P R E P A R I N G . F O R . K U M B H, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

A Sadhu (Hindu Holy Man) making last minute preparations, putting on his make-up for the Ardh Kumbh Mela on the holy shores of Allahabad.
Kumbh Mela is known as the largest religious gathering in the world. Kumbha (Kumbha means pot) Mela (means fair) is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that occurs four times every twelve years, once at each of the four locations of India : Prayag, Allahabad (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga (Ganges), Yamuna and Saraswati. Haridwar (in the state of Uttar Pradesh) where the river Ganga enters the plains from Himalayas Ujjain (in Madhya Pradesh), on the banks of Shipra river, and Nasik (in Maharashtra) on the banks of Godavari river. Ardh Kumbh Mela or Half-Kumbh Mela takes place in these four locations during the sixth year of the twelve year cycle. This is the festival of wishes. People from every religion and caste are present in the festival in one or another form, saints and sacred performers from every caste are present in the festival. The fair ground takes the shape of mini India. Different types of language, tradition-culture, dress, food, way of living can be witnessed in this festival where millions of people reach without any invitation.
This year the Ardh Kumbh Mela which began on 3rd January is being held at Allahabad. Over the next five weeks 70 million devotees is expected to take the holy bath at Prayag.

Praetzer, Cormac, steveryan2006, lucasdasilva, CeccoPhoto, Wanda1, syd1946, renerob, SamB, kevinos, Dragonheart, TheMystic, arnabchat, partha, albertopiubello, ramesh_lalwani, tjanze, jhm, bhorerpakhi, delkoo, riclopes, Photo65Net, Emile, Cretense, John_F_Kennedy, Vato_Law, ksvijayb, miuky, singuanti, HIRAKZ, pady, golden has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

steveryan2006 (439) 2007-01-09 10:54

I have heard so much about this festival and was curious to see some photos on this site. Must be an interesting place to visit as is apparent from this excellent portrait.
S.

Cormac (26565) 2007-01-09 10:54

Wonderful study in concentration, which the tight close up shows so well. The overwhleming feeling is that you can reach out and touch him, the sense of intimacy is so strong. Great note as well. Excellent!

Praetzer (209) 2007-01-09 10:54

Excellent expression. Good POV

Ulishna (2268) 2007-01-09 10:59

Hello Sabyasachi,
great portrait! Wonderful colors and impressive face of this man.
Well done.
Julia

lucasdasilva (557) 2007-01-09 11:02

This is veri good photo. A face which tells many story. Concentration is written there.
Lucas

CeccoPhoto (2717) 2007-01-09 11:10

Hi Sabyasachi,
Wounderful portrait!
The face's man is amazing.
Also the note is very useful!
Thank you for this superb work.

CeccoPhoto!!

faubry (35447) 2007-01-09 11:58

suerb protrait with good contrast with behind white, very interesting note, good evening
francine

DarkoG (8) 2007-01-09 12:47

Excellent study. Great sharpness good compo.

Regards Darko

Wanda1 (15142) 2007-01-09 13:36

Hi Sabyasachi,
A great portrait of this man and the feeling that it portrays for this event. The warm tones and sharpness are wonderful, and I like your close up composition.
Regards
Wanda

syd1946 (1167) 2007-01-09 13:43

Hello Sabyasachi,
Another excellent close up shot for a portrait with a a little action!Very interesting note as well supporting in a very interesting way the photo!

Greetings,
Thomas

ndb1958 (9289) 2007-01-09 14:23

Hi Sabyasachi,
a very nice portrait of this Sadhu putting on his make up for the religious event. I wish I would understand a bit more of Hindu religion.
Great colours, lightning and frame.
Best wishes,
Nino

renerob (601) 2007-01-09 20:30

Hi Sabyasachi,
Fantastic portrait, of this holy man putting on his makeup for this holy festival, your close up and sharpness is very good, also very good composition, and a very good write up as usual, well done Sabyasachi.
Regards Irene

SamB (1948) 2007-01-09 22:29

Hello, Sabyasachi--
Nice work on this one, it's interesting to see the traditional mix with the modern as the man paints his face with the assistance of the mirror. The tight crop pulls us into the frame nicely, also.
Thanks!
sam

kevinos (7517) 2007-01-09 22:52

A very interesting note and a good picture to illustrate it.Sabyasachi. Personally, I wonder about all that white sky. When I made the sky bluer and the image lighter in photoshop-just for fun-it seemed even better to me. Regards Kevin

TheMystic (916) 2007-01-09 22:58

Intriguing portrait, Sabyasachi. Worthy of many smiles. Great capture of the intense concentration in applying the paint.
Cheers
Otto

arnabchat (7233) 2007-01-09 23:42

a great capture. good image quality, sharp and with perfect colors and light. this season we will wait for a lot of these shots from the Ardh Kumbh.
Greetings for the new year,
Arnab

partha (14023) 2007-01-10 0:09

Hi Sabyasachi Da,
Gachen naki Kumbha mela te. Nice documentry shot with nice clarity. Good colour tone and sharpness as well.
A beautiful note.
Regards.
Partha

albertopiubello (2623) 2007-01-10 2:33

Hi Sabyasachi,
I didn't know about Kumbh Mela... very very interesting!
Your shot has an interesting subject and I like a lot his expression: he communicates a lot about the atmosphere of festival.
I hope to see more photos about Kumbh Mela.
Have a nice day!
Alberto

roamermark (1592) 2007-01-10 2:43

Definitely a favourite of mine of your recent output Sabyasachi. Simply and classically composed. Great environmental portrait that is kind to the subject and teaches something about the world. Very nice

cheers
Mark

ramesh_lalwani (3213) 2007-01-10 2:59

Hi Talukdar
So you have reached the happening place.It needs real courage to be there.
You have nicely captured sadhu's dactivity.Nice colors.Sharp image
Ramesh

tjanze (5674) 2007-01-10 3:06

Hi Sabyasachi!
Amazing portrait.You catch the man on really unusual work.Good angle of view.I like a lot of details on photo.
Regards!

jhm (211738) 2007-01-10 3:33

Hi Sabyasachi,

You took a portrait of a man in full attention for are make up, colours, sharpness and compôsition are very well! Tfs.

Greetings from Belgium in Europe,
John.

vincz (19113) 2007-01-10 5:48

He looks so concentrated on his makeup! Very good warm tones and excellent sharpness and texture in his hair in particular. i have always been fascinated by the Kumbha Mela, so many people gathering there.

Cricri (176) 2007-01-10 6:12

Bonjour Sabyasachi,
trés belle scéne de "maquillage", belle expression de concentration, beaux portrait
amitié
cricri

bhorerpakhi (559) 2007-01-10 7:17

Darun chobi hoyeche, Kumbh Melai jete parle drun hoto kintu kajer moddhe sujog kothai. Tobe apnar chobite onekta dorshon hoye jabe ei ja santona.
Poulomi

delkoo (68) 2007-01-10 7:49

hi Sabyasachi
very nice sadhu portrait, attractive by the colours and the gesture of the man taking attention of its make up.

cheers
didier

markstaples (15670) 2007-01-10 9:51

Hello Sabyasachi
Superb portrait. You've certainly captured an engrossed look on this man's face. As always, very good quality and well framed.
Best wishes
Mark

ohe (2334) 2007-01-10 9:52

Dear Sabyasachi,
You present us today a very nice portrait.
Colors and sharpness are quite impressive.
Thanks for sharing,
- Olivier -

dorte_s_t (2287) 2007-01-10 11:05

Hello , Sabyasachi .
I like this excellent portrait of a concentrated and devoted man preparing for the festival .
Your note is - as usual - very interesting and informative . Always a pleasure !
Greetings
Dorte.

Dragonheart (8434) 2007-01-10 11:12

Hello Dada,
Yes so many are in preparation for kumbh including myself. Perfect capture, well framed and good use of lights.
My congratulations for Canon 400D.
Thanks for sharing
Best wishes
Vivek
:-) soon

photographer123 (6248) 2007-01-10 11:34

hi sabya,
sorry to say its not like ur other shot,i think cropping is not correct,but the mood captured well...best wishes...subir

riclopes (35577) 2007-01-10 11:54

Olá Sabyasachi, another excellent portrait of yours. You must have interacted with him in order to have such natural pose on his preparation for the festival. For my little experience, most Sadhus don't mind to be photographed in change of some money, but it's a pose portrait. The quality is impressive as usual, although I would like to see the whole hand at the bottom of the image.
Ricardo

carper (96) 2007-01-10 11:58

a very nice one Sabyasachi
the shot is well taken, the look of the man is not realy friendly, he is in trance, good photo job here and fine details, greeting from Holland.
gr. jaap

Photo65Net (43144) 2007-01-10 14:09

Hello Sabyasachi,
You bring a clever shot of this beautiful man.
His attitude is just great, and I like the preparation atmosphere of your picture.
Very nice" shot,
JB.

Graal (103040) 2007-01-10 14:25

Hi Sabyasachi,
interesting and unusual portrait, superb quality of photo. Good informations in note. Well done.
Gr., Aleksander

Budapestman (82620) 2007-01-10 15:23

Dear Sabyasachi!
This is a very expressive and suggestive portrait, again! Its an impressive cut and very fine theme. Esxcellent shot!
Thank you, nice days
George

Fis2 (172049) 2007-01-10 16:36

Witaj Sabyasachi!
Curious portrait. I like the composition and colors. Excellent shot. Good work.
Regards
Krzysztof

siolaw (38294) 2007-01-11 0:15

Hi Sabyasachi,
Im glad you went to the Khumba Mela, so we ll get quality pictures of it!!! ;D
A well captured Baba in action, marking his forehead, good framing, nice colrs and DOF
Waiting for next one!
Laurent

Emile (20352) 2007-01-11 1:18

Hola Sabyasachi.
Another excellent portrait, captured so sharp and closed, good work. Very good colors and DOF. Your point of view is great.
Well done. TFS.

Cretense (68709) 2007-01-11 5:11

Hi Sabyasachi!

When we are talking about amazing portraits then we are in your special "field", my friend! Amazing capture, great framing and timing! Congratulations!

With greetings from Greece,
Hercules

Gerrit (62042) 2007-01-11 5:19

HI Sabyasachi,

Good portrait of this holy man and his devoted concentration.
Regards, Gerrit

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2007-01-11 6:55

Great shot! A real sense of the movement.
Achim

Vato_Law (12732) 2007-01-11 16:56

Hello Sabyasachi,
Excellent portrait and note giving full meaning to your photo, I like the way this man is focusing on the last details of his make-up. I believe that it must be quite an experience to take part of these events.
Cheers.
Paulo

sothy81 (9646) 2007-01-11 19:58

Hey Sabyasachi. this is a great portrait. Very nice shot with sharpness and smooth lighting. Interesting face. Well done. Sothy

jemaflor (148334) 2007-01-12 6:13

Hi,
good report and good timing for this shot, perfect focus for this portrait, bravo !

miuky (3335) 2007-01-12 11:03

hy
exellent sharpnes, a great portrait, saying itself a lot. Great pov, and the colours are so vivid and clear, like there was a lot heat:)
regards, M.

Albrecht (11283) 2007-01-12 13:55

Hi Sabyasachi
Well cropped and a very good portrait;sharp and good colours.
greetings Albrecht

t0mmm1 (5442) 2007-01-12 14:01

Hi Sabyasachi,
what a wonderful decisive moment you've captured here. I like framing here and his spontaneous gestures... I think he didn't noticed you, or better, he didn't care for your intrusion in his sacred space. Wonderful capture.
Have a nice weekend,
Tomi

singuanti (15250) 2007-01-12 22:52

Hi Sabyasachi. That's a great picture and a fascinating note. Your POV was perfect and it looks like you used a fill flash which lit the man's face up brilliantly. tfs Sabyasachi!

tinamunk3 (6408) 2007-01-13 14:27

Hi Sabyasachi,

A nice detailed portrait of the Sadhu. The colours are good - the soft light is gorgeous and the pose is goog - BUT....why didn't you remove the vertical thing next to his arm?

:) Tina

gramma (3519) 2007-01-13 15:09

Hello Sabyasachi,

Another nice portrait. Here, I like this very concentrated glance. Colors and sharpness are also very good. Thanks for sharing such beautiful images !

Christophe

captainsgirl (3450) 2007-01-14 8:04

Wow amazing photo...great sharpness and color, and an event I shall never see myself..love your photos..I learn so much from them! TFS
Donna :o)

thanks for your comments on my photo "Rise and Shine!" :o)

prezntime (3946) 2007-01-14 20:51

Hello Sabyasachi.
Another great portrait. The skin tones are really good here. All of the detail shines through as this holy-man applies his paint. The background is also very well done to highlight his intense face...a slight blue hint to give definition. Well done.
Regards,
Chris.

devimeuxbe (58557) 2007-01-15 4:23

Hi Sabyasachi
The gesture of this sadhu is beautifull and elegant. His glance also is strong. Beautifull portrait.
Have a nice day
Bertrand

vapours (8264) 2007-01-19 3:05

A great reportage shot here Sabyasachi, love the detail, colour and the look of concentration on his face.

veronika (6058) 2007-01-19 11:54

Hi Sabyasachi,
i could write a stationary for your pictures and copy it into each mine critique - excellent portrait once again :)
Nice evening
Vero (be back)

pady (4800) 2007-01-20 10:29

A very nice portrait served ba a very good light.
It's very well composed.
Cheers
Pierre-André

golden (2289) 2007-01-20 19:31

This is a very interesting portrait!
Amazing expression,he looks really concentrated.
Good lighting and sharpness.

Well done,
Chrysoula.

SmithM (42) 2015-01-28 5:40 [Comment]