Near the end, a photo from Orissa, East

Photographer's Note

Only a few days remain of the horrible year 2020. Only a few hours remained of that day in October 1987 when I took this photo.

This is from the beach at Puri, located on the Indian east coast in the state of Orissa (now called Odisha).

Puri is one of the most important temple cities in India, but also a popular beach resort. I spent a couple of days there on a journey along the eastern part of India in the autumn of 1987, starting in Calcutta in the north and ending in the surroundings of Madras (now Chennai) in the south. Then I flew back to Calcutta to catch my flight back home.

I have posted quite many photos from that journey before, but only this one from Puri:

https://www.trekearth.com/viewphotos.php?l=7&p=1531151

I had strong suspicions that I could find many more photos from my 1987 trip that I had not yet scanned, or scanned so badly that I couldn't show them. So recently I had a look and found a number, which I intend to post. (Provided TrekEarth survives for another month or two.)

This was scanned from a Kodachrome slide.

Since this is probably my last photo for 2020 I want to wish everyone a Much Happier New Year.

Fis2, ChrisJ, ikeharel, pierrefonds, jean113, worldcitizen, jhm, PaulVDV, Ilonka1974, COSTANTINO, alvaraalto, adramad, ktanska, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115989) 2020-12-29 0:39

Pozdrav.
Interesantan pogled i trenutak, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i dobrim tekstom.
lepa fotografija i uhvacen trenutak.
Lrepa fotografija i seeacanje.
Zelim vam lep i uspesan dan, sve najbolje.
Paja.

Fis2 (170861) 2020-12-29 0:54

Witaj Gert my neighbour today again :)!
A very nice scene from beach.
I like this picture from daily life.
Good framing, colors and light.
Photo has atmosphere.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof

ikeharel (113427) 2020-12-29 1:16

Happy new Year, Gert, hope it will be a better year 2021.
An evening on the beach at dusk, purple/pink sky reflected on the wet sand, picture enliven by the people along the shore.
Stay well, my best regards,
Ike

ChrisJ (171884) 2020-12-29 1:31

Hi Gert

I wonder if this area was hit badly by the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami? That was another bad year ending. A superb sunset with excellent warm cold colour contrasts and the people animating the scene. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221729) 2020-12-29 1:32

Ciao Gert, nice scene with a lot of people on beautiful beach, splendid sunset light and wonderful warm colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

emka (158204) 2020-12-29 1:40

Hello Gert, I am a bit disappointed. I thought that maybe we would see a new country. You wrote that there are a few not shown here.
Compared to your marvellous series from Indonesia, this one is of less interest and quality.
From Puri, you posted one picture in colours with two WS, fantastic with cows and temples, and also one very interesting in black and white :).
It reminds me, that I planned to go to this part of India from Oman, but then the possibility of AS appeared.

It was indeed a horrible year. For me, personally, it was no so bad. Important is we all in my family are healthy, I worked almost all the time, and I had the holidays that for many people would be a dream.

Let's hope for a Much Happier and Safer 2021.

MAlgo

lousat (139332) 2020-12-29 1:41

Hi Gert,so there are other pics to show about this trip in your archive,and it's a good news in this era without new trips...ehehe..i like a lot pics by the sea and this is very very nice,i like the perspective,the choice of the hour and the excellent quality too. Happy New Year to you too, we are walking to a better future,i hope!Luciano

pierrefonds (114536) 2020-12-29 4:48

Hi Gert,

THe presence of the persons at the beach is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the beach and of the sea. The sunset is giving nice colors to the sky. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Royaldevon (85932) 2020-12-29 6:22

Hello Gert,

Thank you for your good wishes.
I'm sure everyone is in the same frame of mind that 2021 will be much happier and much healthier than 2020.

There is a lovely sense of freedom to your photograph! The waves are rolling in towards the beach, where families and couples are strolling, uninhibited.

The oddity, to whom I cannot help but be drawn, is the old lady, hunched at the edge of the sea. I can't quite decide whether she is waiting for the waves to reach her feet or whether she will venture further! It does seem sad, somehow, that there doesn't seem to be another family member with her.

It's a well composed, angled photograph.

The pink tinge of the sky is so nicely reflected in the wet sand.

May I wish you a much happier New Year, Bev :-)

willperrett (14215) 2020-12-29 6:35

Hello Gert

Happier New Year to you too! Soft evening light, shallow focus, strolling families: a dream of happier, freer times. I wonder too how much longer TE can limp along...

Regards

Will

jean113 (27893) 2020-12-29 9:01

Hello Gert, thank you for your kind wishes. Let us hope for a happier and healthier New Year.
I like the diagonal line that cuts straight across the frame; the light highlighting the sea as well as echoing some of the colours from the sky.
Animated with the various groups of people.
A good title, near the end of their day, and near the end of a horrible year.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

jmdias (115252) 2020-12-29 9:29

gert

indians love to watch sunset in the beaches. anyway I am happy I never went to take bath in the sea of I never ate fishes in india. when I was in the seashore I saw a young man defecating in the sea. so many bushes around and he decided to do that in the sand in front of us...
a nice image with the crowd enjoying the moment.
take care

jorge

worldcitizen (16104) 2020-12-29 10:29

Hello Gert,
Yes, the sun is slowly setting on 2020, and we hope for a better year ahead. The people strolling on this beach look very relaxed, and I like the pastel colors of the water and sky. The woman in the red sari stands out, too. Take care!

jhm (211736) 2020-12-29 10:37

Hello Gert,

Technical a good picture nice a three part image
Also people are a nice addition, also we see on on their back along the waterline.
Colours and sharpness are excellent, certainly for a scanned old picture.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (92470) 2020-12-29 10:42

Hej Gert,
Et smukt billede med stranden og de mange mennesker der gik en tur for at se the fine farver i himlen, der danner en god kontrast med de blеlige bшlger. Balancen mellem havet og stranden er god og grжnsen gеr meget godt diagonalt gennem billedet.
Lars

PaulVDV (62978) 2020-12-29 11:55

Hello Gert,
I've never been in Orissa but I've heard a lot of the temples of Puri and you start your new series with a picture of ... the beach :) Just kidding. I've also been on the beach in India. Even in Mumbai the beach was interesting with its numerous visitors. Mumbai residents that is.
But the most famous beach of Mumbai was rather dirty. This beach here looks very clean.
Wonderful colour of the sky and it's well reflected in the wet sand on the left.
Beautiful saris too we see here.
Best regards, Paul

GyurMaster (24840) 2020-12-29 12:18

Dear Gert,

I'm eager to see your scanned photos from that journey. Based on the 'trailer' it must be an excellent series.

Regarding the TE and the mood of the photo I can offer you some good music: Adele - Skyfall! :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.

CMJC (5097) 2020-12-29 12:43 [Comment]

Show Comment

Ilonka1974 (10305) 2020-12-29 12:45

Hi Gert,
Beautiful sandy beach and nice colors of the sky.
We all hope that the coming year will be better than 2020 !!
Best regards
Janusz

ifege (48159) 2020-12-29 22:22

Hi Gert
I certainly hope that TE survives as I've got lots of old photos to post as well!
A good photo of people out late strolling on the beach.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116580) 2020-12-29 22:39

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
many wishes for a happy new year 2021...
lets hope that the new year
2021 will be better from
the previous one...
regards
Costantino

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-12-30 1:54

Hello Gert,
Two months of Trekearth is yet to succeed, but the question is how much longer we can meet on site. Probably as long as there is still some money to be made and it doesn't take too much maintenance.
But let us not end this miserable year too gloomily and wish each other a much happier New Year.
Beautiful atmospheric photo with the soft evening air. Funny you're going to end the year with a picture you could have taken 6 km from my house.
Best wishes for a liberating and healthy 2021, Rob

everlasting (19680) 2020-12-30 4:15

This scans well with nice colours reflected in the sea and a busy Puri beach. I read with interest your remark, if TrekEarth survives another month or two, I havent been here for while and obviously missed something, is this a real concern?

adramad (73006) 2020-12-30 11:51

Hi Gert.
A beautiful, very relaxing image, people walk along the beach at sunset, while a rough sea emits its pleasant sound.
Sharpness, lighting, color, and the magnificent composition; they are all perfectly realized factors, in this precious image.
Well done. I like very much.
Have a Happy New Year 2021 and may we end this pandemic as soon as possible, that is my wishes.
All the best for you and family.
Luis.

foxy (3461) 2020-12-30 12:26

Hello Gert,
Normally when I think of India , it's exactly what I'm expected to see to the link you provided.
But this.....so enchanting and carefree. A perfect imagination scene to escape , the remaining days of this miserable year.
I do believe that the beach is famous for sunset as I could feel the sultry warm desire in the air with the sound of the gentle waves.
I also feel like I'm one of them walking along the beach and only leave the 'footprints in the sand'.
Well, the other link I see, the typical Indian clichй as you put it :-)
It's a mind-boggling scene yet interesting with the colourful temples in the WS1 and WS2. The statues are skillfully sculptured to perfection. Esp the WS2 , Lions sitting on top of Elephants - Eccentric carved (?) stones.
Thanks for sharing and looking forward your scanned photos 2021. If TE still survives :-)
Loong

ktanska (44804) 2021-01-01 11:11

Hej Gert,
This looks great while we are stuck here in the Nordic winter darkness. Focus in this shot is narrow, but the sharp range is just right on the nearest people. I like that pink tone of sunset light.
Kari

clic (76) 2021-01-07 8:34

Hallo Gert
Since everybody is walking in the same direction in this moody picture, as attracted by the comforting pink hues in the sky and by their magic reflections, I don't worry very much about a TrekEarth sign-off; I rather imagine we can expect a discreet revival as proposed by such a peaceful photo!
Halsningar

kasianowak (17676) 2021-01-11 3:22

Hi Gert
Sorry I missed your New Year wishes! Not that we haven't exchanged them anyway, several times, so I hope you didn't mind!
Firstly, What a wonderful photo, combining landscape and everyday life. Beautiful pastel colours in the sky and reflected in wet sand contrast with the cooler hues of the sea. It's lovely to see the local people, relaxed and enjoying a walk. I would like to see this kind daily life everywhere in the so-called "developing" world where so many people have nothing but either hard work or starvation and despair. I love to see the traditional clothes, love to see the crowd (I wonder if they are allowed to do this at the moment).
Secondly, this photo almost made me cry because of my own memories. As you know, a year ago I travelled to India and my trip ended in Visakhapatnam (I'm surprised I can spell this word without looking it up and even prefer it to the shortened versions "Vizag"! It used to make me panic.). What I don't think I mentioned was the wedding reception took place in a hotel by the beach. In the afternoon, when the sunlight started getting warm, everyone went for a walk, ladies (including moi) wearing traditional Asian clothes (not all Indian as such, I was wearing a salwar kameez from Bangladesh, someone else an outfit purchased in Singapore...). I wished I had my camera with me but it had stayed in the hotel. But still, that moment was etched in my memory forever. Puri is, in India distances terms, not that far from Visakhapatnam. I've just checked, less then 500km. And the date I'm looking at your photo now - exactly a year ago, 11 January 2020 I flew to Delhi to catch my connecting flight to Amritsar. Quite enough to feel emotional about!
Thanks for sharing this, it really made my day today.
Best wishes
Kasia
PS. Thanks also for the link, I've critiqued this upload before so am not allowed to say anything but it was good to look at it.

mcmtanyel (68623) 2021-08-21 20:18

Hello Gert,
I like the color of the sky and its reflection on the wet sand.
Regards,
MT
PS. As for your question, I'm not admitting to anything lest an overzealous admin happens to see it! ;-)