm not sure that place actually exists, but it was a nice thought. In fact, I feel like my life is more hectic than ever now! I just spent five days in Irvine where I was part of Sports Shooter Academy VI, a very cool workshop that I had hoped would help me add some cool sports pics to my portfolio. I learned a lot but don't feel I have much to show for it yet...mostly I gained inspiration and ideas for the future. Now I am scrambling to catch up in my flash class and finish my new website which will be posted VERY soon, and get final projects done for my math and marketing classes. Meanwhile, here are a couple of my favorite shots from SSA VI, including a shot of Newport Beach from the last night when lacrosse was canceled and we decided to shoot surfing instead. Check back soon!

I love my camera.

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:31:00 +0000

It has been quite a while since I have taken out my camera and just taken pictures for fun, without any pressure or deadlines. I spent last weekend in Southern California and visited Joshua Tree National Park and the Living Desert while I was there. The wind was pretty crazy but the scenery was breathtaking. Here's a little bit of what I saw...

I've never been much of a nature photographer but I am finding myself intrigued and challenged by it lately. In between exploring and snapping I found some time to write this article about my time in India...

http://www.sportsshooter.com/news_story.html?id=2188

Unfortunately, the weekend ended with a LONG drive home to San Luis Obispo and the next day it was back to my hectic school schedule of four classes (usually I only have two) and final preparations for the SVARA openings that start next week. Check out the schedule AND the trailer here...

http://documentary.brooks.edu/india/

Hope to see you in Santa Barbara or Ventura next week!!!

The book is done...SVARA is coming soon!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:09:00 +0000

I am back. The book is off to the publisher and hopefully I will now have time to pick up my camera and take some pictures again. Here are the lovely promotional materials for our upcoming openings/exhibits...please attend one or all of them if you can...you won't be disappointed!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:44:00 +0000

I have received many messages about updating my blog lately and I apologize for being out of touch for so long! Returning to California right before Christmas, compounded with my seven weeks away, made for a very hectic holiday season to say the least. Besides the regular Christmas festivities, I spent a week in Big Bear with some friends and family. I have to say that the most shocking part of returning home was the temperature difference and hanging out in the snow did nothing to alleviate that. Two weeks ago school started up again and we are under extremely tight deadlines to finish our various products. So...I should get back to work on that book. Photography and updates to resume after those deadlines pass...

P.S. For the first time in about 10 years I did not send out Christmas cards - ahhh! This picture of Kelby, Kyler and I was going to be on the card but I honestly don't know if or when it will materialize. Hope this will work for now.

Goodbye, India. I will miss you.

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:45:00 +0000

I am sitting in the Hong Kong airport on this day that will last 37.5 hours, contemplating what India meant to my life. Everything about India is a paradox: messy is beautiful, chaos is organized, yes is actually no, the pace is intense yet relaxed, and the simple things are often complex. So it is only fitting that after leaving that fascinating place, I am feeling positive and negative emotions all at once - I am so excited to go home, yet so sad to leave India behind. I know I have truly changed throughout this experience and I loved being reminded (over and over, every day) that if I just go with the flow, things will work out the way they are supposed to. Here are a few previously unreleased pictures that remind me of things I saw a lot in the last seven weeks...

persistent street vendors, willing to be paid in rupees, or even watches...

thousands of travelers getting on and off the trains...

all kinds of items available to buy and sell at the market...

women in saris, patiently waiting for buses...

the tranquility of a train station, in between trains...

amazing, dark eyes and curious, friendly faces...

awesome shadows and ever-changing light...

the constant beauty of water on the most mundane surfaces...

the importance and abundance and yumminess of chai...

fabulous houseboats roaming the backwaters of Kerala...

mass amounts of everything, including ducks...

and smart, happy, curious children.

Kanyakumari and other adventures...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Wow - I didn't realize how long it has been since I've updated my blog! I have been extremely busy and am quickly approaching the end of this fabulous journey. As I mentioned before, my entire class met up in Kanyakumari and spent a few days there getting caught up. I enjoyed the company, but didn't care as much for the location. I saw more Western-ers during my short time there than I have seen the rest of my time in India. Because of the tourist-y nature of the town, the locals constantly try to sell you things and want to take you to all the hot-spots. Besides that I think I just missed Kerala. Nevertheless, I still snapped a few photos...

This is the view from our hotel lobby - I am loving the views of colorful laundry hanging out to dry everywhere in this country.

We had a grand plan to take a group portrait on the roof of our hotel. We scheduled a time, then Paul and I went up to scope the scene out and figure out where to put the camera and the people. The view was awesome with the town and the ocean in the background (kinda similar to the top photo, just higher point of view.) Unfortunately, in the 5 mimutes that it took us to go downstairs and tell everyone we were ready - it started to pour! Some people were planning to leave that day so we decided it would be appropriate to put everyone out in the rain. It's hard to see in the picture, but we are getting soaked...

When it wasn't raining in Kanyakumari, there was some incredible light peeking through the clouds.

Once I returned to Trivandrum, I knew that time would start flying by. I also started getting sentimental because I love this town and the people I've met here. I am also strangely attached to this main road I walk up and down almost every day and wanted a picture of it from a rooftop. So... I climbed to the top of Hotel Safari (where my good friend Rajeev works) and took this shot. I know it might not look very exciting, but I'm attached to this place so I like it a lot.

Sometimes when it rains here (which has been nearly every day) I just try to find interesting ways to show it.

Paul and Ellen have been hanging out with me in Trivandrum for the last week or so. We went back to the market and what do you know - I took more pictures of hands!

We also were lucky enough to get a little tour of Raj and Susan's property on Lake Vellayani. What an amazing view!

Ellen had metioned that she might want to go on a quick tour of the backwaters so I mentioned it to my friend Babu, who owns Tourindia (and the houseboat I went on before,) and he made it happen the next day! We went on the same route I had been on before, but did it in one day instead of two by skipping most of the stops. It was so exciting to revisit - and with the same amazing crew!!! The best part was that I got to stop by and see the family I stayed with and deliver some pictures to them as well. They were so incredibly happy and I can't even describe how great it made me feel to see them smile when they saw the photos of themselves.

In addition, I had been talking about their "pet" eagle all day and when we got to the house, the eagle was right there waiting to say hello! I walked right up and I swear it recognized me. This picture is full-frame wtih my 5D and a 35mm lens - which means I was like a foot away.

During this boat ride I also saw the most incredible sunset that I had seen so far in India...

Back in the city, I've been working on a picture story about Dr. Rani who is a medical doctor at an all girls school of 5,700 students. She is a very special lady...

The story on Dr. Rani led me to this yoga center which I've gotten up at 5 a.m. to shoot at a couple of times. The light at sunrise on this rooftop is incredible!

I wish I had found this place earlier so I could have signed up for a month of yoga classes!

I especially loved listening to the instructor - his voice was both powerful and calming at the same time.

After more than 4 weeks in Trivandrum, I finally tried the Indian Coffee House with Paul and Ellen. The building is a very cool spiral shape and has these lovely windows all the way around.

Last, but not least - who is that white guy in a munda (moon-duh)??? Yes, he is a new man!!!

Far, far away from Mumbai...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:07:00 +0000

It is certainly ironic that our entire crew of 21 people were together for the first time in over 3 weeks on the day of the attacks. Luckily, we were safe and have now begun dispersing by train, bus, plane or taxi to continue our separate projects before reuniting in Chennai around December 13th. I only have a few minutes to recap some of my recent adventures...

This is the house I got to live in for a couple of days right on the backwaters, the entire house is made of brick and coconut palm leaves!

This is my new buddy, Ashish, the twelve year old boy who I lived with and learned from.

This elephant was being bathed by a bunch of men, but generously helped them out with the spots they couldn't reach.

This eagle is one of the family "pets" at the home I stayed in. Seriously, it would eat from their hand and I could even get two feet away from it with my camera - you'll have to wait for the book to see those shots. :)

Riding the bus is always an interesting experience here. On the way back to civilization all the women were standing in the middle and I thought it was a cool view...

I absolutely loved the colorful rainbow that this train was! Only in India can things be so dirty and beautiful at the same time.

I made a quick trip to the twins village on a motorcycle - this is my self-portrait.

Although I didn't get as many photo opportunities with the twins as I had hoped, I got a couple beautiful shots - these girls were my favorite!!! Next up - my recap of Kanyakumari...

Quick Check In

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:33:00 +0000

Just wanted everyone to know I am safe and sound in Kanyakumari - the very southern tip of India where three oceans meet! I am with my entire class and our instructor for our "midterm" and to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Anyways, I know some people are worried with the stuff going on in Mumbai, but I promise everything is fine... I will have time for a more thorough update later!

Roughing it

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:07:00 +0000

Hello to all my faithful blog followers! Tonight I find myself thoroughly exhausted in a tiny (and I mean tiny!) cubicle with an extremely filthy computer, trying to make up for four days without a computer or internet access. Unfortunately, I still have no way to share new photos, but I will give you a mini update and add pictures later. I went to two more theater performances last week, after returning from the houseboat trip and both were intense and amazing! On Saturday, in the pouring rain, I took a train, then a bus, then two autos (rickshaws - but the locals just call them autos so now I do, too) and then trekked by foot through the mud, to the home of the ladies who helped me make the coir in the backwaters. There I stayed for two days and nights, in their home with no bathroom or even running water, and had the pleasure of observing and participating in their simple lifestyle. Various family members from three generations moved in and out of the home (and the homes around them) during my short stay. It rained most of the time and their electricity was often not working, but complete harmony that existed even while eight people crowded onto the porch for five hours with nothing but the light of a kerosene lamp, was quite enlightening. The kids don't have toys, they just truly enjoy each other's company. Amazing! When I left them, I headed north to find the "village of twins" before I have to be at the southern tip of India for our class mid-term and Thanksgiving rendezvous. I found some of the twins today and enjoyed a beautiful scenic trip on a motorcycle along the way. I am looking forward to returning to my "home base" in Trivandrum tomorrow and seeing my classmates tomorrow night! It has been quite an adventure but I am very tired! the lights just turned off so I'm outta here!

Behind the scenes: Kerala Backwaters

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:31:00 +0000

So today I feel more like myself. I woke up ready to shoot, but plans changed as they often do in India, and I ran some errands and have been staring at this computer, editing 1500 pictures from the last five days. On Sunday morning, I left on a train with my friends, Raj & Susan, to jump on a houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala. The trip was AMAZING! The whole point was for me to see all of the elements and industries available for story topics in the backwaters, and decide what I wanted to focus on so we could eventually find a family I could live with for a couple of days while I shoot my story. The possibilities were endless and I was quickly overwhelmed. But meanwhile I took a ton of interesting pictures and learned so much about life in Kerala and the resourcefulness of the communities that live in this beautiful region. I even got to make coir, which is rope from cocunut husk fibers. I also had a personal photographer documenting my journey. (Thanks Susan!) By Tuesday I was exhausted and coming down with a cold, but full of ideas and inspiration. Here is a behind the scenes look at my trip... (I will post some of the pictures I took later.)

Oh - I forgot to mention that we ate amazing food on the trip as well! Every meal consisted of several different flavors of all colors and consistencies - and every single one was delicious!

Who knew I would ever love tea with milk and sugar?!?!

This is where I got to make the coir. Of course I had the help of these lovely ladies.

...and then I got to keep my rope as a souvenir!

This deck was a typical spot to relax and a great vantage point for shooting.

And last, but not least, a picture of me tucked in a luggage rack on the train ride back to Trivandrum. Yes, Susan and I really rode up there so we didn't have to be squashed standing amongst a bunch of random Indian men! It was a fun spot where I was able to take some cool pictures which I will share later...

When it rains, it pours...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Ugh, I have had a rough day. I feel like my posts thus far have been extremely unemotional, just commenting on the obvious and not my innermost feelings about being halfway around the world from my home and the people I love the most. Today all of that bottled up energy has been pouring out of my eyes, streaming down my face, and landing on my bed, my "fabindia" shirt or the book I've been reading. The catalyst for this explosion was a combination of a cold I've been fighting off and the realization that I flew to India for nearly seven weeks without fully preparing those who depend on me for my extended absence. Deep down I trust that things will work out and everyone, including me, will learn lessons about making mistakes and going with the flow, but that doesn't stop me from feeling guilty about some of the decisions I've made that have led to recent crossroads in my life. Deciding to pursue a new career as a photojournalist has been an adventure that has evoked incredible joy, but also led to personal struggles by demanding redistribution of precious time and energy. This trip to India has been inspirational and life-changing, for me and hopefully some of the people in my life as well. I hope that the courage to follow my passion and follow through despite the difficulties is something that my children will admire and learn from as they begin searching for their place in this world. At thirty-two I certainly have not found mine yet, but have begun to figure out where to look for it. Weird that when I wrote the title for this post I was referring to my tears, but in the last few minutes the rain suddenly began pounding down on the roof above me. I cherish those little signs that show up unexpectedly and give me the confidence to follow my heart and speak my mind. I feel better already. Now maybe I can plow through the 20 GB of pictures I've taken in the last few days and put some in my next post...

Make-up & Mayhem

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:16:00 +0000

Yesterday I went to the Margi Theater and was able to observe the solo performer preparing her make-up and then watch the show. It was fascinating to watch her get ready by the light of a single bulb and a small hand-held mirror. Then her performance was amazing: all to the sounds of four drums and two sets of cymbals, with no words and no other actors. I am hoping to attend a similar group performance next week when I return from the backwaters (which I leave on a train for at 6 in the morning - yay!)

Today I didn't do much - just walked around the Chalai market hoping to find some good moments. Unfortunately, It was so incredibly hot while I was there that I couldn't sit still. This may sound weird - but I've noticed that it is actually cooler to be walking and sweating than to be standing still in the humidity! Anyways, on my way there I saw this kitty stepping out into the light...

I realized I don't have any pictures of me in India! This was a goofy attempt to change that...

The next few images are just snapshots of the market chaos. Sometimes its hard to watch for good moments when you are trying to avoid running into another person, a car, a motorcycle, an ox, or tripping over something on the ground...

And finally, just some pretty pictures, including the sunset tonight in Trivandrum as seen from an alleyway near my guest house.

Thanks for looking - check back soon...

Random Moments & Ramblings

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:55:00 +0000

For the last few days, I have been doing a lot of research. Some of this research has been in the form of spending time with locals and absorbing their knowledge, some has been wandering around and just watching. I have been meeting fascinating people, tasting different foods and asking lots of questions about the way of life here. Along the way I have snapped some pictures, too. Here are a randomly selected mix of them. Most of these pictures just remind me of something neat that I have seen or felt here...

This is from an all girls school with 5,700 students, the largest in India. These girls are so beautiful and friendly!

One night, Liza and I got on a bus instead of walking or taking an "auto" - partially to save money, partially just for the fun of it. I loved the colors and light bouncing around inside!

I never drink 7up back home, but here they basically just have 7up, Pepsi and Fanta orange soda. They serve them in these used glass bottles...

One morning at the market with Raj and Susan, we visited the basket shop of a childhood friend of Raj, and we were invited to enjoy some tea and snacks. These sizzling, spicy cashews were so incredibly delicious!

On our way back outside I liked the way the light was peaking in.

Something about this picture mesmerizes me.

This market was like a department store: organized into sections like food, clothing, hardware and electronics.

And this is the beautiful Kurinji, Raj and Susan's cat.

This is totally random, I know, but I like that.

The green fruit piled up on the right kinda looks like artichokes, but are actually custard apples. They are hard to describe but the insides make a yummy dessert.

Rarely do you see these little rick-shaws lined up in such an organized manner.

On my way to my room yesterday, I came across a man knealing in the street lighting a candle. I stopped and watched him while he worked.

A Lazy Day & Lasagna

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:24:00 +0000

So I finally had a very lazy day. I felt like I should do something productive but I just wanted to lay around and read a book. After a while I got myself up and went to the zoo. I know this picture is out of focus but I just thought it was humorous that I had to buy a ticket for my camera to get into the zoo and it cost more than mine! Of course in US money they both added up to less than $1.00. I'm pretty sure this is Rafiki from the Lion King - he happily posed for me, but where is his stick?

Since I have been here I am fascinated by the people who sweep the streets and sidewalks with branches. I heard these ladies giggling as I took their picture.

I just liked the reflection here - this is right before it started to rain again.

What a cutie - he couldn't stop staring at me even though everyone around him was so excited to see the giraffe!

I think this giraffe is a supermodel in the animal world. He (or she) strutted across the enclosure and back, stopping a couple times to pose for me in the middle. It was weird and he reminds me of a seahorse in this shot!

After I made my way back to my room, I got dried off, finished my book and went out to dinner with Liza at a wonderful "western-style" restaurant where I ate some meaty lasagna. It was sooooo good... On our way there, the light on the water in this alley caught my eye so I had to capture it.

Pictures...finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:22:00 +0000

I finally found an internet connection fast enough to let me uplaod pictures! I added some to a couple of the posts below from the school I went to and the train ride. These are some pictures I took yesterday in Kerala. I thought this little truck was adorable filled with fruits and vegetables when I came out of my hotel room in the morning...

Above is one of the alleys that leads to the guest house / hotel where I am staying. Below is kind of a self-portrait of me outside my room - I love the lock on my door!

This is an amazing view of the backwaters of Kerala down in Kovalam. These waterways are what attracted me to Kerala in the first place and where I will be spending a lot of time in the next couple of weeks. I will probably be lucky enough to stay with a family that actually lives on the water and document their way of life with pictures - yay!

And this is just some women walking down the main drag in Trivandrum. The sun is so harsh here that many women walk around with umbrellas during the day.

India is Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:20:00 +0000

I am having a blast in Kerala! Since I got here yesterday morning, my friend Liza has introduced me to so many amazing people who are also great resources for my stories. Both Liza and her friends have also provided me with invaluable tips about being a solo woman traveler in India and I feel lucky that my phone is quickly filling up with numbers I can call when I need help or advice. The rest of my time here is already booked with exciting adventures that include more monkeys, schools on the shore of a lake, living with a family in the backwaters, houseboats, crab fishermen and more twins! 6+ weeks sounded like a lot before, but I think it will fly by. Still can't upload my pictures, but tomorrow I will be trying out a different internet connection so cross your fingers for me...

16 Hours on a Train

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:39:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon I hopped on a train around 4pm and arrived at my destination of Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, around 8am this morning. The train station in Chennai was extremely crowded and smelly but the chaos was exciting. I was thrilled to be venturing out on my own, away from the security of my group members, and to explore another section of India. My friend, Muthu, had helped me purchase the appropriate seat on the train so that my sleeping bunk was the most desirable (up high) where I could easily protect my belongings while I slept. Unfortunately, that same seat meant I was not right next to a window but I could see out well enough and the two hours of daylight at the beginning of the trip were beautiful! On a shorter train ride I will probably opt for a window seat instead, so that I can take better pictures but I enjoyed this ride anyway and spent most of the time reading or sleeping... Once again I will update with some pictures when I get a better connection - hopefully tomorrow.

Education in India

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:01:00 +0000

Yesterday was amazing! I spent several hours at an incredible school in Chennai that includes orphans, special needs children, low income, and everyone else from the age of 3 to 17! It is a very special place where the children receive dental and medical care on site and the doctors are volunteering their time. I LOVED it and can't wait to spend more time there when I return from Chennai. I am having trouble uploading pictures but I wanted to provide updates for those of you who are wondering what I'm doing. Internet here has been a real pain but as soon as I find a good connection I will add the pictures that go with the posts...

More India...

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:34:00 +0000

Here are a few more shots from my first few days... Tomorrow I leave the big city of Chennai on a 14 hour train ride to Kerala. I will be spending the next three weeks there and I hear it is beautiful...

Welcome to India!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:01:00 +0000

These are a few images from my first days in India. Unfortunately, I can't share my best ones because they will hopefully be published in our book when we return so you will have to wait to see those.

Yesterday I saw monkeys and it made me happy! :)

I loved this little girl - she was very persistent and very smart. I wanted to take her home with me but instead I bought one of her necklaces...

13 Hours in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 12:51:00 +0000

So we had a pit stop in Hong Kong, on our way to India... Here is our group (minus one traveling from Italy) by the Bruce Lee statue on the Avenue of the Stars.We had a tour guide who took us to some markets, a park, and other very tourist-y spots. These are my favorite shots...

The Happiest Place

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:03:00 +0000

So my sister and I promised to take our kids to Disneyland before I left for India and we did it - two days before I took off. Everyone had a blast, but Layna wins for the most photogenic and least camera shy on this trip. Two days wasn't quite enough to cover all of Disneyland and California Adventure Park so I can't wait to go back with my new annual pass...

Silly Little Men

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Check out Kyler and Kelby, dressed as midget carnival workers for the Morans' Circus-themed Halloween party last Saturday. It is rare that they will pose for me together anymore...

Hello, World!

noreply@blogger.com (Sybill Jecker) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:01:00 +0000

I finally did it - started my very own blog! I figure that since I leave for India in less than 3 weeks (yikes!) I better find a way to show everyone what I'm seeing and doing... And in the meantime I'll post a couple things I've been working on recently, like these from the World Festival of Sacred Music, Honoring the Sea closing ceremony in Santa Monica...