Stuck In Customs » Agra

The Taj, Framed

tratcliff — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:27:43 +0000

I recently gave a few talks here in Austin (one at UT and one at ACC) about photography, this technique, and various other meandering topics on the brain and perception that I hope did not bore the crowd! This is one of the photos that we worked on during the class, so I thought I would upload to share with everyone!

I also provided a link to my tutorial in the class… here it is for those of you that are interested!

The Private Entrance

tratcliff — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:32:09 +0000

This red-stoned temple had hundreds of tiny rooms scattered all over the grounds. The light streamed in from many angles to light up the walls and carved details. I only wish I was around 1000 years ago with my anachronistic digital camera… that would have been good, except for the no flickr part.

The Red Palacial Tower

tratcliff — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:18:29 +0000

Here within the sprawling palace of Akbar, just outside of Agra, is another intricately designed tower. The redness of everything was even hotter in the Indian sun, and the deep textures bled through.

Hindu Daily Offerings

tratcliff — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:43:28 +0000

I was at a small temple between Agra and Delhi, and spent some time there, walking around and enjoying the sights and the people. Soon, some of these elders came along to make their daily offerings. I nodded to them with the camera, and I got a happy bobble back, so I followed them around a bit with the camera as they glided around the temple.

A Golden Afternoon

tratcliff — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:03:57 +0000

This was shot inside a nearly empty palace in the far north of India. As you all know (and probably agree), it is rather annoying to have tourists in these shots… unless that is part of the look you are a-goin for… which I rarely am! Anyway, this place was great…

I was barefoot for about 3 hours as I moved my way through the palace with tripod in tow….

The Secret Rooms of Akbar’s Palace at Fatehpur Sikri

tratcliff — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:27:11 +0000

It was a very long day that I spent in Akbar’s Palace. Early in the day I parted ways with my guide to walk around the grounds by myself. The palace was relatively empty, being a bit out of the hustle and bustle of Agra. Most everyone else tended to go over to the Taj, but I found the most delicate and beautiful parts to be in these oft-neglected quarters.

Akbar’s Royal Bathing Chamber

tratcliff — Sat, 24 May 2008 02:03:58 +0000

Akbar the Great was quite a guy I am sure. This was shot in his palace near Agra. Most people go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, but in my estimation, this is a much more exotic and interesting place to explore.

The Goat at the Village

tratcliff — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:08:21 +0000

Shot on the steps on the way to Akbar’s Palace.

The Largest Gate in the World

tratcliff — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:11:35 +0000

I don’t know if the above statement is accurate in the least, but it’s the biggest one I have seen. It’s huge, it’s ornate, and it’s covered with followers. This is the entrance to a major part of Akbar’s captial city near Agra, India.

Offerings at the Mosque

tratcliff — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:19:30 +0000

This mosque was not easy to get a shot in… and they even made me wear a little hat… but I am happy with the results, although everyone inside wondered what a WASPy-lookin guy was doing with a camera!

The Wandering Camel at the Taj

tratcliff — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:10:40 +0000

When wandering around the outskirts and wilds of the Taj Mahal, where no tourists can be found (you all know I am not fond of clueless tourists that use their flash when they are 500 yards from the subject… you all probably feel the same way!), I found this other wandering camel that stopped for a rest. I don’t know what all the brands on his neck are for - although I assume they denote ownership to the boy in the red’s family.

I would appreciate your vote for the 2008 Bloggies! I hope you vote for www.stuckincustoms.com in the "best photography of a weblog" category!

The Boy at the Temple

tratcliff — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:10:11 +0000

Outside the gates to Fatehpur Sikri, an Indian boy waits to take my shoes. I pay him a few rupees to keep track of them for me. I walked several miles in bare feet inside and quickly discovered why everyone has such dirty feet. It’s always been a pet peeve of mine, but, like dropping your keys in a river of lava, I just had to let it go.

Akbar’s Secret Room

tratcliff — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:04:07 +0000

This place is a hundred times cooler than the Red Fort in Agra.

This is Akbar’s capital palace near Agra that is called Fatehpur Sikri. Most tourists do not make it out here because they just spend one day looking at the Taj Mahal in the morning and the Red Fort in the afternoon. Since I was there on Saturday and Sunday, I got to spend the second day exploring this palace.

I was frankly more impressed by this place than the Ancient Roman Forum. The Roman Forum is a lot older, but this place is really amazing…

Farewell India

tratcliff — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 21:25:56 +0000

I had a great time in India! I am very thankful to my various hosts for showing me such a good time.

Besides a weekend trip to the Taj Mahal, as you can see below, I was also treated to a full immersion into Bollywood here in Mumbai, the center of the movie world here in India. It started with a 3-hour viewing of Om Shanti Om, complete with a pre-show standing for the Indian national anthem. Afterwards, we ate dinner at Olive’s, which is a trendy place where many of the Bollywood stars go to see and be seen by the Page 3 newspapers. My host was leaning over to me telling me who was the sister-in-law of whom and which directors were entering while escorting which starlets.