Naga Baba Jata, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

Post holy bath shot of a notorious naga baba, or warrior ascetic. Taken at the 2001 Kumbha Mela, which hosted some 70 million Hindu pilgrims over 6 weeks, with 30 million on its holiest day.

More photos and a hilarious article on the event can be found at www.bennettstevens.com

AdrianW, SavioCastro, Curioso, oochappan, jstewart, Catli, riaan, mightyweed, snowfalken heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

AdrianW (2274) 2004-07-27 18:16

Good shot! I really like the intense look you've captured on his face. I'm not sure but I think I'd probably crop this one a little closer - some from the top and the left would improve it I think... Also, the image doesn't seem quite 100% sharp, either it needs a little more sharpening or the original isn't quite as sharp as it could be. Anyway, I like it :-D

Welcome to TrekEarth!

oochappan (4880) 2004-07-27 18:24

Quite an extraordinary photo in an extraordinary festival, lucky that's not daily life in India. This time the size is better to view the quality and perfect use of DOF, relevations on wich camera and the frequency of this festival would be most welcome.

SavioCastro (601) 2004-07-27 18:25

Grande foto,
O que mais impressiona é o fundo, com dezenas de pessoas, que parecem ser homens e mulheres.
Parabéns.

Curioso (9271) 2004-07-27 18:27

Welcome on TE with this splendid shot.

Great use of a narrow DOF. The eyes here are so intense they immediately catch attention.

I have a WS suggestion, no improvement in fact, just a different spirit.

[workshop] [compare] +

jstewart (1150) 2004-07-27 20:09

I debated, as have the others, as to whether you should have cropped this a bit. The naked bodies in various attitudes in the background, are quite fascinating, so I decided that I prefered it as is. But of course you can make more than one final image from a photo, so you could have cropped and uncropped versions. Whichever way - its an arresting shot. Good work.

centurion (0) 2004-07-27 22:32

Very good shot in the proper moment, and very interesting capture.

Catli (550) 2004-07-27 22:49

Good documentary shot and note, Bennett. Looks pretty scary to me.

Piotr_Angiel (2564) 2004-07-28 2:31

Very good reportage! The eyes are wild - you make this photo in very good moment.
Greetings Piotr

riaan (86) 2004-07-28 3:10

Good first posting! Great capture of his facial expression, and good DOF.
Welcome to TE ;)

jrzufferey (7305) 2004-07-28 5:34

Bienvenu sur TE et merci pour ta première image elle est superbe et pleine d'exotisme.Amicalement\jr

trevvelbug (902) 2004-07-28 12:29

Excellent portrait of a very intense looking man! Good DOF, good composition

rinusj (64) 2004-09-12 17:06

Nice impression. Like this i've never seen them

sandpiper (6788) 2004-09-22 23:09

Well, just saw your latest entry and decided to go back and look at the others. What a great shot, such an intense stare he's giving you. The colour, DOF and the feel of the gathering is well captured.

ndb1958 (9289) 2005-04-01 13:58

Oh my God! This is a great shot. These eyes are unbeleaveble. This guy looks so clearly... and his hair ... wow! The blurry background of all the other people makes a great contrast to him.

I add this to my favorites.

awiefoong (181) 2005-08-04 1:21

this potrait is excellent! very nice d.o.f. a very good catch of his expression...

ccooper (840) 2005-08-07 23:16

Great photo! The look on his face is intense and the swinging hair adds motion and interest. This is almost otherworldly!

mightyweed (1292) 2005-08-28 15:02

amazing picture...interesting to see the event..

Robin01 (280) 2005-08-30 0:03

The eyes, the eyes!
The window to the soul, eventhough there are some that were not meant to be opened,

shayes (499) 2005-09-08 16:04

This is a great shot. The look in the subject's eyes is very intense.

I'd consider cropping it just a little to make the subject more prominent in the photo (because to me, the colours and chaos in the background take away from the subject). Just a thought.
Great shot! :) Thanks for sharing!

Luciana (2269) 2006-06-17 13:37

Olá, Bennett!
Achei muito impressionante essa sua fotografia...
A espressão do homem e o fundo desfocado, ficou tudo muito bom!
Grande foto!

Abraço,
Luciana Serra

snowfalken (1116) 2006-08-03 1:55

Great portrait with bright and natural colors! Nice composition and POV! The nicely defocused BG looks very good! DOF is very good handled! Great job! TFS!

Regards,
Eddie