A Wanderer's Eye

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
— J. R. R. Tolkien

My name is Jay Weinstein. I am a wanderer, photographer, travel guide, and digital nomad specializing in India. You may know me as the creator of the photography project so i asked them to smile, which explores the smiles of strangers. I am honored to have been interviewed in dozens of languages and featured in Better Photography Magazine, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, Homegrown, Buzzfeed, Design Taxi, The Daily Mail, Bento, and National Geographic Online.

These images were made in Kenya, by a stranger I met on the side of the road between Embu and Kiratiri. I had approached a group of friends near a line of neatly parked motorcycle taxis. I asked them to smile and was shooting away when he asked to c…

These images were made in Kenya, by a stranger I met on the side of the road between Embu and Kiratiri. I had approached a group of friends near a line of neatly parked motorcycle taxis. I asked them to smile and was shooting away when he asked to capture my smile, with my camera, and turn the smile tables on me! How could I say no!?

I first moved to India aged three, and spent the next twelve years living with my family, surrounded by colorful and vibrant villages in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. I also learned to speak Hindi fluently.

I think those formative years inform much of my photography, as I continue to be enthralled by the simple, colorful, historical and deeply spiritual layers of this complex culture. I try to carry that same mood of exploration to every country I visit.

After returning to Australia to complete my education, in 2004 I moved to Mumbai to become an actor. Somehow I then shifted into film production and advertising. Travel gradually took over my life as I once again began exploring India and her neighbors while honing my photography skills. From the vast snow capped Himalayan mountain ranges of Nepal to the palaces of romantic Rajasthan, I wandered. From the rural villages and paddy fiends of West Bengal to the beaches of beautiful Sri Lanka, I have seen and digitally captured them all.

In 2015, I decided to take my camera, leave Mumbai, and travel full-time. I am still on that adventure. I am blessed to be able to share my passion for travel via social media, my photography, guided trips, and 'A Wanderer's Eye' photography events. This allows me to focus on seeing the world differently and sharing what I learn with a much larger audience.

so i asked them to smile started online in 2015, before I left Mumbai. During my travels, I've continued sharing these smiles while expanding to new countries. It has become my way of creating positive change. I continue learning to see strangers differently, and help others do the same. The project is now a traveling photography exhibition that premiered at Mumbai’s iconic Jehangir Art Gallery in December, 2017. We are adding new countries and a whole bunch of new smiles along the way.

I try to bring a thirst for hidden beauty, culture and curiosity to all my work. My aim is to create unforgettable images and experiences that transport you to the heart of my adventures, and introduce you to the places and strangers that make them so unique.

You can contact me on Facebook.

or follow my adventures on Instagram.

 
As the train rounded the bend, and the ancient Gujarati pilgrimage town of Dwarka came into view, this building rose head and shoulders above the rest. The 80 meter spire of the Dwarkadheesh temple is topped with a 15 meter flag that is changed 5 tim
This was made wandering in Ujjain, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. She was playing in the streets with her friends and confidently demanded I make an image of her befuddled rabbit. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Most people I meet in India love t
Sunrise at Tulsi Ghat, one of the 88 ancient ghats (or bathing steps) that line the banks of the river Ganges, in Varanasi.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mornings were a challenge for me even though my photography feels most inspired in the golden morning light
The beat quickens as the circle of Dhangar, a historically nomadic herder community in Maharashtra (and neighboring states), dancers raise their hands in choreographed unison. Dressed in the brightest of bright colors, they skip as one before abruptl
A young man walks atop the fortified palace walls of historic Orchha, in Madhya Pradesh, India.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Taking risks is part of living a full life. The acceptable amount is subjective, but danger is unavoidable. I am accepting the risk of
A visiting sadhu from Madhya Pradesh rests on the banks of the Yamuna River in Keshi Ghat, Vrindavan.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ India at its core runs on optimism. Here it makes sense to show respect to all sadhus* because one may be real, whereas in the we
*** AUD$200 earlybird discount with code JAYSTOUR***⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ (Feb 16 to March 4 - in collaboration with @touchofspirittours)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ awandererseye.com/tours for itinerary⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rich in mystic history and home to some of the m
I met him one evening in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, near the ancient and deeply sacred Mahakaleshwar temple. He stood behind a small bunch of people watching me, a stick tied to his back like a rifle, bayonet protruding above his shoulder. I liked his f
*** AUD$200 earlybird discount with code JAYSTOUR***⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ (Feb 16 to March 4 - in collaboration with @touchofspirittours)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ awandererseye.com/tours for itinerary⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Rich in mystic history and home to some of the m
Another dog friend, often the first friends I make in a new place. They are mostly uncomplicated, loving and willing to take a chance on a wandering stranger. Food is a bonus but clearly affection is deeply craved. I guess we are not so different aft
This was my favorite from a bunch of images I made in a forest in Lete, Nepal while experimenting with movement and shutter speed. It captures the moment of feeling a little bored and tired of making the same kind of images. I felt a little like that
A group of boys demand I make a picture of them while their parents load a tractor with freshly cut cow feed in the fields of Vraj, on the way to Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Looking at this image I see a gang, and I know who the le