The Radiating Time Lines, a photo from Delhi, North

Photographer's Note

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1686-1743) was the ruler of the Rajput State of Amber in India. He founded the city of Jaipur, in Rajasthan, as his magnificently designed capital, the city being named after him.

Astronomy, however, was Jai Singh’s grand passion. Jai Singh’s observatories were called 'Jantar Mantars', which in Sanskrit roughly translates to ‘The Formula of Instruments’. They were built with the assistance of the Bengali mathematician Vidyadhar Bhattacharya. The first one was built at Delhi in 1724, the second at Jaipur in 1734 and the other smaller ones at Mathura, Ujjain and Varanasi between 1732 and 1734. These monumentally grand, surrealistic structures, with their remarkable geometric shapes, are themselves the astronomical instruments, outfitted with drafting devices and grid indicators, and are so highly sophisticated that they are capable of exactly measuring planetary positions and reading time precise to one second.

The Ram Yantra (believed to be named after Raja Ram Singh, Grandfather of Sawai Man Singh), photographed here, is a high column inside a marked container which is capable of accurately gauging the altitude and azimuth (the azimuth of a celestial body is the angle between the vertical plane containing it and the plane of the meridian) of celestial objects, including the sun. In the Islamic and Hindu schools of astronomy there were no instruments like the Ram Yantra prior to Jai Singh’s creations.

The height of the walls & the pillar is equal to the internal radius of the building (7.51 metres). The floor is divided into 30 sectors raised on 0.91 metre high supports. The sectors and the intervening open spaces measure 6 degrees. The gnomon (central pillar) of the Ram Yantra is to the left of the frame. What is needed is to observe the shadow of the gnomon - determine its centre and mark it on the floor or the walls of the instrument - wherever it falls.

This would, I think, look well in B&W as well. Pls. do check the Workshop for that version.

KLB, riclopes, Wanda1, edytungkal, bapun1, Kielia, feather, everlasting, Felip, Didi, dareco, dArpAn, emjleclercq, pierrefonds, carper, jafadabret, danos, josepmarin, Cretense, zeca, jusninasirun, Jonas_Schmitt, plimrn, siolaw, avene ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

KLB (23723) 2008-10-26 6:40

Hello Angshuman

A really great shot.
You've framed the place in the better way to bring the graphism of these lines out. The curves are hypnotic !
Your picture works well in B&W, but I prefer this version with the red tones for an impact even stronger.
I like your image a lot, well done.

Regards
Karine

riclopes (35577) 2008-10-26 7:27

Olá Angshu, as you should know this is one of my latest favorite shots of yours. The graphism is amazing and full of dynamism. This radiating set seems to start spinning around at any moment...A fascinating place and a superb framing. Congrats. B&W? It works, but the contrast of colors that is a good bónus here gets lost.
friendly regards,
ricardo

Wanda1 (15142) 2008-10-26 8:24

Hi Angshuman,
Great graphic shot with cool lines, patterns and textures. Like the way they radiate from the core as if radiating beams from the sun. Love the curved red archways we can see through the straight grey beams.
Regards
Wanda

edytungkal (4551) 2008-10-26 8:37

I think this one is special Angshu friend... Everything look balance, colours, graphism and sharpness are perfect and I do agree this colour version has give a dynamic pattern to the picture. i like alot this picture...well done

daniel

bapun1 (803) 2008-10-26 9:13

Superb catch. There is so much in one frame...geometry, life, skill, science, astrology... you name it!

Regard,
Bishnu.

Kielia (24077) 2008-10-26 9:23

Hi Angshuman,
you are right, B&W is very fine too! Your excellent note gives a perfect information on this fascinating place. The framing is superb. Congratulation on this masterpiece!
Warm regards
Harriet

baba_flies (8829) 2008-10-26 9:37

Hello Angshuman! I just double-checked about the b/w but for me this works better and I guess it is the red that comes through from the other side and the plants that we can see that makes it more exciting to me to have it in color but of course b/w ALWAYS works fantastic but color is my choice for today. I really like how the lines spread out on the ground and go up again on the other side. Exciting architecture indeed! This is really good ... Barbara.

feather (51130) 2008-10-26 11:11

This is a wonderful graphic image with excellent lines. You have framed it very well. Unusually for me I also like the B&W version which you have converted very well. I can't actually decide which one I prefer. It is a very clever structure.
Kath

everlasting (19680) 2008-10-26 11:30

You have framed this particularly well Angshu, making the most from this graphical structure. I like the people in the background too. You know I may even prefer the B&W here and that it not what I normally would say.

leo61 (0) 2008-10-26 11:58

Hi Angshu!
A great shot with good lines and patterns.Red and grey contrasts well and the person inthe yellow shirt makes your composition complete.
Regards,Leo

jonathan_hart (21276) 2008-10-26 12:12

excellent framing, the graphic is eye catching, marvelous subject
regards
jc

Felip (3907) 2008-10-26 12:16

Is it possible that you had a similar one to this in your gallery, Angshu?. What a clock!, difficult to loose it, and if as you say, it is even precise then I want one like this for my home :))). Good graphism with al those lines converging in the central column.
Have a nice week

Felip

Morac (27725) 2008-10-26 12:54

Hello Angshuman
It is a great job with the lines and light.
You have fully used the architecture of the place.
Best regards
Marc

Didi (61589) 2008-10-26 12:58

Salam Angshu
Very interesting composition who gives a strange effect to the eyes if we look to the foreground for about one minute.
Very great quality of frame for this subject.
Best regards.

dareco (17136) 2008-10-26 15:02

A very interesting picture and post. I love the curves! Shot from a very good angle and framed well. Nice work! TFS

aadilj (18102) 2008-10-26 22:18

Hi Angshu, this was one palce which left me confused so i couldn't do a composition as well as you have! Nice job

dArpAn (499) 2008-10-26 23:00

Angshu,
For me, its certainly ur best post in recent times.
Gr8 graphism with lines. I love the 'balance' of different lines with all of them converging to a central nucleus. This one goes straight into my favs :)

PS: With such gr8 shots from the place you and Aadiil, I think I must visit it one day.

Good day,
Darpan

emjleclercq (15778) 2008-10-26 23:30

Great geometrical structure, and excellent contrast between the passed white of the rays, and the dark red color of the buiding.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Graal (103040) 2008-10-27 0:27

Hi Angshuman,
amazing pattern, good captured theme, fine geometric lines and informations in note. Well photojob.
Gr., Aleksander

pierrefonds (114395) 2008-10-27 4:13

Hi Angshuman,

The different types of geometric lines are assets to the composition. The subject is well frame. The point of view is allowing us to see the details and colors of the Ram Yantra. THe picture is clear and precise. The good light brings out the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

sayat (2949) 2008-10-27 4:25

I remember well your previous shots of Jantar Mantars too. But this one really stands out with the artistic POV and the amazing effect it has. Great shot.

jafadabret (56501) 2008-10-27 10:03

Bonjour Angshu.
Ce monument astronomique est une aubaine pour le photographe. J'aime le graphisme et le rythme de cette composition. Les façades rouges aperçues donnent de la couleur entre les colonnes qui mesurent le temps et la course des astres.
Jacques

carper (96) 2008-10-28 0:47

it's a beauty Anshu,
marvelous shot, the shadow and light is very good here, good lines, fine colours, good composition, a pleasure to look at it my friend, have a nice evening.
regard jaap

danos (110407) 2008-10-28 4:47

Hello Angshuman,
very nice this pattern of the radial lines with this superb redish background.I'm impressed that from this constructions Indians could allocated a lot of Astronomical elements of the vault of heaven..Well done my friend.

Regards,Danos

josepmarin (59385) 2008-10-28 9:08

Hi Angshuman,
Your magnificent note allows us to understand this image, thanks to the explanations on this former astronomic instrument.
There is impressive the graphism that you have caught in your setting, because the radial geometry of the elements that surround the column is strong and dynamic.
It is a spectacular photo, and the version in B/W has a more dramatic touch, but I prefer this one.
Excellent work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

dvlazar (6662) 2008-10-28 19:34

A great shot. The lines and patterns are hypnotic - very well framed and shot.

Cheers!

DAve

Cretense (68709) 2008-10-29 3:30

Hello Angshu!

I really don't know what to say about this masterpiece! Really one of the most impressive architecture photos I have seen in a long time! Amazing graphic result! Straight to my favourites! Congratulations!

Hercules

zeca (19762) 2008-10-29 8:51

Hi Angshuman!
Very nice graphism, captured with excellent quality and from a nice point of view. I also like the reds on the background. Well taken, Angshuman!
Regards,
Zeca

Stepan (27210) 2008-10-29 13:32

This place is quite photogenic even if it's not that easy to find the right pov or the right frame as you did it. The yellow spot is the perfect extra detail producing contrast (colors and shapes). Well done.
Stéphane

batalay (41261) 2008-10-29 14:25

Hello Mr. B,

I remember well your earlier photograph of this remarkable ancient observatory. Your photograph is successful in presenting the edifice as a scientific instrument and a work of art. What an enlightened rule Jai Singh I must have been. Your note is superlative, augmenting the photograph itself.

Warm regards,

Bulent

jusninasirun (17529) 2008-10-29 20:03

Hi Angshu. Excellent lines and colors making this a very graphical image. Stunning architecture framed with repeated lines and colors. Well done and best regards. Jusni

jhm (211736) 2008-10-30 1:14

Hello Angshu,

Very nice graphical work here the curves are hypnotic.
Exactly a stair with all this wood in a wonderful curves.
Also betweenthe vertical get we a very nice image.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Jonas_Schmitt (3074) 2008-10-30 9:22

Hello Angshu!
Wow, man, this is a simply stunning picture, truely fantastic !!! The picture composition here is just perfect and you chose an excellent point of view. I also like the feeling of depth here a lot and the contrast between white and red. Well done, Angshu!
Best regards,
Jonas

pablominto (53746) 2008-11-02 23:00

Hello Angshu,

Interesting geometrical pattern!
Also interesting as an astronomical instrument of the larger and more impressive kind, hehehe...
Photo wise it allows a creative mind to play a little..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2008-11-02 23:28

In addition to the lights, and the colours, I really like the patterns and textures of this intersting place. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Atousa (7131) 2008-11-04 7:46

Salam Angshu,

When I saw the thumbnail of this shot, I instantly thought its B n W would be great ! thank you for uploading it too in the WS..both are very good yet I prefer the B n W version here, for it reveals its great graphic more..very well seen n captured..TFS
Regards, A

plimrn (21344) 2008-11-04 14:40

Hi Angshu,
This is an amazing work; both the development of tools to study astronomy and your very effective framing. The way you have framed this marvel really helps me understand your very informative note.

The B&W is effective as well, but I'm very color oriented and find the shades of red in the background of your primary post add a lot of depth to the work.
HLJ, Pat

siolaw (38294) 2008-11-05 6:11

Hi Angshu,
These guys were incredible architects and scientists too... even more advanced, in their days, than our modern India, even sending rockets up in space! The graphism here, is well taken care of and is a real eye pleaser!
Congratulations.
Laurent

avene (12675) 2008-11-05 17:42

absolutely fantastic photo, Angshuman! the strong geometry creates a powerful image, but it would be only half as good without the clever composition that creates a very strong effect that the whole construction is rotating. no surprise I prefer the colour version, I like a lot the contrast between the ocher red of the walls and yellow shirt of the person. very well seen and presented, my compliments.

regards,
Kristine

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-11-08 1:52

Ola amigo ,
Magnifico grafismo nesta tua foto ficou lindo estas linhas , gostei muito das formas , boa luz ,a foto do Ws ficou muito boa é uma boa opção , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

marietom (34611) 2008-11-13 2:56

hello Angshu,

Superbe composition, avec un très beau jeu de lignes ! J'aime beaucoup.
Bonne journée
Marie

azizbilgili (2111) 2008-11-13 4:18