Durga Puja – A Framed ‘Portrait’ Photo

Photographer's Note

Continuing with my experimental shots taken during Durga Puja in Kolkata...experimenting with framing & DOF.

Off the beaten path, in Kolkata, there are quite some community Pujas which throw surprises with their innovation in art and spirit. My quest was to find out those Pujas and pandals located along the length and breadth of the sprawling metropolis. This is one of the Durga Pujas which are not so well known. Tucked away in a small lane in Central Kolkata, I was lucky to find it. The pandal has been built using bamboo carts and the wheels of these carts. Such carts are seldom used in India to carry good locally and are pushed/pulled by hand. The bamboos are split along their length and fixed or bound together along their width. The wheels of these carts are quite big & made of wood.

The pandal was indeed indigenous considering the medium of construction. The bamboo sticks and the wheels were beautifully painted with traditional motifs and figurines. I got the idea of framing as I was peeping through the large wheels.

I have posted two shots in WS where one can get some idea about the pandal (notably the large wheels) & my POV. The first WS is a long view of the pandal where the carts can be seen. The second WS provides the full image of the idol of Goddess Durga. Note the cart wheels behind the idol. I took this shot through the spokes of the cartwheel using a long DOF. I would like to call this a ‘Portrait’.

I’m not sure whether you would like this experiment & the effect. If you don’t, please do let me know...I’ll take that & use it as a learning experience.

Focal Length = 93 mm
ISO 80

ChrisJ, pablominto, sabyasachi1212, ramesh_lalwani, vincz, vinicio, pierrefonds, cunejo200, plimrn, josepmarin, Henryk_Bilor, emjleclercq, sayan, arjun_das, berek, papagolf21, partha, jmdaoudal, zeca, atus, axiotea, lu_muratori has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ndb1958 (9289) 2006-10-26 0:12

Hi Angshu,
a beautiful and colourful capture of Indian mythology. Even nice that you added the ws to give a wider view.
Beautiful POV and composition.
Nino

pablominto (53744) 2006-10-26 1:13

Hello Angshu,
Interesting framing of this colourful statue!
Good focus and sharpness in the parts of interest, nicely composed image with great clarity in colours!
Maybe a slight problem in the fact I have to do some mindwork to get to the point?
Greetings,
Pablo -

sabyasachi1212 (19739) 2006-10-26 2:16

Hi Angshu,
Having got a sneak preview, I was kind of waiting for this one. One of the very best in terms of framing. The pandal is ingenious and so is this image.
Best Wishes
Sabyasachi

siolaw (37568) 2006-10-26 2:21

Hi Angshu,
An original compo of Durga through the cart xheel!
Colors are great, regarding DOF, it would also be nice with an even narrower one with wheel more OOF..
Well done
Laurent

ramesh_lalwani (3211) 2006-10-26 2:29

Lovely colors and nicely framed Ma Durga
TFS
ramesh

ChrisJ (86862) 2006-10-26 3:23

Namaste Angshuman

A good daily life scene, with excellent central sharpness on the main fg subject. Colourful & well composed. Tfs!

jasmis (57596) 2006-10-26 4:11

Exotic and full of colours. Fine framing indeed. Regards.

dhurjati (2709) 2006-10-26 4:12

Hi Angshu,
Love this one.Great results for your esperiment.Lovely framing too.
TFS,
Dhurjati

vincz (19099) 2006-10-26 5:24

The second Anshu portrait! You have great and unusual models to start exploring the portrait style. Framing is wonderful here (is it possible to find a better framing??) and this was I believe the best choice as well for aperture. All is focusing towards the idol and the trident which looks translucent. very nice effect. Excellent shot.

archayati (0) 2006-10-26 5:38

Hi Angshuman,
Excellent Graphical shot.Sharp, details, colours are Beautiful.Well compo.Best wishes.

hAyAti

sergio1 (12150) 2006-10-26 6:13

Hi friend

Magnific compo and pov, the colours are pretty.
Wonderful shot.
Sergio

vinicio (23415) 2006-10-26 7:01

Grat compo Angshu, amazing colors and beautiful scenary, well done, your experiments are always interesting, compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

feather (51128) 2006-10-26 7:18

I like this experiment Angshu. The cartwheeel is not too blurred, but just enough so we can concentrate on the idol. I don't find it as distracting as a frame as the bells on the previous experiment. Very colourful. Thank you for the WSs which are a good help to visualise the scene.
Kath

pierrefonds (48347) 2006-10-26 7:36

Hi Angshuman,

A good portrait of a Durga Puja framed by the wheel. The photo is sharp and clear except for the left side of the wheel. It has a good composition and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

cunejo200 (7281) 2006-10-26 8:26

Hello Angshu,
Exquisite framing. Your experiment with DOF appears successful as there is good shaprness on the Durga Puja. Very engaging with many fine tech details. Best wishes. Danilo

photographer123 (6246) 2006-10-26 8:42

HI,
GOOD USE OF COLORS BUT THE FACE OF DURGA IS ALMOST MIDDLE OF THE FRAME,FACE SHOULD BE MORE RIGHTSIDE IN THE FRAME,USE OF WHEEL IS GOOD...BEST WISHES...SUBIR

thaprem (2554) 2006-10-26 8:50

Angshu,
A fanttastic experiment, very worthy& intuitive..The colours interplay & the wheel included in the frame subtly reminds of the play of time , even for a god.
Great stuff.
Cheers,
Prem.

Gerrit (43743) 2006-10-26 9:28

Hi Angshu,
Good trick and focussing. I had to look twice.
Regards, Gerrit

plimrn (21344) 2006-10-26 10:58

Hi Angshu,
You've captured excellent detail in Ma Durga and her framing wheel with more faces a Ma Durga; this shot seems to distill the business of the whole scene. Thanks for the WS, I really like the shot of Ma Durga standing triumphantly over her evil victim. The cartwheels become a lacey framework behind Ma. Sounds like you had a great treasure hunt finding Pujas!!
Regards, Pat

josepmarin (55027) 2006-10-26 12:47

Hi Angshuman,
good experiment to work with the depth of field. You direct to our attention towards the image that is in background, and you leave outside center foreground, that it creates a very interesting frame to the image. And all it with magnificent colors, very alive and attractive. It is a good composition, my friend.
Regards,
Josep

Henryk_Bilor (20797) 2006-10-26 13:21

Hello Angshuman
Well, if you want...;) I wouldn`t call it a portrait, but it is a matter of taste. Interesting sculpture, nice colours, but the frame crossing the chest of the goddess isn`t a great idea. I will be observe your efforts ;).
Regards

clic (11001) 2006-10-26 14:32

Bonjour Angshuman
Since I'm more TL than TE (see my site), this peep through is beautiful to my eyes!! And it's an ingenious way to mask possible overexposed areas at background. Superposition of 2 related themes, each bringing reinforcement to the other.
Well done.
Take care
Robert

emjleclercq (15778) 2006-10-26 16:43

The nice and vivid colors are back with this one. You managed an interesting framing though the wheel here, also providing with additional human figures on the side. Good sharpness on the divinity and an original idea.

All the best,

Emmanuel

sayan (2617) 2006-10-27 1:20

Angshuman da,

Really a nice experiment. Very uncommon to see the face of the idol through the wheel. In that sense this framing is unique. Love the blurred wheel in the foreground. Nice work.
Regards
Sayan

Stepan (27210) 2006-10-27 1:45

The "Durga Puja" serie is really good. Impressive sharpness and colors again, in a good framing. Very well composed.
Stéphane

arjun_das (1851) 2006-10-27 2:35

hi angshu,

excellent experimentation with the framing and dof. also you can say it experimentation with colours. they are astonishing as well in your latest pics. good pov to show us the face of the durga idol. well done and tfs.

regards,
arjun

Graal (88886) 2006-10-27 4:05

Hi Angshuman,
amazing view, good captured theme, interesting note. I like the colours also. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

berek (31921) 2006-10-27 8:05

Hi Angshuman,
another colourful traditional view. your point of view is okay. I like happy colourful face. have a nice day.
Burak
my overall evaluation -> ***

papagolf21 (76561) 2006-10-27 8:11

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Voilà une excellente initiative au point de vue du cadrage pour mettre en valeur cette statue monumentale.
Bravo pour cette idée très originale parfaitement réalisée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

leo61 (0) 2006-10-27 11:43

Hi Angshu!
Good idea for this nice portrait through the wheel.The bright colors and the contrast are fantastic.Verry well seen and perfect realisation.
Regards,Leo

Burberry1 (6041) 2006-10-27 16:17

Hello Angshu:)))))
This one is great also and fantastic idea with an artistic frame.
The POV is just ideal and lightning great.
Fantastic quality and colors which make the photo really vivid.
The way U captured it makes it dynamic..not static.
Great idea and succesful effect!!

Agnieszka

prezntime (3946) 2006-10-27 20:31

Hello Angshuman.
A success. I think your experiment works very well here. There is enough clarity on the wheel to bring out the interesting paintings, but the main focus is on the Goddess behind...wonderfully handled. The colors are excellent and the repetition of the triangle shapes of the spokes adds a nice rythem.
Well done here,
Chris.

MIG13 (0) 2006-10-27 21:29

Angshu, I think this is the most interesting of your Durga Puja pics! A very original and colourful composition, rich in details! Well done, my friend! Congratulations! Regards! Miguel.

Budapestman (82620) 2006-10-28 14:42

Dear Angshu!
This is a very spectacular and particular artwork photo! Its an interesting composition and exciting POV. Very fine and decorative details. Beautiful colours and excellent cut. Splendid shot! Thank you, nice days
George

jmdaoudal (82) 2006-10-29 4:06

I like the experiment and the tight framing.. To appreciate this good picture is to read the note too where is explained the importance of wheels and carts in this tadition as they are not shown in the picture.
You get great colors here and so a great portrait from this art.
Jean Michel

sayat (2944) 2006-10-29 6:49

This is a very beautiful and shot with very vivid colors. I have to say that the large blurred areas both on left side and in the lines that frame the goddess are too disturbing for me, I have difficulty in analysing the central face which is conveyed in perfect sharpness.
Anyway, a well planned composition dear friend.
Sayat

zeca (19762) 2006-10-29 10:51

Hello Angshu!
Beautiful strong colours! Interesting framing and a good note, as usual from you..
Regards,
Zeca

atus (15808) 2006-10-29 12:52

Hi Angshu,
very well captured interesting shot from a great and unusual pov. The perspective is very good and the frame is unique. Very well managed lights and very nice and vivid colours. Very well done!
Tfs and best wishes.
Attila

partha (13775) 2006-10-30 9:49

Brilliant work. I must appriciate the way you have used the foreground. U have used that without any distraction of eyes from the subject.
The overall colour balance is suparb, excellnt sharness and technically a correct photograph.
Full marks to you.
Partha

axiotea (21647) 2006-11-05 23:00

Hi Angshu,
A well chosen title for your framed "Portrait" of Durga which is just beautiful and colorful... The WS with the Cartwheels behind the Idol is just amazing....
Cheers,
Marilyn

anjan (1086) 2006-11-06 6:52

Good work Angshu, I read what Subir said abt framing but I guess u got the rite POV. Durga is central to the whole compo.
Anjan

capthaddock (28790) 2006-11-08 11:46

Hi Angshu - greatr portrait, very multi-layered and colorful, the wheel makes a nice frame I think, I also like the depth.

markstaples (15670) 2006-11-20 11:40

As you know, I love punchy colours and it should therefore come as no surprise that I was drawn to this image. I love the way you have used the wheel to frame and the fact that you have focussed on your subject, leaving the wheel nice and soft. Lovely work Angshu.
Best wishes
Mark

lu_muratori (618) 2006-12-15 22:24

Hi Angshu ,I love this shot so much that I called my husband to come and look at it. We also really appreciate your note and the pics in the workshop showing the long view of the pandal. Awesome man!
Have a nice day,
Luci