Dr. Don Smith's Faces of India featured at Victoria Park Gallery through September

Dr. Don Smith has taken thousands of photos in exotic locations, but one of his favourites was in 2013, when he travelled to Rajasthan in India and photographed people, particularly during the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.

Of the hundreds that he took, he has pared it down to the best 14, the "Faces of India," which are exhibited in the guest gallery at the Victoria Park Gallery in downtown Kincardine, from now until the end of September.

The former Kincardine physician lives and works in Toronto but maintains a cottage in Kincardine. He travelled with a group to India two years ago and the exhibit is taken from that photographic tour that included Rajasthan which is known for its amazing colours and the exotic clothing of the people who live there.

The highlight was the Pushkar Camel Fair which draws people from all over the surrounding countryside every year to auction off camels (40,000), cattle (5,000) and horses (10,000).

"I had always wanted to go to this event, as it seemed so exotic to me," said Smith. "As well, Pushkar is an important religious centre of pilgrimage. We also visited Sam (in the desert), Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jalpur."

He said the people are spectacular-looking and that was what he enjoyed most - photographing the people.

"I wandered the streets of the cities and the grounds of the camel fair," he said. "It was a relaxed experience and almost everyone I asked to photograph, was agreeable. Many people also approached me to ask me to take their pictures. There were even those who asked if they could take my picture! It was a meaningful way to interact and a great ice-breaker.

"I have always been impressed that even the poor in India take great pride in presenting their best face to the world. I feel I have been able to capture something authentic of each person's character in these photographs."

Smith said that with each photo, he engaged with the person first and then took the picture. 'It was a really interesting relationship. The Holy Men asked me to sit and have tea with them."

He noted that a non-descript teenager asked if Smith would take his picture, but standing beside him was his extraordinary grandfather. "His bearing, his clothing and his obvious self-care are striking. Many people make the pilgrimage to the Holy Lake at Pushkar." The grandfather is the subject of Photo No. 1 in the exhibit.

Smith's favourite photo is No. 2 which is Naga Baba (Face 1). These extraordinary Holy Men are called Naga Babas (Nag means naked and Babas are a common term for Holy Men). They practise celibacy and appear naked in public only at religious ceremonies. "This particular group I came across in Pushkar, invited me into their temple. They are worshippers of Shiva. They cover their bodies in ash and have heavily-matted hair. They make quite an impressive sight."

He said there were poor children in the street asking him to take their photo. No. 13 is called Child Begging and captures the haunted look of a little boy, selling cheap bracelets at the look-out over Jaisalmer town. "There was such a sadness to him, and while he was near us, three or four well-dressed children were making fun of him. His feet were crevassed and had a deep fungal infection. The man next to me was from France and he turned to me and said, 'This is breaking my heart.' Through this photo, I hope the child can have a voice."

No. 9 is Holy Man, Pushkar. "I think it's priceless that this very dignified Holy Man is sitting by a wall which has 'No Photographs' written just above his head," said Smith. "I think this is a general caution for the area, and he was quite content with me taking this picture. I love the colour combinations here."

All the photos are available for sale.

Smith was a physician in Kincardine for 17 years and continues his practice in Toronto, four days per week. From London originally, he has spent his summers in Kincardine since he was six years old.

An avid traveller, he is taking a tour group to visit the historical sites and out-of-the-way places in Greece for 22 days at the end of September.

Victoria Park Gallery is located in the Kincardine Arts Centre in downtown Kincardine, Its hours are Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Noon to 3 p.m. For more information, check the website at www.vpgallerykincardine.com