Road builders of the Himalayas Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Leh to Manali road is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular in the world; it is also one of the roughest. It is the responsibility of the Border Roads Authority to keep the road open between June and October. Workers, many from distant Bihar, labour through the summer months clearing landslides and maintaing the route. For this the receive pay of around 80 rupees a day plus food and shelter. Tough job.

Converted to black and white. An alternative view is added as a workshop.

riclopes, ngythanh has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

riclopes (33131) 2005-10-19 4:17

Hi Axelby,
Fantastic shot! It works very well in B&W! I love the contrast between the dark mountain in the back and the white dust of the workers and the light foreground. Well done! TFS,
All the best,
Ricardo

bboss (3548) 2005-10-30 19:16

Hi Rich,
I do think that the ws alternative is much better than this one, which has too much dead ground at the front. ws is also closer to the action, and the lighting is more appealing as well.
However many times they repair the road it just needs doing again, it must be soul destroying work.
cheers, David

ngythanh (8496) 2005-11-27 13:06

"Workers, many from distant Bihar, labour through the summer months clearing landslides and maintaing the route. For this the receive pay of around 80 rupees a day plus food and shelter. Tough job"

Traveling all the way from civilized England to this remote place to capture this photo, don't you consider it is tough?

Thank you for your sharing such an experience, Rich!

Thanh

teacozie (1371) 2006-01-13 6:03

YO Rich!

I really like the way that this shot in a way expansive compared to the WS addition. I like the way the dry dust is floating across the plains giving it a real hard line feeling. I like the contrast between the foreground and the moutains in the background. I also like the grain and think it is effective. Well done!