Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Flying Umbrellas

Had been to Bharuch last month. This was my first visit to Gujarat. Like they say, the journey is more interesting than reaching the destination. 
Travelled by the double decker train, again a first time. If you happen to be on the lower deck and look out of the window, you get a worm’s eye view especially of the platform and the commuters.  


For people travelling long distance it is going to be a pain as the luggage racks don’t take in big luggage and we Indians don’t know how to travel light.  Some keep their luggage in the aisle making it difficult for other commuters to walk. 


While filming the interior ofthe train  I caught one guy accidentally dropping his luggage on a co passenger. Luckily no one was hurt. 
There are many Indian songs showing the train or travelling by train , like Jiya ho, jiya ho jiya kuch bol do, or Rajesh Khanna’s Sapno ki Rani kab ayegi tu, or Shah Rukh’s Chaiya Chaiya, but I like the one on Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat singing Hum Dono Do Premee. 

While waiting for the train at Bombay Central I saw this board outside the cafeteria. You get a glass of hot milk for Rs 10/- but if you ask for it in English you will get 50 ml less.  


Actually I had been for a wedding shoot in Bharuch. Apart from capturing the wedding and the happy atmosphere, there are other things that catch your eye. Like the pundit who keeps his match box at a funny location for easy access. 


I am usually engaged to capture candid pictures and videos while there is a professional photographer who clicks the “standard” pictures. (I refuse to do that as I have an aversion for posed pictures) 
At the same location with the same subjects, one can make the picture interesting by just waiting for “that moment”  By comparing these two pictures below you will get an idea of what I am trying to say.

 pic clicked at "that moment"

                                             posed picture clicked by the photographer

It is funny to see the reactions of the guests and the couple when something happens out of turn. Here it was the case of the Flying Umbrellas.  Most of these happened when my camera was rolling,  but I edited them out in the final cut.

It was interesting to see the bride coming to the mandap on a motor bike, riding pillion. If I had known this earlier I would have suggested to keep the headlights off as that was causing a glare, and I had a tough time keeping it out of the frame. 



During my stay there I was put up in the Guest House and was impressed by the place. 


 No trappings of a commercial hotel but at the same time all the basic amenities were there. This was attached to the Swaminarayan Temple and was again impressed by the cleanliness and management of the temple and its surroundings. 



Some how I could not find time to go inside the temple and click, maybe next time. 


Covering weddings are fun. At the editing table you have the liberty to put in your ideas  and make it more interesting. Like this Flash Dance that I captured in a wedding in Pune two months ago. 

If I were the judge I would give the bride’s father the Best Dancer award. What perfect body movement.



  





21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like that shot of the bride on the bullet. First I thought it was from some Bollywood film.

Lowell said...

Now that is a road trip for the ages! Well, almost. Looks like great fun and I enjoy your photos very much. You've captured the energy and the happiness of the event. Plus you had a wonderful place to stay!

George said...

It looks as if this was a great trip. I really enjoyed your photos and videos.

magiceye said...

Lovely photo essay!

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for this wonderful and funny post. I enjoyed seeing your photos, especially the one with the matchbox. The dancers are great and. Show joy and happiness.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. Yes , we women are very happy to have such sisters like Malala. They encourage us to keep fighting for the same rights as men have. Even in my country there is still this feeling of men being superior to women. When I was young, I felt angry, now I don't mind, because it's true what you wrote:some men are afraid of intelligent women. They prefer meek obedient womenfollowers.
Again thanks for your wise words!
Wil, ABCWTeam

Breathtaking said...

Hello!:) The handsome couple look so happy, but I was sorry not to see pictures of the flying umbrellas,as this was your title!! The shot of the lighter was fun to see, and the hotel looks nice.So glad you enjoyed your stay, and I enjoyed your photos.:)

Haddock said...

@ Breathtaking - you have to view the video to see those shots of the flying umbrellas. The link to the video is embedded in the word Flying Umbrella
If you click on that word, it will open up the video.

Lea said...

Weddings are such joyous occasions! Beautiful clothes!
Thanks for you visit and comment on my blog. The Ospreys are actually safer nesting on the steel structure than in a tree. Snakes and other predators can climb trees and eat the eggs and/or young birds. No danger from snakes now.
Hope you are having a great day!
Lea
Lea's Menagerie

Phil Slade said...

You invoked memories of an unforgettablejourney on the Shatabdi Express when an armed guard came along to sort out some well oiled travellers!

Enjoyed a wonderful Indian wedding in Goa when my wife and I were specially invited guests. Happy Memories of Beautiful India.

Anvilcloud said...

It would seem to be quite an experience riding an Indian train.

Red Handed said...

Your eye for details made me smile.
Those are some great shots and yes that panditji with match box safely placed between his toe fingers made me laugh.

Red Handed said...

Your eye for details made me smile.
Those are some great shots and yes that panditji with match box safely placed between his toe fingers made me laugh.

Theresa said...

Like the candid shot much better than the posed one. What a difference. Beautiful pictures.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I would certainly rather have your pictures than the posed ones! People have a lot of fun at weddings in your country obviously! Lucky!!!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Posed pictures with a professional photographer are wonderful mementos of the occasion, but it's also nice to have some more candid shots to capture the "feel" of everything. You seem to have a knack for that. These are some really nice photos and video. I'm sure the beautiful bride will treasure them always.

Jens Hamn said...

a very interesting post !

Locomente said...

I liked so many things in this post...
i. your candid pictures...
2. Idea of bride coming in a bike
3. The beauty of the bride of course
4. Experience in double ducker train (never been in it)

And, its been a long time at ur blog nest... Enjoyed!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Very entertaining! Wonderful stills, but I especially enjoyed the grand entry of the bride. That guy who had the luggage drop on his head was very good-humored! Thanks for sharing your very eventful trip!

Hilary said...

so beautiful!

Hilary said...

So glad you took us along for the ride here. I feel the same way about posed photos, for the most part. I much prefer candid. And I love what your eye catches. That toe-held matchbox is such a great shot.

Kay said...

I've never been to India, but would someday like to visit. Your photos are fabulous. I can never capture candids very well. People don't usually look good in my candid shots.