ISD & STD, a photo from Rajasthan, West

Photographer's Note

Before mobile phones reached India and landlines were too expensive for the masses many shops offered STD & ISD. STD is short for Subscriber Trunk Dialing or when you dial any number within India, without operator assistance. ISD is International Subscriber Dialing, outside of India. STD calls were available at most times ISD had to be booked in advance.
I remember trying to book an ISD call in 1976 to call my parents and wish them Happy Christmas, but after a couple hours of crackling lines, talking loud to the operator, repeating the number, getting cut off and trying again..............I gave up. Walked to the Post Office and sent a letter. It was probably faster. I tried again 3 years later, I wanted to tell them I was pregnant and they would be grandparents by the end of the year, but that didn't work either, this time I didn't write a letter but decided to keep the secret until I arrived home 7 months pregnant.
Yes it was a surprise.;)

pajaran, aliabazari, worldcitizen, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103540) 2022-02-24 8:28

Hello Elaine,
It's a fascinating photo with all these details and the two men in their fantastic turbans. It's almost incredible that this was only 12 years ago. Of course B&W makes it look a lot older.
My parents wanted me to call them on Christmas Eve 1972, but I spent that Christmas in Rangoon, so I never gave it a serious thought.
Regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (222779) 2022-02-24 8:38

Ciao Elaine, nice scene in a beautiful B&W, excellent sharpness, fine details and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139914) 2022-02-24 9:21

Hi Elaine,it was a nice surprise on your return so ... it's not been centuries but it really seems to be talking about the Middle Ages when discussing the telecommunications of those years, and the photo is a not old capture of this shop that still has the writings of a time, a beautiful scene very rich and well done as always. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

aliabazari (23143) 2022-02-24 9:36

Hello Elaine
A beautiful view of the daily life of the Indian people. The combination of multiple elements in the image with black and white is excellent. I like that. Fun text. Thanks for sharing

mkamionka (75015) 2022-02-24 11:17

Hi Elaine,
Amazing scene. It feels as if taken ages ago and the black and white enhances the effect. Great capture of the two guys in traditional clothes. I like alsys some inscriptions in a foreign alphabet.
Very interesting story in the note as well. I suppose the pregnancy may or maynot be a good surprise, depending on how old you were or who may have been the father ha ha
Yes things became so much easier. I remember how much more difficult it was to call abroad 20 years ago.
Excellent work,
M

jean113 (28249) 2022-02-24 11:22

Hello Elaine, a fabulous scene from 2009.
The black and white presentation is perfect, the sharp quality is excellent.
Interesting notes too, thanks.
Kind regards, Jean.

worldcitizen (16226) 2022-02-24 12:26

Hello Elaine,
What a beautiful photo; it looks like a still from an old movie. The amount of detail is wonderful, and if it weren't for the young man with the phone to his ear, this could very well be a scene from the past. I like how the gentleman is making eye contact with you, and his more traditional clothes. Take care!

Tue (93328) 2022-02-24 14:02

Hallo Elaine,
Een mooie impressie van het straatbeeld hier met de façade van de winkel vol met details. Zowel de twee mannen rechts als de jonge verkoper in de winkel verlevendigen de foto.
Lars

ifege (49297) 2022-02-24 20:13

Hi Elaine
A good tale, especially arriving home 7 months pregnant! Another great street photo.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (148124) 2022-02-24 23:39

Hi Elaine,
well photographed, a good composition in b&w with shop and localpeople, perfect rendering, tfs.

adramad (73410) 2022-02-25 10:55

Hi Elaine.
Impressive the quality of this composition in B&W, I love the great detail to be able to admire the men's clothing and those turbans with that intricate overlapping of fabric loops, behind them everything that the store shows is fascinating.
Sharpness, lighting, and magnificent composition; They are managed perfectly, in this beautiful image.
Nice job. I like.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.

emka (158680) 2022-02-26 0:07

Hello Elaine, Nice memories of the travels in the past. it was always big stress that we couldn't get in contact with the family. Especially when I returned from any journey, I was so nervous if everything was OK at home during my absence. And the family at home was also worried. Now it is easy when all have mobiles and I travel with a laptop.
well, I Cuba only a few years ago it was also not easy.
I can imagine, what a nice surprise it was...
Fantastic photo with many nice details. I have also many photos with the ISD and STD but I didn't know what it meant.

Best regrads MAlgo

BennyV (34748) 2022-03-01 2:32

Excellent street scene picture, Elaine. The positioning/composition of the people and elements is just spot on. Great sharpness on the man facing us and I love both men's hand gestures too, they really crown the shot for me! Superb & congratulations.

Benny