Calcutta

Photographer's Note

Abstract Series - I (IMAGES OF INANIMATE SUBJECTS FROM DAILY LIFE - FIRST IN A SERIES OF 5 IMAGES).

After uploading 10 images for my Calcutta Series I have gained a lot of confidence and zeal to focus on series based photographs which gives more direction to my photography.It also adds onto my experience as a photographer and allows me to emphasise and prioritise my views and experiences in life.
I have named my present series as Abstract Series as I am covering photographs which are not animated but still adds to our experience in life and observation of our environment and surroundings.

The instant photograph is that of the Durga Idol under the process of making at an idol making shop in North Calcutta.Durga Puja is the most popular festivals in Calcutta and Bengal which is held for 4 days in the month of October every year.In this photograph you can see an unpainted idol of the Deity Durga revered and worshiped by millions of Indian Hindus and Bengalis in particular.

Some tidbits about Durga Puja in Bengal.

Durga Puja festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Thus, Durga Puja festival epitomises the victory of Good over Evil.Durga Puja also includes the worship of Shiva, who is Durga's consort (Durga is an aspect of Goddess Parvati), in addition to Lakshmi, Saraswati with Ganesha and Kartikeya, who are considered to be Durga's children.Worship of mother nature is also done, through nine types of plant (called "Kala Bou"), including a plantain (banana) tree, which represent nine divine forms of Goddess Durga.Modern traditions have come to include the display of decorated pandals and artistically depicted idols (murti) of Durga, exchange of Vijaya greetings and publication of Puja Annuals.

The prominence of Durga Puja increased gradually during the British Raj in Bengal.After the Hindu reformists identified Durga with India, she became an icon for the Indian independence movement.In the first quarter of the 20th century, the tradition of Baroyari or Community Puja was popularised due to this. After independence, Durga Puja became one of the largest celebrated festivals in the whole world.

delpeoples, jhm, williewhistler, danos, mohammad_H, ikeharel, josepmarin, clic, adramad, Cricri, ourania, Hansaphotos, raszid62, kordinator, pierrefonds, mirosu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

delpeoples (44888) 2012-09-30 2:34

Namaskar dear Farhat

An interesting sculpture with great definition and light management. I like the natural colours and the very natural way in which the shot has been composed.

Thanks for sharing, have a great day
Lisa

jhm (122314) 2012-09-30 4:08

Hello Farhat,

Congratulations, for your first thousand points on TE.
Also your picture is very well with a good sharpness and clarity.
I like of the splendid colors and light
Very well presentation, nice interior image. TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John.

williewhistler (7229) 2012-09-30 9:51

Hello Farhat,
Whilst the photograph may not show the BG interest produced by your previous posts, this shows perfectly the early stages of the process involved in the idols manufacture.
Best wishes Les.

danos (73896) 2012-09-30 11:51

Hello Farhat,
nice the complex of the idols that are sold during the Durga Puja festival and especially the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura.
I like the tight frame as the excedllent light and colour management of the image.

regards,danos

pajaran (36119) 2012-09-30 13:01

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Umetnost nema granice ...
Lepa statua boginje ...
Dobra ostrina i kontrast.
Razne kulture, razni simboli ...
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greetings.
Very interesting and good text ...
Art knows no boundaries ...
Beautiful statue of the goddess ...
Good sharpness and contrast.
Different cultures, different symbols ...
All the best.
Paja.

maria-v1981 (10403) 2012-09-30 13:19

Hello Farhat,
An impressive photo with wonderful composition and graphical details. Like always intresting notes.
Have a nice Monday,
Regards,
Maria

mohammad_H (6565) 2012-09-30 22:33

Hi
Indian goddess statues, and beautiful views, the artist and celebrate Durga manufacturer
The joy and celebration of each nations and tribes, forget the sadness and pain that humanity will prevail
Weekly holiday is enjoyable as well as celebrations and festivals
Have a nice day

ikeharel (37190) 2012-10-01 1:55

Hello Farhat,
In-process art-work sometime can reveal how things being done - and yet sometime even better than the final result.
Here you managed to show that idole, in a perfect contrast to the blue cover as backdrop - this i assume would be removed on real display. So what will contrast better?
Nice chosen POV, interesting subject.
Ike

abmdsudi (26199) 2012-10-01 3:00

Hi Farhat
You found the right background contrasting color making these idols standout strongly and the combination looks good and harmonised. Lovely compo, exposure, great dof and of course getting low and close certainly has it's benefits as proven here. Splendid photo work, and thanks for sharing.
Kind regards

josepmarin (55007) 2012-10-01 4:29

Namaste Farhat,
a good close-up for to show us this idol under its process of making, in a direct and explicit framing. The blue canvas behind the sculpture emphasizes its shapes and its color, in an interesting and attractive composition.
Well done.
Best regards,
Josep

Oceania (2117) 2012-10-01 5:56

Hi Farhat,

This is a great shot of interesting art works. The most interesting one is a lady with many arms.

clic (10977) 2012-10-01 7:36

Hello Farhat
The "lady octopus" creates an attractive and stunning view to my north-american eyes and I would like to see her when she is fully decorated of rich ornaments.
Much interesting preview, indeed.
Cheers.
Robert

adramad (27544) 2012-10-01 7:53

Hello Farhat.
Very interesting to note, that helps us better understand and comprehend the stories about the country and its gods.
An original composition and I think a sculptural group style not very common, although the work is in process of realization.
You captured very well the sculpture, with perfect clarity and adequate brightness.
Well done.
Have a nice day.
Best regards.
Luis.

Nicou (97509) 2012-10-01 7:59

Hello

quelle compom et iamge sueprbe vue et captage quelle statue un vrai travail d'artise sueprb eiamge et compo.

Bravo et amitié

Nicou

eldancer1 (16938) 2012-10-01 9:07

Very nice capture of those idols! And thanks for the wonderful information. Good lighting and dof with sharp details. I like the blue background. Well done, tfs.

Cricri (86295) 2012-10-01 9:47

Hi Farhat
Intéressante note sur ces sculpture en pleine réalisation, bon cadrage, lumière, c'est spectaculaire quand même a voir!!
Belle soirée
cricri

CanmoreKevin (2111) 2012-10-01 20:03

Farhat,
Nice choice of a series. I look forward to more. Nice contrast between the differing elements.
Kevin

nilotpal_patra (1684) 2012-10-02 5:02

Namaskar Abbas,
It is realy, realy a Wonderful Picture of Festivals. Nice Frame. Nice colour, contrast and sharpness. Excellent shot. Nice POV. TFS.
Regards.
Nilotpal Patra.

ourania (12249) 2012-10-02 10:50

Hello Farhat,
a very interesting picture of this sculpting composition in process. The vertical frame was a great choice exalting the sculpture by isolating it from any distraction, only I think it should have included a little more space on the left. Although it's unfinished, the sculture already displays its traits of dynamism and fascination. Lighting, textures, colours, contrasts and depth are well managed. Well done and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

Hansaphotos (5417) 2012-10-02 11:20

Hi Farhat

This is an interesting image of the idol making process. The blue bg and the tight framing makes the artwork stand out well in this picture. Thanks for the informative text to accompany the picture. Great work:) TFS. Have an nice evening.

Best regards, Erling

raszid62 (18158) 2012-10-02 19:01

Hello
These amazing sculptures of stylized bit on the traditional Indian art. But after all, I prefer the original. Very good image quality.
Yours
Joseph

गुड आफ़्टरनून. पारंपरिक भारतीय कला शैली बिट के अद्भुत मूर्तियां. लेकिन सब के बाद, मैं मूल पसंद करते हैं. बहुत अच्छी छवि गुणवत्ता. तुम्हारा.

dkmurphys (36709) 2012-10-03 0:55

Hi Farhat,
Very fine sculptures at that workshop. I like the unreal shapes and figures, well seen detail.
Have a good day.

Daniel

serp2000 (29128) 2012-10-04 0:20

Hi, Farhat,
Another interesting presentation of the workshop from Calcutta. The note is very informative. Good illustration of the event.
Serghei

kordinator (13411) 2012-10-05 0:58

Dear Farhat
Fantastic capture of this abstract art.
Nice to view.
Fine colors and composition.
Great job.
Kind regards
Saša

pierrefonds (48285) 2012-10-10 4:24

Hi Farhat,

The statue is well placed in the frame. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the statue. The surrounding light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

mirosu (5507) 2012-10-20 22:17

Hi Farhat,
Well framed artwork. I like the vertical format, IMO a bit tight crop at the left side. Well done.

jemaflor (68781) 2012-10-24 9:54

Hi F,
Well captured, impressive and inteesting sculptures, original, You can cropp a bit the top of the photo ...tfs.

siolaw (37568) 2012-12-23 22:03

Hi Farhat
An interesting shot of the statues in the workshop... The characters are well connected together.
Light, colours and sharpness are fine.
Greetings
Laurent

kato (6725) 2013-03-15 15:10

Hello Farhat,

You're capturing well this sculputure by a good angle and excellent tone, so it's interesting to see an unpainted idol of the Deity Durga revered and worshiped by millions of Indian Hindus and Bengalis. Especially, it's impressive an image with many hands on the upper left. Such a Buddha statue can be seen also in the temple in Japan.

Kind regards,
mikio