::: Dead Poet's Guardian ::: Photo

Photographer’s Note

Before I say anything else about this image, I have to say this image belongs as much to Kapil Bhardwaj as to me.

It was Sunday and Kapil and I decided to explore the markets in the walled or historic city of Delhi with our cameras. Since we are poets first and then photographers , it was natural for us to visit the haveli of Mirza Ghalib –the greatest poet of urdu poetry there was..or ever would be .

I saw him sitting at the gate of Ghalib’s Haveli actually it was I who noticed the guard and Kapil who noticed the haveli…the visiting hours were over but when I said Ghalib’s couplet to him…

“Bade be-aabroo hokar tere kooche se hum nikle”

"In great disgrace , I left your house"

..the man smiled and told us to go in ..and even obliged us with some beautiful pictures.
There is a heart of gold beneath a seemingly hard face..I hope Kapil posts his version soon.

kinginexile, bhardwajkapil78, nirajsinha, mugush, alvaraalto, Floydian, kseng76, rajhema has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

German74 (771) 2007-08-27 11:17

Un retrato impactante, me gusta tu uso de la luz y las sombras, excelente!!!

imtiyaz (997) 2007-08-27 13:06

Hi Gurpeet,

Simple and superb portrait,
I feel he is smiling and he is thinking some thing else,
simply his mind is not with you when you captured him,

I like the feelings on lips and the hidden feelings in eyes.
TFS,
Regards,
Imtiyaz.m.s

blow (672) 2007-08-27 13:18

this photo is amazing... and his face too... great job!!

mossphoto (604) 2007-08-27 14:50

Gurpreet-

Excellent portrait, and wonderful note to go with it. You have placed the Gaurdian in the perfect part of the photo. At first, I was put off at the texture of the wall (?) behind him. I wasn't sure what it was (and still aren't), and I thought it was a distraction. Now, I realize it has made me look even deeper into the shot to try and figure out what it is.

In my book, anything that keeps a viewer's interest is worthy of placement in the frame.

Thanks!

~Vic~

rbcy1974 (20746) 2007-08-28 4:03

Hello Gurpreet
Very nice portrait
his expresion is priceless, the white of his shirt is a bit too bright though, but otherwise very nicely done
Regards
Daniel

bhardwajkapil78 (486) 2007-08-29 22:33

Wow..

this is an amazing portrait... the look in his eyes.. the texture on the back wall and the placement of the subject...

so many things just remain untold...
thinking picture this is..

Regards

mugush (2088) 2007-08-30 9:46

"Nekalna Khuld sai Adam Ka Suntay Aai Thai Lakin
Bohat Bai Abru Ho kar teray Kuchy sai Hum Neklay""
once again you come up with very different subject. (by the way I love Ghalib's poetry..)
thanks for sharing
mugush

Clipper (61) 2007-08-30 10:18

Hello!

What a wonderful portrait, a picture to be lost in, amazing!

alvaraalto (5303) 2007-09-01 14:26

Hi Gurpreet,
Great story.
I also admired the picture of Kapil. It is very interesting to see the different approach of you both. I must say that I like both interpretations very much. In your picture the great poet seems to look away searching for new inspiration.
Excellent work.
Groet Rob

PierreMorel (1168) 2007-09-02 0:50

Hi Gurpreet,
You captured a beautiful portrait. Lightning is fine with high contrast and saturation.
Regards,
Pierre

Floydian (30970) 2007-09-02 2:30

Hello Gurpreet,
I have seen this man before by an other memeber but also here i am impressed by his facial expression. This man looks like a professional model with his beard and the way he looks.
I like your play with light and shadow here with his right side a bit in the shade but still enough detail in it. Although his shirt is a bit over-exposed on his shoulder, i like this portrait you have here a lot. The man is worth a complete series of images, great pose and look...perfect work..!!!
Regards, Henk

kseng76 (144) 2007-09-17 1:49

simply great portrait..the darkness with rugged wall acts as a perfect background..
the white beard, the expression everything is just spot on..
3 cheers
Kaushik

livinitout (938) 2007-09-19 21:54

Interesting face, and a well positioned portrait. The picture looks too dark, but that may have a lot to do with the monitor on which I am looking at it.

Angshu (34093) 2007-09-22 21:37

Hello Preetie
The placement of the subject in the frame is perfect. The roughpillar in the BG is also fine, but I am a bit bothered about the OE shirt, but I don't think any amount of PP can retrieve it. The light falling on the right has a nice effect & I like the fading effect to the left.
I have to say regarding one thing I read recently about the Placement one eye of the subject on (or near) the centerline of the photo. It was discovered in 1998 by British-born psychologist/art lover in San Francisco, Dr. Christopher Tyler, that in all great portraits the centerline passes through (or near) the vertical centerline. This is true in all three of Leonardo's portraits of women (including the Mona Lisa/La Giaconda) and in all of Rembrandt's fabulous psychological portraits. The principle is never taught in art schools, but the painter/photographer focuses on one eye.
Here you've done just that. Very good work! I saw Kapil's picture as well. It's a good complement to your post & perhaps you can post some more pictures of this interesting face.
Regards
Angshu

sayeed_rahman (2301) 2007-10-18 2:22

Hi again..i see that potraits are a part of your journey with towards a degree in applied photography !! :) Maybe its because you percieve and interpret human life and behavior in a very pragmatic way..

Like the rough background wall,suits and complements the hardened and rough facial attributes of the subject. Interesting the way he is not looking even close to your lenses...firm lipped,sunken wet eyes almost..his forehead grooved and marked beacuse he prays - 5 times a day..he is what is called a Namazi( the repeated action of head touching the ground - Sijda..lines develop from that - did you know that ? )

Good work

Cheers.
Sayeed

fotohadi (2967) 2007-10-20 10:06 [Comment]

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rajhema (1867) 2009-03-25 11:52

Your narration adds spices to this recipe. Good one Gurpreet. Honestly, I liked Kapil's portrait of this man.
Both the pictures are very powerful .

TFS
Rajesh

BenKovski (874) 2009-12-13 8:05

Brilliant portrait! It looks like the man has a mountain on his shoulders... Well done Preetie! Thanks for sharing