holi Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

holi : the festival of colours where people throw colour on each other..

cute kids for luko :)

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Critiques | Translate

es841 (1854) 2007-03-06 14:04

Very great shot... congratulation i like it very well!

bdayer (489) 2007-03-06 14:07

Hi Sohrab,
Nice shot. Your picture looks a little mysterious to me. I'm trying to imagine what these people are doing .. I'm hesitating between a demonstration or street fair..
Well done,
Regards
Bertrand

prantik (1134) 2007-03-06 14:09

Festival of colour in black and white, that's intersting. Good photograph nevertheless.

kdialyna (3068) 2007-03-06 14:30

So many colors without colors.
Amazing.
Congratulations
Kostas

nicoz (1963) 2007-03-06 15:12

Hi Sohrab
Colors??? I can only imagine them, but with such a beautiful B&W who would complain??? There is something quite dramatic. Had you told me that they are soldiers in the tranches of the 1914-18 war, I could have trusted you. There is even this silouhette pointed by the finger that looks like Death as we picture it in the western traditions.
Such a chaos, so much distress...
Are people meant to have fun at this festival?
Brilliant photo!
Nicolas

anducina (8097) 2007-03-06 15:38

Excellent compo and dusty atmosphere. Very good.

TFS,

Andreea

Petr_H (46) 2007-03-06 15:53

Impressive shot!
B&W impressive moment.
Very nice.
Petr

coco (27866) 2007-03-06 17:46

Hi Sohrab.

This kind of picture doesn't need much more explanation. As your others photos is really a masterpiece.

Thanks for sharing.

prezntime (3945) 2007-03-06 17:47

Now that's a print...superb tonal range letting the weight of the mist come through not only a lens, film, enlarger, print; but through and scanner and these crappy glowing screens...quite powerful to have that type of depth.
So, the exposure and print are excellent...none of that matters unless the scene contains something to justify the time spent...Here we have all those heads and arms coming through the mist...a pointed finger (reminding one of a certain pointing finger on some church ceiling somewhere ;?D ), delicate yet demanding. Just at the end of that finger is a hidden silhouette...just enough to see the darkness of eye sockets underneath the curving headress...completely haunting.

Here's the dead horse and I'm beating it...your obviously extremely talented and looking at these shots reminds me of how far I have to go...getting there though, just spent an arm and leg on an easel.

Chris

KevRyan (22408) 2007-03-06 17:51

You know - sometimes fewer words say more.......at least for now.

bw Kev

faubry (32323) 2007-03-06 17:59

hello Sorhab, superb, great shot..... mysterious atmosphere.. bravo i like a lot
soon
francine

jcdurka1 (1940) 2007-03-06 18:27

Great shot, I like the glance of the second child in the foreground. He keep very well the attention in the action.
Regards,
Jean-Claude

Homerhomer (4005) 2007-03-06 18:48 [Comment]

Show Comment

ksvijayb (383) 2007-03-06 21:22

Hi Sohrab,
A very bold picture. Showing the festival of colours in B/w.
I really like the idea and the picture.

It gives you the feel of the atmosphere.

With regards
Vijayabaskar.

partha (13657) 2007-03-06 21:31

Hi sohrab ,
U have a brave mind to represent the colourful affairs in monochrome.It gives the impact of the holi activities rather than the colour.A different way of representing holi. A bit difficult to handle without colour but still I can get the essence of the livliness of Holi.
Happy Holi.

Regards.
Partha

Furachan (0) 2007-03-06 23:28

First of all this is an extraordinary photograph, SOhrab, but if I stopped there this would be just another uselss critique and you deserve better than that, so let me dig deeper.
The extraordinary thing is that you chose to depict a "throwing of color" ceremony in Black&White!
And it is a choice because we all know you are capable of pulling out some color shots from time to time, but you went ahead with monochrome.
And what is the effect of that choice?
Well what might have looked like a chaotic but joyful multi-colored, rainbow bath turns into something much darker - the colors are now a thin grey dust, a polluting fog that surrounds the participants, as in a toxic dump in the outskirts of Calcutta or Phnom Penh, ya know what I mean? Never have I seen a B/W option produce such dramatic results...
That'S my reading, and I'm sticking to it.
Absolutely superb work...
Take care,
Francis

[3]

arnabchat (7042) 2007-03-06 23:57

Holi in monochrome!! Sohrab, you could'nt let us go with your wit. always good to see from you.
very classic texture, and timeless feel in the image.
TFs, Arnab

berek (28919) 2007-03-07 0:09

Hi Sohrab,
great daily life sense. I like your composition and framing . have a nice day.
Burak
****

Galeota (10334) 2007-03-07 0:33

I'll just copy and paste Peter's words. I'm beginning to feel useless to critique your photos. They're just beyond my capacity of judging, analysing, or creating. I think I'll just sit back and admire from now on, if you don't mind.

bantonbuju (48654) 2007-03-07 1:22

well well, good to see some cute kids from time to time...
fantastic, if a motion can be converted into "power"- it ought to be this type of image...
one may feel the dust in the nostrills...
love it to the bits,
best wishes, j.

s10001in (1485) 2007-03-07 1:33

Oh nooooooooooooooo!!
Sohrab..This is Holi..Festival of colors..
& everything there ..in monochorme.

Happy Holi..

Luko (13894) 2007-03-07 2:43

that hand poking from the right, man... is that one of Vishnu's pointing the way to his afficionados. Like Peter says, this should be Somme 1917. Just for information, what should be the color cast of this picture?

Story about north and south India as different countries. i was at Holi time in Thanjavur and Pondicherry, as I was getting excited hearing about Holi on Indian Tv, I asked where should Holi take place : north, they said to my disappointment... instead I had Masi Magam in Pondy... I suppose you don't know that, you northerners, eh?

btw, a favorite.

DarkoG (2284) 2007-03-07 3:12

good dramatique shot- Wonder how it looks in color, since this was a festival of colors.

maciekda (19587) 2007-03-07 4:31

really nice, I am a little disturbed by this guy staring at you, but the rest is out of this world. B&W photography at its best

eleparc (24059) 2007-03-07 4:32

a very courageous shot! all this powder could have jammed your camera... but the result is breathtaking! those two characters in the FG are key to the impact of the shot!
Brilliant!

Eric

Dubsie (342) 2007-03-07 4:42

Admiring...

luisafonso (858) 2007-03-07 4:42

To be honest, I've been following your posts since you came back, mainly because everyone around says you're *the* man. Frankly, - probably because I've seen little of your work - the photos you posted didn't speak that much to me. But this one is an outstanding proof of your artistry and immense talent. So I did a more profound dive into your gallery and yes, you can well be *the* man... This composition has biblical qualities. Don't know if it's the dusty scene, the omnipresence of hands trying to reach the sky, the pile of garbage in the left; or probably it's the intense look of the girl in the middle. I can almost hear "kyrie eleison" coming from her mouth... Forgive me my own reading of this brilliant photo - don't want to offend you with my Christian vision - but that's just how I feel about it. A favorite. Thanks

markoci (3917) 2007-03-07 4:48

what peter and gal said... indeed like a war photo... just one question; how do your keep your camera clean?

Robpulp (937) 2007-03-07 5:19

52 points already? it deserves it and I wll check back in a few days to see how many more critiques this has! Superb photography.

Regards

Rob

animesh_dan (206) 2007-03-07 6:14

Hi sohrab,
This is great effort, but as holi is festival of colour, the picture should be a colour one. This is totally what I think about the above picture. But if I forget the name of the image then it is a very good composition. Well done
Animesh

designsoul (21394) 2007-03-07 8:55

Infernal-looking shot, this b/w... there is something gripping about this that takes also my own breath away. I have been looking at it but haven't had the chance to write yet, and now it is perhaps too late to add anything new. LOVE this shot, Sohrab! A true masterpiece. Your cheeky denial to introduce colour in the festival of colours makes me smile... but I love it this way. Really infernal, mysterious, ritualistic... with these hands scattered around the "picture plane" emerging from the glow of coloured powder, it's a phenomenal shot in every way. Bravo, Sohrab. My hot woolen hat is off to you.
sasa

greg (2835) 2007-03-07 12:34

I'm glad you mention the colour and the festival - without it would be too frightening to imagine what's going on here... very impressive photograph.

baba_flies (8013) 2007-03-07 15:06

Hello Sohrab! I just wonder how on earth I never came over your portfolio. But as it goes I found this and it truly knocks me out. What can I say, it is a world of its own, something I might never understand but all the more fascinating. You lead me into a wonderful new world and a new dimension of photography. Barbara.

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-03-07 23:35

Indeed, I come too late to make an effectively distinct addition to comments, so I just add this to my favorites. Congratulations on a superb image. Photo hai to aisa hai!! [Hope you kept your camera wrapped in a plastic bag!]

everlasting (10914) 2007-03-08 1:52

So brave of you sohrab,. to choose a holi image in all its colour to convert to B&W, and why not, this is brilliant. The clouds of cloured powder have turned to dust, whereas as this wold be a colour chaos we have drama. So well composed and the young guy wiping his eye is the icign on the cake.

scalerman (25741) 2007-03-08 11:53

Sohrab: only you would post a BW image of the festival of colors. This is an amazing photograph. Did you feel you were 'lucky' to get this shot? Because it's one of the most artisitic images posted today. What city? regards, c

stevep (556) 2007-03-09 22:50

that hand on the right, I did not notice that hand until Luko pointed it out, but that hand is magic! How did I not notice it? maybe I was two engrossed with the rest of the photo.

take care Sohrab,
steve

fixed (3831) 2007-03-10 8:06

hello sohrab
sooo impressive photo !
strange pp ;D ... where are colors :)
a masterpiece !
congratulations
nono

Clairedelune (4885) 2007-03-12 22:14

Why looking for colors?
This photo is in colors!
It's full of colors!
The colors of Life...
A symphony of colors with more than one conductors if I rely on the number of hands directing the instruments playing live (!).
(I have other metaphors in my mind, but I'll keep them for myself! ;) )
Claire

touristdidi (8561) 2007-03-15 7:49 [Comment]

Show Comment

Mistral (13694) 2007-03-15 17:21

Namaskar Sohrab!
Superb original work
and the thing is that's HOLI
the festival of colours
in B&W!
Straight to my fav's!
A smile from Italy
Luca

bfly (5737) 2007-03-19 17:07

I have seen all of LS..I was so proud that I cannot tell or write enough...so I won't...
all of them are my favourites, forever...

ps : where am I ? in a new place :) trying to get together my pieces...
ps2: I prefer your profile photo there..your mom is so beautiful..:)

arturo (31) 2007-03-26 12:02

Hi Sohrab,

this is a class on its own...to drop a colour and opt for a black and white mode in the above scene requires a lot of determination...cheers, arturo

vagabondtravels (6115) 2007-04-08 4:32

Hi Sohrab

What atmosphere you have captured here. Great tones and contrast. The dust really adds to the effect. Well done.
Ben

Polonaise (5636) 2007-04-17 15:50

It should be in colors then, or...Change the note, Sohrab.
(:-)))))))))).
Stuning photography.
Shall I expect anything else coming to your site?
And, like all the others from your gallery - it has a little flaw.
It creates the inability to properly comment upon it.
The whole series (or the whole gallery) - YES !
The single picture - NO.

Keep us speechless, bro.
g.

gpsony (478) 2007-04-20 4:48

Sohrab,

What do I say! B&W for a Holi shot, no one would ever think of attempting. But there you are...and what a result!

The colours which would usually come are now thin dust floating around and it creates a wonderful illusion.

The atmosphere is superb! Great work!

Cheers,
Guru

johnhopkins (866) 2007-04-28 9:41

A very intense and powerful shot... the pointing finger, the eyes staring back, the dust everywhere, the chaotic background, the mound on the left and your high point of view all contribute to a strong and memorable image.

PeterC (2242) 2007-04-30 10:47

Sohrab,
At times you blow us all away and this is one of them. The dust really looks beautiful and creates a mysterious atmosphere. Nothing let to say other than to sit back and enjoy.

Cheers
Peter

belido (16577) 2007-05-02 12:35

Hi Sohrab,

what an amazing shot! Great, great, great. No more words.
Regards,
Carlos

noborders (14199) 2007-05-13 13:19

Incredible ! I don't have the same memories of this festival, yours are much more pleasant... great photo, great moment !
Cath.

crisnique (857) 2007-06-13 7:23

Dear Sohrab,
I'm surfing through your picture collection - which is very impressive - and my eyes always fall on this shot.
I like the B&W composition but I'm wondering how it would be in colour. Isn't it a festival of colours?
Congratulations!
Cristian

pawelx (473) 2007-06-19 13:14

Fantastic, mysterious shot. Great visual effect with the ever-present dust. This is your first photo I've come across here and I'm curious to see more of your work already!

Darren (6819) 2007-07-18 3:26

This is as good a photo as exists on TE Sohrab. I know I am coming late to the party, but better late than never. The hand on the right side is my favorite part of this shot, followed by the tones and exposure. I also love that you have taken the most colorful festival that I have ever seen and made such an impactful scene in black and white. Top of the line work.

babul (610) 2007-08-19 17:19

most of the pictures showing india i colour sbut you work i black and white is just grat superb stuff i hope you gone have some exibicion i europe emazing work what can i say

klauner (1020) 2007-08-31 6:51

Hi Sohrab,

Dusty atmosphere gives an extraordinary picture.

Françoise

elBud (2211) 2007-09-23 22:13 [Comment]

Show Comment

dincmen (109) 2008-01-15 12:51

The emphasis on hands creates the feeling as if they are not just a part of human being but a separate being. Well captured atmosphere causes to arise involved emotions hard to describe.

Rhiannon (1726) 2008-02-29 0:06

Hi Sohrab!
Long time no see. So many excellent shots you have.
This one is excellent aswell. Before I red your note I almost thought you were in the middle of a war in an attack or something.
Excellent POV, B/W suits perfect. Powerful shot. The eyes of the child staring into the camera - wow!

Regards
Frida

vmukherjee (395) 2009-01-09 20:16

I did'nt know such extraordinarily beautiful black and white shots of holi can be made before seeing this image. Even the hand coming out of the frame and pointing towards the centre of the picture adds to the image. And the smoky interior gives the real feeling of holi. Thanks for sharing.

krgrafika (24) 2009-11-24 12:02

Looks fabulous! Composition, action, soft light. Just great!