Orchhā

Photographer's Note

The very word "Orchha" means "hidden" and, verily, this small town stands for it. It is a hidden archaeological legacy of medieval India, it is a hidden 'throb' of romance and emotional rupture, it is a hidden face of history, a hidden treasure of spiritual tranquility, a hidden poetry written on stones! Hidden .. because very few tourists traveling to India are troubled to visit such small places as Orchha. Those, having a feeling of being endowed with inner aesthetic sense, have to visit Orchha and experience its melodious lull and transcendence.

Orchha is believed to be founded in the 16th century by a Bundela Rajput chief named Rudra Pratap.

With the solemn row of pale brown weed-choked domes and spires, the riverside Chhattris or cenotaphs are Orchha's most melancholy ruins. These are temples constructed as memorials to illustrious Bundela kings. The banks of the Betwa river are dotted with 14 of these cenotaphs.

Indeed the Chhattris are best viewed from this bridge or from the boulders on the opposite bank, where one can see their remarkable silhouettes against the setting sun & their reflections on the still waters of the Betwa. An image that will surely stay in our memories for a long time.

Act III - Evening
Scene III - As the drama of sunset unfolded, every moment was different, every minute was different, every day was different...that's the beauty of Orchha. Compare this scene with this picture taken the same day in the same place, about 28 minutes later...you'll understand what I mean.

jonathan_hart, Gerrit, feather, Dpbours, bostankorkulugu, edytungkal, patdeph, papagolf21, ChrisJ, pierrefonds, jhm, josepmarin, danos, plimrn, Graal, emjleclercq, Bruno40, Didi, Felip, Kielia, siolaw ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

jonathan_hart (21276) 2009-01-17 5:07

the last sun ray, excellent timing, the view is very attractive, excellent framing too
the people are in the dark, still visible, and it's very fine like this
just a detail i like in bonus is the reflection of the silhouette of the man in what can be considered like a strong point in the composition
regards
jc

Gerrit (59968) 2009-01-17 6:22

Hi Angshu,
wonderful place. Impressive foreground to this majestic architecture in the setting sun.
Regards, Gerrit

feather (51130) 2009-01-17 13:28

It's not easy to decide on which image is best as all three are good. The reflections of the sky in the still water are beautiful. The people draw the eye a bit so it could be argued they are a distraction. I realise you couldn't avoid them as the light changes too quickly to wait, and I don't feel too strongly about them. It's all a matter of taste. Ricardo would celebrate their presence. ;D
Kath

Dpbours (222) 2009-01-18 2:32

Hello Angshu,

Wonderful light you have captured here!!
A very nice place indeed and a good note to it.
I'm about at my last postings on India, so we'll have to do with yours from now on again ;-).

Greetings! Dennis

bukitgolfb301 (53894) 2009-01-18 2:53

Hello my dear Angshuman

As usual great photo.
Light management was perfect, I think, no fr-ea and moderate twilight and good shape of castle. Great !

Best regards and many thanks

Takero

carper (96) 2009-01-18 9:37

nice photo Anghsu,
not an easy one with back light,
the pov is good I like the low light and the fine balance. good photo job, have a nice day.
regard jaap

bostankorkulugu (42832) 2009-01-18 16:03

the architecture is like from a fairy tale... also the colour palette in the sky and on the water... a beautiful scene indeed my firend... lucky people out there...

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-01-18 16:18

Hello Angshuman!
Superb picture with wonderful colors, management of light (I love the balance between brightness and darkness), with very nice silhouettes and a very interesting and beautiful reflection on the water!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

edytungkal (4551) 2009-01-18 19:12

Yes you will find a different beautiful colours on every second and both pictures has different way to enjoy the fantastic of The Orchha. A wonderful evening shot Angshu friend and have a great day .....

daniel

patdeph (35750) 2009-01-18 23:04

namaste Angshuman
the sky is splendid and I like very much its bright reflection into the dark stones!This contrast is very beautiful!And of course,the silhouettes of the wonderful temple are standing out the sky very well!Superb!
Regards
Pascale

papagolf21 (152601) 2009-01-19 0:38

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Evidemment, il est bien difficile de lutter pour obtenir de telles images dans nos contrées ! ;o)
Je suis heureux de contempler à travers vos images des lieux magiques.
Félicitations pour votre talent à tous points de vue.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ChrisJ (160138) 2009-01-19 1:00

Namaste Angshuman

Fantastic sunset reflections with marvellous graphism & silhouettes. Good sharpness & well composed. The people add scale & context. The bg ruins look similar to Prambanan, in Java. Tfs!

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2009-01-19 3:10

Splendid sunset, wonderful colours. I like the impressive silhouettes. Great composition, very well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

pierrefonds (103663) 2009-01-19 4:07

Hi Angshuman,

The reflections in the water are assets to the composition. The sunset is giving nice colors to the sky, also sending the rays of the sun on the water and giving a set of shadows to the other areaa of the photo. The point of view is giving depth to the picture. Th scenery is giving a sensation of tranquillity. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (203133) 2009-01-19 4:49

Good Evening Angshu,

A very strong contrast picture.
Good captured, nice composed a wonderful presentation.
Dark silhouettes, lovely colourfully sky, also splendid reflection in water.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

josepmarin (59385) 2009-01-19 7:15

Hi Angshuman,
Excellent capture of the reflections of the sky and the clouds on the water, which they give a great aesthetic result and almost they give more beauty to the composition that the magnificent architecture that we see in background, under a very nice and interesting light.
The organization of the framing is perfect, in my opinion.
A great work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

danos (110407) 2009-01-19 7:18

Hello Angshuman,
really the sunset in this area with the in Orchha must be a miracle.Every min,every sec, the light,the colour tints, everything must be changed.Excellent presentation of the cenotaphs with the rocks in the foreground to steal the show.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

plimrn (21344) 2009-01-19 8:02

Hi Angshu,
I like this one best of the three. While #1 has no overexposure, the lower tide in this picture reveals more details of the rocky channel which I find more attractive than the isolated rocks. I also prefer the brighter colors and like the people in the foreground.
HLJ, Pat

Graal (103040) 2009-01-19 9:55

Hi Angshuman,
very nice game of shadows and lights, amazing reflections in the sunset time. Good colours. An interesting compare 2 photos, fine presentation and note.
Gr., Aleksander

jafadabret (56501) 2009-01-19 11:38

Hi Angshu.
Tu as réalisé une très belle photo avec un jeu de contre-jour sur un très beau ciel du soir. Jeu de contre-jour et de reflets également avec les rochers et les gens qui s'y trouvent.
Belle réalisation !
jacques

marietom (34611) 2009-01-19 12:49

hello Angshu,

superbe paysage, dans ces couleurs de soleil couchant. j'aime beaucoup ces silhouettes.
Bonne soirée
Marie

aadilj (18102) 2009-01-19 21:27

Hey Angshuman, I was waiting to see more from your Agra trip but you seem to have reverted back to your fav place again! This one is vibrant and the lights have been nicely nuanced as always

emjleclercq (15778) 2009-01-20 13:22

Excellent reflection of the sky in the water, and a good horizon with the silhouettes of the temples underlined by the sunset.

All the best,

Emmanuel

sayat (2949) 2009-01-21 1:59

My favorite series! Amazing capture of the evening light and the texture of the place. Who is posing there on the rocks?

eversmile (11636) 2009-01-22 13:44

Hi Angshu!

The scenery is awe-inspiring and the soft light of the morning gives it a perfect mood with the shadowed shapes of the cenothaphs and their delicate reflections in the river. The light, the colors are beautiful. I have an idea of the kind od song that would match with this view... : the flute music piece from the movie Asoka (with SRK and Kareena Kapoor). Orccha seems to be a wonderful place, and not only as a filming location!
Great job!
Regards
Marine

Bruno40 (6658) 2009-01-23 4:54

very good work Angshu, despite not working with filters you have got a good dynamic range,mposedg some details in the foregraound.
well composed.
cheers
Jorge

Didi (61589) 2009-01-23 10:40

Hi Angshu
Great composition
Nice evening lights with interesting deep foreground.
Good balance with different lights.
Best regards

Felip (3907) 2009-01-23 11:28

Hi Angshu,
I think that today must be my susnset day. I've just voted another wonderful sunset shot, and now I see this one of yours...splendidly composed I envy you a lot for being able to "live" all these wonderful indian sunsets.
Best regards my friend

Felip

Kielia (24077) 2009-01-24 8:47

Hi Angshu,
these ruins – shrouded in mystery – are really one of your most interesting and fascinating features. Here you succeeded – due to the amazing light – in capturing the mysterious atmosphere perfectly. I also like the great contrasts. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-01-28 13:00

Hello my friend ,
Magnifico pôr do sol os seus reflexos ficaram lindos nestas aguas calmas, gostei muito deste primeiro plano com estas rochas , o palácio de fundo ficou lindo , bons detalhes , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

siolaw (38294) 2009-02-01 23:55

Hi Angshu,
The place seems to have endless opportunities...
Here i specially like the light on the clouds and sky reflectins!
Greetings
Laurent