Though cultures differ, the humanity across the world is still bound by a common thread of kindness, helpfulness, love, and various such qualities.
Though natural and manmade beauties such as bodies of water, forests, mountains, institutes of learning, architectures change across different geographical boundaries, similarities can still be found in their abstract forms.
The world is like a large collage connected through the threads binding the humanity, the natural and the manmade schemes in their different manifestations.
Having witnessed these amazing stories across the world, I feel a strong urge to share the experience with a larger audience. A photo-book depicting a collage of these stories with different progressive themes feels like the right step. While the stories progress, I crave for similarities and contrasts between them.
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I am a Computer Scientist with an artistic passion. I have had the privilege to have my education across three continents (BE- India, MS- USA, PhD - Netherlands). Being a researcher, I get to travel across the world for various professional activities. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed different cultures during these travels. Being a scientist, I am a keen observer of the world around me, and always try to reason my observations. Photography allows me to capture my observations through the precise moments.
Photography credentials - Being an avid painter (all India level gold medalist) during school days, I have a great eye for photo composition. I am a self taught photographer. I have contributed my photographs to exhibition in Istanbul, front covers of a UK based book publisher, coffee table book editorials in India, Getty image invitations for stock photography, friend's wedding albums in Netherlands and India, my scientific institute's magazine and library archives in Amsterdam.
What do you get?
My ultimate aim is to share my experiences of witnessing the beauty across various cultures, through my photographic journeys, in the form of a beautiful photo-book. Each book is printed individually from the individual contributor's contribution, so the funding goal is just to make sure that the book reaches as many people as possible.
The book conveys a strong socio-economic message comparing different cultures, to create public awareness. I have been actively involved in related work in the past, and want my photos to narrate these stories. 1% of the amount raised after all the expenditure deductions will be donated to this campaign on Indiegogo to improve the Indian farmer's crisis.
1 farmer commits suicide in India every 30 minutes. 250,000+ farmer suicides in 15 years.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-indian-farmers-yes-you-can/x/11621885#/
The photo-book is an ideal gift for socio-economic-thinkers, cultural explorers, travel lovers, and architecture lovers, as the festive season approaches. It could be also used as a coffee-table book. Some of the photo-stories could be very intriguing and will definitely leave you pondering, and question the way societies across the world function, especially from socio-economic perspective. So essentially, you get some food for thought. The stories might also inspire you to visit these new places, or might bring back those fond memories, if been there already.
Costs - Book publishing through crowdfunding is a tremendous collaborative effort from the conception of the idea until it reaches its audience in its final form. After meticulous planning I have managed to keep various costs involved such as DTP, proof-reading, printing, marketing, distributing, shipping, the Indiegogo platform fees and credit / debit card fees, to their minimum.
However, I can not do the publication process without your valuable contributions. By pledging your support, you are going to become a part of this unique experience, to create such a unique document covering diverse locations with their cultural and natural world juxtapositions.
In return for your help you get to choose from the photo-book, the e-book, and other form of rewards (perks) as listed on the right section of this web-page.
Expect the best- While the snapshots from the book's first draft copy are showcased below, an almost final proof copy of the book is getting ready. The book incorporates feedback from artists, designers, writers, and researchers. It has gone through multiple design revisions, and proof-reads. The sample images showcased below (and in the Gallery tab) offer a glimpse into the quality of the photographs. So expect the best. Be ready to be intrigued.
My sincere thanks that you are reading this. Please pledge your support, contribute, share and let the word spread amongst your friends on the social media, so that the campaign turns out to be a huge success. Be a part of this success.
The rest of the section provides more details about the photo-book and its contents.
Photo-book specifications
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The book has a soft cover with matte finish. It contains 146 pages in 8.5 x 11 inches (almost A4) calendar style landscape format, with 1 photo per page, printed on 60-pound smooth white offset paper. Each photo has a descriptive caption that gives a unique perspective of the story being told in a concise manner.
Some preview snapshots from the book's draft copy under revision are here.
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In the final book copy the captions will appear below the images, have a different font, size, color, alignment, and are more descriptive.
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The photo-book theme
The photo-book exhibits the juxtaposed collection of photos from my travels across selected places from the four continents (Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America). The images below offer a glimpse into the offering, as the theme progresses.
Humanity in its various forms across different cultures as could be witnessed with daily activities of people doing business, prayers, policing, protesting, entertaining, having fun.
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The power of people- The awareness march at Marine Drive in Mumbai, India after 26/11 terrorist attacks that killed 164 people. India has been witnessing many civic movements targeting corruption, violence against women, in recent years, lead by its strong civil society organizations.
Photographic instrument
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All photos are framed using a Canon Rebel XSI DSLR (2009 model) with 3 sets of lenses (18-55, 55-250, 50).
How can you contribute?
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I thank you for your generous encouragement and support.
If you are new to crowdfunding concept please read this paragraph. In order to support my cause, you contribute an amount worth the perk displayed on the right side of this web-page. As an acknowledgement of your contribution, you will get this perk (reward) in return. So for example, if you want photo-book as the reward, you contribute $30, and follow the instructions for payment using your credit / debit card. You can use your credit / debit card in any currency, and it will automatically charge the equivalent amount in $. In case of any problems, please contact me at mrunal.gawade@gmail.com
Depending on the amount you want to contribute you can choose a corresponding perk. I have arranged multiple forms of photographic perks (Select a Perk) in different price ranges as an acknowledgement of your contribution.
- The star perk is of course the photo-book itself ($30). The photo-book will be delivered to your address worldwide (shipping fees are included). The standard shipping time for US addresses is 5 days, and outside US addresses is 1 month, and might vary a bit. If you live in Europe, and want an expedited delivery in 3 days (after the book is printed), you pay an extra $20 for the shipping.
Other ways you can help
The most critical risk is not reaching out to enough contributors to be able to get fully funded. I would appeal to all of you, to be a part of this campaign and spread the word, to make it a grand success.
A lot of people have helped to make this campaign come alive. My sincere thanks to all of them. We are a team. We are looking for even more possible team members like you to join us to progress faster :) So please come aboard, and be a part of this unique experience. Join us on this exciting adventure and the thrill it offers as it unfolds in coming days.
The photojournalism impact
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"An image is worth a thousand words". A well timed photo has the stirring ability to create an everlasting impact on its viewers and galvanize the people.
I believe in the power of the photojournalism, and would like my photographs to question the socio-economic issues facing humanity. Your motivation, support, and contribution will go a long way in progressing me towards a mature photographer, to create better stories.
Being a researcher, I am highly interested in the use of technology for betterment of humanity and would like my photographs to act as a catalyst in driving that transformation.
My professional lineage at Linkedin is
