Opposed to Change, a photo from West Bengal, East

Photographer's Note

Pictured here is the 飈offee House� located at College Street in Calcutta (now Kolkata). An iconic establishment that, along with the academic institutes and roadside book stalls, defines College Street.

The history of the College Street Coffee House can be traced to Albert Hall, as the building used to be called, which was built in 1876. Later, the Coffee Board decided to start a coffee joint from the Albert Hall in 1942. In 1947, the Central Government changed the name of the place to "Coffee House". The place acquired fame as a meeting place for the city𠏋 intelligentsia which included poets, artistes, literati and many others from the fields of art, culture and politics. Though I am not sure how true that is today but the one thing that for sure has not changed is its quaint, old world charm with no visible facelift. Its semi dark interior with archaic ceiling fans and starkly basic furniture still seems to attract people of varying ages including students who are said to form three fourths of its clientele despite the presence of much 倴ooler� hangouts like Barista or Caf� coffee Day.

ourania, macjake, snunney, abmdsudi, kordinator, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

williewhistler (16606) 2014-12-18 11:37

Hello Satya,
this is fine view from above which illustrates the rows of neatly laid out tables and the interesting people seated at them,your choice of black and white is a good one,giving the image a timeless look.
Very nice work.
Regards Les.

ourania (51103) 2014-12-18 13:47

Hello Satya,
a superb point of view, a frame full of interest. Perspective, depth and sharpness are great, the monochrome rendered effectively, the dark tones make the scene look older. There are so many little scenes enclosed in your frame, it's enjoyable to search for the countless narrower compositions that coexist at this specific moment in time. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

emka (152314) 2014-12-18 23:51

Hello Satya, very nice view of this restaurant from upper level. Good choice of black and white, it makes it more interesting. Whay are they eating, I wonder. it is rather cafe, they have tea or coffee.

Warm regards Malgo

macjake (96157) 2014-12-19 2:48

Hi Satya
interesting point of view with this shot.
its a view that we don't get to see very often, thats why it catches our attention.

too bad about that wire, but what can you do.

nobody seems to notice you at all.
fun, and very cool photo
cheers
craig

snunney (130967) 2014-12-19 4:13

Hello Satya,
An excellent point of view looking down on this animated scene. There is much to see and all in excellent detail. Black and white heightens the dramatic effect and brings an appropriate touch of nostalgia to the whole.

Sergiom (117241) 2014-12-19 5:45

Bonjour Satya,

Ces caf廥 mythiques r廥istent bien aux changements et c'est je crois pour le mieux. Ils conservent l'authenticit� qui ont fait leur renomm嶪. Le noir et blanc sied bien � l'histoire.

Amicalement

Serge

holmertz (92898) 2014-12-19 10:11

Hello Satya,
This is an original way of looking at a caf�. Seeing any place from above gives a different impression than being on the ground/floor with the others. This place still looks popular after so many years. Most tables are occupied and the waiters look busy. I don't think I ever was at this particular place, but I used to look for the branches of the Indian Coffee House, where I knew I could always get a decent cup and usually a cheap and tasty snack.
Kind regards,
Gert

abmdsudi (88597) 2014-12-19 21:27

Namaste Satya
Excellent people-watching and life seen from bird eye viewpoint I reckon the crowd are often the real interest there. Well caught with a good sense of old age and the environment in which they were in and there is a wonderful timeless quality to this black & white image. I guess there's nothing much you can do with the overhead cable line. Well done, Congrats
Best regards

pajaran (102720) 2014-12-20 8:53

Dobro vece.
Lep poglod na unutrasnjost i ljude, interesantan tekst o zgradi sa istorijom i opisom ...
Dobar trenutak snimka i kontrast, lepo pokazan trenutak sa ljudima.
Prijatno vece i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
Beautiful view of the interior of the people, an interesting article about a building with a history and description ...
Good moment recording and contrast nicely demonstrated the moment with people.
Good evening and all the best.
Paja.

Cricri (176) 2014-12-21 6:45

Hi Satya
Superbe POV, des sc鋝es, des positions, des expressions si diff廨entes et int廨essantes a voir, belle r嶧lisation
Beau dimanche
cricri

kordinator (8738) 2014-12-22 0:05

Hello Satya
Wonderful indoor details of this nice place full of peoples in 飈offee House�.
Nice black and white composition.
Very beautiful picture taken from excellent low point of view.
Perfect lighting here.
Great job.
Kind regards
Sa惨

ChrisJ (160104) 2014-12-22 14:49

Hello Satya,

A good downward pov with excellent sharpness. I might have brightened this a little and held back the levels in the highlight at right bisected by the wire. Good tonal range and light contrasts and superb repetition of the people in the cafeteria. Tfs!

imageme (1790) 2014-12-25 8:00

Hi Satya,

Lot of action..............interesting perspective which leads my eyes only focus on the upper top and the people standing. Great details too. Best regards
Merry Christmas
Anna

mesutilgim (0) 2014-12-27 10:31

Hello Satya,
Very nice b&w birdseye view of this coffee house in Calcutta. A pity thay this cord carrying the ventilator runs through the scene. Without it the compo would be much better. I don't know if it shall work but I'll try a photoshop (a WS) and post it. Hopefully you'll like it; allthough I'm against those post treatments.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

[workshop] [compare]

adidas5nb (5743) 2014-12-30 21:20

nicely done shot of this remarkable institution. love the b n w format and the frame.(do correct the state)
regards
dwaipayan