Dreaming of Safdarjung, a photo from Delhi, North

Photographer's Note

Safdarjung was the Governor of Oudh or Awadh (a region in the center of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) in 1754. He was honored with the title by Muhammad Shah, the Mughal Emperor. The next Mughal emperor, Ahmad Shah later made him the Wazir (a high-ranking political, and sometimes religious advisor or minister, often to a Muslim monarch )of the Mughal Empire. He was called Wazir ul-Mamalik-i-Hindustan or Chief Minister of India.

The tomb of Safdarjung in Delhi was built in 1753-1754 by Nawab Shujauddaulah, the son of Safdarjung. It is perhaps one of the most significant buildings constructed after the reign of Emperor Aurangazeb, the last great Mughal emperor.

Made of sandstone and buff stone, Safdarjung’s Tomb is a beautiful example of late Mughal architecture and is often referred to as the 'last flicker of the Mughal architectural lamp'.

I took this shot from the outer gate of the Safdarjung Tomb....yes this time in a vertical format :-), with two arched doorways to frame. The man appeared to be in deep thought, as he was leaning against the wall & stood in this posture for quite a while. Probably he was dreaming of Safdarjung ! Who knows?....

Workshop : Converted to B&W. Since the colours are not very primary here & the haze of the strong sun creating a lot of contrast variation, I thought of trying this variation. As always I would value your comments on this as well.

Benedict, siolaw, sabyasachi1212, bakes888, carper, emjleclercq, axiotea, ChrisJ, riclopes, vinicio, Budapestman, pierrefonds, feather, josepmarin, ramesh_lalwani, vagabondtravels, tcht, pablominto, cunejo200, atus, sayat, TeresaT, Henryk_Bilor, sayan, pranab, edytungkal ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

sid (228) 2007-04-13 0:37

Nice composition but seemingly taken at wrong time of the day, to have left you with mere few details of the monument.

Keep going on never the less!
You have some great work in stock never the less.

Cheers
Sid
..

leo61 (0) 2007-04-13 0:42

Hi Angshu!
Good composition with the view through these arches at the tomb.The man in the shadow works well for the composition and you managed the bright light well.
Regards,Leo

bakes888 (18499) 2007-04-13 0:51

Hi Angshuman. Great photo. The tomb and its natural frame are excellent but the figure leaning against the side just brings it to life. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.
PS Good use of the vertical format ;-)

carper (96) 2007-04-13 0:55

a fantastic shot Angshuman
the looking through is nice and bring us to a fantastic light scene, good pov and good details and a very good photo job, nice to look at, fine job.
gr. jaap

emjleclercq (15778) 2007-04-13 1:37

Classical framing, but which focusses efficiently on the building in the background. Good natural colors and good overall sharpness, for example on the pavement in the foreground.

All the best,

Emmanuel

ndb1958 (9289) 2007-04-13 1:48

Hi Angshu,
such a nice view on this beautiful building. I like the way you use light and shadow. I even like the view on this guy standing inside the arch. A very strong composition.
Nino

hay_kes (31439) 2007-04-13 2:19

Hi Angshuman,
What a great architectural shot.Nice natural frame.Good colours, light and details.TFS.
Cheers!

hAyAti

axiotea (21651) 2007-04-13 2:31

Hi Angshu,
The arches create a natural framing to the tomb with its beautiful architecture and you handled quite good the strong light condition. The man is maybe waiting for his family who went to see closer the tomb.
Cheers
Marilyn

Elaine_Blath (8471) 2007-04-13 2:43

Hi Ang,

very nice POV, I like especially the inclusion of the human element, it makes the image livelier...well done!

Take care, Ivana

Graal (103040) 2007-04-13 2:46

Hi Angshuman,
good idea and composition with natural frame. I like the symerty, light and colours. Interesting note. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

prumod (8300) 2007-04-13 3:07

hi angshu...
you arranged it in a way like a pearl inside the shell....
great shot...
greetings...

ChrisJ (171818) 2007-04-13 3:27

Hi Angshuman

Good use of the fg arch, to frame the bg scene, with excellent graphism & sharpness. Superb fg shadow detail on the cobblestones, with good colour. Tfs!

riclopes (35577) 2007-04-13 3:42

Olá Angshu, this one made me smile, because I recently visited this one: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/photo578982.htm
You have the extra of that human element in a curved pose, that I really enjoy. He's admiring the architecture as we are and that creates a stronger feeling. The only thing I like more in the b&w version is the textures and light on the stones in foreground - everytrhing else I prefer this color version - But ist's a good alternative and if you didn't show this one I would be quite satisfied with it (the cupula is not so well seen though as it lacks of contrast with the sky).
This kind of framings are allways very appealing and I like the way you made a tight framing of the gorgeous architecture and with the inclusioon of the two arches in forground, adding more depth. Excellent shot, my friend.
Best regards,
Ricardo

vinicio (23423) 2007-04-13 4:35

Another beautiful view Angshu, this time a little asymmetric and more static than your previous with the passing woman, but place, atmosphere and view are really nice and enjoyable, well done, compliments.
Have a nice week-end
Ciao
Vinicio

Budapestman (82620) 2007-04-13 4:48

Dear Angshu,
This is a fascinating and refined architecture photo as usual. Spectacular POV and splendid composition. Beautiful details and very fine colours. Excellent work, indeed. Have a nice weekend. Thank you
George

sabyasachi1212 (19779) 2007-04-13 4:52

Dear Angshuman,
Once again the framing is impeccable. Considering you were shooting from the shadow with the tomb highly illuminated, I think you have done an outstanding job with the exposure. The thoughtful man adds a different dimension to what otherwise would have been a regular touristy shot.
The B&W version looks good, infact probably even better than the original. Just one point though, the upper archway is bit too dark on my LCD, almost to the point of missing it altogether. Cropping from the original to include only the outer archway or level adjustment to bring out more of the upper level could be an option.
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

partha (14023) 2007-04-13 5:17

Hi Angshu,
A perfect shot. U have used wonderfully the frame within a frame concept.The inclusion of the person is also a very nice idea.
Regards.
Partha

jasmis (58653) 2007-04-13 6:15

Fine place, interesting perspective and amazing pose of the man under the arche.
Really impressive shot.
Regards.

siolaw (38294) 2007-04-13 7:01

Hi Angshu!
That is a fine one for sure...
The arch-framed, off centered monument can show its architectural beauty to this nonchalantly watching man!
Colors are natural looking so is sharpness!
Laurent

albertopiubello (2623) 2007-04-13 7:21

Wow Angshu, you managed the exposure so well: not easy to do.
Good inclusion of the person on the left side, classical but interesting framing for a beautiful temple.
Have a nice day
Alberto

rajiv_077 (1412) 2007-04-13 8:21

Hi Angshu

Excellent capture of this nice monument. Very good and unique POV. That man looking intresting in this one. You know very well that i also posted here the same type of shot . And i think on this type of picture lights & weather play a very powerful job.

cheers

rajiv

pierrefonds (114371) 2007-04-13 8:47

Hi Angshuman,

A good POV of the tomb of Safdarjung, the photo has a good composition, DOF and nice colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

feather (51130) 2007-04-13 8:57

Great use of the archway to frame the tomb and yes it does work better in vertical format. You have done an excellent job to recover some detail in the dark passage and the person looking at the same view is a brilliant addition to the scene. As you know I usually prefer colour and do on this occasion too, but I think you have done a good job with the conversion with the added contrast.
Kath

batalay (41261) 2007-04-13 9:10

Hello "Mr. B,"

Just before retiring for the night (it is 12:30 am), I thought I would have a quick fix for my addiction -- what treasures were posted lately. And sure enough, there is a fabulous shot of the Tomb of Safdarjung, beautifully framed in the double arch, and a man obligingly positioned to give some scale to the gateway. The composition is excellent, as are the definition and color. Wonderful work my friend, and certain deserving a grade of A. (Ironic that Angshuman, who constiently earns grades of A, begins with B, and Bulent with an A)

Thanks for the note confirming my choice not to do any postprocessing on that image, April Snow, I posted. Nature knows best!

"Professor A"

Benedict (7076) 2007-04-13 9:11

like a painting! great compo and POV with pleasant pastel colors.
benedict.

josepmarin (59385) 2007-04-13 12:24

Hi, my friend Angshuman,
The use of the door to create the frame to the fantastic architecture of this tomb is a great idea, and gives a graphical very elegant result.
You have controlled very well the difficult light in this kind of photos, and the illuminated zones have a good balance and a good contrast with the zones in shade, where we can see well the details and textures of the pavement.
The presence of the man gives us a good reference of the scale of the set.
It is a good work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2007-04-13 14:58

Hi Angshuman
Excellent framing of famous south Delhi monument.I wish you moved a bit right to get perfect symetry.I hope ASI will fill up fountain so that we can get nice reflection.
I have one on TE from almost same location which Hindustan Times had used without my permission.
Ramesh

vagabondtravels (6511) 2007-04-13 19:45

Hi Angshuman

Great capture. Good use of light. Nice choise of vertical comp. Good lines drawing in. Well done.
Ben

kermit350 (9016) 2007-04-14 4:00

Hello Angshu, pretty catch of subtle sight with these two doors arched in own way of framing, the format is effective what makes the door external gravitational, the presence of the spectator helps with judged size of the places and improves this presentation, sincerely, ..................................Hello Angshu, joli prise de vue subtile avec ces deux portes arquée en guise d’encadrement, le format est efficace ce qui rend la porte externe plus attractive, la présence du spectateur aide à jugé de la grandeur des lieux et bonifie cette présentation, bien amicalement,

tcht (7565) 2007-04-14 4:07

Hi Angshu
Beautiful, classical composition. The man and the archway framing really make it work. Exposure is well managed, the foreground isn't too dark and the main building is very well lit. This'd make a good photo for books like LonelyPlanet :))
Cheers
CheukHin

pablominto (53746) 2007-04-14 4:15

Hello Angshu,
A beautiful composition, filled with emotions!
Very well composed, and the impressive tomb is well framed by the arch...
Well exposed image, good sense of depth and fine details!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Stepan (27210) 2007-04-14 4:16

I plan to go to India this summer, then I dream, while exploring your gallery.
A good pov, a good shadow frame, a good idea to have someone in (to create some life and figure I'm there).
Well done.
Stéphane

cunejo200 (7281) 2007-04-15 12:29

Hello Angshu,
So well framed. The man standing and admiring the building adds appeal. And of course the ornate tomb is very striking. Best wishes - Danilo

atus (15878) 2007-04-15 16:14

Hi Angshu,
once again, a perfectly framed shot, of a great perspective and very good sense of depth. The man is very well placed in the frame and adds a lot to the shot, balancing it greatly. The light control is very good and thanks to it also the details in the shade are well visible.
Well done and have a nice week!
Attila
p.s. as almost everytime, I prefer this version

jinju (14265) 2007-04-16 0:13

Hi angshu,

nicely framed building through the door here. Good exposure, not over or under exposed. perfect where it needs to be. The man's silhouette is attractively placed agsinst that palace. The WS is attractive, tough choice!

sayat (2949) 2007-04-16 15:05

Excellent framing and a perfect balance in the exposure Dear Angshu. This one is one of your finest work. Thanks for sharing.

TeresaT (10806) 2007-04-16 17:18

Hello Angshuman,
This one is really great.
The man is very well postioned here.
and the arch create a very beauitful frame to the Temple.
Perfect exposure with a perfect balance between the dark areas inside the arches and the brightness of outside.
Regards
Teresa

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2007-04-17 16:37

Hi Angshuman
Good framing and view at the tomb. Nice light and interesting details.
Regards

capthaddock (28790) 2007-04-17 17:57

Hi Angshu - I like the double arched framing, maybe I would have tried to get it more symmetric by moving to the right, but some would prefer the offset.

sayan (2617) 2007-04-18 5:44

Dear Angshuman da,

Everything seems to be in perfect position here. Only point is that the archway on the right is cropped out which in my opinion can be kept there. Otherwise the position of the man is just perfect, goes nicely with the tite of the photo. Nice work.

regards
Sayan

pranab (5354) 2007-04-19 13:01

angshu,
it's been a while since my last visit.
i likle this composition because of the framing and the inclusion of the human element on the foreground. you have captured the colors and details well.

pady (4800) 2007-04-25 13:23

Hello Angshu,
Your picture is very well composed with this man against the door. This beautiful dorr creates a nice frame for the building
Well done.
Cheers
Pierre-André

quillo (11858) 2007-06-27 6:48

-

Hello Angshuman, a picture within another picture, I simultaneously like east type of frame playing with the arc of the building and framing the one of outside, an elegant work with attractive of the good light and colors. Congratulations.

Regards.

.

noborders (1010) 2007-08-16 10:46

I too had mıssed thıs one, and I thought that I had vısıted almost all the sıghts ın Delhı and New Delhı but had no ıdea of the exıstence of thıs monument... Agaın, I lıke the presentatıon wıth the arches and the lıght very well managed,
Bravo and regards from Tokat where I am now endıng my lıttle travel, waıtıng for a very late nıght bus,
Cath.

edytungkal (4551) 2007-11-13 17:56

What a very nice pov, taking from the triumphal arch showing the different contrast between dark side the beautiful building on the bright side. I like how you have added the sillhoutte's man watching the lovely couple. One of your great Angshu, i like it alot.

daniel

jafadabret (56501) 2008-05-07 11:29

Belle composition qui a comme cadre cette belle porte à contre-jour. L'édifice est remarquable et la présence humaine bienvenue. Du très beau travail.
Jacques