Burning Ghats Photo

Photographer’s Note

Taking pictures at the burning ghats of Varanası is not permitted, every Varanasi visitor knows this fact, and beside the interdiction, I also thought it was not fair to sneak photos. I had no intention to take any but while strolling along the ghats back streets I approached the place and was met by youngsters who knew what they had to say to passing tourists " No pictures, no pictures", I wasn't so close to the ghats but still they were gangs of young boys everywhere to meet tourists. After the first wave I was met by bigger boys, and finally by a visibly important guy, who told me ( Perhaps my NIKON was responsible ) NO PICTURE OK, but I can take you to a balcony where you can only ONE picture .
( Providing a bahshish of course ) I hesitated a lot but finally accepted. This the only picture I was allowed to take from far. It was quite dark already because the picture was taken in late afternoon.

sabyasachi1212, Tezic, photographer123, delic, broglia, fayeulle, mursaloglu, Liekje, KevRyan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bantonbuju (48796) 2007-12-06 1:06

merhaba izzet,
technically flawless image...
light management is great here...i love this delicate mist (caused by smoke probably)...
balcony you say, hmmm...not a bad thing in this case...
best wishes, j.

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2007-12-06 1:08

Hi Izzet,
I can visualise the exact balcony from where you took this. The low evening light works quite well here. The boats in the almost still waters of Ganga forms the perfect backdrop.
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

Tezic (16927) 2007-12-06 2:29

Merhaba İzzet Bey,
Teknik mükemmelliği yanında kompozisyon olarak da harika bir çalişma... Etkileyici ve çok güzel...
Sevgiler-Coşkun

photographer123 (5803) 2007-12-06 3:14

hi..
we know ,taking picture is prohibited there..any way you got the chance...and made the atmosphere very mystic..well done...subir

CMJC (3168) 2007-12-06 3:50

c'est interdit, je le comprends et je l'aurais respecté. bonne qualité de photo mais...
it's prohibited, I understand it and I would have respected it, even the photo quality is good....

delic (6735) 2007-12-06 3:56

Merhaba,
Well, it's great that it was you who got this chance of a lifetime and not someone who would come back with a fuzzy, less than mediocre snapshot. The fact that you could use the tripod was critical here. Composition is perfect, and the hazy air conveys the unique mood very well, which is also aided by the optimal exposure setting. A most significant piece of work. Regards,
Hakan

broglia (3363) 2007-12-06 5:09

Amazing image Izzet - such a haunting sight. The low light has certainly added to the atmosphere. TFS, Roberto

partha (13667) 2007-12-06 5:12

Hi,
One of the best shots of manikornica ghat. There is nothing bad to take such a nice shot. Excellent timing you have chosen, the top view looks just brilliant.
Regards.
Partha

NB: I am also uploading a shot from manikornica ghat.
Partha

alibasarir (14497) 2007-12-06 5:53

merhaba izzet bey
çok güzel bir açıdan mükemmel bir kompozisyon.yakılan ateş ve çıkardığı dumanın görüntüsü çok etkileyici.insanların topluca yer almaları ve özellikle dumandan dolayı oluşan buğulu görüntü muhteşem bir atmosfer oluşturmuş elinize sağlık.
selamlar
Ali

batalay (21213) 2007-12-06 7:41

Merhaba Izzet,

You've hit a home run with this photograph. Belki Tanirsiniz, Steve McCurry, National Geogrpic fotografcisi. 1999 yilinda bir vapur yolculugnda tanismistik. Onun buna benzer resimleri vardi. Bir tanesind gösterdikden, anlatmisti. "Bu fotografin fiyati yüksek -- çektiktigimi görenler bana müthis bir patak atti" diye. Onun için bahsis verebilicek birisini bulup resim çekebilirseniz deger. Ellerine saglik, Izzet.

Sevgi ve saygilar,

Bülent

Cormac (26455) 2007-12-06 7:57

Fantastic shot! This has a real feel of the ancient or medeival world, with the burning fires, clouds of smoke and crowds of people. The semi-darkness I think really helps with the mood, making this more mysterious. Too bad you couldn't take more pictures, but this one is a great one!

xhanuman (558) 2007-12-06 9:06

The photo is indeed good. I too was approached for the baksheesh to take a photo or more if I wanted to take 5 photos. It's hard to know what to do in the moment - especially if you don't really know what's expected.

I took several moments and reflected as to why they didn't want photos taken here... there are some places in India that they don't want photos taken that I cannot understand, but at this site, I can understand. It's a very sacred and personal event.

For people that might have to consider this scenario in the future:

If the police see what you are doing, I've been told they'll come and the boys will vanish faster than monkeys making off shiny things & you'd be left to deal with them on your own. So for one reason (fear) or another (respect) - I'd refrain from taking the photos in the sacred places of India.

best,
Conrad

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-12-06 18:01

Almost an apocalyptic image. Bravo1

Interesting note, Izzet. I did not know they do not allow photos there any more. During my only visit to Varanasi some 40 years ago I don't think they had that restriction then, for I remember my father took some photos there but long lost now. I am glad you found a way.

fayeulle (26547) 2007-12-06 23:35

Salut Izzet
Ces teintes grisâtres et cette ambiance brumeuse donnent une atmosphère bizarre et un peu surréaliste pour un Européen à cette scène. C'est très intéressant malgré (surtout ?) l'interdiction de photographier.
Amicalement
JP

mursaloglu (5268) 2007-12-07 6:36

Dear Izzet bey
It is a great photo with a apocaliptical mood with amazing details. The distribution of the flames in the picture well balanced and the boats in background give great sense of depht. Stunning as usual sir. Best regards ihsan

coco (28146) 2007-12-07 19:42

Merhaba Izzet.

The story and the picture are amazing.
I love both.
The picture also shows a very good story with this people and the fire.

Well done and thanks to Nikon!!!

KevRyan (22422) 2007-12-08 2:14

Beautifully composed and shot Izzet - finding an exposure to work against the glare on the shot would have been difficult here - perhaps the three shot digital sandwich provides the answer but at ten seconds what chance to get the flame detail........an interesting challenge for the 5D..........as to respect and restrictions on photographing.....it was all about numbers I think and people turning up sleeveless and with shorts on to gawp and photograph as close as they could - it became disrespectful.......your act and where you are coming from is so far away from that that the only disrespect came from the man wanting baksheesh>

a good w/e my friend

kev