Varanasi

[eugene_]

your series run strongly on boats. where is this part on boatmaking? i mean the location in varanasi, next to which area?

IIRC, its prob near where I was staying, Assi Ghat. I knew I din walk long before I saw this. Boats, i felt was a major part of Varanasi which is why i though i should include more of them.

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Centuries old buildings and temples raise above the ghats.
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[eugene_]

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A small altar setup beside the river where worshippers gather before dipping into the ganges. Notice the grains of rice, marigolds and the red mixture of saffaron which is what Hindus used to dot on their foreheads.

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[eugene_]

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Discarded marigolds garlands are often food for the cows/buffaloes that roam on the streets.

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[bluejewel8]

the cow is so cute.....

 

[JacePhoto]

wow, really nice pics

 

[asterixsg]

sorry, not being nitpicky, but just wanted to make couple of minor corrections...
The flowers are not jasmine flowers, they are marigolds.
And the animal you photographed is not a cow, its a buffalo

 

[daydreamz]

nice pics. love the B&W effect...how did you do it?! i know there are several text book methods recommended but i esp liked yours...care to share?

I am working on Photoelements, hope your tips can help me do some great B&W conversions using that. thanks muchly!

 

[eugene_]

wow, really nice pics

Thanks

sorry, not being nitpicky, but just wanted to make couple of minor corrections...
The flowers are not jasmine flowers, they are marigolds.
And the animal you photographed is not a cow, its a buffalo

Thank you so much for the corrections. I wouldnt have realise all these. Pardon my ignorances.

nice pics. love the B&W effect...how did you do it?! i know there are several text book methods recommended but i esp liked yours...care to share?

I am working on Photoelements, hope your tips can help me do some great B&W conversions using that. thanks muchly!

Image> Adjustment > Black & White
Play with settings till desired effect.

I am on CS3 though.

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The Marigolds certainly play a very big part in their rituals and offerings as you can see here. Bright colored flowers being laid on the ground ready to be offered to Mother Ganga.
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[zoossh]

IIRC, its prob near where I was staying, Assi Ghat. I knew I din walk long before I saw this. Boats, i felt was a major part of Varanasi which is why i though i should include more of them.

ic. no wonder it looks unfamiliar. we stayed far up near lalita ghat, which is probably more than 2km from yours. and i go only up to munshi ghat...

 

[zoossh]

19

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in general, i prefer page 2 much more than 1, esp #19. it makes me rethink my approach to tones and colors.​

 

[eugene_]

in general, i prefer page 2 much more than 1, esp #19. it makes me rethink my approach to tones and colors.

thanks. but i though composition wise, it would have been better without the background body in the way.


Anyw i got to thank u for taking the time to critique e fotos. Learned quite abit from ur writeups.

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In the midst of everything, this old woman still offers her Prayers to Mother Ganga with a offerings of Marigolds and incense.
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[eugene_]

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[SIZE=-1]Dhobies or laundrymen doing the laundry.[/SIZE]​

 

[eugene_]

Everyday, thousands of devotees attended the colourful Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat on the banks of the Ganges. It is an important daily ritual of worshipping the Ganga that takes place on the banks of the Ganges river in this holy city.




You see some activity beginning at the riverbank around 5pm. People start cleaning up the area, lay carpets in preparation for the aarati. It never fails to attract the crowds, both local and foreigners alike.

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[eugene_]

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Long before the ritual starts, devotees have already begun chanting and clapping to set themselves up for it. No doubt this ceremony holds much importance for them.
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[eugene_]

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A blow of a seashell horn to Mother Ganga signals the start of the ritual. As you can see, many people have gathered to withness the ceremony, so much that the crowds spills onto river, having to watch from the boats.

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[zoossh]

that's a reasonable thought. i didn't mention though becos sometimes certain "distraction" elements didn't turn out to be (significantly) affect the outcome although "by right they should". that includes things that is next to a head, or things that stick out at the edge. it is more than science can explains why this at the edge looks great, but that at the same location looks horrible, so rules are only for guidance.

thanks. but i though composition wise, it would have been better without the background body in the way.


Anyw i got to thank u for taking the time to critique e fotos. Learned quite abit from ur writeups.

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In the midst of everything, this old woman still offers her Prayers to Mother Ganga with a offerings of Marigolds and incense.
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i thought a little more space can be given on top of the head. what do you think?

 

[zoossh]

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Long before the ritual starts, devotees have already begun chanting and clapping to set themselves up for it. No doubt this ceremony holds much importance for them.
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is that a tripod shot? what body and ISO are you using? very clean shot.

 

[eugene_]

that's a reasonable thought. i didn't mention though becos sometimes certain "distraction" elements didn't turn out to be (significantly) affect the outcome although "by right they should". that includes things that is next to a head, or things that stick out at the edge. it is more than science can explains why this at the edge looks great, but that at the same location looks horrible, so rules are only for guidance.



i thought a little more space can be given on top of the head. what do you think?

is that a tripod shot? what body and ISO are you using? very clean shot.

something like this? But you can see she's still arranging the offerings, hence i would prefer the former, even the headroom is abit tight or even non-existent. I can only curse myself for not maintaining the headroom throughout.



Its shot on a D80, 17-55mm, f2.8, ISO 320. In times like this you really appreciate a fast lens like that.
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[eugene_]

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And its not before long the ceremony gets underway and everyone's attention is fixated on the priests who are performing the ritual.
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[eugene_]

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The ritual as witnessed by two devotees.
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