It seems that during the week of Carnival “normal” finds a hiding place giving way to the colouful, the interesting and the down right crazy. However, it is a beautiful thing. The openness that is displayed during Brazilian Carnival really is what makes it such a great experience. It seems that the vast majority of people manage to set aside their preconceived stereotypes and simply settle in to enjoy the experience of being at Carnival.
The first couple of days of carnival I left my big camera in my apartment. Any time I even pulled out my small point and shoot camera people around me would warn me to be careful. On two separate occasions I had a hand dip into my empty pockets, so the risk was obviously real. On the final night of carnival, however, I came to the realization that I could not come to an event like this and not document it. In the end, with my DSLR and my huge 70-200mm lens I found that not only did I feel safe on the streets, but that people would open up to me because of it, give me extra space and sort of protect me on the side. Thankfully, I was able to complete a task I had always wanted to do, I managed to capture the people of carnival.
Here are my photos from Carnival in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.
The view from my perch in a Camarote at Che Lagarto Hostel
Ladies - Click to enlarge
Lady selling chicken kabobs... yum - Click to enlarge
One of the better performers of the night for sure.
A police officer moving through the crowds
All types come out for carnival - click to enlarge... if you dare
One of my favourite people in carnival, a beer vendor - click to enlarge
One of the few performers who didn't have a bloco with her, a huge bonus in my opinion - click to enlarge
Maybe not the type of event I would bring my kid to, but cute none the less - click to enlarge
One of the more popular Brazilian artists, Jammil. I've heard people refer to him as the Brazilian Ricky Martin... with talent - Click to Enlarge
You can't go to carnival unless you're dressed up - Click to Enlarge
The Trucks push through the crowds carrying the entertainment. The people in the coloured shirts are in the blocos. The price to walk beside the truck? Around 200-300 Dollars. - Click to enlarge.
The King has arrived at Carnival - Click to enlarge
The police standing guard as the mayhem runs rampant around them - click to enlgarge
It's not only Brazilian acts at Carnival. Here DJ David Guetta preforms, Will.I.am also preformed this night.
If I would have know crowns were in this year I would have packed one - Click to Enlarge
The police line up on the streets in lines of four, they mean business - Click to enlgarge
It's great to be able to get so close to the acts. Anyone can get this close, regardless of where you are: I was, however, in a camarote. - click to enlarge
From Left to Right: Random french guy, Myself, Marcello from Wanderingtrader.com, and Marcellos Malaria of the Mouth victim (inside joke) - click to enlarge
What did I miss?
On Saturday I posted a photo of Salvador da Bahia from after Carnival.
What’s next?
The carnival stuff isn’t over yet, however I am going to get a little bit serious about it in my next article. On Wednesday I will be posing an article about Race and Segregation during Carnival.
These pictures are awesome! I’m glad you chanced it and brought out your DSLR. I’m BEYOND jealous that you got to see David Guetta play. What a dream!!!
Love the photos, especially the one with the guy in white hat and glasses dressed up. Great that you took the risk with the DSLR, it sure paid off in the end. Excellent job!
He was great, stopped in front of our camarote for a bit. Super cool
That guy was as photogenic as they come.
Love the photo of the cops standing there while everything was blurred around them. Great photo man! You know you could do 5 of these photos essays and no one would get tired of them if on Carnival! lol
In hindsight you’re right… I should have had it as part one and part 2!!! Damn….
Awesome shots and looks like an incredible blast.
Nice photo essay of the carnival enjoy it alot.
Fantastic photos!
You really captured the life of this amazing event. I’ve never been to Brazil so I love seeing it through your lens. 
Thanks Krista… it was a whole heap of fun