Taj Awakens Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

AGRA - Christmas day in 2008. At 6 in the morning, it was still dark and the darkness was compounded by a thick fog, making the visibility in front of our hotel to a mere 6 feet. Still I braved out in the car, harboring aspirations to go to the other side of River Yamuna to catch a glimpse of sunrise on the Taj Mahal. As we neared the old bridge across the river, the soup like dense fog suddenly turned into a wall, visibility less than even 3 feet. When I reached the destination, visibility barely improved, and my harboured hopes of getting the vision of the famed Taj Mahal & the effect the first rays of the sun on it was rapidly fading into the thick blanket of fog.

With optimism in my heart, I approached the river bank to see a faint outline of the Taj on the other bank. Then slowly a little more....I was not the only one with a camera though, there were at least couple of other guys who I could see had stationed themselves on the sand banks armed with large tripods. The fog played truant, revealing the silhouetted domes & minarets of Taj & then in the next moment shrouding the scene again...I hung around for about half an hour taking pictures almost by the minute. As the sky turned lighter with traces of red from the rising sun, the birds left their nests to begin their day. The sleeping Taj seemed to wake up at that time as well, trying to shrug off the blanket of fog, which shrouded it. Thus continued a cat and mouse game between the Taj and the enveloping fog became dense again and this picture was taken in one of the moments when Taj seemed to have won...at least for that very moment.

isabela_sor, InasiaJones, CMJC, subhendu_bagchi, ManuMay, gervaso, Budapestman, pierrefonds, Bartleby, Wanda1, emjleclercq, CLODO, adores, leo61, dip, Royaldevon, josepmarin, JT50, Vato_Law, lacroux, riclopes, papagolf21, ChrisJ, ciakgiak, Kielia, avene, bakes888 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sevy (13310) 2009-11-12 23:32

Hello,

Very nice mood on this photo to show the Taj in an original way. Nice to have the birds in the top to complete the composition.
However, I find the bottom a bit empty. I would have suggest a small crop to limit this area.
Have a nice day,

Yves.

isabela_sor (42078) 2009-11-12 23:39 [Comment]

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InasiaJones (20060) 2009-11-12 23:44

Hi Angshu,

I can't believe we were there almost at the same time, as I arrived in Agra 3 days after you took this image! We could have had a longer encountering if we would have opted to meet in Agra instead of Delhi... :-P)

We had to be there to believe it, as I have never seen such a thick fog!!! You are right, we were not able to see more than 3 feet in front of us, particularly along the banks of the Yamuna.

I was still on the road when I saw and commented your previous version of this familiar foggy silhouette, a fabulous shot if you ask me, and this one is just as great.

Enigmatic, attractive and indeed, a decisive moment.

Namaste my friend!

André

eversmile (6045) 2009-11-12 23:57

Ooh ooh, Angshu! My arms fall down of surprise! I could have attribute this picture picture to Aadilj. Very very mysterious and enchanting athmosphere, with the delicate hues, the mist, and very poetic as well. Just like a dream. That's a high standard work, and I know this will give me energy for the whole day. That's such an artistic one! You was right, to wait and persevere to get this shot! Congratulations!
Regards
Marine

bilubadshah (16) 2009-11-12 23:59

I have seen many photos of taj mahal...........but this is something else............a really nice capture

CMJC (3106) 2009-11-13 0:00

a very nice result
wake up early is even a good idea...
and her the fog and the birds make a great difference with the classic shoot from Taj Mahal...

subhendu_bagchi (2997) 2009-11-13 0:08

What a capture Angshu Da. Firstly I would like to thank for posting this version of Taj. Beautiful perspective. The contour of this fabulous building arises from fog. Really nice. The tips of four towers are visible with the main tomb. Just excellent. Asadharon. Kono jaiga chharona.
I not only like it.. I just love it.
Regards
Subhendu

rajiv_077 (1355) 2009-11-13 0:09

Hi Dear

Another beautiful picture of your side, almost like a painting effect, love this one, Indeed a rare one picture of Taj's, Good idea to capture at early in morning.

Congft for this great picture.

regards

rajiv

hardyuno (2139) 2009-11-13 0:09

Hi Angshu,
pretty soft mood in this morning image. This monument in a total different view. Very attractive these composition. Fine photo work, TFS
regards
Hartmut

ManuMay (10704) 2009-11-13 0:11

Namaste Angshuman!

A nice concept, a very elegant way to present Taj...

Warm tones and light and superb frane...

Congratulations Angshu...

Manuel

danyy (68602) 2009-11-13 0:14

Bonjour,
même brumeuse, cette photo reste remarquable, une ambiance bien mystique et en tous cas, caleme et reposante malgré l'inquiétude toujours provoquée par ces brouillards.
Tout est question de légendes.
Bien amicalement.
Daniel.

mozzy27 (267) 2009-11-13 0:29

Hello Anshuman
Very nice capture Excellent POV, well worth the effort in the fog, works very well for me with the vague appearance of the sunrise and just the domes of the Taj Mahal. The migatory birds in each corner of the shot adds balance to the image. TFS
Greetings from Australia.
Peter

gervaso (5152) 2009-11-13 0:40

Hello, Angshuman!

What a wonderful picture of the Taj Mahal with this foggy atmosphere! The soft colors are beautiful, and it's always good to see a different view of such a famous place, of which we see so many pictures. Excellent job!

batalay (20858) 2009-11-13 1:05

Hello Mr. B,

What a spectacular photograph to wake up to — both for you on Christmas day 2008 and for me on November 13, 2009. With your characteristically engaging personal note, this becomes a memorable package immediately.

Warm regards and have a good weekend,

Bulent

Budapestman (41686) 2009-11-13 2:06

Dear Angshu,
great impression, you took an original photo of this place with impressive composition, the mood of the photo is mysterious, beautiful realization. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

Didi (36056) 2009-11-13 4:27

Salam Angshu
The Taj seems appearing from nowhere, an another dimension.
This is more better than a tourist postcard, original composition.
Best regards

pierrefonds (26167) 2009-11-13 5:26

Hi Angshuman,

The Taj Mahal appearing though the fog has a mystic effect. The presence of the birds is adding life to the scenery. Using a tripod and an exposure time of 1/20 of a seconds are giving good results. Well done, have a nice day.

Pierre

BennyV (4642) 2009-11-13 7:02

Myth, mystique and mist. Not a bad way to wake up! Great shot, dear Angshu. The less it shows, the more it stirs the imagination, the more powerful it is. The birds make an odd feature in the shot. I might have been tempted to try a version without them, though not neccessarily a better one.

Thanks for sharing & have a good weekend.

Benny

Bartleby (4830) 2009-11-13 8:09

Hi Angshu,
what can I say? This is superb. What an atmosphere! Congratulations!

Best,

Philippe

carper (64638) 2009-11-13 8:16

very nice one Angshu,
a very good photo, fine atmosphere, good composition, technical a pleasure to look at, good photo job here.
have a very good weekend.
regard jaap

Bluejeans (32083) 2009-11-13 14:29

Ola Angshuman ,
Magnifica esta neblina sobre este templo deixando apenas a vista as torres, gostei muito das silhuetas dos pássaros , boas cores, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Bom fim de semana

sid_sn (30) 2009-11-13 14:43

It's really TAJ

Wanda1 (10923) 2009-11-13 21:24

Hello Angshuman,
WoW! really magical! The fog has given it a feeling like coming out of a story book or a dream, the slight colour tinge through the fog adds to the stunning ambience of the image, and those birds, well they just complete the shot perfectly. And even with just a small glimpse of the towers and the dome it is somehow still recognisable a the Taj.
Best Regards
Wanda

emjleclercq (14256) 2009-11-13 22:44

Very nice effect of colors variations thanks to the fog, and I like very much the flight of birds which give an interesting effect in a sky which could have looked a bit empty without them.

All the best,

Emmanuel

CLODO (4132) 2009-11-14 1:27

Hi Angshu
Your comment is absolutly fabulous, because it tells us precisely how you managed to capture this lovely shot, with pastel hues, and flocks of birds going to feed.
Cheers
CLODO

adores (15487) 2009-11-14 17:09

Hi Angshuman!
This one is a little different but it's great. I really like the atmosphere, it's almost magic with all the birds flying and the fog covering most part of the Taj. It's perfect, once again you have chosen the best moment.

leo61 (43336) 2009-11-14 23:41

Hi Angshu!
A different but wonderful shot of the Taj.
These birds make the composition perfect.
Regards,leo

dip (12552) 2009-11-15 0:54

Hi Angshu,
wonderful image!
the fog adds to the picture an magical and mysterious mood,
excellent done!
greetings,
Dimitris.

Royaldevon (5910) 2009-11-15 1:11

Good Morning Angshuman,

I relived the very moment that you took this shot, with your fine, descriptive notes.

I have seen many shots of the Taj Mahal but never one quite like this! The effect of the thick mist, the lightening sky and the rising birds, is truly one of a world that is stretching and awakening to a new dawn. It's almost mystical!
Lovely composition!

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

josepmarin (33785) 2009-11-15 3:46

Namaste Angshuman,
The effect of the fog on the wonderful architecture of the Taj Mahal is impressive and gives a great aesthetic result, with a mysterious touch.
The grey and bluish very soft tones, the silhouettes of the Taj Mahal trying to go out of the fog, and the birds flying, they create a really beautiful composition.
A superb work.
Friendly regards,
Josep

crckt (7072) 2009-11-15 5:12

Dear Angshumanda,
One of the seven wonders captured in a most wonderful way. I love the fact that not everything is visible, great mood. The soft pink light in the sky is great too.
Regards,
Shaeri

Leconte (300) 2009-11-15 9:51

captivating image and mystique that invites meditation.
best regards,
Valérie.

JT50 (696) 2009-11-15 10:02

Hi Angshu,
I missed this one. I have heard of the thick fog
at Delhi and Agra, but never imagined it to be
like this. A lovely capture. Looks like the Taj
emerging with an aura from a depth. Birds are fine
detail. Sorry, I have used up all my smileys today.
Have a nice week.
Janak

yaya13baut (2283) 2009-11-15 11:30

Hi Angshu,
an unreal picture !
the roofs that emerge from the dark fog, the light of the hidden sun, the birds... a fine mood.
Yannis

Vato_Law (11664) 2009-11-15 12:41

Hello Angshu.
Taj in full misticity, presented with this thick fog, under thw low light of the rising sun and with those birds like they were surveying the scene from above.
Beautiful one, full of simplicity!!

Cheers.
Paulo

lacroux (3108) 2009-11-15 13:08

Hello Angshu
A very interesting note which describes well the wait of the photographer ... and allows me to perfectinner my English.
Fortunately you were able to wait because the image is superb with the birds and the Taj Mahal which go out of the fog.
A poetic, unreal image for us European and besides a Christmas Day, day of the birth of the Christ.
These birds may be a symbol of peace and unity of all men.
Thanks.
Regards.
Pierre.

sayeed_rahman (2267) 2009-11-15 21:32

I had talked about going through the plates of TM by raghu rai few posts back..you know that feeling i had running through them..that journey i talked about..i thought it had ended...

seeing this...makes me happy my friend...the feelings, thoughts and the journey..revisited..reignited..

you made this look special..great..i mean it !

tc

sayeed

patdeph (17748) 2009-11-15 22:06

namaste Angshuman
you have got almost the same picture than Adre,inasiajones,and your picture is splendid too!I love the atmosphere given by the fog,and I love how the beautiful top of the Taj is emerging from it!Your sky is clear enough to see this superb fly of birds,and to give a magnificent pinkish color!
Regards
Pascale

pajaran (2980) 2009-11-16 0:34

Pozdrav.
Pravi trenutak za velicanstvenu arhitekturu, mnogo lepa fotografija.
Uspeh u daljem radu, Paja.

riclopes (32971) 2009-11-16 0:51

Olá Angshu, I love the note describing your adventure, almost like an extract of a novel book ;-) Lately, I'm reading only books from people that travel to remote places of the planet...It seems that these aparent adverse weather conditions gave you an endless series of great photos. The less we see from Taj, the better :) We already know its shape and this misterious mood make people dream more with a magic place. Good that you got those flying birds in the sky. The ones at right seem like planes...
friendly regards,
ric

papagolf21 (56251) 2009-11-16 1:11

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Tout devient merveilleux dans la brume, particulièrement quand le sujet est d'une grande beauté.
Une image très réussie.
La beauté est évidente.
Amitiés.
Philippe

John_F_Kennedy (31263) 2009-11-16 2:01

Hello Angshuman
A great misty dream, very beautiful scene and choice of colours. A sweet mood captured here
Best wishes,
Achim

ChrisJ (70125) 2009-11-16 10:13

Hi Angshu

A superb sunrise shot of the partially obscured Taj Mahal, with the mist adding, mood, mystery & atmosphere. Tfs!

jafadabret (39485) 2009-11-16 10:30

Bonjour Angshu.
C'est une très belle photo. J'aime la douceur de l'atmosphère de brume qui estompe les formes pour ne laisser que les dômes et les oiseaux dans le ciel. Du très grand art !
Amicalement
Jacques

pablominto (40508) 2009-11-16 22:58

Hello Angshu,

Fine minimalism by help of a foggy day!
But I still notice details worthy attention and not only the dome of the Taj...
The birds for instance, and also a couple of other tall structures in this awesome atmosphere..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

ciakgiak (10548) 2009-11-17 4:43

Hello Angshuman,
this is a very poetic image, a composition with elegant hues and soft colors, a really superb suggestion! Congratulations.
Friendly regards.
Giorgio

Graal (57729) 2009-11-17 10:34

Hi Angshuman,
great misty view, good shot and nice presentation. Friends all told You. I like it a lot, too.
Gr., Aleksander

Kielia (8401) 2009-11-18 10:31

Hi Angshuman,
you succeeded in capturing an almost fairytale like atmosphere - due to the birds - of this fantastic monument! A very pleasant proof of the artistic potential of the fog and the sublime light. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

emka (21261) 2009-11-19 6:42

Hi Angshuman,

Very melancholic view of Taj Mahal.It looks very original and interesting. We also saw Taj from the other side of Yamuna in a rainy and foggy day (and I would prefer to see it in the sun :))

Warm regards

Malgorzata.

avene (10944) 2009-11-19 8:25

fantastic photo, Angshuman, I like a lot how the fog gives only the suggestion of the shapes and silhouettes of the famous structure. the touch of pale pink and the flock of bird are great accents, they certainly enhance the somewhat ethereal mood of the scene. great work, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

fadingstar78 (394) 2009-11-23 10:16

This picture shows that you don't necessarily need extreme contrast and sharpening to have a great picture. This really works great and offers a different view of the much photographed monument. Thanks for sharing!

bakes888 (18155) 2009-11-30 0:07

Hi Angshu.
Beautiful in its simplicity! Wonderful muted colours with the silhouettes just showing through. The birds are the finishing touch. Nice work and thanks for sharing.
Have a good week, Paul.