Hands Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This was taken during Durga Puja... this was taken at the time of the arati. This was the jyot (flame) that was being passed around for people to take blessings

Tech: Resized image

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Critiques | Translate

flydragon (0) 2004-12-09 13:20

Hey Smrithi
long time not seen ;o)
a symbolic and mystical picture
with a good composition
a bit blur ,o)
but its not disturbing me
i like the message here
take care
••simon••

nwoehnl (120) 2004-12-09 15:50

Very nice compositional idea, Smrithi. The topic of the hands reaching towards the flame has a good symbolic quality to itself, and the smoke captured above is a good add. I don't think the blurry quality does any harm to this at all, it's really a good shot.

christina (2040) 2004-12-09 18:42

Great Te shot- one that teaches and show another side to things. I like it! The blurring works showing the enrgy and movement.

kaud (1840) 2004-12-09 23:25

Loved it.
Note completes it.

ChrisJ (70569) 2004-12-10 4:26

Hi Smrithi

An abstract type of shot that conveys some of the ritual & daily life from India. Thanks for sharing.

SophieL (6030) 2004-12-10 4:45

It's a very good idea and very powerful image, a symbol of how much people believe, how strong their faith is. Very good to have kept only the hands, the one holding the flame, strong, very individual, and the others, asking, demanding.
Actually you could have tried a closer framing, cutting off the heads in the foreground.
The scene is blurry, which is fine with me, it goes well with the mysterious, mystical atmosphere and the smoke. However, it's terribly noisy.
I tried a WS with a tighter frame and noise reduction. I can't post it today (I have reached my WS limit) but I can post it tomorrow if you want.
** the day after! :^) Here is a suggestion in a WS, hope you like it.

[workshop] [compare] +

elihesamian (26091) 2004-12-10 12:33

Glad to see you and this fine shot about a traditional matter with great POV,Smrithi,I'm back now from 400 Km far from home after 4 days,I hope I could post a few simple new shots after 2-3 days,...
your shot is strong,the hands towards the flame has a nice digonal move in the frame,for taking a baraka,blessing,...
and I like it very much Smrithi,really well captured and very well composed.
take care
Yours
Mohammad

hojper (2830) 2004-12-10 17:35

This is certainly one of the best blurred shots to have been posted on TE. It says so much by showing so little - and even the flame is overexposed to the point where it takes on a mystical aura. Very good.

Aegean (2567) 2004-12-11 8:59

Great composition and really surreal feeling in this shot! Love it!

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-12-11 9:03

interesting shot, a bit blurry, but the idea is great and good note to go along with it

adind (738) 2004-12-11 9:08

captured an important event in the Durga puja..
the extended hands show how people are eager
to take the blessings...
the flame is blurred...a sharpen image
would have been better..

best,
atis

Jeppe (18623) 2004-12-11 18:01

You captured the atmosphere nicely Smrithi, and I think the blurred image add to this - Not an easy task to get this would I beleive - thanks for taking us to this event.

jrzufferey (7249) 2004-12-12 6:08

Bonjour chère Smrithi, J'aime bien ton image, c'est très symbolique toutes ces mains tendues vers le même objectif, le même désir, la pensée commune. Amitié/jr

dsidwell (9745) 2004-12-12 14:57

This is an interesting and captivating image, Smrithi. I'm not sure I find the blur to be effective, though. Perhaps more obvious motion in the blur would be more communicative? Anyway, I love the mood and compostion here very much.

greymatter (273) 2004-12-13 3:40 [Comment]

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alimo3 (6826) 2004-12-13 18:12

Hi Smrithi,
a very good picture,
for me the blur is not a problem an this image,it even helps to anderstand the symbolic event as well as extended hands.
Bravo.

Tom

suvankar (84) 2004-12-14 4:26

Fantastic composition.... Completely out of focus....
But really fantastic Idea.....

I like it...

RGatward (19751) 2004-12-14 9:52

Well I like everything about this (subject, compo, exposure PoV), except the blur, where I'm with David. I agree that it shouldn't be a perfectly sharp image, but I think having just one thing in focus here would have helped.

waskahegan (0) 2004-12-21 20:02

I like it: a picture of ritual, daily life, faith etc. good timing and framing

manu_itu (305) 2005-01-02 4:57

Hey smrithi, great shot! Very artistic and descrptive. perfect timing has made up for burred image very well.

coco (28328) 2007-06-19 3:14

Hi again, Smrithi.

Maybe is not your best photo. At least technically.
But I prefer this one to the other.
The moment is magical and unique.
It has a powerful meaning and that's great.

Well done.