The Glory of Varanasi by David Lazar

Thursday, 22nd May 2008

The Glory of Varanasi

by David Lazar

I was told there was to be a ’shower festival’ on this day and I made sure I was up early to hire a boat to drift along the Ganges river and witness it. Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges causes forgiveness of sin and helps attain salvation. Pilgrims also travel from far and wide to Varanasi to immerse the ashes of their loved ones into India’s holiest river, sending the departed soul to heaven.

Equipment: Nikon D70s

David Lazar

I’m a photographer from Brisbane, Australia - and one of the joys for me (outside my musical profession) is travelling and capturing moments of life and beauty through photography.
My favourite styles of photography: Portraiture and landscape. Also, in general, I prefer shots which contain an element of ‘cannot be captured exactly again’; that is expressive people shots, action shots and any scenario with a unique aspect to it.

21 Comments

Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 am
I’m sure some of the purists will criticize this photo as too busy, taken from too great a distance, or from a bad angle. All of these things make it a true depiction of the event–the crush of people at the water’s edge, the stairs leading upward, the slight tilt to the fantastic buildings reaching toward heaven all work together–I like it!
Prem Promono H Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:20 am
i love this shot!
this kind of shots are the ones i’ll never get.
it’s crowded but nice and not messy!
amazing… ^_^
Cheri Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:30 am
I visited this very same place in 1983 and you have captured the reality of these shores exactly! I also recall walking amongst the crowd on the shores and seeing burning funeral fires where the dead were being cremated while woman place dung patties near the base of the fire so that they could dry them for later use as fuel for their home fires. Clearly nothing has changed since I had seen this spectacle with my own eyes–this is an ageless scene. Thank you for reminding me of this extraordinary sight by sharing your wonderful photograph!
David Doe Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Giday mate!! Bloody good shot!!
Anurag Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am
Varanasi is a timeless city, and a great place for photography. Dawn and dusk will present breathtaking and mesmerising vistas on the ganges. Truly mystical.
What makes this shot work IMHO is the exterme wide angle and the vignetting of the corners. I wonder what is your focal length and lense. Is it 10mm on the Sigma 10-20? - I’d love to know.
Craig Wilson Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 am
Excellent! I love the busy feel to it lovely colours and details.
Malta Photography Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
this take is full of action, full of movement. I love the clouds which also fall into this movement action.
Pauline Jones Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Technically I agree with Katherine but it would very difficult to get the same atmosphere with a fussier shot. This picture tells the story; that is what photography is all about.
Thomas Blackmore Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
A nice wide shot of breathtaking Varanasi. Probably the most photogenic place I have ever been to!
Ahmed Sharif Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I think the picture tells the story……. very much photojournalistic…..
justfotoju Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
fantastic view f an impressive place of hindu culture
David Lazar Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
To Anurag: The lens I used was a tamron 18-200mm. Naturally, this is zoomed right out, so at 18mm. Thanks everyone for your comments, great to read!
Renee Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
This is a busy photo! But it is a great shot!
Kirk Jordan Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
This photo shows how “busy” or complex can at once be simple — because all the busyness works toward a single unity. Vibrant variation is the unifying theme! It reminds me of a patchwork quilt.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Thank you David for the wonderful Photo & Cheri for the great History lesson.
All so interesting.
rick Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Great shot..Very busy subject which keeps viewer engaged.
Anurag Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 am
David’
Wow! even even 18mm (27mm) at times can seem pretty wide at times. I have the same lense, and isin’t it a wonderful piece of glass!!
Lakshmi Says:
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
This is an exceptionally lovely photo. So busy , so colourful, so vibrant, so India. You were at the right place at the right time! Congratulations.
Sue Gagnon Says:
May 24th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
I love this shot!
Pieter -sAner- van der Horst Says:
May 31st, 2008 at 10:15 am
This is a nice picture as it tells a story. Good colors, well composed and the exposure is just perfect.
a. Says:
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Wow, this really captures the moment. Well done!