‘1-30/30: Reflections of 6 Years in India
As I prepare to leave India, my home for the past 6 years, I am looking to reflect on the key experiences through 30 images. These are being posted on my Instagram page.
This is one of the images, along with my thoughts from how the image triggers memories and emotions.
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6/30 – ‘Monsoon Girl’
When I reflect on my 6 years in India, I am drawn to various catalysts that triggered taking up the opportunity in 2011.
This image is of such a ‘moment’ that has remained in my memory. The shutter was pressed at a moment in June 2007, when I was in India for a month as a consultant. It was also the same year I was studying for my MA Photojournalism/Documentary/Travel Photography.
The single image is part of series made as the young girl in the image danced and skipped through the monsoon rains. On her own. Big smile on her face. Stopping for a few minutes to shower under the water outflow. Then just briefly, stopping. Striking this pose, obviously in a few seconds of deep thought, before the smile returned and she skipped and jumped in puddles.
You, as a viewer of this particular image, will create your own narrative of what it creates through your own visual literacy.
Fo me it was a young girl, with obvious challenges that come with being part of the marginalised communities, and amplified through being female, living and enjoying the moment for herself. With a brief moment of thought. Then back to ‘well! This is my world. I’ll make the best of it, and smile!’
That is the spirit I have encountered in many situations whilst in India. Recognising this moment was a key part of me accepting, this opportunity, doing my best to face my own challenges, and being a part of this 6 year section of my life journey, ‘Monsoon Girl’ only shows a 125/1 second moment. What she represents is impossible to put in to words.
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www.flickr.com/photos/twodragons
www.facebook.com/RobThomasPhotography
Twitter : @robthomasphoto
Instagram : @RobThomasPhotography
www.robthomasphotography.zenfolio.com
This ‘1-30/30’ series of images attempt to give a sense of the triggers on my emotional experiences whilst I have lived in India. Each image posted over my remaining 30 days here looks to convey some of the many wonderous moments that I will carry with me on the next phase of my journey on the river that is life.
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“Take Nothing but Pictures & Memories.
Leave Nothing but Footprints.
Kill Nothing but Time”
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Rob Thomas Photography 
Love the photo, expresses so much.