Monsoon Palace sunset, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

The Monsoon Palace is set high above Udaipur in a reserve which houses tigers and other wildlife. There is a beautiful abandoned palace which has a colony of monkeys living in the grounds. Pilgrims visit to watch the very beautiful sunset over the distant valleys below. The local women wear beautiful coloured saris which stand out against the dusty sand coloured backdrop of the marble palace and its surroundings. These beautiful windows, high up on the second floor made a lovely frame for nature's spectacular sunset. I was drawn to the intricate detail around the arch and the filigree patterned rail which was quite low (about knee height).

more from Wikipedia...........
The Monsoon Palace, formerly known as the Sajjan Garh Palace, is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan in India, overlooking the lake Pichola. It is named as Sajjangarh after Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the Mewar Dynasty, who built it in 1884. It offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built basically to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home of Chittaurgarh. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has been opened to the public recently. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.
High in the Aravalli Hills, just outside Udaipur, the Palace is illuminated in the evenings, giving a glow of golden orange. The palace was used in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy as the residence of Kamal Khan, an exiled Afghan prince.
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which encircles the palace, was established in 1987. It covers an area of 5.19 square kilometres (2.00 sq mi). It is a well protected sanctuary now with concrete wall of Kishan Pol surrounding it. The hillside is thickly wooded and the former rulers maintained this area as a royal shooting preserve. When Udaipur was attacked by the Scindias in 1764, the hill was used as an ordnance dump; some cannons still remain.
The palace overlooks the sanctuary, which is a reserve for reptiles, tigers, nilgai, sambhar, wild boars, hyenas, panthers, and jackals. It is also popular for bird watching. The reserve can also be approached by a trek (as an adventure) starting from the Gorilla Point to the Jiyan Sagar or the Bari Lake to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Aravalli hills and the wildlife of the reserve forest.

trevormoffiet, Sonata11, timecapturer, williewhistler, ourania, marabu61, mostafameraji, delpeoples, Highmountains, bukitgolfb301 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Antipodean (1092) 2012-10-02 1:10

Hi Kathryn,

Nicely composed photo. The framing immediately tells the viewer that this is India. Many years ago I led tours to this part of India & the sunsets were stunning. Cheers, Neil

carlo62 (12550) 2012-10-02 1:32

Ciao Kathryn
cornice e paesaggio da "mille e una notte", l'atmosfera è molto romantica e quella balaustra sembra attendere due amanti in ritardo per lo spettacolo della natura.
Buona giornata
Carlo

SnapRJW (18712) 2012-10-02 1:48

Hello Kathryn - Good framing with the distinctive arch gives a clue as to what continent we are looking at. A soft and delicately coloured sunset with attractive graduated colour and subtle detail in the landscape. An evocative shot, well done. I have never been to India but this makes me want to pack a bag! TFS and warmest wishes Rosemary

trevormoffiet (925) 2012-10-02 2:06

Hello Kathryn,
A difficult shot into the sunset while retaining some of the detail in the foreground without overexposing the sky. The scalloped patterns on the arch and the circular patterns on the balustrade make a nice frame for the subdued foothills in the landscape and the bright warm colours of the sunset fading out into the pale, slightly mauve sky. It is the framing of the sunset in the shot that is most eye-catching. I think that the detail in the foreground floor could be brought out slightly more without the shot looking unnatural.
Regards,
Trevor

Sonata11 (28289) 2012-10-02 4:33

Hello Kathryn,
woooow!! what a spectacular sunset through the window of palace. Execution of this photo is perfectly well done. Stunning sunset, splendid colors, sharpness, clarity, POV and DOF as well magnificent. Perfectly well done. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
All the best,
Barbara

timecapturer (30300) 2012-10-02 5:11

Hi Kathryn
a beautifully framed sunset this. Such exquisite detail and the light is perfectly managed so that the effect is very pleasing and attractive. Real sense of serenity in this marvellous image.

Regards - Brian.

Noel_Byrne (7329) 2012-10-02 5:46

Hi Kathryn,
A most beautiful sunset, the red rays look almost like arms as the sun tries to embrace the world. It must be a spectacular vantage point to see this, and as you say, the architectural detail is beautiful. I also love the purple tinge to the sky.
Thanks for sharing!
Noel

williewhistler (7265) 2012-10-02 6:18

Hello Kathryn,
the distinctive frame is very well used in a well conceived sun set shot,the pinky blue tones are so evocative in a sound composition.
Kid regards Les.

rychem (9181) 2012-10-02 10:52

Beautiful photo of the colorful sunset, great use of the framing by the arch, TFS
regards
Ryszard

ourania (12343) 2012-10-02 11:15

Hello Kathryn,
a beautiful, atmospheric picture that captivates with what it shows and what we feel is hidden in it. The framing of the wonderful view by the characteristic architectural patterns is so evocative and directs our mind straightaway to fascinating stories we all have heard taking place in Indian palaces. The light and colours are lovely and your note touches our imagination regarding the wildlife that might be hidden in the shaadows ahead. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

siudzi (23857) 2012-10-02 12:14

Hi Kathryn,
What a beautiful view here taken through this window! The composition and framing were executed perfectly. Like it a lot. Great work.

Best,
Malgorzata

marabu61 (3900) 2012-10-02 12:58

Hello Kathryn
We where in Udaipur last November as part of our 25th wedding anniversary tour trough Rajastan, but didn't got round to visit monsoon palace. I see now that we have missed something.
I love your use of of this window as an additional frame and those lovely warm colors with the distant misty hills. Very pleasing composition.
have a good time
Daniel

delpeoples (44904) 2012-10-02 19:11

Hi dear Kathryn

I'm so glad you've started uploading photos again. I like this bookmark cut of this most exotic and romantic scene. The beautiful soft pink tones are marvellous and you handled shooting into the sun so well. The intricate filigree of the balcomy is the icing on the cake. I would probably have tried to correct the perspective a little more. Not sure how you do it in Aperture, but if you've got Photoshop yet, I can talk you through the steps.

Hugs
Lisa

ACL1978 (5773) 2012-10-03 6:16

Really nice, soft exposure Kathryn - you did a great job managing the light here, especially in the low contrast areas at bottom, and the sun is perfectly shown with a beautiful sunset. I think the framing is really effective here.

Andrew

bukitgolfb301 (30063) 2012-10-05 14:50

Hi dear Kathryn

Wow another impressive shot. Very artstic image indeed. You captured the best moment by perfect shutter chance via perfect framework! Wonderful and tasetful color touch, and outstanding description for slight color gradation too. Thank you for your sharing and have a good weekend!

Takero from Tokyo

Silvio1953 (98093) 2012-10-07 5:51

Ciao Kathryn, fascinating sunset well framed by fantastic window, wonderful warm colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

mjw364 (3662) 2012-10-11 10:43

Hello Kathryn

I'm back after a few laptop issues so apologies for not commenting earlier.

What a great sunset shot and a frame within a frame too. Love the colours. Fantastic.

TFS

Mike

mozzy27 (2051) 2012-10-12 21:45

Hi Kathryn
A beautiful sunset over India and good idea using the arch and balustrade as the frame of your picture. Well seen. TFS
Cheers Peter