Fatehpur Sikri

Photographer's Note

37 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri was a splendid example of town planning and craftsmanship. Most of the buildings are made up of red sandstone due to easy availability. The town is fortified on three sides with eight gateways and has an artificial lake on the fourth side. The monuments here can be classified into four main categories - The Sacred Complex, The Royal Complex, The Imperial Harem and Other Monuments.

This picture is from inside the Jami Masjid or the Friday Mosque, which is one of the most beautiful and largest mosques of the world. This elegant building is the most sacred building and the principal mosque of the town and thus situated on the highest point of the ridge where Fatehpur Sikri is situated. There are two entrances to the Jama Masjid. The Buland Darwaja is the main & bigger entrance. There were a lot of tourists that day but most of them were concentrated near the Tomb of the famous Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti , which is a part of this spacious mosque complex.

It was generally darkish inside the corridors, with light falling through the high windows & coming through the arched doorways creating a fine atmosphere. As I walked past, I saw the light falling from the arched window at the top, just like a spotlight in a theater set. I chanced my luck & waited in the shadows, camera ready for someone to pass through the ‘spotlight’. I was rewarded with something better, as you can see here.

My 500th Post, & the spotlight is on me...at least that’s what I would like to believe myself!

Thank you all in TE, more specially those who have taken efforts in hand holding me though my photographic journey to 500...a milestone I never thought I'll reach....but here I am :-)

InasiaJones, PaulVDV, pierrefonds, baba_flies, bukitgolfb301, Gerrit, avene, gervaso, feather, josepmarin, isabela_sor, ChrisJ, bostankorkulugu, Graal, Bluejeans, Kielia, dip, papagolf21, rigoletto, vasilpro, burGu, edytungkal, plimrn, jimkil heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (38752) 2009-09-12 2:19

Namaste Angshu
Shukria not only for this one, symbolic of the spotlight on you, but for all your beautiful work on India, of which I know only a part
Cheerful regards
patrick

Morac (27725) 2009-09-12 2:20

Hello Angshu,
Congratulations on this 500th post and for the 499 earlier.
You showed us the beauty of India and Asia.
I like your picture full of life, where men and women occupy a large and beautiful place.

Happy to have met you
Best regards
Marc

serp2000 (47063) 2009-09-12 2:39

Privet, Angshuman
My congratulations on your #500 shot here!
This photo is excellent! My compliments! Great realisation of good idea! Thanks!
Serghei

eversmile (11636) 2009-09-12 2:40

Hi Angshu!

That's a hit for your 500th! The ray of light just on the visitor that makes her scarf glowing, builds her shadow and highlights the discrete, softened hues of the walls. Excellent work with a strong mood, in a place that has enchanted me.
Like the ice on the cake in your already very rich gallery , and an engaging starting point for the next 500 pictures that you will, I hope, show us in the future...
Congratulations and regards
Marine

CLODO (45118) 2009-09-12 2:45

Hi Angshu
500 splendid pictures, thank you.
I like the way the person is in the light and her shadow. You waited or asked her to be exactly there.
Professional work my dear
CLODO

aadilj (18102) 2009-09-12 2:58

Hey angshuman...500??wow congratulations. and what a lovely lovely superb shot yaar. Very well handled

InasiaJones (31566) 2009-09-12 3:01

500th!!!

You are now part of a select club, one of the few to achieve such a high level of dedication and quality presentation. Your notes are always very interesting, totally in-line with what TE is all about.

I have been in Fatehpur Sikri and it's a stunning complex indeed. I was there just after ramadan and the place was full of people, with food stalls and amusement parks for the kids.

But your version of the place shows a serene and spiritual location, which is more representative of its function in the first place.

I just like how the window and its beam of light tightly fit into your composition, then how the lady's shadow is perfectly framed on her turn.

Difiicult light conditions well rendered.

Congratulations for your milestone my friend!

Andre

pajaran (117001) 2009-09-12 3:30

Pozdrav iz Srbije.
Cestitam na jubijel i zelim vam puno uspeha u daljem radu i da imate sto vise ovako divnih fotografija.
Pono srece u zivotu i radu, Paja.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2009-09-12 3:44

Hello Angshu,
in last days I thought what would be your 500 no. post? It should be a special one. But in reality Your 500 no. post is a very very very special photo. I saw this pattern of shot in TE. The name is 'Kissed by the light' by Paolo. I dream one day I also take this pattern of shot, and suddenly find your posting which is really a great one. Full of life. I have no words to explain it's quality. Tfs. Have a great time.
Subhendu

PaulVDV (63452) 2009-09-12 4:25

Hello Angshu,
Congratulations with your 5OOth post on TE and this wonderful picture of Fatehpur Sikri.
I like how that woman and her shadow fit perfectly in the sunbeam comming in through the window and on the white spot of light created on the floor.
Well done !
Best regards, Paul

baba_flies (8829) 2009-09-12 4:56

Hello Angshuman! Fantastic place, wonderful the light that comes in from the upper window, excellent choice to have this person standing there, blinded by the light maybe, or simply enjoying the beauty of this building. Wow no 500, you have reached a lot of over this period, belonigng to the best meanwhile here on TE, showing us great work and wonderful places that most will never see. Congratulations, a major step! All my best, Barbara.

pierrefonds (115488) 2009-09-12 4:58

Hi Angshuman,

Congratulation for your 500th post on TE, You have capture well the light coming through the window doing the spotlight on the person observing the inside of the Mosque. The way you took the picture your are giving depth to the composition. The light from the window is enhancinmg the colors of the picture. Well done, have a nice day.

Pierre

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2009-09-12 5:07

Hello my dear Prof. Angshuman

Oh my god! What an another super great shot!
Perfect light managment, complete framework, nice composition and sharp focusing as usual. Strong message!
Congratulation on your masterpiece.
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a good Saturday !

Takero

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-09-12 5:11

Hello Angshu!
Congratulations for your 500th post!
Let them come more and more, with your usual quality and intense feelings inside!
This one is no different and truly pleases me!
A very good idea and the results are wonderful due to your ability to take excellent pictures!
My warmest regards and greetings from Brazil,
Have a great week-end!
Neyvan

Bartleby (13552) 2009-09-12 6:50

Hi Angshu,
congratulations on your 500th post! And I hope to see many more...I always appreciate the quality and neatness of your posts. This one is no exception and catching that light must have been quite a challenge. The shaft is beautiful and enhances the surroundings. And I'm impressed with the sharpness at 1/13! Was this hand-held? Anyhow I like this. Keep'em coming, man.

Best,

Philippe

Gerrit (62042) 2009-09-12 7:12

Hi Angshuman,
all the spotlights on you for reaching such a milestone.
Fine photo and good idea to celebrate.
Keep up the good work.

Regards, Gerrit

hay_kes (31439) 2009-09-12 9:33

Salam Angshuman,
What a stunning photo vith superb moment.Good light and composition.TFS.
Namaste,

hAyAti

gervaso (28387) 2009-09-12 10:43

Hello, Angshuman!

First of all, congratulations for you 500th post! The lighting is excellent in this picture, with interesting subject and a wonderful architecture around! Wonderful composition! Well done!

ahmetgedikli (25609) 2009-09-12 12:22

Congratulations for you 500th post! Beautiful composition with good light and atmosphere... Well done.
Have a good weekend.
ahmetgedikli

MarianneS (15338) 2009-09-12 12:28

Dear Angshu,
500 photos! Impressive, above all because of the quality of your work.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos with us.
It is a great inspiration :-)
Here again, you offer us a beautiful play of light and shadow. The lady is perfectly positioned to offer you a great composition.
Congratulations, thank you and please, we want more photos!!!
Have a great week-end,
Marianne

feather (51130) 2009-09-12 12:57

Congratulations for reaching a major TE milestone. There is a lesson in every single one of your posts. You are in a minority group of people who take part in this site in the way I believe it was intended.
What a special photo you chose as your celebratory post. The beam of light is fantastic and waiting, camera posed for the right moment, was the right choice.
Well done
Kath

berek (50518) 2009-09-12 13:26

Hi Angshuman,
congratulations for your 500th picture. impressive light adn composition.
Greetings.
burak

emka (158744) 2009-09-12 23:43

Hi Angshuman,
Congratulations on your milestone! certainly, in such a moment the spotlight is on you!!. Yoy were waiting for someone and you got your prize - this tourist looks very attractive - bathed in the light coming from above. wonderful place that maybe I will see in two months.

Regards

Malgorzata

malgorzata

josepmarin (59385) 2009-09-13 8:10

Namaste Angshuman,
Congratulations for your 500 post!! A great milestone. Your gallery demonstrates your good photographic work, and your perseverance publishing photos here.
This celebration picture is very attractive and symbolic, I like the effect of the light that enters the window and illuminates the lady inside the semidarkness of the mosque.
Excellent work.
Best regards, my friend,
Josep

isabela_sor (47748) 2009-09-13 8:28 [Comment]

Show Comment

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-09-13 8:29

there is a gorgeous play with the light on this photo, well done
jc

anindya2u (287) 2009-09-13 23:25

Good one Anshu
Absolutely Brilliant layers - the source of light; falling into a subject and its reflection.Its brilliant and I was dragged to the Shakespearean age. Good POV too.
Carry on buddy

Rgds
anindya

batalay (41261) 2009-09-14 5:49

Dear Mr. B,

I am a firm believer of the dictum, "Quality before quantity." But when your photographs are all so good, having so many of them, makes them all more special. Congratulations on your 50th, and indeed you've submitted a most beautiful shot. I just went back and looked at your Intro page, and saw the list of your images that have been published in world class periodicals. The note also is informative and adds to the value of the TE-package. (Of the 280+ images National Geographic Books used in my new book, "Leonardo's Universe," four of them are mine. I had recommended 4-5 more from TE members whose photographs would have been welcome additions, a young photo editor did not use them.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Warm regards,

Bulent

ChrisJ (172408) 2009-09-14 7:16

Namaste Angshu

Congratulations on your 500th post! This looks like a Hollywood spotlight. Superb placement of the woman with good colour, sharpness & lighting control. Tfs!

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2009-09-14 10:22

a shower of divine light for the 500th, good choice of course... congrats dear angshu... keep going my friend...

korkut

pablominto (53746) 2009-09-14 22:23

Hello Angshu,

Congrats with this milestone, as you are now joining the 500 club..!

And the image you present is remarkable too, a piece of work that is standing out as well as the lady in the spotlight...

Well done!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Graal (103040) 2009-09-15 0:03

Hi Angshuman,
congratulations on Your jubilee, 500th post in TE! Great effect of spotlight, nice scene and scenery. I like it a lot.
Gr., Aleksander

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-09-15 2:07

Hello Angshu,
Congratulations for your 500th post! Your photo of is very nice and is very well realized, a nice contribution for today. I like this shadow & light play here. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

rajiv_077 (1412) 2009-09-15 2:51

Hi Dear

Well seen and captured. Another great Point of view. the lights coming through the windows and falling on women looks wonderful. I wonder what she looking towards windows, but its interesting. What ISO you use for this shot.

kind regards

rajiv

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-09-15 5:32

Ola amigo ,
Parabéns pelas 500 fotos no TE e uma boa soma de fotos e com grande beleza , gostei muito desta foto a luz a iluminar a mulher originou um belo momento , bonitos detalhes de arquitectura .
Um abraço Gonçalo

Kielia (24077) 2009-09-15 11:24

Hi Angshuman,
congratulation on the occasion of reaching this milestone! Your gallery is really enhancing this site. And what a wonderful image you have chosen. Great atmosphere of the interior of the mosque, excellent management of the light and as already mentioned: a strong message. Reading your very nice note was a pleasure too. Bravo!
Warm regards
Harriet

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-09-15 13:30

Very nice catch of this spot of light drawing thee shape of the window on the pavement.

All the best,

Emmanuel

dip (21408) 2009-09-16 3:27

Hello Angshu,
the 500th!Congratulations!
wonderful image,amazing lighting,
excellent captured,
regards,
Dimitris.

jafadabret (56501) 2009-09-17 0:00

Bonjour Angshu.
Félicitations pour cette 500ème ! La photo est superbe avec ce jeu de la lumière qui descend du coin supérieur gauche et traverse la composition en diagonale en illuminant au passage ce visiteur.
Bonne journée !
Jacques

patdeph (35750) 2009-09-17 7:47

namaste Angshuman
you were very lucky to have this ray of sun through the window,and the woman under it at the same time,and you have prerfectly managed this difficult shot,in spite the strong contrast!This is a very nice photo you offer for this important birthday!Congratulations for your whole work on TE!
regards
Pascale

PixelTerror (0) 2009-09-17 10:11

Hi Angshu
Congratulations for your 500th upload and all these corners of India you have shown us.
This ray of light coming just onto the lady is superb, a nice way to play with the light
Have a nice day JY

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-09-18 1:18

Bonjour, cher ami Angshu,
Encore une réussite ; qui s'en plaindrait ! Une photo très réussie à tous points de vue.
Félicitations.
Amitiés.
Philippe

carper (96) 2009-09-18 22:52

congratulation Angshu,
with your 500 th here on trekearth
a fine one my friend not easy, good how you handled the light, fine composition, good photo job here, have a nice day.
regard jaap

rigoletto (34279) 2009-09-19 6:49

Hi Angshuman,
I like the use of light and shade in my photos, because i see it and learn it and be inspired by it with the help of teachers like you.
This is one photo i would have loved to take, the light, her pose and shadow are great.
Congratulations for your 500th on TE. May the 1000th come now :))
Salutes,
Deniz

vasilpro (41801) 2009-09-19 13:49

Hello Angshuman,
Wonderful light management, lovely composition, congratulations for your 500 pictures. It's a great gallery.
Regards, Vasilis.

burGu (4840) 2009-09-20 3:11

So you are celebrating your 500th with an amazing light in the Mosque. While this lady is protecting her eyes against the light, you're playing very well with it. Congrats Angshu!
Have a nice weekend,
Burcu

edytungkal (4551) 2009-09-22 23:40

Congratulation for your 500th post Angshu friend,
What a perfect shot...

daniel

Waylim (25436) 2009-09-23 15:07

Hi Angshu,
Ah that beam of light, this take me to my recent trip to the Antelope Canyon where I tried to capture the beam of light that shined through the canyon.
This is very nice, it draw our vision right the source of the light and the subject. Through the light, we can still see much details of the architectural details. Excellent shot with good POV and composition and well managed light. Tfs.
Way

plimrn (21344) 2009-09-24 18:12

Hi Angshu,
I was drawn to the photo by the dramatic lighting, and then I discovered that it was a milestone for you. I remember your earlier posts of your travels to other countries and how you really hit your stride as you began sharing with us your vision of India. I have learned so much from you about your homeland. I agree very much with Andre's comment that your posts are always in keeping with TE guidelines.
Here's to the next 500!!
HLJ, Pat

kschanna (6) 2009-10-15 4:52

Hello Angshu,

You didn't take this picture. You created it and that too. beautifully. The beam of light is captured in its entire majestic beauty. Thanks for sharing
Kamran

jimkil (1706) 2009-10-30 1:12

Man, this deserves a 100 pointer at least, and although I miss some sharpness in this Angshu, the light is just beautiful, like someone here is reading a script to the heavens. I love the shadow given off also.
Excellent capture.
Regards
Jim

partha (14023) 2009-12-16 5:47

WOw, What a great shot.
Though I think a little bit underexpose may help to upgrade it but compositionally it is brilliant.
partha

Bookoolee (0) 2010-06-11 0:35 [Comment]