Greetings. I've read old threads (c. 2005 and later) about experiences and cautionary notes on shooting video in India. I'm keen to read about more recent experiences and guidance from others because I'm considering a trip (my first) to India in July. A few points about it:

I'm American, and I plan to obtain a tourist visa well in advance.
The shoot would occur over a week while I travel with a charity to document charitable activities at very remote locations, e.g., village, orphanage, etc., though I'll stay in decent hotels within driving distance. For all intents and purposes, I am part of the charity.
No tourism stops, like the Taj, etc. I know that the govt can get persnickety about those locations.
I'm a one man hand with kit that includes an FS700, lenses, audio bag, a few mics including wireless lav, usual bits and bobs in any camera bag, video tripod. I have a soft case for the tripod, but I'd prefer to check it in a hard case. I'll have numerous rechargeable batteries.
Lodging is at hotels; I'm aware of potential brown-outs and need for electrical plug converters.
It's hot, it might be rainy, I'll drink only bottled water, I'll be armed against mosquitoes.
My traveling companions are native Indians, perhaps my built-in "fixers" if I need such. I know of some peculiarities, like not shaking/offering with the left hand. I love Indian cuisine - not an issue.
I attract mild attention with gear in the States. I fully expect to generate a ton of it with the locals.


Mainly I'm curious to know how easily I'll get through Indian customs and airports if I (honestly) play the role of a tourist there specifically and solely for charitable purposes.

Should I be thinking of additional considerations for getting into and around the country?

Thanks!

Steven,

I understand your concerns. I do not know if anyone can answer your questions.

In my experience many unpleasant things have happened on the road and everyone of them was surprising and unpredictable by me. They never happen when I think I may be at risk.

I have been escorted at gunpoint by two soldiers armed with machine guns through the airport in (of all the hostile country's you can think of) Geneva, Switzerland! Really? Yes!

For some reason I have incredibly bad luck going into another hostile country. Every time I go there customs takes me into one of those special little rooms you never want to end up in, for further questioning and searching. That country would be our next door neighbor Canada!

And by far the most hostile country I have ever tried to enter is the USA! Yes I am an american citizen based out of Phoenix, AZ, USA. On a trip back from France I was detained and searched for over two hours in Cleveland, Ohio. Because I declared on my customs form I bought a bottle of Absinthe at the duty free store at the Paris airport. My two work mates did the exact same and walked right through their lines. It is random depending on the person you get. My agent repeatedly threatened to arrest me for violating the exact same law as a cocaine smuggler. BS!

By and far my international travels have been amazing experiences. I loved them all and wish there was much more. My point for you is to plan the best you can and expect the unexpected.

By the way, no one with a FS700 or any PortaBrace bag has ever passed themself off as a tourist successfully!!!

Kind Regards,

Steve

Good heavens, Steven, I appreciate you taking the time to reply with tales of woe and horror; I was merely asking for experiences of shooters who have actually traveled to India on the presumption that they could, in fact, answer with anecdotal information. I don't in the least regard that country as hostile. Hopefully my OP didn't give the impression that I took complete leave of caution and common sense.

I'm dismayed to read of your travel experiences here and abroad. I'm also quite sure that I'll never travel with you. ;)

Stripped down completely, the FS700 looks like a demure and rather boxy affair. I was hoping that it's low profile in this configuration wouldn't flag much attention.

Your OP was fine. My reply...every word true...however, it is intended to be tongue in cheek. Just to be clear I am a very proud American. My limited travels abroad are what has helped me understand why much of the world hates us ;-) This is DVinfo net, enough said, I hear Chris's footsteps coming down the hall!

In all seriousness, one of the real things I have learned from my travels is to hope you never end up in a small room. All small rooms mean something bad has happened ie; your luggage got lost, your passport showed an electronic hit, a manager wants to talk in private because his staff screwed up and no one has a place to put you for the night, and worst of all...authorities take you to small rooms for questioning! Small rooms on the road are bad!

Kind Regards,

Steve

That's a long trip!

You probably already know this but just in case, CBP Form 4457 is a good one to have before leaving. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/368/~/registering-equipment%2C-computer%2C-camera%2C-laptops%2C-etc.-prior-to-traveling
There may be an office available at the Phoenix airport. At Seatac the office is located way inside the airport and is a real hassle to get to,

Speaking of US CBP office/clearance encounters, ... for years SeaTac had this really long "S" serpentine line to go through and on an international flight it took forever to get through moving a few steps at a time. Last year they finally found a way to streamline it.

On long flights, get up and walk the aisles to avoid blood clots in the leg. I know one couple who takes some kind of blood thinning medication and I know one other person who had a blood clot right after their 8-hour flight from Seattle to Europe.

I have travelled through India seven times sofar. The last time last november.
I always carry a larger handheld with an external mic on it. I only was restricted to use it on a few renowned tourist sites, nowhere else.
Also take care not to eat in less used restaurants as they might use bad water to wash salads aso. July is the wet season, so carry a raincoat for your camera.

In all seriousness, one of the real things I have learned from my travels is to hope you never end up in a small room. All small rooms mean something bad has happened ie; your luggage got lost, your passport showed an electronic hit, a manager wants to talk in private because his staff screwed up and no one has a place to put you for the night, and worst of all...authorities take you to small rooms for questioning! Small rooms on the road are bad!

Yikes. All heard and understood, Steve. Really, thanks for the cautionary note.

You probably already know this but just in case, CBP Form 4457 is a good one to have before leaving. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/368/~/registering-equipment%2C-computer%2C-camera%2C-laptops%2C-etc.-prior-to-traveling

No, I didn't know about that form. I would intend to document equipment and serial numbers of gear before I traveled, if only to assist in an insurance claim should I need to rely upon one.

I have travelled through India seven times sofar. The last time last november.
I always carry a larger handheld with an external mic on it. I only was restricted to use it on a few renowned tourist sites, nowhere else.
Also take care not to eat in less used restaurants as they might use bad water to wash salads aso. July is the wet season, so carry a raincoat for your camera.

Jo, should I assume that the expected restrictions at major tourist sites constitute the 'worst' of your video experiences in India?

Regarding CBP Form 4457, you don't need to have your gear inspected on your way to your flight to complete this form.

Have it inspected any convenient time, at any customs office, when your gear list is complete. They'll only record the items with serial numbers. All it does is to help establish that this gear was in the US to start with, and that you're not importing it when you re-enter the US.

Jo, should I assume that the expected restrictions at major tourist sites constitute the 'worst' of your video experiences in India?
Because it did not happen often, it came to me as a surprise. But after I experienced such event once or twice, I found myself a solution.
Solution 1): carry a smaller camera as alternative, that saves in a format equal to the one of the big brother.
Solution 2): buy myself a Canon XA20, that has a carrying handle you can dismount, so it looks even smaller.

Hi, Steven.....................

Probably the most useful piece of information you have left out is where, exactly, in India you are going. It's not like going to NY, San Fran or Miami, it's barely smaller than the entire US of A. Think "Anchorage, Alaska or Miami, Fla at any time of year" and you get the idea.

With that information supplied I can probably give some more detailed pointers, however, I will say this up front:-

DO NOT at any time even hint to any Indian official that you are affiliated to, working for or have even looked sideways at any "charity" of any sort.

Stick to "tourist" no matter what happens. They have a special hell for overseas charities and Americans involved with same especially (who, incidentally, are NOT their favorite people to start with). More on this subject when I know where, exactly, you are destined.

Regards,


CS

Hi, Steven.....................

Probably the most useful piece of information you have left out is where, exactly, in India you are going. It's not like going to NY, San Fran or Miami, it's barely smaller than the entire US of A. Think "Anchorage, Alaska or Miami, Fla at any time of year" and you get the idea.

With that information supplied I can probably give some more detailed pointers, however, I will say this up front:-

DO NOT at any time even hint to any Indian official that you are affiliated to, working for or have even looked sideways at any "charity" of any sort.

Stick to "tourist" no matter what happens. They have a special hell for overseas charities and Americans involved with same especially (who, incidentally, are NOT their favorite people to start with). More on this subject when I know where, exactly, you are destined.

Regards,


CS

Chris, thanks immensely for these words. I would start in Hyderabad, then work west (EDIT: East) through rural points to end in Visakhapatnam in the state of Andhra Pradesh. In July, if you'll observe from my OP.

The irony in your warning is that the charity, though US-based, is Indian, in fact, and it has Indian arms. Nonetheless, I take your warning to heart. I'm just an American tourist with some nice kit. (They don't much like Americans? I think that might apply to countries that are not America.) Anyway, could you please explain why India takes such a dim view of foreign charity?

Steve

Steven,

No one has ever passed them self off as a tourist with a FS700 or ANY PortaBrace bag ;-)

I mean that whole hardheartedly. And I own a lot of PortaBrace bags. I was taught 25 years ago that one of the differences between an amateur and a professional is that amateurs proudly display their gear, professionals hide it. I have no doubt that advice has served me well. For example, PortaBrace blue is recognized the world over. Not just by video pros, by every baggage handler, check-in agent, cab driver, and doorman I have ever met. Many have commented on my "video gear" before I ever say a word. And a lot of bad guys know it too. I can say that because of the guys I know who had their Chevy Suburban windows smashed out to get the gear.

So what do I do to protect it? I have a bunch of cheap duffel bags I zip over camera bags, gear bags, or cases if they are easily recognizable when I do not want them recognized. They are just cosmetic camouflage, the case inside is doing the protecting. But when I check it or travel it is not screaming I am a VIDEO PRO. I also have a lot of cases, backpacks, and bags. I rip off brand name labels and trademarks. If it has VIDEOPRO emblazoned on it I won't buy it. That is to make amateurs feel good until they get mugged :-)

Kind Regards,

Steve

Steven,

No one has ever passed them self off as a tourist with a FS700 or ANY PortaBrace bag ;-)

I mean that whole hardheartedly. And I own a lot of PortaBrace bags. I was taught 25 years ago that one of the differences between an amateur and a professional is that amateurs proudly display their gear, professionals hide it. I have no doubt that advice has served me well. For example, PortaBrace blue is recognized the world over. Not just by video pros, by every baggage handler, check-in agent, cab driver, and doorman I have ever met. Many have commented on my "video gear" before I ever say a word. And a lot of bad guys know it too. I can say that because of the guys I know who had their Chevy Suburban windows smashed out to get the gear.

So what do I do to protect it? I have a bunch of cheap duffel bags I zip over camera bags, gear bags, or cases if they are easily recognizable when I do not want them recognized. They are just cosmetic camouflage, the case inside is doing the protecting. But when I check it or travel it is not screaming I am a VIDEO PRO. I also have a lot of cases, backpacks, and bags. I rip off brand name labels and trademarks. If it has VIDEOPRO emblazoned on it I won't buy it. That is to make amateurs feel good until they get mugged :-)

Kind Regards,

Steve

Heard and understood, Steve. I love the idea of duffle bags. My gear/camera bag is blocky black and red from Digital Juice; it pretty much looks like a carry-on, but I have no problem taking the precaution of wrapping it in a duffle bag. Would something like blue with the Nike logo in neon yellow work? Just kidding...

Other gear, like my sound bag, I intend to wrap carefully in clothes inside my checked baggage. I'd disassemble my tripod if I could and pack it the same, but, alas, it will have to go in a checked hard case.

Ah, foreign - especially American, "charities" in India (or anywhere else, as it happens).

Time was, back in the day, before the so called "heathens" actually took control of their own countries (think China, India and most of Africa) the West in general, the US of A in particular, took great solace in dispatching so called "missionaries" (in the main, bible thumping born again whack jobs) to lead the unwashed into the light and turn them to Christianity.

A bit of a bummer if your a Buddhist, Moslem or Hindu etc, etc etc, think every other possibility out there and you can't go far wrong.

When said "heathen" countries actually got control of their own lives and countries, they invariably rounded up said "whack jobs" and deported them 'en mass, since when they have been particularly sniffy about foreign so called "missionary's" or charities.

Now, to turn this on it's head, ponder this (this is not a political statement , simply a mental exercise):

North Korea and Iran jointly decide, in light of the terrible problem of homeless people in the USA, to send a charitable team to the USA to do something to aid those poor benighted souls living on the streets.

What do you think the average US Joe Public is going to think about this?

Switch this around again and don't be too surprised at India being sniffy about anybody interfering in it's domestic affairs, which is how they see it.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Just quickly as I'm falling off my chair with fatigue, if you start at Hyderabad and work your way West, you ain't going to find Visakhapatnam (its correct spelling) you'll end up in Kerala. Try South East and your close.

India: July (OMG), Southern India (yikes).

More on this tomorrow if the vultures haven't shredded this post before.

Regards,


CS

So we're recommending somebody enters a country on a professional shoot with lots of expensive equipment on a tourist Visa? Seriously?

Nowadays this is totally crazy. A colleague already in the US with a visa for a serious news shoot got a call asking if he could shoot one of those "sorry I can't be there" pieces for an awards ceremony, which he did.

Somehow on exit the authorities knew, and he got his visa revoked - which also wrecked his chances of a tourist visa with his family later in the year. "Have you ever had a visa refused or cancelled?" YES!

India and the UK have reciprocal arrangements and entering a foreign country as a tourist when you are not, is a damn risky thing to do now. Isn't there somebody currently locked up for doing some news stuff while there apparently on holiday?

If one country flags you upon for visa infringement, do they share this? probably!

+1 What Chris and Paul said^^^^^^^^^^^!!!

I didn't think this would be complex, but I do take the cautions to heart. I'll try again: my main profession is not videography, but I do own and use pro gear. Let's not get bogged down in what constitutes "professional." Here, I'm just a guy with a heart for helping this charity. I'm not a card-carrying member of the charity, I'm paying my own way, etc. Hence, I'd be entering India, like other yokels with some nice kit, wanting to travel around with some friends and to capture the sights and sounds. No business or commercial purpose underlies the trip. It is strictly personal. I'm tagging along and doing a favor for friends.

I've read a score of anecdotes elsewhere on the internet, mostly of photog tourists, who tote their DSLR's and piles of lenses into India with nary a glance or remark from Indian govt. officials. Taking the collective warnings here into consideration, I thought I might simply do the same, albeit with video and sound gear. Is that so naive?

Steven,

This post is not specific to India or any other country or event. It is a general comment. No sarcasm or humor this time.

Above, you stated your intention for this trip. Lets say one of your "charitable friends does something the local authorities don't like" and YOU end up in a small room. Only this one has bars on it. Do you believe your good intent will be enough to save you from that situation? It is not within my capacity to advise you on that.

My personal opinion on Americans that become incarcerated in known hostile countries, (not saying India) and make national headlines for their cause.... I can not state here on this forum. They went there willingly to spread charity or the word of the Lord and now they are a poor innocent prisoner. Realy? Now it is time for our President to save them! Really? It is now time to sacrifice the lives of a few special operations guys to save that person! Realy?

This is your decision. Only you know if you are going there to be a tourist or a charitable person with a cause. I do know history says both have been locked up unjustifiably. I also know once they are locked up they are all innocent tourists....

No judgement, no advice....probably overstepping my boundaries for this forum. But it is also out of my scope of experience to advise you on your safety in India as a friend of charity.


Kind Regards,

Steve

Steve, again thanks for taking the time to comment.

I think I've been fairly advised, and perhaps this thread has therefore reached its end. If I never post again on DVInfo, would someone please send Delta Force to India to check on my well being? ;)

Thank you for the light hearted reply. I can be blunt and opinionated,,,,often. Just don't take me too seriously. I never mean to offend (-:

Kind Regards,

Steve

And please don't quit posting.....I would hate to be blamed for another death on DVinfo.net!

I am an Indian and based here in India and shoot throughout India. I have no idea in which kind of locations you are going to shoot. However, I can safely say that you are going to attract lot of attention.

When I shoot with a C300, people gather around me to see what I am doing. Foreigners means more people crowding around you. Some will try to start conversations with you, hoping to benefit in some manner and some simply out of curiosity. I have seen people walk up and start recording videos of me and/or my monitor with their mobile phones. So if you are shooting in a Public place 1) keep to a low profile ie use stripped down versions of equipment 2) shoot and move fast.

In streets, mostly I try to use my Gitzo photo tripod with a cheap manfrotto head. (The OConnor stays in the car. Sorry to Chris Soucy, our resident tripod Guru for disappointing you by shooting with cheap tripods) :)

The OConnors and Sachtlers attract too much of attention and screams professional. At times some of the street scenes, I also use my EOS 1DXII, so that people think I am just a photographer.

I find putting a lapel mic to be much better than asking a person to use the boom in the street. Having said that many Indian women wear Sari. It would be difficult to hide the lapel. Even my wife tells me that it is too much of a hassle in those situations and asks me to use a boom.

If shooting indoors then that is a different thing altogether.

Carry a DSLR if you want some timelapses.

People can easily make out a video bag from a normal backpack. And video means professional.

I am an Indian and based here in India and shoot throughout India. I have no idea in which kind of locations you are going to shoot. However, I can safely say that you are going to attract lot of attention.

Hi Sabyasachi. Thanks so much for your insight. While my primary concern in recent posts was attracting attention from government officials at my point of entry, I don't at all discount your remarks about drawing attention from locals while traveling about. Nearly the entirety of my trip would consist of stops in a few rural villages, and even then I think most shooting would occur indoors, e.g., at a school, medical clinic, or orphanage. This isn't a sightseeing tour of your country's metropolitan centers and historical landmarks.

Thanks for the remarks about women wearing saris and lapel mics. I hadn't considered that. I won't have have a sound person and, hence, I won't have a boom option, so an on-camera mic <shudder> will have to suffice in situations where my wireless lav can't be pressed into service.

Steve

I had a couple of shoots in India about 10 years ago. On both trips I got ill, on the last trip I got very ill and was out of commission for a day. I would pack remedies for an upset tummy all the way through to serious antibiotics. And some electrolyte powder for rehydration.
I would also attract a crowd. At first this truly bugged me, but I came to see it as a golden opportunity to shoot tights of faces - useful in any edit.
Have a great time. I enjoyed the heck out of India and would go back in a heartbeat.

Hi, Steven

Apologies for not getting back sooner, life just got in the way.

It would appear there was some excitement whilst I was absent, you don't often get midnight mails from the DVinfo wranglers saying " the miscreant has been nailed and quarantined, possibly for ever".

Er, what miscreant? What did they say, about whom? (Dumb question: if the wranglers mailed me, it was obviously me, duh!)

Another reason for dallying was trying to think of something really useful to add to what I had already said.

The only one that really sticks is the age old one of hot/ humid climate vs air con room. I don't know who's paying for what; if they are, it probably won't be, if you are, it possibly will.

Take a camera system out into a hot/ humid atmosphere ( 38C & 99% is not unknown) for a days shooting, return to your air-con room at 21C & 50% and all that water vapour IN your camera has to go somewhere.

Yep, condense all over whatever in your camera cools down first. Give it a week and all of a sudden camera has nervous breakdown as it and the lens system are full of liquid water.

More than that I shall not say, precautions will have to be taken is all.

Lastly - enjoy! It's a truly fabulous country, the people are amazing, the food is glorious, it's chaotic, noisy, polluted and, and, and, there is an indefinable about it that I have still not, having spent two years there, been able to distill into cogent words.

It will get into your very soul and then you'll be an India junkie - else you'll run screaming for the first flight home (I've seen it happen). I doubt you'll be the latter.

Have fun.

Regards,


CS

PS: A late addition. I have just finished reading an amazing book by Malcolm Gladwell, titled "Blink - the Power of Thinking without Thinking". He's a US based author, has sold millions of books and ain't no kook, everything he writes about is peer reviewed scientific observation.

A large part of the book is about "reading" faces, what they are REALLY saying even if the owner is not. The most startling fact for me is that all the expressions the human face can produce - hundreds - are the same world wide, the same grimace/ smile/ snarl from an Arctic Inuit is the same as from a South African Zulu. It might be worth giving it a shot and practicing, it could come in handy.

I had a couple of shoots in India about 10 years ago. On both trips I got ill, on the last trip I got very ill and was out of commission for a day. I would pack remedies for an upset tummy all the way through to serious antibiotics. And some electrolyte powder for rehydration.
I would also attract a crowd. At first this truly bugged me, but I came to see it as a golden opportunity to shoot tights of faces - useful in any edit.
Have a great time. I enjoyed the heck out of India and would go back in a heartbeat.

Thanks for chiming in with a good word, Peter.

It would appear there was some excitement whilst I was absent, you don't often get midnight mails from the DVinfo wranglers saying " the miscreant has been nailed and quarantined, possibly for ever".

Er, what miscreant? What did they say, about whom? (Dumb question: if the wranglers mailed me, it was obviously me, duh!)

Chris, thanks for coming back with comments. As to yours above, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Did someone think I got a boo-boo? No excitement here, just move along folks, nothing to see. You can look up my day job. I have a very thick skin. I really like this community, so I'm going nowhere, except maybe to India.

Yes, thanks for the remark about gear and humidity. I once traveled around a Central American country and used, to great effect, a gigantic zip-loc bag: cam got ziplocked inside my air-conditioned room, I moved it to the humid and warm outdoors to reach ambient temp, then unzipped it. No condensation problem. The other direction that you mentioned isn't a problem, so long as the cooler target environment is drier --> prevents condensation.

Cheers.