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Taj Mahal

© Govind p. Garg

Taj Mahal

Uploaded: June 29, 2003

Description

India

Comments

Amalia Sylvia Arriaga Salinas level-classic June 29, 2003

This is really beautiful Govind! #42965

Roseann E. Dreasher May 26, 2019

This takes my breath away! Absolutely gorgeous! #129285

Viveca Venegas level-deluxe May 26, 2019

Simply the best. Bravísimo Govind. #129353

Patricia A. Cale May 26, 2019

Great shot. I love the color. It gives the photo a cool tone. I like the fact that you can see the reflection, but it doesn't detract from the Taj Mahal itself -- the reflection draws your eye to the building. Was this taken early in the morning? #129519

Gary W. Lake May 26, 2019

Beautiful! #129569

Melissa Williams July 08, 2003

It's perfect! I wouldn't be surprised to see this on a post card some day. #137775

Robert Bussino July 16, 2003

Well Govind, I wish I could fawn over this like everyone else but I can't and here's why:
Although you had a nicely colored sky that helps the building pop, I find the static nature of the shot too overwhelming.
You are symmetrical from left to right and have almost split the scene in half with the building and foreground on the verticle. This creates a very static and boring picture but I must admit that I haven't seen the Taj shot in too many other ways. Try moving a bit to the right or left to get more interesting angles incorporated into your shot.
Another problem is the apparent merger of the top of the spire on the dome top with the top of the frame although it's hard to tell because of the pixelization. Try to get more separation with the top of the frame.
This may be occured due to the very tight crop.
I don't know what you were cropping out but try to open up the shot a little so to give the viewer a little breathing room.

A minor point but there nonetheless is the blocked out trees in the foreground. This has rendered them as mere silouttes with no detail of the foilage. Mybe this is a scanning issue but I can only work with what I have in front of me. My apologies for all the negativity but you need to know. #144093

Viveca Venegas level-deluxe July 16, 2003

Mr. Robert; have you been in front of this magestic building? I have twice. Have you seen hundreds of photo of this most perfect architecture? I have and this is one of the best. Do you know the story behind the construction of this Romantic design?I do know the story, and the reflection of two buildings as one is a most perfect expression of it. And unless Govind Garg is an Indian from the city of Agra or at least 300 miles near, it will be very hard and costly to go back and shoot another photo of this incredible building, that by the way it seems to be floating when you are in front of it. And which is the great need to know so much negative issues, when the photo turned out to be so beautiful? Viveca Venegas. #144115

Patricia A. Cale July 16, 2003

Robert: Like Viveca, I have to disagree with your observations about this photo. The "static nature" of this shot is what draws me to the shot. It gives me a feeling of peace, quiet and a time to reflect.

I have seen many photos of reflections in books by well-known photographers that have the horizon through the middle of the frame. With a good reflection, this technique works very well. I agree that there are "rules" in photography that need to be followed, but some of the best photos break those rules. As to your comments about the tight crop, I like it. The tight composition brings the viewer's eye, along with the reflecting pond, directly to the Taj Mahal -- and that's exactly where it should be.

You, as well as the rest of us, have the right to your own opinion, but do I need to point out that you are in the minority in this discussion? #144134

Robert Bussino July 16, 2003

Responding to Viveca, Yes, I do know the history of the Taj and the "romantic" story behind it, but NO I don't know Govind's financial status.
As if all that mattered.
If I'm shown a picture of Wolf dung, should I have a great appreciation of it because I know how it came to being and the processes that created it?
Or the Wolf's ability to secure another such meal to render yet more dung even though you may consider it beautuiful? #144149

Robert Bussino July 16, 2003

Responding to Pat, you even admit that it's static.
In regard to the statement about other works that have been done on the Taj let me quote my first post "I must admit that I haven't seen the Taj shot in too many other ways."

Photographic rules are really only guidelines but I feel this shot MAY have benefitted by incorporating them more closely. Those "rules" did come from somewhere.

As to my being in the minority on my opinion are you advocating mob rule? Might is Right? I've watched panels of photo judges render polarized opinions on a particular photo. perhaps the disesenters should be encouraged to just follow the herd?
My opinions stand as expressed and I will not be bullied or browbeat into changing them now or in the future. #144150

Patricia A. Cale July 16, 2003

Robert: I don't want you to change your opinion, especially if it was honestly stated. And, no, you don't have to follow the herd. I just think your criticism came across as harsh. Maybe tact from all of us is called for.

Your critique reminded me of the type of critiques on another website. The purpose of critiquers on that site seems, to me, is to tear something apart rather than give a helpful, constructive critique.

I have been taking the on-line courses here on betterphoto for the past year. The critiques given by the instructors are extremely helpful. They point out good things about the photo and then "gently" suggest other ways to shoot the image. Even the other students in the class offer their suggestions, too. I have not seen a negative critique in any of my classes. I guess I was very surprised by your critique.

If I have offended you, I'm sorry. But also remember that others may be offended by things that are said, too. #144154

Roseann E. Dreasher July 16, 2003

I love this photo whether it follows any photographic "rules" (the word rules generally makes me want to barf), or not. Did any really great photographer or painter who stood out from the crowd really follow the rules??? I think not. Otherwise we would all still be doing cave paintings.

Robert, I think your opinion is just as valid as all of the opinions on here are, but you are getting really angry and nasty about this particular image for some unknown reason. This doesn't make sense to me.

An example: Do you like chocolate? I do. But if you didn't like it I wouldn't explain to you why you should like it, I would accept that you don't like it and move on. No big deal... #144158

Melissa Williams July 16, 2003

I am by far no sheep in some herd. And I am not here to take sides like school kids on a playground. I think this picture is a very nice one, especially the colors and the mirror image effect. I think the composition works just fine in this shot.
A million people could all photograph the exact same chair, and hundreds of the photos would look pretty similar. And at the same time many of them will be completely different. And despite all the ways that object can be photographed, not all of the best pictures will follow the compositional rules.
You are definitely entitled to your opinions, even though you could have been more mature by not making the dung analogy. Keep in mind that just because your opinion is in the minority, doesn't mean everyone's ganging up on you, or that everyone else is part of a herd of sheep. There are plenty of Ansel Adams photographs that I didn't find as amazing as everyone else does, but I'm entitled to that opinion. I don't imply that his work is dung, it just isn't to my taste. Shrimp isn't to my taste either, but it doesn't bother me that millions of other people eat it. Just accept that your opinions differ. #144186

July 23, 2003

Hello Govind,
you have taken a very nice picture. Like the light in which the photo was captured. On reflection (no pun intended) the only thing I would have done differently to enhance the majestic nature of the Taj would have been giving more space around the Taj. #148451

Govind p. Garg July 31, 2003

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, I have been out of the country. Thank you for all your nice comments on this photograph.

I have multiple shots of this image. I would like to point out that there are no people in front of the Taj Mahal. I had special permission to photograph Taj when it was closed for general public. It was a wonderful opportunity to stand in front of Taj at 6:00 am for two hours. I simply can not describe the feeling.

If anyone would like to see more of these images or prints please contact me.

Thank you,
Govind #154203

Hans Duggen August 01, 2003

A very interesting discussion I found here! Govind, your photo is excellent. Let me say this first, but in some ways I also understands Robert, because we see so many shots of touristic places that are similar to others and at the end then very boaring. Your photo is out of this boaring range, because the light is so very special. The angle of view of the Taj Mahal is seen very often before and I think that is what Robert is looking for: another more dynamic angle or point of view.
I would be pleased to see your other photos and will contact you.
Hope I have expressed myself good enough, english is not my dayly language.
#154521

Gary W. Lake August 01, 2003

Baaaaaaaaaaa.........

I an NOT a sheep blindly commenting on evey photo I see on the site. I comment on photos that catch my eye as this one did. Rules or no rules, an eye-catching photo is an eye-catching photo. In my opinion this is one of those.

I would also point out the obvious, since no one else has. The reflecting pool is an integral part of any image of the Taj Mahal, and it cannot be moved. Therefore it stands to reason that most photos we see of this spectacular site are going to be from the same orientation. Certainly you could vary it a bit by moving off to one side or the other a little, but in my opinion doing so would also affect the reflection, which is a large part of what makes this view so special.

Bottom line Govind - I commented on your photo because it's a very nice photo of a uniquelly beautiful place and as such it deserved a comment. #154815

Kathleen R. Struckle August 07, 2003

Absolutely a beautiful! You are extremely talented. Kathy S. #159567

Dee Caraballo August 08, 2003

I think this to be an awesome photograph. Bravo! #160439

Swapnali Mathkar February 20, 2004

It's a really beautiful shot of Taj I have ever seen. I have a dream of seeing Taj in moon light, and I would like to know how did you managed that special permission. Its a really rare opportunity.

agreeing with Grary. Its really difficult to move up or right or left, as it will crop down the reflection and image will look uncomplete.

#387338

February 24, 2004

As with everyone else, this is a beautiful shot! You are so lucky to have had such an opportuinty! The crop on the top is a bit tight, I do agree, but also agree that you could not cut out the reflecting pool as it is so important to the architecture and meaning. Beautiful color! #394373

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