The Shadows Waited�, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Sam Sand Dunes are situated at a distance of approximately 42 km from the city of Jaisalmer. Located in the midst of the Thar Desert, these sand dunes are amongst the most famous ones in Rajasthan.

One of the most delectable moments comes at the time of the sunset. Watching the sand dunes in the faint orange glow of the sun with the ballads of the legendary lovers playing in the background leaves one completely speechless. But I have to say, this place is extremely commercial & the camel drivers can be a bit too enterprising ;-)

The sun was tired
Having blazed the whole day,
Now he readies himself to go to bed....
The colourful ladies cross the dunes,
flowing dresses and melodious jingles
The dunes started to change colours,
From green to red and gold,
as if trying to seduce the sun away from setting.
The shadows stopped, awed by the desert𠏋 resplendence
Waited in awe, as the ladies pass by,
Longer and longer they grew,
reaching for them pleading them not to pass by
But alas, soon they would melt away,
swallowed by the darkness of the desert...

Find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and darkness which that thing provides.
Junichiro Tanizaki (Japanese Writer � 1886-1965)

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Critiques | Translate

aadilj (18102) 2008-07-26 4:44

Another image from you which goes beyond words. the cocnept and the way its been executed goes way beyond the ordianry. the golden sands the shadows and the people. there couldnt have been a more fabulous composition of a desert than this one. A sure masterpiece Angshu

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2008-07-26 4:45

fantastic!!! great composition!!! wonderful, great idea-well executed!! the colors are amazing and the silhouette is very beautiful! Good POV, excellent framing!!! well done!!

Morac (27725) 2008-07-26 4:50

Hello Angshuman,
孏he kiss of the dromedary towards the camel driver�.

It is what with what this superb work with the shades makes me think.
The presence of the women in background of the photograph brings an additional key of life and color to this composition.
It is very beautiful work.
Regards
Marc

somnathn (184) 2008-07-26 4:58

great idea,excellent coposition,light &color.

albertz (2468) 2008-07-26 5:03

Brilliant composition with those shadows in the foreground ending it up with the natives passing by. The golden tones of the dune is well seen here emphasizing a warm but cold atmosphere. Great shot,.

Polonaise (5802) 2008-07-26 5:11

Quite amazing shot and , above all: Very beautiful...

The copper touch to it...One of a kind presentation among hundreds of similar ones...

Respect, man

g.

...............

Jeppo (17645) 2008-07-26 5:17

ciao angshu,

desert pics are always extremly fascinating.
I just quote aadilj's critique.
excellent execution words are not enough to praise.

ciao
Silvio

feather (51130) 2008-07-26 5:36

Beautiful shot Angshu. The late sun on the dunes makes the sand glow like gold and the contrasts on the shadows are perfect. Your POV and the way you composed the image has produced diagonals aplenty from the slope up which the people are climbing, paralleling the footsteps in the foreground, to the opposing diagonal of the camel driver's shadow, which you have cleverly placed emerging from the corner. Great shot
Kath

Barkan (187) 2008-07-26 5:36

Hello Angshuman,
What a wonderful image you captured! Your use of light and shadows is as good as your composition. Tfs.
Regards,
Barkan

Budapestman (82620) 2008-07-26 5:39

Dear Angshu,
Fabled impression from this fantastic place with beautiful colors. The composition is great, splendid work, Congratulations. Have a nice weekend
George

pastadog (13111) 2008-07-26 5:42

A typical shot of Jaisalmer, Angshu, with those long shadows well caught and enhanced in unique way by the clever inclusion of the women back there in colorful clothes, regards, Daniel

npecanhuk (79329) 2008-07-26 5:44

Hello Angshuman!
Like someone has already said... an image that goes beyond words... one gets much satisfied just looking at it, meditating, dreaming...
Anyways... a great POV and composition with the shadows! It's simply a fantastic picture!
TFS - Congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan Pe蓷nhuk

poocha (606) 2008-07-26 5:55

wonderful and interesting composition from lines of shadow and its leading point to group of people.the picture presents the different of two group very well related by composition;one stand still and look at the other walking to somewhere.its unique shot.
TFS

cnora (92) 2008-07-26 6:04 [Comment]

Show Comment

abulafia (4900) 2008-07-26 6:07

Hi Angshuman
I think I know what you mean, last week I took a tourist trip to the dessert in Dubai, and boy was that a disappointment:)Only good thing was the dune bashing in 4WDes!
But I was actually hoping to capture something like this, the long shadows and the red sand, maybe even a camel, but we didn't stop at the right time of day, so I'll have to sit here and admire your beautiful picture instead:)
Perfect silhouettes!
Harry

partha (14023) 2008-07-26 6:19

WOW what a great shot. Excellent use of shadow and the women at the far end gives wonderful perspective and depth. You are going more mature travel photographer day by day.
Partha

Wanda1 (15142) 2008-07-26 6:22

Hi Angshuman,
I love this shot, especially the play with the long shadows on the warm rusty coloured sand, great angle of view and the detail with the ladies in their colourful dress on the edge of the frame is simply splendid. Love the textures on the sand too.
Regards
Wanda

gitan (120) 2008-07-26 6:46

Ravissant !!! I'm in love !
Every curb reaches the group of women !!

Dpbours (222) 2008-07-26 8:13

Hello Angshu,

Nice one with that shade and the diagonal further away with people walking by. Maybe I hoped to see it a bit wider here. But the shadow coming from the right lower corner is very nice as well!
Interesting little note on beauty as well.

Greetings and have a good weekend!
Dennis

jafadabret (56501) 2008-07-26 8:18

Hello Angshu.

Une photo d'une qualit� et d'une beaut� rare. J'aime beaucoup la lumi鋨e qui allonge les ombres sur le sable miel. Chaque trace est en relief. Les courbes sont douces et les gens � l'horizon sont sous la lumi鋨e et ils agr幦entent encore le clich�.
Jacques

jmcl (14535) 2008-07-26 9:38

HI Angshuman,

Beautiful tone .. now those are some long and striking shadows .. you can feel the evening warmth .. the way dark moves to light with the dimension of the dunes is striking .. wonderful image. take care, John

carper (96) 2008-07-26 10:02

fantastic shot Angshuman,
marvelous composition with a fantastic shadow a well seen shot from good quality and very nice to look at, good photojob, Have a nice weekend.
gr. jaap

MarcT (20964) 2008-07-26 10:39

Hi Angshuma,
Great composition around this gigantic shadow. Perfect colours and even real people in the back.
Well done
Marc

Valerka (8171) 2008-07-26 10:53

Hi, Angshu,
A very elegant shot with a very elegant presentation.
A clever play of shadows, lights and forms.
TFS
Valerka:)

riclopes (35577) 2008-07-26 11:17

Marvellous long shadows, Angshu. And nice diferent note :) It's a very creative composition and the colorful group of women passing in the background are a nice contribution. They try to hide behind the dune, but couldn't because your head's shadow is just behind them... ;-) I think...Fantastic diagonal on the corner and best of all, the beauty of the sand textures all over the ondulating dunes. Great shot.
Hope you're enjoying the weekend,
ricardo

goodwill (4274) 2008-07-26 11:27

and others will follow the suit.........
Virgin composition , Angshu.
The copper touch is admirable in this shot of lonnnnnnnnnng shadows.

Rajeev

pcp (3396) 2008-07-26 12:06

Wow... In One word..Awesome no words from my side ... Adding in to my favorites. great work. Well done

Senthil

Didi (61589) 2008-07-26 12:15

Hi Angshu
Vey nice picture
You make an interesting game between lights and shades.
Very good depht in the foreground.
Well done.
Cheers.

jasmis (58653) 2008-07-26 12:49

Stunning photo. Amazing idea superb effect with these long shadows.
Regards.

Kielia (24077) 2008-07-26 12:54

Hi Angshuman,
excellent note accompanying an amazing composition! I can only repeat what is said in the critiques of the other trekearthians! Great work!
Warm regards
Harriet

adores (46979) 2008-07-26 16:08

Hi Angshuman!
Great long shadows! I like this with the traces on the sand and those persons passing in background. Beautiful scene, very well framed and with a great golden light.

crckt (7222) 2008-07-26 16:28

WOW Angshumanda,
A hidden jewel! I like this one more than the "shadows in motion" shot simply because of the people in the far end and their shadows. Great angle too. I loved it.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaeri

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2008-07-26 17:57

The play with the light and the shadows is excellent as it is too the crossing lines in the picture. I believe it is a very dynamic photo because of the walking women in the BG. Well done.
The note is excellent too.
Antonio

siolaw (38294) 2008-07-26 23:50

Hi Angshu,
A classic shot well timed, positioned and realized. The PP is good too with strong contrast and saturated colors. Great scene!
Greetings from rainy Goa
Laurent

Scharan (14144) 2008-07-27 10:45

Ol� Angshu

Maravilhosa esta fotografia.
A composi誽o, as cores, as sombras, amei tudo.
Parab幯s!
GA
Vera

leo61 (0) 2008-07-27 21:11

Hi Angshu!
A wonderfulimage taken from the perfect POV.Thes long shadows look fantastic and contrast very well with the golden tones of the desert.The few peple in the distance make the composition perfect.A great shot!!!!
Regards,Leo

emjleclercq (15778) 2008-07-27 22:24

A nice camel shadow, but mainly a beautifull golden color for this sand dune. The feet marks leading from the foreground to the top of the dune is also a very nice addition.

All the best,

Emmanuel

Graal (103040) 2008-07-28 0:07

Hi Angshuman,
unusual composition and beautiful sight. I like the light, shadows and colours. Good idea, fantastic scene from dune. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

bakes888 (18499) 2008-07-28 0:26

Hi Anghsu. Wonderful capture. Good use of light and shadow. Excellent colours and textures and of course excellent POV. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good week, Paul.

fabio_ts (13696) 2008-07-28 0:36

Hi Angshu my friend,
what a superb work here, it goes directly in my favorite list,... all works well... but the way how you have composed it is at the top, a really first class photo, compliments!!!

have a great week,
Fabio.

toto (0) 2008-07-28 0:59

Bonjours,
belle photo de ces dunes de sable dans le d廥ert.
La suite entre les ombres tr鋊 longues, ces gens qui montent sur la dune durement et ces plus petites ombres au loin est superbe, rel鋦e d' un bon POV.
Jolies couleurs et bonne nettet�, beaux d彋ails, comme les traces dans le sable.

Amiti廥 Thomas

pierrefonds (114628) 2008-07-28 4:36

Hi Angshuman,

The shadows of the camel and of its driver are assets to the composition. The presence of the people has an effect of scale. The light of the sunset is giving nice colors and shadows to the scenery. The subject is well frame. Have a nice day.

Pierre

robob (3648) 2008-07-28 8:12

Hello Angshu,
Superbe image !
Les ombres plus le passages de ces quelques personnes est absolument g幯ial !
J𠿟ime beaucoup 嶲alement la partie ombrag嶪 du premier plan qui se dilue tout doucement vers la lumi鋨e,
F幨icitations !
Au plaisir,
Robert

Bluejeans (64251) 2008-07-28 10:22

Ola Angshuman ,
Bonitos tons de amarelo nestas dunas muito bela a textura da areia , ficaram magnifica as sombras compridas , bom enquadramento da foto ,parab幯s!!!
Um abra蔞 Gon蓷lo

avene (12675) 2008-07-28 18:31

hello Angshuman,
this is really great! love the warm light, and how the elongated shadows and patterns of footprints create overlaping curves, they nicely mirror the smooth shape of the dune. the colourful clothes of the people in the distance add a nice accent, I like it a lot. excellent work, my compliments.

with best regards,
Kristine

edytungkal (4551) 2008-07-28 21:32

Yes...this is a perfect composition, playing with shadows on this spectacular landscape... and that ladies' walking just make it more special. I love this shot Angshu friend, tfs.

daniel

testmaniac (13508) 2008-07-29 2:04

Hello Angshuman, wonderful composed photo with good light and colors. The long shadows are just superb.

TFS and regards,

Phil

kiwi_explorer (12209) 2008-07-30 2:12

Hi Angshuman,
There is nothing more I can say about this excellent photo that hasn't been said yet by other fellow TE members. The composition and lighting is just spot on .... awesome photo! tfs
Cheers,
Renier

rajiv_077 (1412) 2008-07-30 3:21

hi,

an extremely beautiful picture, a great shot. you made dul desert shine like gold. a very good job.

rajiv

dvlazar (6662) 2008-07-30 4:27

Amazing - I love the long shadows of the desert! Not only did you capture that, but the 4 ladies in the background too. So much to admire in this shot, well done.
:)Dave.

danos (110407) 2008-07-31 0:31

Hello Angshuman,
great shot and idea to capture these huge shadows that have an excellent background on the sandy hill and the colorful images that passing bye in the end of the scene.I like the splendid colors and the management of the light,as the sharpness and the clarity of it.Well done.

Regards,Danos

sacavem (18620) 2008-07-31 7:13

Ol� Angshuman,

The other TE friends have said all, but I think this photo can bear another two points ... ;-)

Regards
Filipe (Portugal)

capthaddock (28790) 2008-08-01 18:00

Oh my god Angshu, this is a masterpiece, the shadows, the distant women, and the sand dune textures all come alive under this light to deliver a knockout.

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-08-01 20:03

Hello Angshuman
Wonderful gallery on TE, congrats, stunning image with excellent sand textures with the lighting giving us a wonderful shadow to view. Really like the people at the far end, they look so tiny against the man and camel. Perfect colours and composition.
Well seen and captured.
Regards
Jim

scalerman (26900) 2008-08-04 13:52

Angshuman: this one went into the fav's folder - really creative compo. best, c

josepmarin (59385) 2008-08-05 0:05

Hi Angshuman,
Magnificent composition, in which you have used skilfully the long shades of the camel and the person on the golden dunes, under a very beautiful light and a few warm very interesting tones.
The presence of two more persons in BG adds more dynamism and more life to the scene.
An excellent work, my friend.
Thank you very much for your warm words of condolence and respect.
Best regards,
Josep

Hellas (7123) 2008-08-06 2:21

Hello Angshu,
very attractive presentation, indeed! The time was the main factor of this successful capture as well as the surroundings. The ladies in the depth add to the scene, too. The shadows create a spectacle! Even the footprints made huge shadows! Very good job my friend!

I appreciate very much the writer's words!

Best wishes,
Athanasios.

pablominto (53746) 2008-08-08 3:50

Hello Angshu,

Basically the idea isn't new but the result is most original!
Camels are fun animals... long legged camels are even more fun, hehehe...
Well seen well framed!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Bogdan (205) 2008-08-15 3:31

i don't really care if the idea is original or not. It' s tought to be original..it's 2008 and people have been painting, drawing, photographing and other stuff like that for a while now. Originallity is no longer what it used to be. I think sincerity is the new originality. As fot your photo..it's great..graphical, lots of feeling in it..the lighting is great..very, very god job mate.

Vato_Law (12732) 2008-08-18 13:59

Hello Angshuman,
not much to say that hasn't been said about this one, but I couldn't let this one pass unnoticed as it must be one of the most creative approachs to desert photos, its sahdows and with the extra touch of including the human elements in it.
The shadows on the ground, the footsteps on the sand, and the way the light touchs the sand softly makes this one an absolute beauty.
Very well done my friend!
Cheers.
Paulo

delkoo (68) 2008-08-29 2:13

hi angshu

I definitely like your POV in this shot ... it provides such good perspective. The low light hasn't prevented you from getting rich colours and great sharpness.

didier

radiohead (359) 2008-09-03 17:58

Hi Angshuman,
This image goes straight to my favourites! The incredible light, shadows and presence of the women make this a very atmospheric shot. Of course excellent composition also.
Kind regards, Michele

MeAT (1174) 2008-09-04 4:07

This is the shot I wanted during my camel trip but it was unfortunately cloudy so I did not get these pretty shadows. It rained!

In another way, I assume I should consider myself fortunate to have witnessed rain in the desert...

Good shots. You were clever enough to cast other elements in your picture apart from the shadows and this makes the shot very unique.

MeAT :)

yquem46 (38752) 2008-09-21 6:50

tout simplement BRAVO!

dilane (861) 2008-10-01 8:45

J'彋ais pass� � c矌� de celleci - elle est tr鋊 belle - toutes mes f幨icitations - l'ombre est grandiose et les couleurs bien chaudes -
congratulations -
daniel

sayan (2617) 2008-11-27 6:44

Hello Angshuman da,

Coming back to TE after a long long time and can not wait to see your gallery and the first one to catch my eyes is this. A beautiful one really... The colours are great and the shadow is wonderful. Really I have nothing to speak about this, since it goes beyond my words!

regards

Sayan

vmukherjee (614) 2009-10-12 20:21

A very interesting shot indeed! Beautiful warm colours and unique compostition. I like the idea very much

poulinp (4528) 2009-10-12 21:02

Excellent use of these shadows. Really like it.

kasianowak (17676) 2014-10-23 5:51

Hi Angshu
This is a unique and very creative image. The shadow plays a very important part in the composition and adds a 3D feel to the photo. The human element is strongly present in the background and in the form of the footprints in the sand. Simply � great work!
Best wishes
Kasia