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PODCAST

The Dusty Mic Chronicles

Photography, Streets and Journeys

In this podcast, I discuss my views on photography, the streets, journeys - mostly in India, and aspects of Indian history and society. And maybe a few conversations with people on the street. I will record some podcast episodes from the street and some from my little office. www.rajivchopra.in

society & culture visual arts

All Episodes

14:03

Are we heading towards a comfort crisis?

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/10/04

Are we heading for a comfort crisis? Some sections of society may be heading for a comfort crisis but there are many for whom life is stressful, and they do not have the luxury of choice. For those of us who have a choice, which road will we follow? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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10:21

The digital world has changed how we keep records.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/09/27

In the old days, I maintained detailed records of every image I photographed: exposure settings, where I went, and my impressions. Now, with digital technology surrounding us, the EXIF Data gets recorded automatically. Will it make us lazy? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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11:43

This episode is not about snake wine.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/09/20

In this episode, I talk about my early experiences in taking care of my camera and lenses, placing them in glass bottles, sealed with grease. I placed the camera and lenses on beds of silica gel to prevent fungus from spreading! And no, this post is not about snake wine! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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0:47

Substack Half-Dead: I am miffed

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/09/16

I had chai at Mr. Mondal’s chai stall a few months ago and took lots of photos, especially with my 7Artisan 4 mm lens. I had attached this lens to my Fujifilm X-M5. These days I am experimenting with all sorts of ways to distort reality. If you look at the image below, you will see Mr. Mondal sitting at his chai stall. It has a bamboo roof, and while it does not protect him from the hot winds, it did protect him from the sun. Then, the Municipal Corporation decided to break down his stall. They

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12:22

The enduring magic of my first print.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/09/13

This is an image I made at Halebidu in Karnataka. I used a 50 mm lens with my Olympus OM-2nIn this post, I discuss the tension I always felt when I went to the photo lab to pick up my contact sheets and negatives. Later, when I started working in a darkroom, the magical sensation of seeing the latent image come to life in the print never left me. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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10:26

When James Mudd had a dream

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/09/06

James Mudd delivered a satirical speech in 1865 at the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, in which he spoke about the obsession with technology, which in his future world, had only intensified. What about art and creativity? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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11:28

On Roots, Branches & Bridges

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/08/30

My family's heritage lies in West Punjab. A Pakistani friend sent a person to shoot a video of my father's village. When we build bridges, we build connections, and become richer. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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9:51

Before the wars. After the wars.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/08/23

Stripe refuses to support us Indians, so if you’d like to support me, please use the PayPal button. If you do so, let me know and I will add you to the Founding Member list. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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9:38

Independence for some.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/08/16

I started writing about Ferozepore, the town I was born in. It is my birthday month, so I will dwell on the past. August 1947 was dramatic, liberating, and, for many, traumatic. Yet, we must all march on. The past stays with us as we look ahead. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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2:22

Substack Half-Dead: Walking at night.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/08/14

When night falls, the creatures emerge. People sleep; others work. Some engage in nefarious activities, and others just want to go home. I don’t know who this girl was. She was well-dressed, well-made up, and seemed to be waiting for someone. As I boarded my taxi home, I saw her talking to some men in a jeep. They did not look like her friends. Before we rush to judge her, it may be worth pausing. First, she may have been waiting for friends, family, or something else. If it was for ‘business,’ ask

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12:34

Humanism, Photography. The Mother & Child

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/08/02

I photographed the mother with her child soon after I photographed the man in the doorway. In this episode, I start my explorations on the connections between photography and humanism, no matter how tenuous the connection. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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1:00

Substack Half-Dead: Mr Chaurasia's Chai Stall

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/07/20

There is a market near my home. The market’s name is Vyapar Kendra. You can get almost anything there, unless it is very expensive or a designer brand! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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9:46

Humanism: The Man in the Doorway

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/07/12

My uncle's reaction to "The man in the Doorway" gave me the push towards re-evaluating myself, my work, and my attitude towards people. It has been a long time coming but, I have finally started exploring humanism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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0:51

Substack Half Dead: Meet Mr Mondal

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/07/06

I’d like to introduce all of you to Mr. Mondal. I had gone down to renew my car’s pollution certificate, and I always return to the same man for this. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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6:33

When the desert comes to town.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/28

India is a dusty country, and North India is especially dusty. Will the Thar Desert encroach upon India? I don't know. While the dust can create surreal images, it creates health problems - for you and your camera. Will we all be wearing gas masks in the near future? What will that dystopian future mean for photography in India? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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10:57

Living on the edge of thirst

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/22

We live in unusual times. We have an unusually humid summer, and we are all living on the edge of thirst. Water shortages and polluted water compound the problem. How will you photograph this misery? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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1:21

Substack Half-Dead: Nocturnal Experiments

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/17

Staying within the realms of straight photography is fun, but it can be boring. II like surreal images and videos, and may make a few more. Creating them constantly can make them seem gimmicky, so I will make them sparingly. Get full access to Tramping the Dusty Roads at www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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12:30

Photography in the world of surveillance.

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/15

Surveillance cameras are sprouting everywhere, and the state has become overbearing. How does this affect people and society? How will these changes affect your behavior as a photographer, and what new stories will emerge? Get full access to Tramping the Dusty Roads at www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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11:45

Jobless in the Heat and Dust

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/07

Jobless in the heat and dust. India's unemployment rate is skyrocketing and may cause upheaval in the near future. Can you capture such stories before chaos hits? Or do you photograph the event when the explosion occurs? Get full access to Tramping the Dusty Roads at www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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2:19

Substack Half Dead: Goat Market

The Dusty Mic Chronicles ·

2026/06/02

Join me on a short walk through the chaotic goat market just before Eid at Jama Masjid, Delhi Get full access to Tramping the Dusty Roads at www.rajivchopra.in/subscribe

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