Into The Mist, a photo from Uttar Pradesh, North

Photographer's Note

There are many better photos of Taj Mahal on TE than anything I’m going to post. But I just wanted to use this image as an excuse to write a few words about my visit there. Truly wonderful morning with lots of photo opportunities for the lovers of any genre: people, landscape, architecture, wildlife… So brace yourselves, as I’m going to try to bore you to death with all of those…

But to start, let me recap a few facts from my previous posts, that I’m sure nobody picked on and put together to get a full picture:

1. Early in the morning I went for a walk by the East Gate, the nearest entrance to the Taj.
2. The East Gate was quite a distance from my hotel.
3. I then retuned to the hotel and only afterwards went back to see the Taj Mahal.
4. I didn’t return to the hotel to have breakfast (which hotel Raj – vide my note two uploads ago – didn’t serve anyway), because all I ate that day were bananas procured from the seller pictured in my last post.

Why did I go back to the hotel rather than go to see the Taj, which is open from early morning, straight away? It’s because I found the note you can admire in WS with the list of all the things that you are not allowed to bring into the Taj Mahal complex. Some of these are obvious, like guns, cigarettes or food (although I wonder why “toffees” are not considered already included in “eatables”) but I can only guess why some other items are prohibited: “colours” and tools (to prevent vandalism?), a helmet (so not to hide your face from the security cameras?), “mic & headphone” (anyone??), a torch (?), toys (really??).

But books? Why books? And that was the reason why I had to go back to the hotel. I was not prepared to give up my guidebook. At least not at the beginning of my trip. Consequently, I lost the opportunity to enter Taj Mahal really early. All was not lost however, as it wasn’t really swarming with visitors, maybe because of the weather. The buildings were shrouded in mist and I had been told it was not foreign tourists’ favourite season. Well, that’s two birds killed with one stone – I love mist and I can do without the crowds!

The security checks at the gate were quite severe indeed. They found a ball of something edible I had been given by a fellow passenger on the train (and then forgot about), tucked deep in one of my rucksack’s pockets and disposed of it. I was glad I decided to leave my Lonely Planet behind.

Another slightly awkward thing – in one of the section (and that section only) of Taj Mahal, visitors are required to put on the kind of overshoes (see WS) that you would be required to wear in a museum. Except here, most of that place was outdoors.

I know that half of my comments to this upload sound like I’m complaining so… in case you didn’t guess, reading the first paragraph of this note, I would like to say it again… it was fantastic to be there and I loved every moment of it. So, as I said, more to come…

I know I could have used levels or curves to enhance this image and bring the faзade out to shine in the made-in-Photoshop sun that wasn’t there. But I wanted to show you exactly (well, almost; it was not black and white) what I saw that morning.

Fis2, pajaran, macjake, holmertz, dedee, PaulVDV, worldcitizen, jean113, lucasgalodoido, Royaldevon, ChrisJ, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221729) 2021-06-21 13:24

Ciao Kasia, fascinating misty view with fantastic architecture, magic atmosphere and perfect symmetry, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139332) 2021-06-21 13:35

Ciao Kasia, as you know I always really like reading your notes, the list of forbidden things is really long and often inexplicable, but that's the way it is and you have to accept it. In fact you have emphasized the negative things in your story, but in the end I imagine the magical atmosphere of this foggy morning and the lack of tourists, which I love too. The photos are as always very well done and are a useful appendix to your always very rich notes. Have a good night and thanks,Luciano

Fis2 (170861) 2021-06-21 14:02

Czesc Kasiu!
Wspaniala mgielka i ciekawe opowiadanie.
Dobra robota.
Ciekawy WS.
Milego nowego tygodnia.
Krzysztof

emka (158204) 2021-06-21 19:22

Witaj Kasiu, Bardzo dziwne. Widziałam podobne tablice, już nie pamiętam gdzie, ale tylu zakazanych rzeczy to jednak chyba nie. Nie pamiętam czegoś takiego z mojej wizyty w TM. Niektуre, jak książki, rzeczywiście absurdalne. Ale przynajmniej na tej liście nie ma plecaka, telefonu czy aparatu. Przed wejściem na szklany most w Chinach trzeba było wszystko zostawić, można było mieć tylko portfel i telefon, a jak się potem okazało, schodziło sie 300 m w dуł po schodach, potem kilka kilometrуw wzdłuż wąwozu i nie bardzo było wiadomo, jak wrуcić do wejścia. Trochę byłyśmy zdenerwowane.
Pamiętam takie ochraniacze. (Na moście też takie były). Byłby kłopot z zostawieniem obuwia przed wejściem, jak tam wchodzi tyle osуb. Na ogуł rуwnież na zewnątrz trzeba być boso. Ja też widziałam Taj Mahal we mgle, chociaż nie tak gęstej. Oryginalne zdjecie, bardzo lubię kształt tych łukуw.
Czy widziałaś moje zdjęcia z Agry, ktуre Ci przesłałam na Forum? Tez jest jedno takie mgliste.

Pozdrawiam MAłgorzata

jemaflor (147224) 2021-06-21 23:04

Hi Kasia,
Original photo very well managed, good idea for such a frame with the silhouette of the gate, good contrast, well done, interesting photogenic result, tfs.

macjake (98456) 2021-06-21 23:29

Hi Kasia
I'm trying to remember my 'entrance' to the Taj. I believe we had to go through a long lineup and all of my bags were checked, but we had the option to put unwanted items in a storage locker. Unless i'm mistaking it for another location. anyways, its always interesting to hear other travellers experiences. and boy..you REALLY had a misty day here! not exactly post card type weather haha. but moody and special for sure. Looking forward to seeing more if you have them. cheers
Craig

holmertz (102774) 2021-06-22 0:34

Hello Kasia,
I think it's relatively rare to see a photo of Taj Mahal in B&W, but it's also rare to see this famous building almost hidden by mist. Your choice of a conversion to monochrome was quite logical. We still see enough to identify it, and the dark vault was Perfectly used as a frame. The WS photos are funny and the note is even more interesting. Obviously the rules have become much tougher since the two times I was here. Times change, but what harm could a book do?
Kind regards,
Gert

dedee (3099) 2021-06-22 2:40

Hi Kasia
A very atmospheric and romantic image. The Taj beautifully framed.
Your comments and descriptions very interesting.
David

PaulVDV (62978) 2021-06-22 4:51

Hello Kasia,
The Taj seems to pop up like a mirage in the desert.
Is is there or not ?
Very original view of the famous monument.
Over the years, it seems to have become quite regulated to visit the Taj. I don't remember any of this.
Craig shouldn't be allowed to take his drone inside.
Wine is not allowed, but beer is. (Luckily I come from a beer country)
Best regards, Paul

mkamionka (74535) 2021-06-22 5:19

Czesc Kasia,
ja lubie osoby ktore narzekaja. Sa pewnie takie ktore robia to dla sportu i nigdy nie uronia pozytywnego slowa ale jesli narzekanie jest uzasadnione wowczas co innego.
Dobrze wiedziec: nie bede bral przewodnika ze soba jesli sie tam kiedys wybiore. Z tego co widac aparat wziac jednak wolno.
No coz, jest to bez watpienia wyjatkowe zdjecie tej slynnej budowli.
Ja bym sie jednak pokusil o wzmocnienie kontrastu. Glownie dlatego ze w tej chwili sylwetke Taj Mahal widac bardzo blado. No ale to kwestia gustu.
Na pewno tak znana sylwetka doskonale nadaje sie do zdjec w czasie mgly.
Bardzo dobry pomysl na ranke.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M

Tue (92470) 2021-06-22 11:40

Hello Kasia,
Amazing view of the famous and impressive building emerging from the dense fog here. The contrast with the dark gate is wonderful. Great work.
Lars

worldcitizen (16104) 2021-06-22 12:05

Hello Kasia,
I like how you're telling the story of your visit through your photos. I also like that you left this photo as you actually saw it. Some people might say that the Taj Mahal is too faint, but it's authentic, and has more of an air of mystery to it. The dark arch that you used as a frame is simple and elegant, too. Take care!

jean113 (27893) 2021-06-22 13:22

Hello Kasia, this picture of the Taj Mahal could not be mistaken for anywhere else even seen through the mist.
Beautifully framed by the arch with the very subtle scalloped edging.
I enjoyed reading your notes, a valuable insight to travelling in this part of the world.
Kind regards, Jean.

ifege (48159) 2021-06-22 21:09

Hi Kasia
A totally original photo of the Taj Mahal. I love it.
cheers
Ian

abmdsudi (95869) 2021-06-22 22:54

Hi Kasia
Nicely taken in challenging conditions! A certainly very atmospheric much more appealing with glimpse of the famous landmark never fail to grab our attention.
Best regards

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2021-06-23 7:28

Hi Kasia,
this ban on books is really strange, they must have their reasons. As for the photo, this natural frame and the high fog were interesting. Nice work and ride.
Regards,
Lucas

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-06-24 9:26

Hello Kasia,

I do like reading your notes!
The main post has a lacy effect, don't you think, which is beautifully framed by the arch.
It is very different from usual posts of the building, which is a compliment, considering the popularity of the Taj Mahal!
I found myself smiling when studying your w/s photographs! You must have had a very empty rucksack, after removing all those banned items! I'm sure you had a torch, crayons, microphone, not to mention explosives!!!
And the overshoes ... must have reminded you of detectives, examining a crime scene!

To be sure, you'll never get fat on a diet of bananas!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

ChrisJ (171884) 2021-06-27 5:23

Czesc Kasiu!

I like the b&w version of this iconic landmark partially obscured by the mist. The dark fg arch makes a great frame. Tfs!

willperrett (14215) 2021-06-27 13:37

Hello Kasia

Is your title a sly nod to Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic"? Love this understated image, as far from a postcard as it's possible to get at this place. Did you get my email? Couple of months ago now...

Kind regards

Will

mcmtanyel (68623) 2021-07-10 20:08

Hello Kasia,
A very out-of-the-ordinary view of the Taj. Well done!
Regards,
MT

GyurMaster (24840) 2021-07-12 4:00

Hello again,

Its a very simple, yet well-working composition. Quite a purist one. Anyhow, I'm faving it.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

jmdias (115252) 2021-10-16 8:01

Katia

Usually images of taj in the mist are rare. I remember the arrogant ticket sellers of taj, but I didn't read any rules and I was with my book guide. I became lost when I went out, the gates are twin and I went away for a wrong place and had to walk the whole complex around asking for help people who didn't English language,
Nice Image, tc
Jorge