Going Home from School in a Tuk Tuk, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

The tuk tuks or autorickshaws are ubiquitous in India. The three wheel taxis weave in and out of the traffic, animals and people in the towns and cities. They are usually in poor condition with several dents and scratches and rather interestingly decorated albeit shabby interiors. In the picture two schoolchildren are on their way home from school in Jodhpur. The street was very crowded and movement was slow.

tyro, patdeph, bayno, macondo, Silvio1953, Charo, maloutim has marked this note useful

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tyro (30513) 2012-01-13 0:45

Good morning Ann,

Ah, I know what a Tuk-tuk is, having once seen a fine photograph of one being repaired in a Jodhpur street while precariously balanced on one side against chairs and bins and things!

But this is a closer, much more personal shot: this happy girl, very smartly dressed in her school uniform (in which she could easily here pass as a nurse!) smiling cutely and proudly out of her rather regally decorated transport adds to the intimate flavour of the picture. She, of course, is the star of the show but there's lots and lots to look at in this interesting picture too, from the brightly coloured interior of the tuk-tuk to her male companion assessing their forward progress, the driver of another tuk-tuk in the background and other passers-by in front of the distant shop fronts.

For what, I reckon, must have been an impromptu shot in a busy street, this picture has it all: excellent composition, perfect exposure, wonderful bright and well saturated colours and excellent depth of field and sharpness as well, of course, as a nice intimate and personal touch.

Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

CLODO (45116) 2012-01-13 2:51

Hi Ann

It's impressive the number of portraits of Indian persons in this site! They seem more pleased than the europeans to be taken in picture.
Good framing for this nice candid shot, she seems relax and not posing for you.
We can discover at the back the indian busy street life.
regards
CLODO

JFS (32459) 2012-01-13 3:21

Beautiful portrait, beautiful daylife scene, lots of details...The quality of your photo is excellent. thanks Ann!

Cheers,
Juan

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-01-13 3:42

Hello Ann,

A nice shot of this school children riding back from school in the rickshaw. These rickshaws seem very nuisance, but lot cheaper for the middle class people. I like this portrait for her facial expressions. She seems to be happy that you are taking her picture. Nice sharp image with good colors and mood.

Lakshmi

williewhistler (16606) 2012-01-13 7:56

Hello Ann,the children appear to be remarkably smart and tidy on their way home from school,not like the kids around here,where half the uniform is hanging off at the end of a busy day!
The young lady has made good eye contact and is obviously to pose.
Most charming and colourful.
Best regards Les.

saxo042 (38078) 2012-01-13 8:23

Hi Ann,
A very nice girl in her school uniform. I wonder what she will remember of this encounter with a British lady taking her picture. Looks like she is saying something to you here.
Kind regards
Gunnar

patdeph (35750) 2012-01-14 6:47

hello Ann
this tuk tuk seems to be a nice tuk tuk, with silvered thin columns,and curtains inside.It's a good idea to have take this picture like this,and the little girl seems very happy to be photographed.The boy is looking outside,like me when I am in a tuk tuk.I notice also the uniform of the children to go to school.
Cheers
Pascale

bayno (18348) 2012-01-14 11:20

Dear Ann this is great shot, very good quality and nice scene, very funny expression of this girl, nice tones too, i like also the BG, geetings from rajasthan, Valter

Glint (6171) 2012-01-14 13:00

hello Ann,
I am much in admiration of this shot. Firstly because of the nice connection you have with the school girl. But also for the excellent technical quality.It has such good colour and light. I checked the camera details and was surprised that a 350d could do so well. But of course, it is the photographer not the canmera that should be praised. But I really did xpect to see that this was taken with a much more expensive camera.Your composition is perfect too, confirming the photographer as star.
best regards,
Bev

macondo (20449) 2012-01-15 4:26

Hi Ann.
Really good daily life shot here, timed very well to capture not only the quizzical smile of the girl and undistracted intense observation of the boy, but another vehicle through the open window and what appear to be pedestrians beyond. So there is a great feeling of depth and movement. I like those colorful tied 'curtains' and the interior padding and those elaboate silvery decorative thingies - interesting contrast with the girl's tunic. I'd guess that you cropped this one, and the closeness of that is another contributor to a kind of intimacy which this shot conveys.
Regards,
Andrew

Silvio1953 (221493) 2012-01-15 9:30

Ciao Ann, interesting serie of beautiful portraits, fascinating daily life scene, excellent clarity, splendid light and colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Charo (51290) 2012-01-25 14:51

Hello Ann,
A portrait funny and very well designed, using a stop rickshaws that seem to carry or bring these children out of school.
A nice expression of the girl and very good depth and light.
Best wishes,
Charo

cavli (1876) 2012-03-21 2:52

Hello Ann,
what a pretty she is :) nice pose.
nice composition and presentation with your note.
Nice sharp image with good colors and mood.
tfs
regards..