For a Peaceful New Year, a photo from Delhi, North

Photographer's Note

2008 has been one of India's worst in terms of terror attacks, recalling the gloomy accounts of 2008 triggered by the attack by terrorists in Mumbai from November 26 to 29, 2008, and the serial explosions that preceded it in Jaipur (May), Bangalore ( July), Ahmedabad (July) and Delhi (September).

Prayers won’t help in any way to curb the barbaric act of terrorism & the slaughter of innocent people. Indians are seething with anger, but once again it’s our own ‘chalta hai’ attitude (loosely translated as ‘It Happens’) which douses the flames of our angst. There is no short cut or any readymade recipe to counter this menace, but one thing is for sure; it’s the resilience of the people & the collective action from the anger within, which would bring out a solution, not the politicians & the game of diplomacy.

This is an indoor shot, taken inside a small nondescript temple in Delhi. I was returning home dejected, after the smog had ruined the morning light – I had gone to a historical monument to capture the effect of the early light :-(. I went inside the temple hearing the ringing bells...but at first in the darkness inside I could not see anyone. Amazingly the sun had managed to wrest out of the fog & it’s rays filtered through a window...just enough, to see the lady praying. In case you’re wondering, the smoke is coming from the two incense sticks she was holding.

Wish that 2009 is a year of love, peace and good health. Its simple but so important.

bakes888, ChrisJ, riclopes, everlasting, isabela_sor, BennyV, ramesh_lalwani, bapun1, feather, Dpbours, Kielia, kermit350, patdeph, Gerrit, elendim, papagolf21, pierrefonds, plimrn, emjleclercq, jafadabret, Didi, axiotea, siolaw, bostankorkulugu, josepmarin, avene, edytungkal, adores, hispic, macjake heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

rajiv_077 (1412) 2009-01-01 0:28

Dear Angshu Ji

This is really very good picture for this occasion. Good compo and excellent layer of smoke. Wish you and your family members to very very happy new year

regards

rajiv

ChrisJ (172378) 2009-01-01 0:37

Namaste Angshuman & Happy New Year!

Superbly managed backlighting, on the smoke & woman in the red blouse. Good colour and reasonable sharpness. Tfs!

bakes888 (18499) 2009-01-01 0:41

Hi Angshu. I think the whole planet needs to take a deep breath and start to think with a bit more sanity. Great photo. Good handling of light and well composed. You have captured the moment well, there is a definite peace in this scene. Thanks for sharing.
All the best for 2009, Paul.

MarianneS (15338) 2009-01-01 0:48

Dear Angshu,
Perhaps the prayer will not change the world... but they help each one who prays to hope. And we need hope to survive in such a world, don't you think ?
Now your photo. It is a superb one. The effect of the light on the smoke is excellent. The darkness with only few elements to contrast makes the shot very sober.
I will join my prayers to hers... and wish you all the best.
Regards,
Marianne

riclopes (35577) 2009-01-01 1:35

Olá Angshu, good way to start the 2009, since I think this is one of your best shots since ever. Her face expresses well that resilience you refer in the note. There's always hope rising from the darkness and that's what make all of us keep going no matter what. Gorgeous light, superb capture of the dark mood. Congratulations my friend and all the Best for you and your family in 2009.
ricardo

Morac (27725) 2009-01-01 1:40

Dear Angshu,

Very good picture for this new year.
The effect of the light on the smoke is excellent.
Congratulations Angshu and all the Best for you and your family in 2009.
Marc

everlasting (19978) 2009-01-01 2:01

I will echo your simple message Angshu.

An excelletn image to begin 2009 with. The light falls superbly on her face which expresses the resilience that you describe.

pauloog (11751) 2009-01-01 2:36

Hello Angshu,
An inspiring portrait because of its simplicity and the atmosphere it creates. A simple profile and the contrast with the white smoke. Light very well managed.
Regards,
paul

isabela_sor (47748) 2009-01-01 2:52 [Comment]

Show Comment +

BennyV (34748) 2009-01-01 3:30

Hello dear Angshu,

Lovely picture, with expert light management and a great and urgent message. Full support from me!

Benny

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2009-01-01 3:30

Hello my dear Angshu

A happy new year and great photo from the beginning of the new year. How wonderful and fantastic photo is this ? I am looking forward your another great masterpiece this year too.

Many thanks and best regards

Takero

carper (96) 2009-01-01 4:16

it's a beauty my friend.
A good year to you Angshu, I like this one I love the atmosphere and the way you handled the light here, well done.
regard jaap

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2009-01-01 5:22 [Comment]

Show Comment

bapun1 (803) 2009-01-01 5:46

The sincere prayer is effectively captured. just black red and white... but the colurs literally take the thought forward emphatically.

Let there be peace.

Regards,
Bishnu.

eversmile (11636) 2009-01-01 6:56

Hi Angshu

That's a beautiful portrait and a strong, symbolic picture for this day! While the smoke of the attacks just vanished, those of incense began to dance with the whispers of prayers. The light here is superb, and the atmposphere well caught, with the burden written on the woman's face. Prayers may not change anything but may it give peace to the souls!...
Regards
Marine

feather (51130) 2009-01-01 7:52

This is a perfect image to evoke the hope for peace. The light on the woman's face is gorgeous and the smoke adds to the wonderful atmosphere. For many reasons 2008 has been the worst year for a long time. I join with you and hope that certain people will come to their senses.
Happy New Year
Kath

Dpbours (222) 2009-01-01 8:48

Hello Angshu,

And then you are forgetting several other attacks, like the Colcata bombing early August, the Manipur bombings beginning of October, the market explosions end of October in Assam and the train bombing in Assam early December. And I probably forget several as well....

Let us hope for a better, more peaceful year for India in 2009. You deserve it!!

Greetings,
Dennis

yquem46 (38752) 2009-01-01 8:51

Namaskar Angshu Ji
Quite appropriate picture to illustrate your note.
Yes let's burn 2 sticks of incense as a prayer for a better world
Happy 2009
Patrick

baba_flies (8829) 2009-01-01 10:03

Hello Angshuman! I love the soft smoke that comes up and fills every room with a special scent and leaves a peaceful atmosphere behind, this is how I sometimes experience it when I take my time, light a candle or an incense-stick. Some people have other backgrounds than we have, Angshuman, and this makes things noncontrollable in my eyes. But what am I writing, Happy New Year, and speaking about your photo, this is one of your best, strong and soft at the same time. I love it. Warm regards, Barbara.

Kielia (24077) 2009-01-01 11:09

Hi Angshuman,
I would like to thank you for your thoughts on the occasion of the New Year! I fully appreciate your note that is accompanying a strong composition. Thank you for sharing!
With my best wishes for the New Year!
Harriet

jmcl (14535) 2009-01-01 11:51

Hi Anghsu,

thank you for that thoughtful note .. wonderful image .. thoughtful use of darkness .. it amplifies the bit of light .. beautiful .. happy new year to you and yours ..
take care, John

kermit350 (9016) 2009-01-01 12:38

Hello Angshu, Very beautiful scene where one admires this face inspired and inform on a very harmonious black bottom, you knew to retranscribe l' particular atmosphere reigning in the place of worship, and your note challenges us with the reflexion, smoke coming from the two sticks d' incenses make the small one details which make the scene percussion without influenced the naturalness of this fact of life, in this time of world-wide crisis my friendship accompanies you, SUBHO NABO .................................Hello Angshu,
Très belle scène où on admire ce visage inspiré et éclairé sur un fond noir très harmonieux, tu as su retranscrire l'atmosphère particulière régnant dans le lieu de culte, et ta note nous interpelle à la réflexion, la fumée venant des deux bâtons d'encens font le petit détaille qui rendent la scène percutante sans pour autant influencé le naturel de ce fait de vie, en ce temps de crise mondiale mon amitié vous accompagne, SUBHO NABO

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-01-01 13:17

the play of light is excellent, few elements, essentials, very well done composition
best wishes
regards
jc

patdeph (35750) 2009-01-01 13:32

namaste Angshuman
what a nice picture!I love the light on the woman that makes that we can only see her front,and the smoke on the black background gives a wonderful effect!This is so beautiful that I add it in my theme.
I wish you and your family an happy new year 2009.
Regards
Pascale

Gerrit (62042) 2009-01-01 15:28

Hi Agshu,
let;s all hope for a year of peace.
Great photo in wonderful light.
Happy newyear,
Gerrit

elendim (69) 2009-01-01 18:47

Congratulations Angshuman!
It's a great picture!

Elena!

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-01-02 0:40

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Une photographie artistique ! superbe prise de vue. Je confirme votre talent.
Beaucoup de bonheur, de douceur et de sérénité pour la Nouvelle Année, ainsi que la réalisation des projets les plus chers !
Amitiés.
Philippe

Graal (103040) 2009-01-02 0:51

Hi Angshuman,
amazing image, simple and very good effect. Good theme and comment in note. I like it a lot.
Happy New Year to You and family!
Aleksander

marietom (34611) 2009-01-02 1:33

Hello Angshu,;

Magnifique portrait, voilà une image très paisible, et superbement composée.
Bonne année 2009.
Bonne journée
Marie

ninaL (21348) 2009-01-02 2:25

Hi, Angshu !

Beautiful picture.
I like this dark atmosphere and the smog effect in the dark.
Looks like a painting.
Best regards. Grazyna.

Happy New Year !

pierrefonds (115462) 2009-01-02 4:33

Hi Angshuman,

A close-up point of view which is ginving a nice portrait of the woman praying. You have captured well her expression. The light of the sun has a special effect on her and on the smoke. Well done, Best wishes for 2009, health, peace and love.

Pierre

batalay (41261) 2009-01-02 6:19

Hello Mr. B,

I am astonished by your versatility. This is a downright winner, from the conception to implementation phase. The light management in the photo is exceptional; the composition, brilliant; the colors and resolution, flawless; and the post-processing masterful. Finally, the note is, as usual, genuinely well-thought out.

You wrote me a note about reading Dava Sobel's book, "Galileo's Daughter." I know it very well. In the year 2000 I was teaching a class where I gave students a choice of some light reading, and a number of students chose the book, and I purchased a copy. Subsequently, I found a historic-documentary edition, where the story is reenacted. From time to time the author is offers commentary, and she is an unusually eloquent and gracious woman. If you can procure it, here is the where I found it: Galileo's Daughter.

Have a good weekend,

Bulent

plimrn (21344) 2009-01-02 11:27

Hi Angshu,
Even without the incense to carry her prayers to heavan, the peaceful, contemplative look on the woman's face brings hope of peace. Truly the perfect composition for these times.
HLJ, Pat

sayat (2949) 2009-01-02 12:26

Dear Angshuman,

This is the kind of artistic shot that I admire the most, in fact, am jalous of:)) The light is so masterfully captured that I cannot take myself looking at it!

Amazing note too my friend. I hope 2009 will help the peace loving wisdom of your people penetrate more to the daily life which is dominated by fear and violence nowadays.

Best wishes to you and your loved ones.

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-01-02 13:10

A very good view in near darkness, with superb effect of the smoke catching the light. Very well done.

All the best,

Emmanuel

jafadabret (56501) 2009-01-03 0:28

Bonjour Angshu.
Cette photo est d'une beauté rare. Peu d'éléments mais bien disposés et bien éclairés pour donner une image des plus poétiques.
Je ne peux résister et je la mets dans mes favorites.
Bonne et heureuse année !
Jacques

Didi (61589) 2009-01-03 10:18

Hello Angshu
Great selective spotlights, it's a very good composition with a good management of the exposure.
Not so easy to do it.
I think you used the spot measure.
Well done.
Best wishes for 2009.

axiotea (21651) 2009-01-04 22:27

Hello Angshu
You've played nicely with the light/shade on the woman's face, her dress and on the incense smoke!
Let your wish come true!!

My best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2009 to you and family!

Marilyn

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-01-04 23:17

Good words for 2009. I hope there will be more peace in 2009 then in 2008.

Best wishes and a Happy New Year 2009,
Achim

siolaw (38294) 2009-01-04 23:52

Hi Angshu,
I like this compo which suggests more than it shows with strong shades... nice light on the smoke and face....
All the best for 2009!
Laurent

Soumyadeb (148) 2009-01-05 0:51

Hi Anshuman --

Excellent use of the backlight. Expression of the lady tells that she is actually praying with some apprehensions in her mind. That is quite normal.

And from my side I could see all the aspect present in the smoke that a year can provide to mankind. Blessings, evil, decay, constructing something and all.

One of the best one subject wise as far as I have seen till date.

Thanks for this.

Cheers
Soumyadeb

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2009-01-05 6:41

simple yet so sophisticated... masterful use of light from you angshu, my compliments... wishing you all the best for the new year my friend...

korkut

josepmarin (59385) 2009-01-05 11:22

Hi Angshuman,
This simple scene has so much feeling that forms an impressive image.
The smoke of the incense sticks, illuminated by the sunbeams, has a great graphical strength, and the cross-light of the lady praying is really magnificent.
I share with you these wishes of peace and concord in the whole world, and what your country has suffered in 2008, due to the bleeding terrorist attacks, never happens again.
My best wishes also for you and your family in this New Year, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

avene (12675) 2009-01-05 20:34

hello Angshuman,
the photo is absolutely great, I love the elegance of the few lines that convey such a rich story, even if it is a somber and sad one. I agree with Barbara that this is one of your best posts, both technically and artistically. superb work, my sincere compliments.

wishing you a happy and peaceful new year,
Kristine

edytungkal (4551) 2009-01-07 18:47

Happy New Year Angshu friend...
Just opened your pages and found this fantastic shot, this a warmheart dedicated for the peaceful New Year from you. Really like it and perhaps one of your best shots...
have a great day :-)

daniel

adores (46979) 2009-01-08 18:38

Hi Angshuman!
It's just perfect, the composition, the effect of the smoke, the magic light... I really like it! Your note is very good also. Hope 2009 may be a better year to our world!
Happy New Year to you and to your family!

hispic (9658) 2009-01-15 19:09

Hi Angshuman,
Superb capture! the line light on the lady has been captured expertly and beautifully, the smoke also has been depicted with a wonderful form and exposure.
Regards, Hisashi

macjake (98544) 2009-10-19 1:32

Good Morning Angshu

I keep going back to your gallery of work
This is truly one of your best technical photos.
the subtleness of the red attire, against the black background, the small amount of light reflecting on the womens face,
there are so many great aspects to this photo.
Certainly one of the best here on TE!
I'm impressed
Thanks
Craig