NikonGear'23
Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Anirban Halder on December 18, 2015, 15:15:13
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Kanpur, one of the large cities in northern India which is not like any other metro city at all. During British era Kanpur was known as the "Manchester of India" due to the abundance of cotton mills. This city, established in 13th century, ruled by numerous kings and nawabs, now fights hard for its own existence. All the cotton mills, the backbone of the city’s traditional economy, have been wiped out and the remaining industries are in their last stages of survival.
I was there for 1.5 days only, for work. Photo opportunities were unlimited. I will surely go back there again some day.
Parts of the city is very rustic, unruly. Public hygiene level is very poor. But in-spite of that I was amazed with the amount of life this city. I hope below photos show glimpse to that "life".
#1. On our way to Kanpur we stopped at a local food-stop for fast food and chai. Tea and chai are synonymous in this part of the country.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5794/23718501142_87fcdb8cdc_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/C8Vw3S)
#2. People and shops still use coal ovens everywhere... That stuff on fire is dried cow-dung. Helps charcoal to burn faster.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/643/23200096943_dcf99a0f5e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Bm7yxr)
#3. Paan shop. (Paan = betel leaves prepared with stimulant)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/775/23718493682_9ff07a20eb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/C8VtQf)
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More street-food in the evening, after reaching Kanpur:
#4. No, he wasn't posing at the camera.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5683/23531141800_2f62f6d3d5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BRnfDo)
#5.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5715/23531151280_6feb81d270_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BRnisQ)
#6.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/618/23744401891_3e9c7bea8c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Cbdgrv)
#7. Red sign (on left) says - "please collect token first". Owner of some of these shops sit somewhere, you pay him money, collect token and then get your food.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/23744371711_4a5642adfb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Cbd7ta)
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#8. Wool. Moms and grannies still knit sweaters, rather than buying ready-made.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/616/23198738064_9e959b0fd7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BkZAAu)
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Sometimes I wish we had 3-D systems that also could record smell and sound in addition to the image itself :D
Having seen a couple of Indian film I can just imagine the holistic ambience of the street scenes you show us. Do bring them on. They are a welcome contrast to what we encounter in our part of the world.
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I agree ;)
Very impressive colorful and atmospheric overview, Anirban !!
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Sometimes I wish we had 3-D systems that also could record smell and sound in addition to the image itself :D
Having seen a couple of Indian film I can just imagine the holistic ambience of the street scenes you show us. Do bring them on. They are a welcome contrast to what we encounter in our part of the world.
Thank you for your kind and detailed comment, Bjørn. Yes, if something can record the aroma while taking the images, indeed that would be nice! :)
Indian films are high on imagination; but yes, by and large they give a fair sense of street scenes.
Thank you again for encouraging. I will post more photos from this trip shortly. Hope some of them you will find interesting.
I agree ;)
Very impressive colorful and atmospheric overview, Anirban !!
Thank you John. Glad you liked them. If I ever post these street photos in b/w that would be injustice. :)
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Anirban, the are all crackers. ;) Especially the wool one!
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Makes me LONG to go there. The SMELL I miss and the TASTE. Great photpography. Thank you!
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Wonderful series, love the colors. It almost looks like there is plenty of food for everyone! ;)
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Anirban, lovely and colorful images!
Thank you for bringing the hectic and crowded world to us at NG!
Not only is it crowded by the amount of people, I find everything hectic and on top of each other, the food, the wool on the shelf, the architecture, everything is crowded :)
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For some reason, this kind of street snaps by local people appears to be different from those shot by foreign journalists or tourists. Possibly because the people in the images are more carefree. Your images may prove that, and that is what makes your images valuable.
And, yes, I'd like to see more of the images of this kind.
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Anirban, the are all crackers. ;)
Thank you Mike sir! :)
Makes me LONG to go there. The SMELL I miss and the TASTE. Great photpography. Thank you!
If I can induce that emotion, I call it a successful day with the camera. Thank you, Frank!
Wonderful series, love the colors. It almost looks like there is plenty of food for everyone! ;)
Thanks Alex. Yes, it looks like. By end of the day/night, all gets over though. :)
Anirban, lovely and colorful images!
Thank you for bringing the hectic and crowded world to us at NG!
You are always welcome, Jakov! I was worried no one is gonna like this crowd. :)
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Wedding is a big deal!
Strolling around after fast food, late evening, came across this "baraat". "Baraat" is traditional wedding procession - where groom goes to bride’s place, on horse. Relatives and acquaintances along the way go dancing, drinking with live music. The vehicle (full with fluorescent light) usually goes in the front - to show off and tell people that there’s a "baraat" on its way. Rich people - one or more Beamer/Audi in-front of horse, bigger band (live music), more booze.
#8.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5749/23205045243_e5e5b18c7a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BmxVuX)
#9.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/23458867619_91fa7b1ba7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BJYQ3P)
#10.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5732/23718392102_32345b878c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/C8UXCS)
#11. Groom on horse.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/739/23805449796_25ddf570c0_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CgB9RA)
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For some reason, this kind of street snaps by local people appears to be different from those shot by foreign journalists or tourists. Possibly because the people in the images are more carefree. Your images may prove that, and that is what makes your images valuable.
That's huge appreciation, Akira. Thank you! On similar note: at one spot few guys ganged up against me as they were not sure if why I'm taking pictures. As if I caught them doing something illegal. I told them - I'm a tourist from Bangalore and I appreciate how lively this town is etc etc. Boosted their ego and they happily let me carry on. I was afraid to loose my camera for a moment there. :)
#12.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/756/23200017903_189c2acd9d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Bm7a3F)
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That's a crowded bus, and I will not comment on the street sign above it :)
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That's a crowded bus, and I will not comment on the street sign above it :)
The half-lit sign on the bus says "VIP" (written in Hindi). :D
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That's huge appreciation, Akira. Thank you! On similar note: at one spot few guys ganged up against me as they were not sure if why I'm taking pictures. As if I caught them doing something illegal. I told them - I'm a tourist from Bangalore and I appreciate how lively this town is etc etc. Boosted their ego and they happily let me carry on. I was afraid to loose my camera for a moment there. :)
Anirban, I guess they WERE doing something illegal. :D
By the way, in which language did you communicate with them? Also, is your mother tongue Kannada? I have an autograph by a great Carnatic percussionist Trilok Gurtu in his mother tongue. But I'm not sure if it is in Kannada or in Hindi...
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Great serie Anirban. Such colors ... And the wedding progression is totally new to me. Never seen something like that.
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Anirban, I guess they WERE doing something illegal. :D
By the way, in which language did you communicate with them? Also, is your mother tongue Kannada? I have an autograph by a great Carnatic percussionist Trilok Gurtu in his mother tongue. But I'm not sure if it is in Kannada or in Hindi...
I spoke in hindi with them. My mother tongue is Bengali (I was born and raised near Calcutta). Trilok Gurtu's signature should be in Hindi since he is originally from Mumbai. You are lucky to have his autograph and even more lucky if you have heard him live. I like Zakir Hussain more though; we can chat on this offline. :)
Great serie Anirban. Such colors ... And the wedding progression is totally new to me. Never seen something like that.
Thank you Bruno! Wedding procession shots aren't great in terms of IQ. But I thought they are meaningful in this thread's context, hence included them.
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Next day 7AM morning stroll.
Hinduism is staunch in this part of India. Orange/Saffron is color of Hinduism hence you will notice abundance of Marigold flowers everywhere even in earlier photos as well.
#13. In front of a temple
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5768/23198541014_b507134ff9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BkYA25)
#14. Selling Marigold saplings and flowers.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/679/23530995460_7cdb9213ac_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BRmv9h)
#15. God loving? Those are photos and idols of Hindu gods and deities.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/766/23826704545_89ae7f2a84_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Ciu69M)
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I love this Bicycle. I will take it as a desktop BG for a while!
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Fantastic images. This is one of the best essays of Indian scenes that I've seen. Thank you for the effort in providing these wonderful images.
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I spoke in hindi with them. My mother tongue is Bengali (I was born and raised near Calcutta). Trilok Gurtu's signature should be in Hindi since he is originally from Mumbai. You are lucky to have his autograph and even more lucky if you have heard him live. I like Zakir Hussain more though; we can chat on this offline. :)
Thanks for the details, Anirban. Good idea to go offline for the great Indian percussionists!
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I love this Bicycle. I will take it as a desktop BG for a while!
That would be an honor.
That bicycle has taken a lot of beatings and still proudly serving its owner for his living!
#16.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5673/23563230570_f8bf72badb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BUcHw3)
Fantastic images. This is one of the best essays of Indian scenes that I've seen. Thank you for the effort in providing these wonderful images.
THANK YOU for the kind words, Bob. Glad you liked them. :)
Paperwallah (Newspaper sellers):
#17.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/23199916133_4b03ecfe82_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Bm6CN2)
#18. He is probably reading news online, while waiting for customers!
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5714/23198497704_0c071ebf4a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/BkYn9m)
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Very good iq pictures, thats how i know India much have changed since i was there for the first time in 1973 but the feel remains the same
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Anirban, a really good series of images. Goa is much less colourful (compared) to many parts of India but I've been shooting for B&W lately so..... makes no difference ;)
When we talk of Drummers, I can throw in my mate Bondo, but he is more at home Sambas and Latin beats . He is working in Mumbai at this moment but was trying to cut loose for the ISL final against Chennai tonight. A fair number of the Billionaires Club will be there but rumour has it that the King of Good Times had to really pay up for VIP tickets ;)
Cheers,
Tom
Edit: My son is upset because I never bothered to get accredited by the ISL. He figured he could have been second camera with the 500vr ;D
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Thank you Anirban, for bringing a slice of India into my living room. I love the color and the people ... but you can keep the heat and humidity.
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Fantastic series Anirban!
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Very good iq pictures, thats how i know India much have changed since i was there for the first time in 1973 but the feel remains the same
Thank you Fons. Do you have pictures taken during your visit to India? Would love to see those if you have any.
Anirban, a really good series of images. Goa is much less colourful (compared) to many parts of India but I've been shooting for B&W lately so..... makes no difference ;)
Thank you Tom! :) Goa is beautiful and very colorful as well. I was there few years back.Some day I will surely share a similar series on Goa. :)
P.S: You surely should get yourself accredited by the ISL.
Thank you Anirban, for bringing a slice of India into my living room. I love the color and the people ... but you can keep the heat and humidity.
LOL.. :D Thank you, Gary.
#19. Morning commuters on Rickshaw (three wheeled bicycle).
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/628/23800513866_53be7bf937_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CgaRzm)
#20. Malai Makkhan: A sweet snack made from milk cream -- with pinch of Saffron, Rose water, Pistachio, Almonds. Very popular during the winters in cities of Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi. Just yummy!
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5817/23744137761_cc01f60b5b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CbbUVx)
#21. He was making good business in the morning itself.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5716/23842227596_91fe041de2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CjRDBA)
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Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing them.
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Thank you Armando and Jørgen! :)
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Anirban ... I keep looking at these images ... this place in your country ... Next time you go back, you absolutely have to take me with you.
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Absolutely Gary, it will be an honor!
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YES!!!!!
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Anirban, the are all crackers. ;) Especially the wool one!
+1
McDonald has not replaced street food, fortunately (which is favourable to street photography)
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+1
McDonald has not replaced street food, fortunately (which is favourable to street photography)
Thanks Airy! There are McDonalds and KFCs in most towns in India these days, including this particular old world town. Although they are not anywhere close to beating street food and they never will.