Burning Ghat, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

All boat tours go past Manikarnika Ghat. It seems to be one of the main Varanasi attractions that range from colourful Ganga washing scenes to the gloomy mood of the burning ghats. Invariably, tourists get told that it痴 forbidden to photograph cremations therefore� 鍍hey should be as quick and discreet as possible when taking shots�. Consequently, in practice, everyone takes photos of the fires and so did I.

The attitude to funerals differs, even among the very family members of the deceased. It痴 no wonder that an accidental onlooker doesn稚 feel the emotions appropriate to the occasion. But these cremations always make me sad anyway. They remind me not just about the transitory nature of my own existence but, most of all, make me wonder how many more times, before my own end, I値l be standing there, looking at my loved ones being buried. And it痴 on that note, that I photograph those scenes without feeling guilty of disrespect.

What do you think?

A few years ago, I posted a photo of cremation taking place in a Pashupathinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal:

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=8&p=1566451

The situation was a bit different then. I was not allowed to enter the temple at all at that time! But since I was accompanied by two Asian friends, no one seemed to mind that I was there and openly took photos using an SLR on a tripod. As if I had miraculously merged with my surroundings.

The quality of this photo is not perfect as the focus is on the buildings only at very wide aperture. I have written before about the difficulties of shooting from a boat early in the morning when the light is low. You constantly juggle high ISO, large aperture and high shutter speed while your boat keeps moving and shaking! I chose this image as the main upload because I like the two almost silhouetted guys visible in the smoke in the middle distance.

Two photos, taken at longer focal length, in WS.

pajaran, ChrisJ, holmertz, ikeharel, Fis2, jean113, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102604) 2022-03-24 5:37

Hello Kasia,
While I remember it: The link doesn't direct us to that particular photo, but I found it anyhow.
The WS may be more dramatic than the main photo by bringing us closer and closer to the fire. But this wider view gives us so much more atmosphere by including so many details, including the buildings. I am quite sure I took my photos (for which I had to pay, of course) from the lower balcony of the house to the left.
It's nice to see you posting again, and going back to your long series from you short Indian journey. I hope you are well.
Kind regards,
Gert

ChrisJ (171794) 2022-03-24 5:39

Hi Kasia

Although I haven't been to Varanasi. I did see Pashuputinath Ghats in Nepal. There was one European tourist who had to get a close up shot of the cremation. Suddenly the wind changed and she emerged from the smoke coughing. Divine retribution? I was safely well away on the opposite bank of the stream. A restaurant downstream was offering fresh duck seen swimming on the river. I politely declined. Momos again! Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221463) 2022-03-24 9:18

Ciao Kasia, my today neighbour, fantastic scene with a lot of people and magnificent architectures, beautiful details, splendid light, excellent clarity and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139170) 2022-03-24 10:47

Ciao Kasia,I agree with your considerations about our existence and the end we will all do, buried or burned, and I often think what will remain of everything we have done, of our photographic collections ... These photos are perfect for thinking to this theme, and they are truly unique even if a little strong. Difficult lights but still a good quality, enough to make those who have never seen them like me understand the atmosphere of the moment. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Fis2 (170639) 2022-03-24 11:12

Czesc Kasiu!
Dla mnie takie zdjecia to uczta dla oczu.
Bardzo interesujace miejsce i scena z dnia codziennego.
Dobre reporterskie zdjecie.
Lubie to, piekna egzotyka.
Pozdrawiam.
Krzysztof

Tue (92302) 2022-03-24 11:17

Hello Kasia,
A great view of the town from the river. The buildings and their great variety of styles with lots of different details make great background and the people near the water make the view really lively. The orange and yellow parts stand out really well.
Lars

jean113 (27819) 2022-03-24 13:02

Hello Kasia, very interesting and thought provoking notes to accompany this view.
I assume that the rather grimy buildings look that way due to the constant burning?
It is a very interesting picture, especially as I have never been to India, and probably never likely to go.
The two men silhouetted against the smoke really stand out.
Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards, Jean.

ifege (47957) 2022-03-24 20:03

Hi Kasia
3 good and fascinating photo of the burning Ghat in Varanasi.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116377) 2022-03-24 23:09

Hello dear Kasia and have a nice day
and a happy new day
thanks for the sharing
but ni more comments from me
sometimes one shot is
one thousand words
regards
costantino

emka (158030) 2022-03-24 23:53

Witaj Kasiu, Ja oczywiście tez płynęłam łodzią koło Manikarna Ghat i zrobiłam szybko jakieś zdjęcie, ale nie tak dobre jak Twoje. Tutaj u Ciebie jest dużo więcej drewna do spalenia niż u mnie. Może to już z powodu Covidu? Ja byłam tez na gze. Szkoda że nie ma zdjęcia w większym formacie, żeby zobaczyć szczeg�ły. Fantastyczne zdjęcie.

Pozdrawiam serdecznie

MAłgorzata

jemaflor (147018) 2022-03-25 1:02

Hi Kasia,
Good POV to take this view and this scene with people and burnin ghats, interesting, well done, tfs.

abmdsudi (95869) 2022-03-26 7:03

Hi Kasia
Well taken, good to see this place with so much to offer and so much activities on the ghat to this sacred river. The smokes in the background from the funeral pyres grab the eye straightaway showing a real little slice of daily life. An interesting place that you've really captured the atmosphere of this busy scene, Congrats.
Best regards

mkamionka (74311) 2022-03-28 3:00

Czesc Kasiu,
Czyli to scena pogrzebu?
Te zdjecia z workshopu nie wygladaja na zoomed in version a raczej sa scenkami z innych kremacji?
Mnie jak zwykle bardziej interesuje architektura niz ludzie. Tutaj architektura wydaje sie nadzwyczaj okopcona co wskazuje ze tam czesto sie cos pali...
Na pierwszy rzut oka to wyglada na wysypisko smieci.
Zreszta jedno z ognisk ma miejsce przy samym poziomie rzeki wiec zastanawiam sie czy to co sie pali nie zamoknie..
Jesli chodzi o szacunek do smierci i zmarlych to sprawa rzeczywiscie jest skomplikowana. Ike np napisal mi ostatnio ze nie komentuje pod zdjeciami z cmentarzy z szacunku do zmarlych. Kazdy z nas ma inne standardy. Ja pewnie nie uzylbym zdjecia z cmentarza jako reklamy ale mysle ze cmentarze sa bardzo fotogeniczne.
Podobnie ma sie rzecz z osobami ktore sie modla...
Nie do konca rozumiem dlaczego nie jest stosowne fotografowanie kogos kto robi cos publicznie.
Z drugiej strony az tak bardzo nie zalezy mi na tych zdjeciach zeby sie wyklucac...
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M

PaulVDV (62846) 2022-04-04 8:05

Hello Kasia,
It always remains a difficult thing when you are in another culture to decide whether or not to take pictures according to your conscience.
I like the atmosphere in these photos.
Too bad you didn't take an extra shot of your favourite part of the main photo (the men in front of the smoke) with your telephoto lens.
Best regards, Paul

GyurMaster (24818) 2022-04-18 9:38

Hello again,

I think that it would be a crime to miss these photo opportunities and you were far enough to make these photos without disturbing the ceremony. The result is stunning I like how the vivid colours stand against the pale brownish bg.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

adramad (72934) 2022-04-24 10:17

Hello Kasia.
After a few days of vacation on the island of Menorca, I am again in these pages, with you.
Impressive composition of the Varanasi gatts, this scene produces a mixture of sadness and anguish in such a small space, with the smoke from the incinerations and the prevailing dirt.
The WS photos impress me even more.
A magnificent color that gives a lot of chromatic richness to the image.
Very good management of lighting and sharpness.
Well done. I like it.
I wish you a pleasant week.
Very best regards.
Luis.