Guardians of The Taj, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

In Agra, I stayed in Hotel Raj, which, in spite of its lofty name, was a budget hostel at 6 dollars per night, with a room that was hardly big enough to accommodate my bed, and its only claim to fame was a (stained and battered) marble bathtub. Hot water appeared on demand (you would make a request at the reception desk and part with a small rupee note as baksheesh to speed up the process). The availability of electric current, on the other hand, was a bit touch and go, totally beyond my control. It was like living in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel or, in other words, perfect.

The Raj was situated a few steps from the South Gate to Taj Mahal. I was pleased to find that the gate was closed and tourists had to use the East or the West gates. It meant a bit of a walk for me to reach the entrance but it also ensured the chances of me stumbling upon tour groups in my street were rather small.

Surprisingly, considering the distance to the gates, just outside the hotel there was plenty of souvenir stalls, where I haggled to get presents for my family back home. There was also a post office, where, while queuing to get stamps, I spotted a mouse on a shelf by the counter.

I was staying in Agra for two nights and I was not in a rush to see the main sights. So on my first morning I went for a walk in search of the roads less travelled and “nothing special” photos. I was thrilled to see that the city was shrouded in mist, the kind of conditions that always make me reach for my camera. These two Cattle Egrets looked as if they were guarding Taj Mahal.

Please take a look at two WS photos also taken during that morning walk. I’m sure some TE members will prefer those to my chosen main upload.

worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO, dedee, holmertz, Fis2, pajaran, ikeharel, PaulVDV, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, jean113, clic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

worldcitizen (14840) 2021-06-09 16:40

Hello Kasia,
I like this atmospheric and original shot. Who knew that a hazy sky, some barbed wire, and two cattle egrets would all combine nicely with the Taj Mahal to create an intriguing photo?! Very well-seen and presented. Take care!

mcmtanyel (60143) 2021-06-09 20:58

Hello kasia,
I like the foggy view of the tower (or is it a minaret?). Well seen and rendered.
Regards,
MT

abmdsudi (90829) 2021-06-09 21:13

Hi Kasia
Super atmosphere, shrouded in greyish mystery and soft tones of dawn. Now that's really a different way to look at one of the world's best known landmarks. The faithful guardians on barbed wires are in focus and stand out in contrast to create an almost surreal scene for me. This is a well performed shot and thks to the info notes and the additional pictures, Congrats.
Best regards

Silvio1953 (210541) 2021-06-09 22:32

Ciao Kasia, fascinating misty view, lovely composition with couple of guardians for Taj, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

emka (153616) 2021-06-09 22:40

Witaj Kasiu, Oryginalne zdjecie z Taj Mahal. Przygody Anglików w Marigold Hotel to mój ulubiony film. Ja już nie pamiętam mojego hostelu w Agrze, ale pewnie przypominał ten Twój. U Ciebie czaple we mgle, u mnie małpy w deszczu:
https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=1157891

Pozdrawiam serdecznie

Małgorzata

jemaflor (138871) 2021-06-09 22:56

Hi Kasia,
Original composition, well seen and taken, good effect with these two birds on each side of the column, nice tones, almost b&w photo,tfs.

COSTANTINO (107386) 2021-06-09 23:02

Hello dear Kasia and have a nice day
delicate and artistic photo
destinated for an exhibition
thanks for your inspiration
and your sharing
regards
Costantino

dedee (1521) 2021-06-09 23:55

Hi Kasia
I just love this shot. Those in the WS are good but this one I prefer.The birds as sentinels seem as though they have been there forever, and what tales they could tell!
David

ifege (37175) 2021-06-10 0:17

HI Kasia
Great commentary but an even better photo - perfectly spotted and taken.
cheers
Ian

holmertz (95964) 2021-06-10 0:35

Hello Kasia,
I like both WS, but I don't prefer them. This is a beautiful and original photo with a very Indian atmosphere, although not immediately typical of Agra. Thanks for that. The three photos all remind me of what a marvellously photogenic country India is, and how easy it is to take pictures of people. For the simple and smart composition this has to go to my favourites.
Best wishes,
Gert

Fis2 (160003) 2021-06-10 0:37

Czesc Kasiu!
Interesujace zdjecia.
Ciekawe miejsca, dla mnie to egzotyka.
Tutaj ptaki i minaret w tle robia wrazenie.
Super tonacja zdjecia.
Dobra robota.
Pozdrawiam.
Krzysztof

PaulVDV (57175) 2021-06-10 2:36

Hello Kasia,
Agra in the mist offered wonderful photo opportunities. Different from what we would expect from this hugely touristy place in India.
The egrets seem to have been given a not so comfortable place to guard the Taj. That's why they seem to look a little surly :)
It's a magnificent picture. Superb composition with the minaret in the fog between both birds.
I remember a lot of vultures along the river at the back of the Taj, vultures that didn't appreciate my presence. But the egrets had a day off during my visit.
I thought the Taj Mahal was a very special and beautiful building and the gardens offered great views from different places.
As much as I loved India (I was there four times), I didn't like the town of Agra at all. In 1995 it didn't look like a town but like a very large village (unlike a lot of other cities I visited in India at the time).
That in itself doesn't mean anything of course. But Agra was already very busy at that time by foreign tourists and like nowhere else in India, a foreigner was seen there as someone whose money should be changed hands as soon as possible.
Nowhere else in the country have I ever had such negative experiences and Agra will always remain with me as the city of the biggest liars and cheaters.
Fortunately, those experiences didn't stop me from visiting many more places in India, places that I came to love very much and I definitely want to go back to the country.
I strongly hope that the country can overcome the current COVID problems and vaccinate its population soon.
Best regards, Paul

lousat (132411) 2021-06-10 3:37

Ciao Kasia,your stories are always really interesting, real travel stories really difficult to read elsewhere and find on the web. Impressive the mouse when you were buying the stamps ... ahaha ... and not bad the description of your hotel too. And then of course the photos, the main one is a master stroke, which exploited with perfect symmetry the position of his herons on the sides of the tower in the fog. Two beautiful real-life scenes in the WS, not far from those most popular with tourists. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Royaldevon (79736) 2021-06-10 7:15

Congratulations, Kasia, you have taken three completely different photographs from what would normally be posted from Agra.
THis main shot is a beauty! You must have been completely delighted to see the egrets so perfectly placed, guarding the tower! The barbed wire is symbolically warning 'no entry here'!

The misty shots from the city are delightful. I wonder how people react to the number of tourists that enter every day, into their city. Maybe some will benefit by being employed in tourism but, perhaps, for the most, it's something they have to endure. The lady was in no intimidated by you and your camera; maybe that is what gave me the 'endure' impression.

Thanks for sharing these, Bev :-)

mkamionka (64846) 2021-06-10 7:39

Czesc Kasiu,
czarujaca kompozycja z fragmentem slawnej budowli w tak dobrorowym towarzystwie. Kolczaste druty nie zapowiadaja nic dobrego, a moze po prostu zapowiadaja cos bardzo cennego po drugiej stronie. Ptaki jakby ci pozowaly!
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M

Spawdzam wlasnie co sie bardziej oplaca czekac na druga dawke szczepionki czy jechac i zrobic te test y o ktorych mowilas. Sprawdzalem lotnisko w Krakowie i costam jest, musze jeszcze sprawdzic Wroclaw...

Tue (85166) 2021-06-10 12:09

Hello Kasia,
A great photo of the tall spire in the middle, which emerges from the dense fog so well. The two birds on either side sitting on the barbed wire are a fantastic addition. Well spotted and captured.
Lars

ChrisJ (164664) 2021-06-11 0:11

Hello Kasia,

A strong and simple minimalist composition with the 2 perched birds adding good symmetry. The oof minaret adds a good focal point in the misty bg. Excellent fg sharpness. Tfs!

jean113 (24339) 2021-06-13 6:12

Hello Kasia, once again you bring interesting detailed notes side by side with your pictures.
The main shot immediately catches the eye as it is very nearly monochrome, and the two egrets are perfectly placed on the fence with the blurry tower between them.
Your workshop pictures certainly show an alternative view of Agra.
Kind regards, Jean.

clic (24518) 2021-06-13 6:18

Hello Kasia
Did'nt I told you once that you're an accomplished artist!!
Outstanding in all points!
Cheers

Periko (8533) 2021-06-19 10:46

Hello Kasia
Beautiful, I definitelly prefer your main upload. Not the always image of the Taj Mahal.

Regards