The 'King' of Datia Photo

Photographer’s Note

Datia, which lies on the track from Gwalior to Jhansi. In fact it is closer to Jhansi, which is in Uttar Pradesh, than to Gwalior. This small palace town founded by the Bundela chief Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo, is about 26km to the north of Jhansi, 44 Km from Orchha.

Datia is a crowded little village with narrow lanes. The streets are lined with sweet marts, bangle sellers, cloth merchants etc. It is now known for its seven-storied fortress palace of Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo. This structure is a unique example of 17th century Bundela architecture.

The Govind Mandir or Narsingh Dev Palace is situated on an outcrop of rock overlooking Datia. It is often regarded as one of the finest domestic buildings in India, even though it was never actually occupied, it remains a testament to the architectural accomplishment of the Rajputs. The palace was completed in 1620 and took, as our guide told us, 8 years, 10 months and 26 days to build, at a huge cost of 32,90,980 Rupees, a princely sum in those days. The prime objective for Bir Singh Ju Deo to build this palace was to welcome the Mughal emperor Jehangir for one night on his visit to Orchha & Datia. Incidentally it was Bir Singh who had built the Jehangir Mahal in Orchha for the same purpose. Now, whether Jehangir stayed for one night each in both the palaces is something that nobody is sure of.

A part of the palace can be seen in the BG. As I was walking down the marshy land, trying to get a good vantage POV of the Palace, the local kids, herding their cattle in the marsh land, caught up with me. They wanted me to take their picture & took me to the village Sarpanch (Head..he's the modern day king:-)), with whom I shared a lengthy talk about where I came from, how I liked their place & so on. Then they proudly posed for me with the Palace as the backdrop.

robertosalguero, Budapestman, feather, JudyR, bukitgolfb301, dip, patdeph, papagolf21, jhm, pierrefonds, Urs, danos, josepmarin, AiresSantos, Bluejeans, plimrn, Wanda1 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (2763) 2009-07-01 1:58

Hello Angshuman,

Interesting faces and so well framed against the beautiful background. The light seem to work very well here as it create soft shadows on the faces. Good details and colours to complement the composition. Thanks Angshuman :-)

Roberto

John_F_Kennedy (31197) 2009-07-01 3:28

Very good perspective and perfect composition. Nice lightness, very nice colours. Good choice to include the people. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

holmertz (9528) 2009-07-01 3:40

Hello Angshuman,
An interesting crowd against a beautiful background. I like the very saturated colours. Strong light and strong colours is how I remember India from many visits. I also never fail to be impressed by the tremendous richness of the Indian cultural heritage.
Kind regards,
Gert

Budapestman (41576) 2009-07-01 4:10

Dear Angshu,
Splendid shot with spectacular composition and amazing background. Excellent perspective and beautiful colours, Very well done! Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

feather (49858) 2009-07-01 7:19

Interesting story Angshu. You always seem to build a relationship with your human subjects which is a good idea if you want to take their photo. You framed the image well so the palace is also a major part of the shot. You got three generations here.
Kath

wolf38 (12664) 2009-07-01 8:53

Hello Angshuman. What for a picture worth seeing. Everything fits in the best way. Really a good shot. Compliment. Regards, W.

npecanhuk (13623) 2009-07-01 8:55

Hello Angshuman!
Magnificent composition with nature, historical building and local people! Sharpness, exposure, depth of field, colors and pov are all excellent!
TFS - congratulations!
My warmest regards,
Neyvan

JudyR (815) 2009-07-01 10:11

Wonderful multi-generational shot with so much love and care visible. Touching. Thank you, Judy

rigoletto (26100) 2009-07-01 12:04

interesting expressions on the different generations' faces. a nice reportage photo with thoughtful presentation of the indian architectural heritage at the BG.
rgs,
deniz

bukitgolfb301 (4566) 2009-07-01 13:57

Hello my dear Prof. Angshuman

Excellent and photo .
Composition, color combination and framework are perfect as usual.
Congratulation on your great shot !

Thanks for sharing and best regards

Takero

dip (12534) 2009-07-01 22:08

Hi Angshu,
good capture of the scene with the people in the foreground and the beautiful background of the palace,
beautiful composition!
Greetings,
Dimitris.

patdeph (17694) 2009-07-01 22:59

namaste Angshuman
I like this groupe of people with a splendid palace as background!This landscape is superb,emphasized by very beautiful light and colors!Magnificent!
Regards
Pascale

ghilain (1714) 2009-07-01 23:37

Dear Angshu,

this picture is clear from the preliminary plan to BG!
The composition is excellent and beautiful colors!

TFS

brigitte

Graal (57647) 2009-07-02 0:07

Hi Angshuman,
nice composition, two themes, portraits and architecture in BG. Very well done photo. Good note also. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

papagolf21 (56159) 2009-07-02 1:00

Cher ami Angshu,
Quel plaisir de voir au premier plan la joie qui se dessine sur le visage du patriarche, les autres restent un peu sur la réserve !
Superbe arrière-plan.
Encore une image de qualité.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jhm (82201) 2009-07-02 3:41

Dear Angshu,

Nice group portrait, good details and colours to complement the composition.
Also a very nice soft background.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

pierrefonds (26105) 2009-07-02 4:39

Hi Angshuman,

The portrait has captured well the expression of happiness of the people. The point of view leads our eyes also toward the palace which is giving depth to the photo. It is well framed with the inclusion of the people in the foreground. The light has a good effect on the colors of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Urs (2726) 2009-07-02 7:34

Dear Angshuman

This Rajasthani Rajputs are very nice people, I like them a lot. Moreover I would love to have your lens but it is not available for Olympus. I only have one Leica lens the 14-50mmm which in a sense is my standard lens. With the group of people in the foreground, the green hill and the fort on top of it, you have framed a very beautiful picture full of contrasts and colors, but also great DOF and sharpness. Moreover your note is very informative.

Well done

Best regards
Urs

danos (32198) 2009-07-02 9:18

Hi Angshu,
nice the portrait of this happy company with the Narsingh Dev Palace to be found on the far end of the scene.Excellent the sharpness and the clarity of the scene as the informative note complete the shot.Well done.

Regards,Danos

josepmarin (33785) 2009-07-02 12:58

Hi, my friend Angshuman,
a great work with the DOF here, you have obtained a good portrait of these persons posing in foreground, while we can see with great brightness the architecture of the palace on the hill in background.
The quality of the image is very high, with a great light and a few fantastic colors.
Beautiful capture, congratulations.
Friendly regards,
Josep

marietom (31796) 2009-07-02 13:05

hello Angshu,

joli portrait, avec la ville très nette à l'arrière.
Bien réalisé.
Bonne soirée
Marie

MarianneS (14262) 2009-07-04 13:59

Hello Angshu,
I like this one a lot. You captured very different expressions (the little boy in red seems to be sooo serious, nearly angry;-).
And the background is beautiful!
Regards, Marianne

AiresSantos (41866) 2009-07-04 23:35

Hi Angshu
Great view from Datia with these couples of people in foreground
It's nice to see the typical dresses and the Palace in background
Fine colours, depth and sharpness
Have a nice week

jmcl (13721) 2009-07-06 9:21

HI Angshuman,

Wonderful story of a journey .. the backdrop is wonderful and mystic feeling .. you arranged them ? .. or they arranged themselves ? wonderfully to balance the image and background ... their expressions say so much about their ages and journeys .. amplified by the contrasty light .. very nice. take care, John

Bluejeans (32021) 2009-07-08 5:49

Oi amigo ,
Beleza de retracto com estas 4 pessoas , gostei do Rei com os seus filhos :), bonita a paisagem de fundo , muito bonito o palácio no alto da montanha , parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Waylim (10741) 2009-07-08 18:42

Sabaidee Angshu,
What a nice group shot and portrait. Great DoF, even the palace in the bg is so sharp and clear with good colors and tone. The old man has such a warm and friendly and grand fatherly smile. Beautifully composed to get the best of both portrait and landscape. Thanks.
Way

plimrn (19600) 2009-07-10 10:01

Hi Angshu,
Your outstanding note supports your well-framed compo with the new 'king' proudly posing against the perfect detail of the palace.

Looks like your archives are loaded with wonders.
HLJ, Pat

Wanda1 (10923) 2009-07-17 9:32

Hello Angshuman,
The head man especially looks so proud to be having his phototaken.
The palace looks amazing and I like the way it rises from the hill.
The mans face in the back looks slightly dark, but I can see that you had very harsh light to deal with.
A succesful image though showing off the palace and the nice group of people. It sounds like you had a nice experience here.
Best Regards
Wanda