Restless Spirits Photo

Photographer’s Note

While my boyfriend and I were at the mechanics, getting a puncture fixed (yes again) I was busy clicking away. This scene caught my attention-it is something that happens almost everyday, but since the 2nd was a dry day, the crowd was much larger.

In this picture, people are waiting for the liquor shop to open. It was 12:35 in the afternoon and the shop opens at 1:00 pm.

You can see from the body language of the people how restless they were getting. As soon as the shop's shutters were up, the crowd was actually pushing and shoving (nothing new at all for us). Some people were so restless that the second they stepped out from the shop, they bought a Pet bottle of Pepsi from the departmental store right next to this one and made themselves a drink. I wanted to click that, but couldn't because I was getting dirty looks already.

Tech: Resized image and added a border

p.s. changed title of image courtesy Chris.(Chrisj)->thanks chris :)

ChrisJ, nwoehnl, Kenny10pin, Endy, kaud, Jeppe, hojper, jrj, dsidwell, scalerman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

clodreno (0) 2004-10-07 3:44

Very interesting shot Smrithi. i have noticed the past two years an increase in people drinking booze in India. I don't know if you have read something about it..
nice document..

nwoehnl (120) 2004-10-07 15:30

An interesting piece of social documentary with this photo and note, Smrithi. The feeling of an anticipative crowd is well conveyed in this shot, and is enhanced by your tight composition. Very good TE topic, thanks for sharing.

waskahegan (0) 2004-10-07 15:57

Interesting, what a crowd, a social note. You are right the body language says a lot.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-10-07 21:02

nice shot here, I like the people crowded at this place, wow I didnt know beer and wine was so popular there, really well done

manny (21378) 2004-10-07 23:22

A real documentary. Tells us a lot of stories and the way you composed it and framed it horizontally is very well-thought out of. Very nice Smrithi.

Endy (1025) 2004-10-08 0:09

Nice capture of this impatient crowd. Interesting note about this social problem.

ChrisJ (70283) 2004-10-08 3:49

You could have called this "Restless Spirits"! Good social documentary.

kaud (1838) 2004-10-08 8:03

It's less a picture and more documentary.
Their body language shows their eagerness to grab a bottle.

oochappan (22032) 2004-10-08 8:10

Damm you, that's really typical Indian, that I never thought before to take a shot of that, really fantastic to show how it goes in India with this alcohol shops. In Tamil Nadu all those shops are in the hands of political parties exploited to feed their own pocket, as soon someone start a shop he is bought off. The quality of whisky went down as it is mixed with acohol from rice. Some of the alcohols are smelling like camfer.
And Tamils are still scared to death to drink in public, before there was a alcohol-prohibition and now a social control, as soon he drink his wife knows it before he comes home, often he pays off others to keep their mouth shut.
This is indeed becoming a problem in Tamil Nadu, I have seen so many families going down into poverty as the husband starts drinking. Even one of my best friends, a fisherman, I had to take some distance as he is alcoholic now due to his mates, as you don't drink, you are a pussy. And they drink arak, denatured alcohol mix, killing the body.
Great subject an excellent TE-shot, Smrithi and you handeld it very carefully in your note. Do a search on alcohol abuse in India or Tamil Nadu and you see how many articles they were been writing about.
Henk

Jeppe (18623) 2004-10-08 17:33

Yes - a great title - I got both meanings ;-) I Denmark you can buy spirit in most shops but only between 8am and 8pm, But in our neighboor contry Sweeden they got a similar system with special shops for Wine and Beer - thanks for sharing this scene Smrithi, and beware the dirty looks :-)

RGatward (19743) 2004-10-09 11:12

Yes, this is really interesting. Alchoholism isn't something I'd normally associate with India, but from your description of the crowd, it sounds like there's more to there need for the shop to open than, say, an early morning bakers. Pts tomorrow.

retesh_gondal (173) 2004-10-10 10:02

1/2 hr more to go we can double the crowed...woooo...people r in extremly high spirits...!! intresting shot...

hojper (2830) 2004-10-10 10:29

That's a very interesting though of course slightly sad facet of every day life. Well seen, Smrithi, and well described in your note. Two things though: The black frame doesn't suit it (in spite of the sad fact), and I would have cropped those first floor windows away to let your photo concentrate on telling its story of the shop and the men.

GrahamB (939) 2004-10-11 4:49

Very interesting picture and note - as already mentioned a very TE kind of shot.
I would maybe crop a little of the white pillar from the left as I find it a bit imposing.
Good Shot though.

jrj (34779) 2004-10-11 5:21

I think Smrithi that I would recommend a new tire for your bike....
Again a fine contribution of daily life scenes in your series. Of course not a good thing anywhere for people cuing outside this kind of shops. But that's how it is then..

dsidwell (9745) 2004-10-11 7:40

Very interesting image, Smrithi. The crowd may be slightly dark, but the composition is so wonderful and effective at communicating what is in your note. Super work.

christina (2040) 2004-10-12 18:18

Funny note and interesting capture!

jrzufferey (7249) 2004-10-25 15:12 [Comment]

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scalerman (25733) 2004-10-30 19:14

I can understand this picture. India can be a hard place to get a drink. Clear and appealing notes. thanks.

adind (738) 2004-11-02 6:28

I think the restless ness in the people is because that in our country alcohol is
sold only in selected Govt. approved shops..
If it is available in departmental stores..
and the restriction on days are relaxed then,
you may not get a chance to shoot such image :)
anyway nice "daily life" shot !

best,
atis

kuldeepaksharma (7) 2009-05-06 23:32

Beautiful title to the picture !