PORTFOLIO
UWE DÜRIGEN
Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in India,
is situated in the north of the country at
the bank of the River Ganges in Uttar
Pradesh. It is home to over a million and
is known as the holiest city in Hinduism.
Spiritual seekers have been attracted to
Varanasi for more than 2500 years:
bathing in the Ganges is said to purify
from sin, and those who die there will
find salvation by being cremated and
having their ashes cast into the river.
In December 2005, Uwe Dürigen
travelled to India to document religious
life in Varanasi. With a mindfulness
and sensitivity for unexpected details
and insights, the photographer from
Ettlingen, Germany, was able to produce
a series of mystical exposures. A
transcendental light gently caresses his
well composed photographs, taking us
deep into the ritualistic lifestyle of
Varanasi.
Predominantly active in Asia, 38-year-
old photographer Dürigen focuses on
social, cultural and political issues. His
intention is to deliver authentic insight:
“I use my camera to accompany a
situation, not to stage one. I also feel that
reportage photography is not an exact
reflection of reality. The photographer
is already interpreting a situation with
the mere choice of perspective and lens.”
The German photojournalist produced
his reportage on Varanasi using Leica’s
Digital-Modul-R. LFI sat with him as he
talked about his experiences.
FAY
Holy cow amid the traffic. Elmarit-R 19 mm
f/2.8, f/16, 1/15 sec, ISO 100
21045_E_1621_Duerigen.QXD 14.06.2006 18:42 Uhr Seite 19