katu41

In early 2017 and 2018, I had the opportunity to spend 6 weeks in northern and southern India. After 8 years of carrying around a Canon 5D II I finally gave it up for mirrorless and didn't regret it. I shot about 8,000 photos on the two trips and came away thoroughly enthralled with India.

One photo captured my attention above all others. This was a lady sitting on a bench staring at me with a less than friendly look. I was more than 100 ft. away with other people positioned between us and was surprised that I may have gotten her attention. It wasn't until I processed the photo that I saw the dog. Wow! What a metaphor for a country of 1.3 billion people. (She may have been talking on a cell phone, not 100% sure. I felt like there is something in this photo that captures the essence of the country. (Why be modest.)

The second photo is a street scene from Varanasi. We were headed for a night time ceremony on the Ganges when we passed these two guys sitting in a doorway. The man on the left appears despondent and the fellow on the right looks like he give advice for a living. Hence my caption "My advice, wear socks" If you have a better one let me know.

Sorry, I got the photos reversed

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Richard Spencer Loc: Evansville, Indiana

Great photos. Thanks for the explanations.

katu41

Glad you liked my pictures. Having a little back story gives context to the photos.

philo Loc: philo, ca

really like her shot. One suggestion.........i would crop out the stove on the left. It adds nothing to the great image.

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Your wonderful pictures brought fond memories of my tour of India. It is indeed a fascinating place. One morning at dawn our group had a boat ride on the Ganges. It was a big disappointment the reflecting pool at the Taj was empty.
Thank you for sharing these interesting images, Katu.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

The woman is definitely on a cell phone.
Her new yes appear to be looking up.

katu41

I have never traveled to a more interesting place. Thanks for you comments.

katu41

I debated that and decided to leave it in. Your point is well taken.

katu41

I think you are right about the cell phone. You can't see it clearly but she is assuming the position. I guess at first I didn't want to accept that she was on a phone. Somehow it seemed to spoil the composition but I have come to accept it and I think the photo still works.

katu41

I looked at the photo again. While I could have cloned out the stove, I think I like the "balance" of the image better with the additional space for the blue wall on the left side of the bench. By the way, that was probably the cleanest wall in the entire country. It must have been freshly pained and seemed to be a perfect color for the composition. The photo was taken at the national museum in Chennai.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee, WA

I think it is a masterpiece. The first one's not bad either.

katu41

Thank you for your kind comment.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

To me the outside electric stove, cell phone, and dog eating on the other side tell the story. I don’t like that the woman is centered so might try cropping up and to the left from bottom right...keeping to skinny dog.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

"...wear socks" works well since he appears to be looking at the shoes.

katu41

I'm going to argue with you on this. Yes, the woman is near the center of the photo. However, the door is such a strong element of the composition (visually the strongest). I think the door has to be properly framed. If I cut off some of the blue wall to the right of the door, then the whole photo would look unbalanced. Do you agree.