Sweating under a blanket and talking to myself

Thankfully this time it’s not due to illness. Well sort of. I feel a bit ill doing it. Narration that is. This is my first go at it, as I spent the better part of the last week working to produce a multimedia piece for Time Magazine. I’m actually doing it more as practice and a placer as the editor plans to remove my voice and narrate the story, which I am more than content with. I’ve battled this for a while, and I knew it would come eventually.
Narration for me has always been something television does, not a photojournalist. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking any one way of doing anything, I just have always felt for me, it doesn’t work. I’m no Ira Glass.

I’ve learnt a few things from the first go.

1) It forces me be a better photojournalist- Writing a script, collecting information, and knowing the story inside and out.

2) I suck at it. I counted down 5,4,3,2,1 about fifty times. I tried to time it while watching the video with no volume, and then swore. Repeat that 50 times over, and you get my experience.

3) Lastly, when renting a flat, seek out a room with a carpet. It may save the whole blanket look.

Aside from that, life in India has been grand. I’ve been shooting the odd still assignment, producing several multimedia pieces, planning a couple trips, and dealing with visa issues(not so grand while doing this one). Thankfully I’ve been able to extend my Indian visa, and start to call Delhi home.