A view from a boat, a photo from Kerala, South

Photographer's Note

This is from somewhere in the Indian state of Kerala. Just a few workers possibly returning to their village in late afternoon after a day in the fields. It's a "nothing special" photo which I like mainly because the small group is led by a gentleman in red. I took the photo from a boat where I had already spent most of the day.

After spending some time in Tamil Nadu in 1988 I proceeded to Kerala, where the highlight of my visit was a boat journey through the so called backwaters, a long series of lagoons, rivers and canals separated from the sea by narrow stretches of land.

The most famous part of the backwaters is between the small cities of Kollam and Alappuzha, in 1988 still known as Quilon and Alleppey.

These days most tourists to this area are likely to rent a house boat where they spend lazy days on the deck in the sun or travel short distances. It's a concept borrowed from the lakes of Kashmir, but I don't think such boats existed in Kerala in 1988. Instead I travelled with a non-romantic boat looking like a floating bus going on a regular schedule between the two cities.

15 years earlier I had travelled this way by train. What took 1–2 hours by train was a journey of more than 8 hours by boat. But the views were so much better from the boat, which stopped every now and then at small jetties to let people off and take new passengers.

I posted a few photos from that journey years ago, like this one:

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=1455824

or this:

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=1456169

This was as usual scanned from a Kodachrome slide.

Fis2, PaulVDV, ikeharel, pajaran, jean113, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, ricardomattos, jhm, ChrisJ, jemaflor, ktanska, PiotrF, worldcitizen, COSTANTINO, lucasgalodoido, adramad, aliabazari heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

jean113 (28249) 2021-09-25 0:55

Hello Gert, the people remind me of models on a catwalk!
Perfectly timed, the people are spaced so well, and wearing colourful clothes they stand out against the cloudy blue sky.
Somehow the palm trees complete the scene. ( I was trying to imagine the picture without the trees, but they do really add something.)
Interesting notes, thank you.
Have a good weekend.
Kind regards, Jean.

Fis2 (171823) 2021-09-25 1:26

Witaj Gert!
You were faster today.
A very curious scene from daily life.
View from boat makes impression.
Good framing, colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Have anice weekend.
Krzysztof

PaulVDV (63440) 2021-09-25 1:37

Hello Gert,
Jean is right that it seems like these people are models walking on a catwalk. They're beautifully presented between the sky and the water.
I like the bright colours of the sari of the first woman (third person from the left) the most.
It is true that the house boat industry once had a huge boom.
When I was in Kerala in January 2019 (a year before corona), I saw hundreds of house boats moored without any tourists. Many house boats are considerably more expensive than many tourists expect. This while all other prices in India are very interesting for westerners. Most travellers I spoke to rented a boat with skipper for a few hours or a half day. I don't know how it was in other periods but I suspect there was a large oversupply of house boats.
In any case, it is an ideal opportunity to explore the backwaters by boat and preferably also the smaller channels.
Best regards, Paul

ikeharel (114477) 2021-09-25 2:42

That's a beautiful moment capture, Gert.
An old one, but well executed. walking on the edge in social-distancing...
Wish you a nice weekend,
Ike

GyurMaster (25000) 2021-09-25 2:50

Dear Gert,

It is a really simple photo, yet it works well. The vivid colours of the group that really sells the photo. By the way, I'm curious where they were heading in these relatively elegant clothes. Anyhow, I faved it.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

pajaran (116947) 2021-09-25 3:09

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Danas smo komsije sa fotografijama na TE.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija i uhvaceni trenutak, lepe boje i kontrast.
Lepo secanje.

Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje za vikend.
Paja

dkmurphys (79209) 2021-09-25 5:40

Hello,
Nice capture of this line of people heading to somewhere. A lot of exotic colors in such a simple composition. Great result!

D

pierrefonds (115436) 2021-09-25 5:57

Hi Gert,

You have captured well a daily life scene. The point of view is showing the details of the pam trees and of the clouds. The light is enhancing the beauty of the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

dedee (3235) 2021-09-25 6:49

Hi Gert
I like the way the people seem to be sandwiched between the sky and the water. I presume that they are walking on a narrow pathway as they are travelling in a line. Good colours and sharpness for something of its afe.
David

Royaldevon (86364) 2021-09-25 7:10

Hello Gert,

I'm sure the scenery was so much better from the boat, than from the train and, of course, it would be more relaxing!
My first impression was the Beatles and 'Abbey Road', because people walking in a line always rekindle that scene.
It is a great shot, though!
From the boat, you got the view with the water, the river bank and the sky, with the figures so very well placed, parading on the thirds line.
The photograph is very well scanned!

We used to have a guy who lived in Kerala, who regularly posted photographs from this area. It must be one of the most scenic areas.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

ricardomattos (17560) 2021-09-25 7:16

Hi Gert

Fantastic compositiom and picture. Very nice and atractive. i like a lot my friend. To my favs!

TFS

Ricardo

lousat (139914) 2021-09-25 10:08

Hi Gert,in fact from the boat the views are very beautiful and unusual, excellent choice at the train post for your second trip, and the perspective is really winning, a scene of everyday life transformed into a very artistic composition. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

jhm (211738) 2021-09-25 11:01

Hello Gert,

Thirty-three years old, but I would think this can not better today, photographed from a boat.
You show us these image on a lovely way.
Very sharp and clear, with the seven people walk on the edges of the water.
Of course the water and sky are perfect presentation
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Silvio1953 (222779) 2021-09-25 12:18

Ciao Gert, beautiful view from boat, lovely composition with walking people, superb sky, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jmdias (116341) 2021-09-25 12:48

gert

it is a nice image with simplicity of elements. I liked the visual effect of this row of people with their colors, surrounded by sea and sky. excellent.

take care

jorge

ChrisJ (172378) 2021-09-25 19:46

Hej Gert

The coconut trees add a tropical mood and atmosphere, & I like how they are fairly evenly spaced with the people. Good colour, sharpness framing and saturation. Tfs!

mcmtanyel (69101) 2021-09-25 20:18

Hello Gert,
Minimalist and colorful - I like it!

ifege (49297) 2021-09-25 22:25

Hi Gert
This is a great one due to that great line of workers heading home. Well spotted and taken.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (148124) 2021-09-25 23:46

Hi Gert,
Good photogenic result with these people walking between water and sky, god sharpness, interesting presentation and note, tfs.

Tue (93328) 2021-09-26 12:34

Hej Gert,
Et fantistisk billede fra vandet med køen af syv mennesker i deres farverige tøj. Sammen med de fire træer mellem dem står de meget godt frem fra de blå skyer. Godt fanget!
Lars

ktanska (45030) 2021-09-27 9:57

Hej Gert,
Quite successful shot of these pedestrians on the edge of water. They are almost evenly spaced. Clothes are colourful and they have different styles. Even those palms are well placed between people.
Kari

PiotrF (55862) 2021-09-27 15:50

Hello Gert,
A very good daily life shot from Kerala. Excellent photo quality by the scan. I like wonderful composition here. Excellent presentation.
Regards
Piotr

worldcitizen (16226) 2021-09-28 13:41

Hello Gert,
This is great! There's something about the mood, and the colorful clothes of the returning workers, that is magical. I like the simple lines, the palm trees, and the textures in the sky, too. Very nice! :-)

COSTANTINO (117672) 2021-09-29 22:10

Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
you did your best by taking
this photo from a boat...
nice timing for you ...
I like these people down there
walking in distance ...and I agree
with you that the view are
so much better from the boat....
well done
regards
costantino

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2021-09-30 12:08

Hi Gert,
this composition is very interesting, and the quality is impressive despite the age of the capture. Good colors and a very dramatic sky.
Regards,
Lucas

adramad (73410) 2021-10-02 11:57

Hi Gert.
Back on my trip to the Pre-Pyrenees of Huesca, again with you.

A magnificent composition from the boat while you were sailing, through the channels of Kerala, on that threatening sky the color of the line of characters stands out very well, who walk along the shore, while it seems that everyone is looking towards your boat, the palm trees are a great compliment.
Very effective coloring, good management both of brightness and sharpness.
Very well done. I like it.
Enjoy the weekend.
My best wishes for you.
Luis

kasianowak (17676) 2021-11-27 4:48

Hi Gert
I'm pretty sure I'd find that non-romantic boat more romantic than these days' touristy house boats... :-)
If I didn't know you I'd think this was a staged shot, so brilliant is the choice of colours and the poses. The light is also lovely, even though the sky seems rather clouded.
I have no choice but to add it to my favs.
Best wishes and greetings from my other country.
Kasia

aliabazari (23143) 2022-05-09 8:49

Hello Gert
A beautiful view of these farmer. A good composition with the beach in the foreground and the sky. Correlation and exposure well done. Beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing