Bunked School, a photo from Daman and Diu, West

Photographer's Note

Daman situated on the west coast of India on the Arabian Sea, boasts of a rich historical heritage spanning over more than 2000 years. The district of Daman of the erstwhile Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu is situated in the Surat District of Gujarat. From 2nd Century A.D., it formed a part of the country known as Lata, which was one of the seven divisions of Konkan Vaishaya.

Daman, which was a Portuguese Colony for four and half centuries, joined the Indian Union in 1961. The town is spread over 72 square kilometres but getting around isn't difficult. All the major tourist spots are within walking distance of each other.

The massive Moti Daman Fort that runs round the settlement like a girdle, dates back to 1559 AD. The Colossal structure in the present form encompasses about 30,000 sq. meters. with 10 bastions and two gateways. The Fort is protected by a moat on the land side which also connects the river to the sea. It is basically polygonal in plan with projections at regular intervals of about 500 feet and carrying splayed angular bastions.

The parapet above the fortification walls is without merlons (a solid portion between two crenels in a battlement or crenelated wall) but is provided with loop holes. The terraces close to the top of the wall are connected to the top of the wall are connected to the inner ground surface by open flight of steps at many places. All along the inner wall, there are barracks for defense personnel's. The inscription above the southern (land) gate mentions that this gate along with the bastions adjacent to it was completed in 1581 AD. The inscription on the Northern (sea) gate gives the date of 1593 AD. for the completion of the Fort wall. On the Northern side within the confine of the Fort were located the palaces, the Secretariat and other official buildings. A large number of Portuguese gentry and their families resided within the Fort.

I saw this group of school boys, who had obviously bunked classes, sitting on one such open flight of stairs. Tried to compose a bit radically creating a frame for the relaxing boys, with the moss-laden walls of the fort. Please do check the Workshop for a close-up of the same group.

Picture taken on a cloudy day, with my daughter's basic Kodak camera...the picture quality is not the best, but hope you'll like the composition.

bukitgolfb301, subhendu_bagchi, gervaso, pierrefonds, Emile, danos, Didi, papagolf21, josepmarin, dip, ChrisJ, avene, axiotea ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

InasiaJones (31566) 2009-11-07 0:31

Hi Angshu!

A bit on the dark side, obviously not the easiest light conditions, still, it's a strong composition, unexpected and nicely organized.

I'm not from this generation, but the way I perceive your photo evoke in my mind the album covers from 60's rock groups.

I like it that you've placed your subjects in the corner, I would have used the word "crammed" if you could have seen the positivity about the expression, as it build a visual stress that is balanced otherwise with the rest of the elements.

Unorthodox.

Cheers & Namaste and Salut!

André

Waylim (25436) 2009-11-07 0:33

Hi Angshu,
This reminded me of a friend of my from India, you told me many story of his boarding school. This must be similar to his school. The quality is not the best perhasp due to the very dark wall and bright sky, too much contrast, and looks like you have to zoom in a bit. Anyway, I like it, just the boys enjoying their friendship and casual gathering. Thanks
Way

PixelTerror (0) 2009-11-07 0:38

Hi Angshu
A good way to animate the old stones, I see kids seem to wear school uniforms in India ?
have a nice day jY

bukitgolfb301 (53382) 2009-11-07 1:00

Hello my dear Angshuman

What is another super wonderful shot!
Perfect framework/well considered composition and sharp focusing in the detail are excellent as usual!
Anytime your submissions are great and inclineble.
Congratulation on your masterpiece!
Thanks for sharing and best regards,
Have a nice Saturday !

Takero

jhm (191443) 2009-11-07 1:09

Hello Angshu,

These people take a little bit risk on the green stones.
But a very nice picture, the quality is not the best perhasp due to the very dark wall and bright sky, but nice contras too.
Good captured and composed.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2009-11-07 1:11

Hello Angshuman da,
nice to see the fragment of the fort from this POV. Great atmosphere indeed. The school boys are sitting on the steps of the stair full with moss. Other view in workshop is also interesting. Light management and sharpness is superb. Very good composition. Congrats.
Have a nice weekend.
Subhendu

jafadabret (56501) 2009-11-07 2:28

Bonjour Angshu.
J'aime cette composition bien structurée. La forteresse est en sombre alors que les personnes sont dans la lumière. Une photo agréable !
Amical salut !
Jacques

gervaso (27399) 2009-11-07 5:10

Hello, Angshuman!

I like the colors and texture of the stones with slime, with the great inclusion of the students to give life to the scene. Lighting is very good! Very nice composition! Good job!

pierrefonds (93625) 2009-11-07 5:58

Hi Angshuman,

The presence of the teenagers has an effect of scale. The point of view is allowing me to distinguish the details and colors of this area of the fort. The late morning light is bringing out the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

JT50 (1491) 2009-11-07 6:55

Hi Angshu,
I think a lovely shot despite
the simple camera. Nicely placed
subjects in the corner. Reminds me
of my boarding days.
Have a nice weekend.
Janak

Emile (20352) 2009-11-07 7:54

Hola Angshuman.
This photo reminds me of my youth, my years of going to school and play with my friends.
Very good composition, colors and frame. Interesting note.
Have a nice weekend.
Best regards.

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2009-11-07 9:34

Who cares about quality when the content is about photography !! no references to this post of course..which btw is fair enough..i was generalizing it..

but yes...a sense of nostalgia..

and a scene from DCH and RDB :))

tc Angshu ! - have a great weekend with the family..

sayeed

baba_flies (8829) 2009-11-07 9:43

Hello Angshuman! These days you are always on the road with the Kodak ... :))) but we would never see it believe me, it is the "content" and how you managed to make this shot that stands over an expensive camera. Great composition with the school group exploring this place. In Switerland they are discussing school uniforms too, I find it personally a good solution. Excellent photo, very good. Best regards, Barbara.

danos (110395) 2009-11-08 0:29

Hi Angshu,
a nice combination with the people to sit on the stone walls of the fortress of Moti Doman.I like to see the massive walls as the informative note.The crop WS i think is more minimalistic and effective.

Regards,Danos

Didi (61569) 2009-11-08 11:08

Hello Angshu
Well the scene is very interesting, nice frame of this diagonal of young boys.
Good balance between shades and lights.
Best regards

Graal (103038) 2009-11-09 0:49

Hi Angshuman,
an interesting history in note and historical ruins. Good 2 shots and presentation with the group of childrens. Well done photos, Kodak's work is ok.
Gr., Aleksander

papagolf21 (145160) 2009-11-09 1:03

Bonjour, mon ami Angshu,
Un peu de repos pour les élèves ! Encore une composition réussie donnant l'importance de cet édifice.
Très bonne réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

John_F_Kennedy (43763) 2009-11-09 1:54

Hello Angshuman,
Superb shot, with good saturated colours and an excellent composition. I like how the kid are entering the ruinds. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

josepmarin (59383) 2009-11-09 2:28

Namaste, my friend Angshuman,
This capture is interesting, the school boys sat in this old structure of stone, with the moss on the walls, and the blue tones of his shirts, which coincide with the color of the sky, they create a nice graphical effect.
Good work.
Best regards,
Josep

dip (23892) 2009-11-09 3:49

Hi Angshu,
good capture of the scene,well composed and framed,
greetings,
Dimitris.

ChrisJ (152474) 2009-11-09 6:47

Hi Angshuman

Good graphism of the dark fort, against the lighter sky, & the people add scale. Reasonable sharpness, & natural looking pastel colours. Tfs!

avene (12675) 2009-11-10 9:58

hi Angshuman,
I opened the thumbnail because I was attracted by the composition, and reading your note I see you were thinking along the same lines. what can I say, great minds think alike :))
the strict lines of the wall creates a striking contrast with the relaxed postures of kids, the result is very effective. I might try and lighten the dark wall in a separate layer, but that's not a major point.

best,
Kristine

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-11-11 5:12

Ola Angshuman ,
Os meus antepassados andaram por aqui :) deixaram este velho forte que hoje serve de brincadeira imaginarias para as crianças , bonita a velha textura das paredes , parabéns!!
Um abraço de Portugal

Gonçalo

axiotea (21651) 2009-11-19 18:59

Hello Angshu
In 1987 Goa separated from Daman&Diu ...
Although you have used your daughter's camera ;), I really like that compo with the students climbing the imposing old walls of the fort.
Have nice day
Marilyn
Last week we had a cyclone...and still the weather is a bit strange for that period of the year

pajaran (92238) 2010-01-03 0:41

Pozdrav, kod nas je osvanuo dan sa snegom.
Pravi trenutka i boje ove lepe fotografije, imas naslednika.
Sve najbolje u novoj godini, Paja.