Shower Time, a photo from Delhi, North

Photographer's Note

On the 3rd of Aug, this year, just when everyone had given up hope on the rains and most places were declared to be drought affected, the rains came down really heavy; and by heavy I mean it made it to the headlines as floods and water logged the very next day. Well, after that it hasn't even drizzled so that's that!

I usually take a hitch with a friend to work and since i overslept, I had to come in an autorickshaw. This picture was taken at the Chirag Delhi flyover from a leaky auto (I managed not to wet the camera completely..grin). There are loads of iron smiths who live next to the flyover and their kids were freaking out in the rain. The red light at the flyover was swarming with over 10 kids (of the same age group) all stark naked, and having a bath under the world's largest shower. Most of the people sitting in their cars were giving me weird looks and must've thought that i was completely mad for even taking out the camera, but then, how could I let go of this picture? Of course, by the time I reached work, I was completely drenched and was literally dripping water (and then thankfully my boss sent home within 3 hours...heh hehh).

The lines in the picture are nothing else but sheets of rain...

PP: HAVE DONE NOTHING AT ALL TO THIS PICTURE... except for a border..

Vagabond, oochappan, Proxilva, summer89, burdallet, Galeota, nwoehnl, gufo, mdchachi, everlasting, cgrindahl, elihesamian, bfly, Catli, roshangar, Sasha, daninhoc, rabani, jrj, jrzufferey, ChrisJ, avigur_11, volunteer123, Karthik, joelvoortman83, david, patriik, raszid62, arjunkarun has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Vagabond (5848) 2004-08-05 9:48

Very good picture, worth a place at the Autumn Hunt ..

azuri (1598) 2004-08-05 9:57

great picture again! congratulations!
i feel what is India through your pictures

oochappan (4880) 2004-08-05 10:48

Very pleasant picture of daily life here, I never had the occasion of pictures in the rain as I never saw rain when I was there, sorry only once, after one hour of rain water came up above my knee in Chennai. Please go on, I enjoy this very much.

galidana (351) 2004-08-05 11:57

I can really feel, what a blessing this rain was. Beautifully captured mood! Bravo!

Proxilva (2157) 2004-08-05 12:24

wow that's what i call heavy rain!!! great capture and well worth all the effort...

mustafaa (610) 2004-08-05 12:50

A scene that hard to find. And very good composition. And I agree with you, good picture is which represents the moment without any changes by any program.

summer89 (5422) 2004-08-05 12:55

Hi Smrithi,

Great photo you post here. The rain effect it's amazing.

I love this one and go to favorites

Very well done

burdallet (0) 2004-08-05 12:56

it's probably your best picture . continue

kikvel (4784) 2004-08-05 13:05

Smrithi:

Nice shot!

I like it, it is highly dynamic!
the three ones are enjoying the rain, they are not worried at all!

Kikvel

Galeota (10352) 2004-08-05 13:12

Very nice and original shot. The diagonal on the bacvkground is perfect.

sohrab (7439) 2004-08-05 13:40

really good one here. i have a shot which is SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT to this one taken in cambodia . will upload if i have the money to get the films developed. you used film didnt you?????? or was it digital?

bebel (7588) 2004-08-05 14:32

bel instantané de vie quotidienne ; le zoom numérique a apporté un peu de grain sans que cela soit trop dérangeant.

nwoehnl (122) 2004-08-05 16:11

This is certainly one of your best so far, Smrithi. The downpour of the rain is certainly very well conveyed, and to have the three kids in the scene is priceless. The diagonal line of the fence in the back is also good for the overall composition. Outstanding job.

gufo (106) 2004-08-05 17:26

What a fantastic shot! Great to see how the rain is pelting down and how the kids are enjoying it. Well done!

ttmountainman (2279) 2004-08-05 23:03

Stunningly candid shot of the Indian monsoon...what a wonderful capture...I love the grains in the picture....and ofcourse the"Chirag Dilli Flyover" location on the notes!
Also the border does a great job....
Excellent Smrithi...

everlasting (17616) 2004-08-06 9:07

This is really nice, kids must be so pleased to see some rain and get out of the unbearble heat. Almost looks like a water colour.

cgrindahl (6113) 2004-08-07 13:50

Wow! What a great shot Smrithi. You are definitely a serious photographer to have braved this downpour to take a photo. This is surely a TE classic. The sound you hear is applause for your effort and for the results you obtained.

avis2avis (4264) 2004-08-08 4:00

Super shot Snoozie!!! Very well spotted. Your best so far IMHO.

elihesamian (26149) 2004-08-08 8:43

Hi dear Smrithi!
Glad to see you again with this great shot,well done!it's a great shot in daily life categories,very nice work you did,excellent shot for this subject,I like it,You did great,Smrithi!
it's one of the great shot in your gallery yet,Go on,very fine:)

light (865) 2004-08-08 11:08

Yes, beautiful scene, of the quids playing under the rain, and almost ignoring it. Beautiful composition great atmosphere. Very well done!

bfly (5775) 2004-08-09 6:57

very beautiful :)..we can feel the heat and rain together which is unusual...very refreshing and artistic..

Jeppe (18654) 2004-08-09 16:57

Wow - I took a rainy day shot for the summerhunt - but you beat me with this one - very heavy rain indeed and a fine situation you got as well :-) Good job Smrithi.

roshangar (1682) 2004-08-10 11:59

wanderfull shot,gerat capturing of the moment,you did well !

Sasha (123) 2004-08-11 8:39

The instance, the spot and overall composition is very, very, very good!

hojper (2832) 2004-08-12 2:34

I keep returning to this shot. Haven't had time to read all the other comments, but I am sure that a lot of the are impressed - as am I - with the way you have caught the rain itelf, and not just the effect or the results of the rain. In English you say "it's raining cats a,d dogs"; in Danish we say "it's raining ropes". In this case the Danish expression is very fitting, I think. Good that you didn't try to postprocess IMHO.

MKING (3054) 2004-08-12 7:46

Priceless moment, cannot add anything new to the discussion so I'll just enjoy this one. Well seen and shot, especially under the difficult circumstances.

cloverstar (0) 2004-08-14 11:21

Great shot. The details of the rain is wonderful, and those little children are wonderful. Glad you took the courage to shoot in the rain. Something I still have to learn. Very well done, Smrithi.

danielswalsh (13597) 2004-08-17 0:44

Nice shot!

You captured the moment very well. Kids running around, celebrating the rain in their own innocent way.
We all feel awkward at times for taking out our camera to capture a moment- especially when we're getting funny looks- but hey, thats what makes us photographers.

Happy shooting!
- Dan

rabani (9645) 2004-08-17 0:50

This is one good example of raining and having fun in it. Skindipping in the rain. Getting the naked children in the rising deluge with the fence as a background is a good idea Smrithi. Great work and if the weather forecast says there will be a fifty fifty chance of raining, please don't carry half an umbrella ok. Just kidding.

mpb001 (4602) 2004-08-17 10:06

Wow! This shot really has impact to the viewer. It looks like it should be in National Geographic. Good work

Deke (708) 2004-08-19 18:20

SnOOzie (!), you hardly need another critique on this but you deserve it. I visit a few different photo sites and much as I can learn from and respect the technicians, wizard PS operators, et al, this is what I enjoy most. A simple photo taken by an (as yet) unpaid photographer for the sheer joy of the moment. That's a bond we share more than any number of points scored or backs scratched, and I enjoyed your notes immensely and am taken by the other worldliness for me of the autorickshaw and the way these children play naked in the road, combined with the familiarity of childrens fun in the water and working life. Thanks, Ian

jrj (34843) 2004-08-20 4:17

Impressive, strong, very good this shot Smrithi. Great ducomentary..

jrzufferey (7305) 2004-08-21 8:07

Hi Smrithi, Ton image est superbe elle me plait énormément. Amicalement/jr

ChrisJ (159946) 2004-08-23 4:53

Namaste, Smrithi!

Great composition. Rain is hard to photograph, & you've done it very well here. Not only the rain, but on a diagonal axis as well, which improves the compo. And on top of this, you have the opposing diagonal of the fence, which strenghthens the image even more.

flydragon (0) 2004-08-26 6:10

hello Smrithi
i think i missed some of your pics
this one is beautifull
does it matter the quality here
just a good feeling ,o)
well done a great picture
Simon

Bogdan (205) 2004-08-31 20:40

A really great photo..both a document and a mesterpiece.
I myself hope to get to India next year, if i get to pay the loans on my camera first. :)

Xalkida (11744) 2004-09-01 15:28

What to say! You have catch the moment exactly! Excellent photo and rare!

saurabh (104) 2004-09-02 6:19

Crazy crazy :) The raindrops on the road look like pearls! Probably the best and most spontaneous rain pic till now on TE! 2 points are not enough!

kurtyang04 (478) 2004-09-02 11:51

This is very cool. It really give me mansoon feeling. Great setting with very nice object. One of your best.

RGatward (20086) 2004-09-03 7:25

Just had a quick look at your earlier postings. I think I agree with the general TE that this is best.

avigur_11 (22535) 2004-09-03 18:00

Wow, how could I miss this one?
Wonderful capture, Smrithi, with the diagonal lines of the rain, the natural grain and the joyful adventure of playing naked in the pouring rains. This picture proves that children don't ned anythig in order to be happy. A great fun shot, very very well done.

naxius (16685) 2004-09-06 5:55

Great shot Smrithi! This compsition is really well managed!
This is incredible to see that these boys are completely accustom to that kind of huge rain!

Good work.
Alexandre

vapours (8264) 2004-09-29 15:29

Good capture of a magical childhood moment. That is a hell of a lot of rain as well.

dsidwell (9783) 2004-10-05 9:49

This is so fun. The rain is delightfully evident here, that's for sure! The figures are captivating under the rain's pattern.

adind (738) 2004-10-14 9:02

While looking at this picture, I can hear
the sound of rain !
best,
atis

bartove (2866) 2004-10-28 15:15

wow! this photo deserves all the 90 points it got! beautyfull, dinamic, full of life.
GREAT!

cetrocomix (309) 2004-10-30 2:36

What an impresive rain! Like always, the adults go in a shelter and kids enjoy it...

christina (2040) 2004-10-30 17:17

I adore this image! I love the joy of the kids playing in the rain. I also think it illustrates well the itensity of the monsoon.
Really quite beautiful!

retesh_gondal (173) 2004-11-01 12:18

well this image is worth many many points...an amazing shot, i hope you make a century...

suvankar (84) 2004-11-02 0:52

This is one of my favorite picture in TE. Your pics on rain are all beautiful....
Sincerely
Suvankar

archanabhimasen (270) 2004-11-09 8:48

Gives a very nice feeling...You give great descriptions!!!

Have a nice day :)

volunteer123 (244) 2004-11-16 21:34

great photo, and thanks for puting your camera at risk so we can see it :)

Karthik (306) 2004-12-02 9:49

wow.. great moment..! (on poor resolution though)
Bravo - I wouldn't even have imagined taking my cam out in the rain...!

Praetzer (209) 2004-12-30 9:35

Lovely and original atmosphere - Al

MaJose (427) 2005-01-30 14:03

A precious photo. Very well obtained colors in spite of rain. Congratulations.

Luan (12971) 2005-03-13 7:18

My dream as always been to run naked under the rain like those children, but now I'm too old ;-).
Thanks for this excellent picture and for waking up my youth dream.

Luan

faubry (35447) 2005-03-30 14:49

very good shot, good capture of the rain welcome.. this three childs are very enjoy... thanks
i come back from India this week, i like it
francine

Nicola2004 (104) 2005-06-02 16:42

great shot!!

JonKilimnik (0) 2005-12-15 20:31

Great shot! Really gives me a feel for the monsoon....something I hope to experience one day.
Jon

david (3992) 2006-05-26 10:33

i think "the joys of childhood" is a rather suitable theme for this shot ... it must be wonderful to stand, buck naked, in the pouring rain and enjoy the feeling of it on your skin.

technically, i can't say that i agree with your framing. placing the children in the centre of the shot just doesn't work for me. however as our attention is drawn to the nice fence line, and the photo is shrouded in amazing downpours of rain, the framing can be forgiven.

a good shot and really nice capture of kids at play in the rain.

patriik (1935) 2006-05-26 10:40

WOW,
awesom shot!
I like this compo and an idea for this picture. The atmosphere is great!
Well done!
Best regards
Patryk

jafadabret (56501) 2007-03-23 6:51

Hi Smrithi.
Une photo extraordinaire pour le rendu de la pluie sur ces enfants qui semblent trouver un grand plaisir sous cette douche naturelle. Beau travail.
Jacques

danyy (0) 2007-08-17 8:48

Bonjour,
j'aime énormément cette photo, on y voit bien la violence de la pluie battante, le sol a bien des difficultés à évacuer toute cette eau.
Elle n'a pas l'air trop froide et en attendant, elle amuse bien les enfants.

Cheers.
Daniel.

CatherineD (4864) 2008-05-04 11:14

Hello Smrithi,
This is a very interesting shot, unusual because of the strong rain. I think your photo can be beter (and others too) if you put your subject out of the center (according to the "rule" of thirds). I made a little WS to show it. I hope you will like it. Best regards,
Catherine

[workshop] [compare]

raszid62 (18457) 2010-04-01 21:01

Hello
¦wietne zdjêcie, wspania³y reporta¿. te dzieci w deszczu to bardzo dobry pomys³.
Best Regards
Joseph

juliettecorvett (1193) 2012-04-25 21:50