Is the Opposite?, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

Is the opposite of a cliche still a cliche? I get the feeling it is.

This is the opposite of a cliche in that I pointed the camera in the opposite direction of the normal photos taken here. At my back is the beautiful and humbling Taj Mahal. This is one of the entrance gates; pretty impressive in its own right.

As tripods are not allowed in the Taj, this was taken handheld. I got up quite early to get this light and I have to say I was not dissappointed.

fabianoleite, PeterC, Fixfocus, startacked ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

poulinp (4528) 2006-04-07 11:07

Beautiful light, colors, and reflexion. It is very peaceful. Good perspective too. Good shot.

iGirl (1223) 2006-04-07 11:15

Hi Darren, this is an interesting shot. If it is a cliche, at least it is a different cliche from the normal cliche. You're right, the lighting really is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Erin

fabianoleite (13575) 2006-04-07 11:20

I liked the point of view. If the Taj Mahal is on the other side, this is probably a rare picture. Well thought. And I guess this is not a cliche... yet. You'd better patent the idea. Jokes aside, the picture looks great, it was worth waking up early, you wouldn't have the reflexion on the water otherwise. The palace was well centered (good for this specific picture), the lightness and colors were excellent. Very good picture.

designsoul (17843) 2006-04-07 11:30

Indeed superb light, Darren, very nice shot of early morning and interesting vantage point. It looks like a scenic photograph (which you may call a cliche) but your very inquiry into the topic relieves it of it, and it is a good shot in its own right, with exquisite early light
sasa

Floydian (30970) 2006-04-07 11:38

Hi Darren,
Mostly we see the reflection from the Taj Mahal, and yes that is very common, and how nice we see one from it's back. For sure, not many people will thought about that idea...including myself.
Because of that, this picture is superb in it's own way.
Really good taken in an very nice light setting.
Regards, Henk

Burnham (2428) 2006-04-07 11:39

Hi darren. I believe it cannot be a cliche if it is the opposite, the opposite of black is usually not considered black :o) I have a friend who went to Idia last wednesday, she has had quite a few arguments with friends and family as she stated she did not want to go se the Taj mahal, claiming she "has seen it". She meant there are so many things to see in India and with only a month to do it she did not want to go see something she feels she "knows so well", a valid point, I don't know where I stand on it though.
To your picture, lovely as always, but it seems to be tilted a bit to right, and somehow I think your pictures of people are better. Maybe that's just because people make better pictures or something, I can't say how you could portrai this usually very overlooked piece of art better... Do you see where I'm going, nothing wrong with the picture (apart from the tilt), you just don't have my people fear so I feel it is a mockery that you use your skills for other than people ;o)

PeterC (2242) 2006-04-07 13:06

Darren,
I think you make an interesting point. It would have been cool to put the cliche in a workshop for use to really decide. Great light and great compostion. A very unsual shot for you Darren.
For me i dont think its a cliche its another viewpoint and offers another viewpoint which people often dont see or for that much, remember.
Cheers
Peter

flashlight (579) 2006-04-07 20:03

Nice perspective,i like the symetrie in this one.
cheers!

Furachan (0) 2006-04-07 22:45

Well first of all the picture stands on its own, Darren - it's beautifully controlled and framed. Second, I love your "conceit" (in the sense of "wit") here, playing on the CLICHE concept. The answer would be a resounding "Yes", the reverse of the thing is the same, but you get the prize for bringing it up in the first place and teasing us so cleverly.
Cheers,
Francis

Fixfocus (9385) 2006-04-08 14:51

The Perspective here is really striking but what I like even more is the light in this picture.Is there a slight tilt to the right or is it just wideangle distortion?
Gr,
Hermann

markoci (3933) 2006-04-09 2:29

i'm sorry darren, but to answer your question, yes! it still is. i mean it's nicely rendered (though there's still a slight tilt) good one for a postcard perhaps, but a really boring photo for me.. i'm sure you have much better ones from the place... (i really hope you don't mind my honesty here, you know i don't expect anything less from you... :)...)

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CedarBough (74) 2006-04-12 23:05

Very nice... the far building could be sharper, but the composition is quite lovely and the colors (love that early light!) worked out great. The last time I went to the Taj early I paid all that money and then fog rolled in off the river and stayed till 9:30 or so. You're lucky!

lancelot__666 (783) 2006-05-04 8:32