Patrick McDermott | Visual Journalist

“I can’t keep up with your turning tables…”

A riot of color, Holi is one of the most colorful and spectacular events I have ever had the chance to photograph. Hindus celebrate the spring festival originating in northern India around the world in an explosion of color to mark the end of winter.

The festival traditionally starts with the lighting of bonfires symbolizing the burning of demons. Though there are many versions of its origin, they all relate to Lord Krishna. According to legend, Krishna’s mother decided to apply color to Radha’s face after Krishna complained about his dark complexion in contrast to Radha’s fair complexion. Millions, both Hindus and non-Hindus, around the world, now embrace this act.

Though I was not in Vrindavan, a holy city three hours from Delhi and the epicenter of the event, the experience of photographing this festival in Spanish Fork, Utah was extremely powerful. It is hard to describe an experience like this in words. From being surrounded by hundreds of fellow devotes to being engulf in a supersaturated cloud of color is an experience that all should have. And the undying laughter and joy experienced by all as they are pelted by vivid colored powered – pink, yellow, red, and green.  And forget trying to protect the camera gear, the color gets everywhere. In your ears, nose, hair, and clothes. All you can do is just laugh, smile, and enjoy the intensely spiritual and emotion experience that this festival is.

Next year, I’ll be in India to cover the real thing!

Over the past few weeks, I have been doing a ton of driving around the United States… including a round trip from Los Angeles, Calif. to Washington, D.C. and a day trip to Madison, Wisc. to cover the protests there. At some point during one of these drives, I decided to start photographing through the front window of my car using my iPhone. So here is the start of a new body of work that I hope to explore during my travels in 2011.