Pushkar Fair... Interpretations!

[KrishnenduKes]

Starting a new "Critique" thread on an important fair in North India. Let us put in our efforts for those who have made it to the fair and show what we have go to show.

The Pushkar fair gained in importance after the advent of the Brahmanical Order wherein Hinduism developped the structure of the holy Triad. And in that triad the odd one left out, due to his mischievous exploits or whichever reason, was ironically the Creator, Brahma himself. But to completely leave him out would be insanctimonious and thus the only shrine was built at the supposed place where he shed a tear that formed a lake which finally dried up thanks to the Government's efforts to preserve by digging up without taking adequate measures! And to visit this lone shrine of Brahma come a host of pilgrims principally once a year, notably during the days of the waxing and full moon of the month of end October-November. Surrounding this congregation of pilgrims developped some peripheral business activities notably the cattle fair.

In modern times the Pushkar village is visited during the fair days by pilgrims, cattle merchants and tourists coming from far away. I have had my fair share of visiting this fair since the time I have been in the tourism industry and I have tried the best I could to bring out the brightness and colourful character of the fair.

Here goes some of my photographs of the Pushkar 2009 fair.

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Colourful_Dromadaries.jpg
Colourfully dressed up Dromedaries!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Dromadary_Master.jpg
Portrait of a Dromedary Master.

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Dromedary_in_waiting.jpg
Dromedary in Waiting

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Decoration_for_Dromadary.jpg
Ornate jewellery for decorating a Dromedary

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Upload.jpg
Pushkar: A place to Upload!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Reunion.jpg
And a place for reunions!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Excitement_ahead.jpg
A place of excitement for the young lasses

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Fix_Chottis_Marriage.jpg
And a place to arrange the marriages of the young ones!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Whose_Marriage.jpg
Whose Marriage?

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/MG_5840.jpg
Purdah system in traditional Rajasthan

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/MG_5728.jpg
A man selling his wares

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Candyman_again.jpg
A Candyman

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Portrait.jpg
And a woman decidedly undecided amidst all that!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Lone_Ranger.jpg
The lone ranger

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/MG_5830.jpg
Another young gun selling his bamboo toys

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Candyman.jpg
Portrait of the Candyman as the artist

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/10Bucks_any_item.jpg
All items for 10 bucks each!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Confusion.jpg
And Confusion prevails amidst all this!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Colourful_consumers.jpg
Colourful Consumers

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Consumption.jpg
The Economy is booming!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Lady_buying_jewellery.jpg
A lady buys

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/MG_5843.jpg
And this one defies!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Checking_out.jpg
The Patriarch checks it out!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Checking_out_together.jpg
Checking it out together

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Discord.jpg
Man proposes, Woman Disposes!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/How_Much.jpg
"How much" asks a young Rajasthani beauty!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/How_Much_too_expensive.jpg
Too much!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/Flirt_Bargain.jpg
Flirt and Bargain. Even the foreigners join in!

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/538/medium/MG_5919.jpg
Tented Accommodation for tourists traversing continents to see the Pushkar fair. This is where I stayed as well.

That would be all from my side for this year. Critiques and Comments welcome!

[surya@64]

Amazing and comprehensive coverage of Pushkar Fair....riot of colors and fantastic story telling...

The pic. speaks for themselves...

Those turbans and rugged looks speaks for the terrain.....What a lovely place to be to do these kind of Candid shots...

Very well executed.:):)

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

splendid series ken.have enjoyed all of them.

except for number 3 and number 10.

in number 3 i feel that the shot is scattered.what to look at??

in 10 the focus is actually not on the woman but the one to her left.so kinda OOF shot.

but a superb series for the rest.

anvancy

[Aryan]

Lovely coverage of the fair Ken da! Loved the pictures. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.

P.S: Are those tents comfortable? Must be a lovely experience staying in those, at night. Would love to experience it next year, at the Pushkar mela, if everything goes well.

[hitanshu]

Those lovely tents cost some 3k non AC and the fancy ones are 6.5k :D

Stay in simpler hotels for like 1-1.2k a night :D

[Jonak]

Lovely clicks Ken da.

[KrishnenduKes]

Amazing and comprehensive coverage of Pushkar Fair....riot of colors and fantastic story telling...

Very well executed.:):)

Thanks Surya. Good to hear from you.



except for number 3 and number 10.

in number 3 i feel that the shot is scattered.what to look at??

in 10 the focus is actually not on the woman but the one to her left.so kinda OOF shot.


Totally agree with your views!


P.S: Are those tents comfortable? Must be a lovely experience staying in those, at night. Would love to experience it next year, at the Pushkar mela, if everything goes well.

Those tents are way more comfortable than the 1.2K hotel that Hitanshu stayed in!!! :D :D In fact I am even surprised that he got a place to stay in! :)

Lets hope everything goes well next year! End of the Commonwealth Games, the foreign crowd staying on...

Those lovely tents cost some 3k non AC and the fancy ones are 6.5k :D


That is pretty reasonable it seems this year. Earlier we used to pay way more than that with the RTDC tents.

Jokes aside, where are YOUR photographs? Will be waiting for your shots!

Lovely clicks Ken da.

Thanks Jonak.

[hitanshu]

Ken da - my pics will come up by next weekend (coming to shekhawati?). I'm working 16 hours in office these days and need to learn how to retouch the pics a bit before I post them. I've taken a whole number of portraits and will surely post a comparable number of pics :D

speaking of street photography - where should one go to practise the same?

@Ken da - bacchon ke budget ki kyun le rahe ho? :p I am sure aryan is proletariat just like me and would've managed nicely.

@Aryan: Check out http://pushkarhoteloasis.com/index.html - 1200 for non AC room in fair time (walls look a bit old - not painted in two years, but otherwise CLEAN loos, very airy with decent aircooler) - 600 other days. Its a decent deal. I have personally called over 50+ hotels so can tell you its much better than many hyped places and clear rates - plus book via cleartrip. Its next to the naka so those who wanna drink can do so - and your car can be easily parked as well!

[KrishnenduKes]

Ken da - my pics will come up by next weekend (coming to shekhawati?). I'm working 16 hours in office these days and need to learn how to retouch the pics a bit before I post them. I've taken a whole number of portraits and will surely post a comparable number of pics :D

I will be waiting for the same. :)

speaking of street photography - where should one go to practise the same?

Check out Old Delhi. You can also check out my Old Delhi Take 1 thread!

@Ken da - bacchon ke budget ki kyun le rahe ho? :p I am sure aryan is proletariat just like me and would've managed nicely.[/QUOTE]

IIT Delhi, IIMA, calls himself proletariat!!! Give me break.

@Aryan: Check out http://pushkarhoteloasis.com/index.html - 1200 for non AC room in fair time (walls look a bit old - not painted in two years, but otherwise CLEAN loos, very airy with decent aircooler) - 600 other days. Its a decent deal. I have personally called over 50+ hotels so can tell you its much better than many hyped places and clear rates - plus book via cleartrip. Its next to the naka so those who wanna drink can do so - and your car can be easily parked as well!

Thanks for this piece of info.

We were drinking and having meat as well (inside the tents though!)

[vitesh]

Loved ur pics ken..Enjoyed all of them :) 1,4,10 are my favourite ones...

Missed the mela this time but will be surely going to it next year if everything goes well :)

[TheShutterbug]

They are too Good clicks Ken

[KrishnenduKes]

Loved ur pics ken..Enjoyed all of them :) 1,4,10 are my favourite ones...

Missed the mela this time but will be surely going to it next year if everything goes well :)

Go there Vitesh. You will fall in love with the colours and the people. It is your kind of place.

They are too Good clicks Ken

Thanks Shutterbug.

[Xavier]

Lovely stuff Ken. Not my style/taste, enjoyed viewing them nonetheless. :)

[ryder_boney]

some really awesome pictures there, 5,8,13,14 were pleasure to view hence personal favorite......

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

i forgot to write that cotton candy man is my fav.

anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

i forgot to write that cotton candy man is my fav.

anvancy

Which one?

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Which one?

the series of cotton candy man.

anvancy

[hitanshu]

Here are some of mine:
http://www.freerider.in/apad/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Pushkar_0911-3164.jpg
More later, in due course.

[KrishnenduKes]

Here are some of mine:
More later, in due course.

Pushkar revived!

Interesting! I would have cropped off some "air" from the top. What is all that dust all over the place?

You said some! There is only one it seems...

[hitanshu]

a. I dozed off while posting. Look at the time :p
b. There was dust in the air and dust on the lens. Now the lens's been cleared up and skylight filter put on your instructions :D

btw, this is the first shot in ages when i've liked my own crops!!

[hitanshu]

Pushkar revived!

Interesting! I would have cropped off some "air" from the top. What is all that dust all over the place?

You said some! There is only one it seems...
And then there were many:
Sambhar for starters?!
788
Then "Dude!" angles, each one asking "Why the hell are you clicking me..?"
789
790
791
(a straightened version is there but this got uploaded)

"I am counting till three and then my boys will slap you"
792

"aila ... meri photo le bhi li?"
793

"oh no ... not another one of those SLR boys"
794

"if you press click, then I will slap you!"
795

:)

[KrishnenduKes]

There is a lot of slapping happening there! Looks like you were mostly into portraits.

I did not know that you did Sambhar too!

[hitanshu]

LOL. Those are the only things I was able to process after a root canal completion last evening :p

They had those kinda looks but I didn't wait for them to action it out!

/again note the timing of the post!!
//I told you specifically about Sambhar - you told me that Vivek was staying nearby etc etc

[KrishnenduKes]

Here are a few of my Pushkar Interpretations from the fair of 2010...

Basic news was this...

Less crowd this year... even on Purnima day the crowds were missing, thankfully... the giant wheels were still there, thankfully... the colours were still there, thankfully... people were still as enthused with the idea of just being at Pushkar... lake was FULL of water... and life was still fun! :)

Camels for starters...

Board Meeting!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2360.jpg

Sharing Lunch
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2355.jpg

Dressing for the occasion
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2341.jpg

Lunch
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2293.jpg

More Lunch
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2286.jpg

Discord
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2309.jpg

Flirting with the Lady!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2347.jpg

Skyscraper
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2268.jpg

And they lived happily ever after!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2236.jpg

Portraits and other photos coming up soon... watch this space!

Open to critique... :)

[dipdawiz]

starters are nice... and tasty too :D ... waiting for the main feast...

[vaishak]

@ ken : wow ...your capturing is great out there , i loved the photographs that you have shared with us .thank you ..shall i know what camera you have used to click those nice clicks ?
the ones which i liked the most is ...from the first
.Portrait of a Dromedary Master.
.Dromedary in Waiting
.A Candyman
.Man proposes, Woman Disposes!
.Colourful Consumers

and the 2nd ..i guess i liked all the camels :) they are great

[KrishnenduKes]

starters are nice... and tasty too :D ... waiting for the main feast...

Thanks.

Will come up soon... hopefully by t'row.

@ ken : wow ...your capturing is great out there , i loved the photographs that you have shared with us .thank you ..shall i know what camera you have used to click those nice clicks ?

Just right click and check the Exif (if you have Firefox) and you will have the camera, lens and the settings etc...

EOS 5D

the ones which i liked the most is ...from the first
.Portrait of a Dromedary Master.
.Dromedary in Waiting
.A Candyman
.Man proposes, Woman Disposes!
.Colourful Consumers



Thanks... those are from 2009. :)

These latest camels are from 2010, about 10 days back! :)

[Vicky]

A very pleasing series Ken! Specially liking the witty captions. They add a sense of life to the photos:)

My favs are these..



Flirting with the Lady!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2347.jpg

Skyscraper
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2268.jpg

And they lived happily ever after!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2236.jpg

[KrishnenduKes]

For the rest of the photographs of Pushkar 2010... going a little beyond dromedaries...

This is the camp I stayed in
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2229.jpg

These are the dreams that people realised at US$250
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2492.jpg

Instruments to rake leaves
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2497.jpg

Instruments sold to eke out a living at a young age
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2474.jpg

Mickey makes an appearance
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/medium/MG_2372.jpg

Our local Disneyland!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2209.jpg

A Pure thoroughbred Marwari horse for sale
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2240.jpg

Little Hearts to warm your heart
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2475.jpg

Some Bokeh madness to thrill your heart
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2471.jpg

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2463.jpg

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2461.jpg

And a village girl Thrilled to her heart just to fetch water
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2332.jpg

And thus begin the portraits
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2452.jpg

The shy one
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2442.jpg

The not-so shy one
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2386.jpg

The defiant one
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2224.jpg

The Old One, she had been coming here since the beginning of the last century
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2421.jpg

And then you have the men
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2434.jpg

In Turbaned Glory
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2457.jpg

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2380.jpg

(R)Evolution
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2214.jpg

Everything you need to know about fashion right in Pushkar
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2226.jpg

Some more Bokeh
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2225.jpg

Reservoir Dogs!
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2365.jpg

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2366.jpg

And to close, My Favourite One
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2424.jpg

Comments and Critique welcome.

You can see the whole album here (http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/showgallery.php?cat=581&ppuser=4)

Thanks for looking! :)

[Aryan]

Lovely shots these, Ken Da, especially this last set. This last portrait is simply amazing; the eyes just staring at you! Superb set of photographs. :)

[nelson_sanjoy]

What a set Kenda !!! I think your portraits take the cake anyday . Those expressions , colorful patterns ,sharpness ,bokeh and catchlights - just wow.

I guess its the 200mm at play mostly and 20mm in some .Right?

And you saved the best for the last huh :)
Below are some which are special from the rest for me ...


The shy one

The not-so shy one

The defiant one

And then you have the men

(R)Evolution

The Old One, she had been coming here since the beginning of the last century

And to close, My Favourite One
)

[KrishnenduKes]

Lovely shots these, Ken Da, especially this last set. This last portrait is simply amazing; the eyes just staring at you! Superb set of photographs. :)

Thanks Aryan! Coming from a pro, that feels nice.

What a set Kenda !!! I think your portraits take the cake anyday . Those expressions , colorful patterns ,sharpness ,bokeh and catchlights - just wow.

I guess its the 200mm at play mostly and 20mm in some .Right?

And you saved the best for the last huh :)
Below are some which are special from the rest for me ...

Thanks Nelson. I am glad you liked them.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

one word.

Stunning.

You test us Ken by asking "critique accepted".

Anvancy

[Cyclops]

Kenda, would you please stop teasing us kids here? Do you really think we have learnt and grown enough to critique your work? You have a flair for composition, a great eye for colors & stories, excellent shutter finger & good scripting/narration skills. Furthermore, with a pro body & series of excellent primes, you can't go wrong.

There are only a few exceptional persons in this forum, who are adept with their skills & works & who would be able to critique your work.

Rest of us, please stop teasing & share more of those fantastic images from Pushkar Fair. :)

[KrishnenduKes]

one word.

Stunning.

Anvancy

Thanks Anvancy.

Kenda, would you please stop teasing us kids here? Do you really think we have learnt and grown enough to critique your work? You have a flair for composition, a great eye for colors & stories, excellent shutter finger & good scripting/narration skills. Furthermore, with a pro body & series of excellent primes, you can't go wrong.

There are only a few exceptional persons in this forum, who are adept with their skills & works & who would be able to critique your work.

Rest of us, please stop teasing & share more of those fantastic images from Pushkar Fair. :)

OMG! No no... I am not teasing. It is difficult for me to see where I am going with my shots. I have been looking at them for the past week. But I get your message. I am sure you liked them with so many superlatives piled on. Thanks. :)

Anybody else went to Pushkar this year?

[vaishak]

For the rest of the photographs of Pushkar 2010... going a little beyond dromedaries...




A Pure thoroughbred Marwari horse for sale
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2240.jpg

Thanks for looking! :)

Again some more , lot more , very nice photography from you ken bro ..and i just loved the way you have captured this hours:) ...

well i use a Firefox and i right clicked but i couldnt do as you said above ..i just see few option like copy file , save and properties when i right clicked on the photographs ..

[KrishnenduKes]

Again some more , lot more , very nice photography from you ken bro ..and i just loved the way you have captured this hours:) ...

well i use a Firefox and i right clicked but i couldnt do as you said above ..i just see few option like copy file , save and properties when i right clicked on the photographs ..

Thanks.

Here is my Exif for the horse... (Firefox)

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D
Lens: EF200mm f/2.8L USM
Image Date: 2010-11-20 09:05:42 +0530
Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/800)
ISO equiv: 50
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (Manual)
Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998)
Photographer: Krishnendu Kes
Copyright: Pushkar 2010

[vaishak]

Thanks.

Here is my Exif for the horse... (Firefox)

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D
Lens: EF200mm f/2.8L USM
Image Date: 2010-11-20 09:05:42 +0530
Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0013 s (1/800)
ISO equiv: 50
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (Manual)
Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998)
Photographer: Krishnendu Kes
Copyright: Pushkar 2010

yes :) now i can too see that , well one more question ? how did it showing the name of photographer ?? is it automatic or have you set it like that ?
thank you

[Cyclops]

yes :) well one more question ? how did it showing the name of photographer ?? is it automatic or have you set it like that ?
thank you

It can be added in the comment section of your camera, by accessing the section from the setup menu. I'm not familiar with Canon menu layout, so please refer to the User Manual. :)

[Vicky]

Some lovely shots Ken!

And I specially love these two:

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2434.jpg
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/581/MG_2424.jpg


Here's my take on the last shot...

http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/attachment.php?attachmentid=2042&stc=1&d=1291385938

[KrishnenduKes]

Some lovely shots Ken!

And I specially love these two:


Here's my take on the last shot...



Interesting take Vicky. Thanks. However I would have preferred to keep the watch in the frame instead of cropping it out. It created an amazing contrast.

Ps; I was supposed to send you a RAW image of something. Cannot remember which one. Could you please shed some light on that one.

[surya@64]

Colors Galore....!! Superb set of pictures...Do you have any back-lit pictures of the fair ??

I wish to do this fair some day.

[KrishnenduKes]

Colors Galore....!! Superb set of pictures...Do you have any back-lit pictures of the fair ??

I wish to do this fair some day.

Thanks. You must do this fair. Several times... :)

I do have some backlit shots. But they do not look good to me.

[robin234]

awesomeness

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Thanks Anvancy.



OMG! No no... I am not teasing. It is difficult for me to see where I am going with my shots. I have been looking at them for the past week. But I get your message. I am sure you liked them with so many superlatives piled on. Thanks. :)

Anybody else went to Pushkar this year?

They say photography is an art.A style.once you find a style stick to it.True that inspiration is needed just like any other field.but if you rely more on others for inspiration,then it becomes just only copy paste.take the concept but add your own dash to it.

I dont think you at the level you are need any dash or spice.you need to give amateurs like me.there I said it.I am an amateur.:p

Anvancy