Chaos in the Streets Photo

Photographer’s Note

The streets of Old Delhi are not an orderly place. Cars, taxis, bicycles, rickshaws, hand-pushed carts (like the ones in the foreground) and the occasional wandering cow all vie for space. Men wait around on the carts for work, while others push loads of grain, bricks, auto parts and whatever else needs to be moved.

It's hard to exactly capture the "chaotic, yet generally safe", feel in an image, but this is my best effort.

rjb874, gabrielpat, tcht, leo61, AnimeshRay, Clairedelune has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rjb874 (595) 2007-04-08 18:53

An exciting and chaotic mixture. A vibrant culture, even in the midst of urban decline. I like it!

gabrielpat (6553) 2007-04-08 18:55

salut ken,
yes indeed what a chaos,many old things,tired people but always ready to work.

Luko (13896) 2007-04-08 18:55

Very sucessful take of Chandi Chowk premises (like it seems), and rendering of the hectic pace of the place. Love the general brownish tones of the image, typical of Elite slides, it gives a warm lively mood, also a smokey atmosphere that the metallic neutral grey of digital cameras usually fails to deliver.

dvlazar (6488) 2007-04-08 20:10

Nice effort to capture that organised chaos that is seen in Delhi. I like the dull colors - makes for a gritty depiction of street life.
Great!
David

Furachan (0) 2007-04-09 3:29

It's not the prettiest light I've evr seen or the clearest tone but you know what, Ken, as an illustration of your thesis on Chaos in Delhi, I think it works wondrously well. One of the more "involving" and salutary pics I've seen from India in quite a while.
Gets my vote...
-F

partha (13667) 2007-04-09 5:30

Hi Ken,
A wonderful daily life shot.Excellent representation of the dynamism in city.
Regards.
Partha

tcht (7298) 2007-04-09 6:07

Hi Ken
the atmosphere is great here, love that dusty feel and smoky air. the foreground is just as chaotic as the back. and I like the boy near the centre of the frame. I think sometimes great lighting isn't that necessary in some pics, here's a good example.
Cheers
CheukHin

banyanman (7739) 2007-04-09 10:53

I think you've captured the chaos of Old Delhi's streets very well here, Ken. I don't know whether the colour cast is due to the old scan or the usual winter smog (probably a combination of both) but it gives the shot an atmosphere that befits this part of the city. Cheers . . . David

PS: I bought my Loof Lirpa boots in that store across the street ;)

leo61 (43816) 2007-04-09 15:44

Hi Ken!
When I arrived in Delhi 4 years ago,with a jetlag I was walking there,lost my way and thought I`m in the middleage.You photo shows very well the atmosphere of this unique chaos.
Regards,Leo

devimeuxbe (56398) 2007-04-09 16:37

Hi Ken
yes, you are right. What a chaos in this street !
I know this place in the old Dehli. It's a nice report.
Well done
Bertrand

AnimeshRay (8886) 2007-04-10 0:31

What a nostalgic view...I know this place so well from the 70s...it was still like that in 1996. Perhaps even today. Chaos indeed!

Polonaise (5638) 2007-04-15 0:40

BINGO...!!!
This photo of India is more Indian than India itself.
Never been there, but , on Khrishna dirty sandals - THIS IS IT !
Show me THAT India, brother and I'm your fan Ken, forever.
What a country...Gosh !
What a picture ?

have a great WE, pal.
g.

Clairedelune (4885) 2007-04-27 22:00

My goodness Ken! This picture scares me! Though I live in a 'big' city, though my house is not a model of orderliness, I am scared by such a chaotic vision. Millions of details to look at! I usually don't like much photos with so many things to look at. Like if the eye could not stop and focus on one thing. But here, that's exactly the asset of this photo. There is not ONE thing that take all the place, but millions. And that's the beauty of it, the harmony in your photo. Because yes, there is harmony in this chaotic disorder...
But, why haven't you cloned those horrible wires??? -- Just joking, dear Ken! ;)))
Claire

CaptainJack (0) 2007-05-07 1:40

Hi Ken, as I do my research on TE ahead of my first ever trip to India, this chaotic scene has really peaked my interest even more. Now this is the hectic scene that is the image I have in my mind of what old Delhi must be like. Does it still exist in this manner today I wonder...?

cepekdong (3668) 2007-07-05 3:33

a fascinating picture of the daily indian chaos ... i cant wait to be there

daniel

teacozie (1371) 2007-08-16 11:01

Yo Ken!

Indeed there is chaos! Great framing and composition, using the street carts in the foreground allowing the street scene to unfold behind. Nice vision, I also like how we can see the pollution and dirt in the light and colours.

Cheers

ALSOM (6616) 2007-08-31 5:03

Very nice capture, fg, middle ground & bg are all busy.
The frogy/smoky atmosphere reinforce this messy feeling. Lvely brownish tone. Thanks.
Alain -

CycleEyes (598) 2009-02-04 10:12

Hi Ken, valid effort capturing this scene. Showing one moment of daily life in Delhi, the atmosphere in the chaos. TrekEarth report.
George