Multi-tasking doesn't work for me all the time. This weekend I went to Surajkund with few other folks, actually two of them. First one 'One unknown face, unknown name' who happened to be a flickr contact and eventually ended up making me wait for almost 32 minutes on the road, telling me will-be-there-in-10-minutes. So much so that after exactly waiting for 32 minutes, I suddenly started the engine and off I went, without intimating him. Sounds mean? Well okay, if you think it is not mean to make someone wait on the roads for 32 minutes, then I am mean and I would always be so. Not to forget the blasting he got from me for making me wait for so long. I would never do that again - agree to pick someone I don't know. Once bitten and twice shy. I value time. Leaving the punctuality bit aside, he has a pretty impressive portfolio when it comes to photography specially on portraits and a decent person to talk to. (Apologies mister..am not as bad as I sound!)
The second one - 'known to me for a few months, seen pictures of him, spoken to him on phone but never met' - was thankfully on time at the place we mutually decided and on second thoughts 'one definitely interesting company to be with' who would crib about not having big lenses, of not giving space to click pictures, and actually blaming you for stealing his frames !!! I hope he doesn't get offended if he gets to know the description of him that I just gave...which am sure he would but that's okay. He is a friend now. Knows how I am. And has already tagged me as being overtly critical. So I can get away with that.
So that now brings me to 'Surajkund' - This mela had been on my mind for last 4-5 years, first 3 years just for funsake to go and check out stuff and then the last year for clicking pictures. This time there was no turning back. I had to go even if it meant going alone. I actually was ready to go alone but for the two dear friends above who decided to give me company at the nTH hour.
It took us almost 2 hours to reach the place...reason? None of us knew the way. Thanks to the directions given by someone who is NOT from Delhi, we managed to reach. Pretty crowded place it is but all but colorful. Oh man, it is just so very colorful from people to stalls to food to fabrics to lights to crafts to cultural show - all COLORFUL. Guess we indulged in photography for almost 4-5 hours...observing, imagining a frame in mind and then SHOOT. Ate Raam Ladoo and Jalebi and met up with 'Shash' there who was so helpful and considerate when it came to giving you space to click picture, lending you lens when you needed one and getting you jalebi when you wre on fire coz of the spicy chutney of ram ladoo. He is a great photographer and someone I really admire for his recent works...one of which is currently on display in an exhibition in Washington.
Click-click - am coming to that...I am okay with what I have got in some of the frames though I could have done much better with some more patience and intelligence at each shoot/click. A lot of my pictures are blurred. Some were random clicks without realizing what the settings were and then the fact that it was bright daylight, giving us not much option but to click on high shutter speed and lessened ISO. I realize there is so bloody much to learn and I feel very good when people critique my pictures. It adds to your learnings - i wish I was technically sound..what the heck, I could have if I had tried spending some time reading and asking people. I hope to increase my level of intelligence soon - its not always click and learn...when you have chance to click a good picture and what you get is a bad one because of lack of intelligence, you are god damn F*****! We hate it, don't we?
So much for photography today...you can see my indulgence - and if that ain't enough, am gonna post some pictures here on this stream...right after this post.
Until then...I remain...editing-ly yours...Mon, the photographer for few days until am exhuasted of my kitty of colorful surajkund pictures. If I get colorblinded, I have friends to take care. ;-) and I hope they hear this!
6 comments:
It sounds like attending the festival (?) was bittersweet. If I had an opportunity to meet with someone like you, I would never be late. I would have been there an hour early in anticipation of meeting you in person. Of course though, I am anal about time. I am always early to everything. It seems like a curse sometimes.
Is it proper to call this event a festival? I hope so. This festival is so full of colors. Your photo stream looks like a color explosion. How beautiful and full of life! I can tell you had an amazing time there, sans the few logistical issues.
I am like a little boy viewing things like this. I would get so excited to attend. In my area the native Indians have many festivals and events. They are fascinating to watch. They are full of history; stories told through dance and crafts. It is captivating to say the least.
To self – Make note – Never make Monika wait. :-))
Don...you are really sweet. It is an event...we have stalls, cultural show, food...almost everything in color. And it happens only once in a year in a place called 'surajkund'. If you want, I can give you a link of thr website that has more info on it.
You should visit India sometime if you haven't done that. :)
And thanks...I like your self note. :)) Happy valentine's to you...
How do you pronounce the name of the place? I am familiar with English, Greek and Hebrew, and a few others. I am not familiar with India and its lanuage(s).
What is the language used most in India? Are there any basics to breaking down words? Like Hawaiian words, you pronounce every three letters. That is just a quick one, I can remember.
Please send me a link. I am always interested in learning about other cultures. I did look at some information on I think, "wikipedia", but did not understand a lot of the words (names). However your culture fascinates me. The color and beauty is wonderful.
Happy Valentines to you. ~Don
Let me add; each person I have met from India, either in person or online has been incredibly nice to me. That is not always the case regarding some people I have met from other countries.
Send me your email id. I will send you the details. :) or write to me at maxeyrster@gmail.com
gsolus@gmail.com. Thank you very much.
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