I am really fortunate to have the chance of spending quiet some time in this small village-town called Talegaon. It is a small quiet place with a rhythm of its own. spectacular sun sets, friendly people and, picturesque locales. It still refreshes me to go through those amazing memories, reminding of a fictional place called Malgudi, once a popular T.V. show, Malgudi days.
Shot near Pune, Maharashtra, India.
I had been taught since childhood and also seen in the movies of the earlier era that ‘paise se khushiyaan nahi kharidi jaa sakti barkhurdar” (money cant buy you happiness young man) , the girls stiff and old father would say to the young lad. But it is seldom that you realize it in life these days. Mostly it is because of the media storm that we live through each day from sun rise to sunset trying to make us buy the silliest of things and convincing us that our happiness, self respect, intelligence, relationships depend on it like nothing else.
I personally started to realize the truth since I brought my camera. I am not exaggerating a single bit. There used to be a time when an outing would mean going to the swankiest of restos, the popularest of holiday destinations and buying truckloads of stuff. But now, it has become more about off beat destinations, meeting the local people, living their culture and habits, tasting the local bled of spices and sweets and bringing some smiles to their faces, once they see my cameras LCD. What a drastic change !! and it costs far less and satisfies you even much more than before. Now whenever I go to a destination i look forward to creating some timeless memories and bringing home the experience rather than the material junk. I believe me, it still really comes for free !!
I clicked this photo when i was strolling around with a friend near talegaon station. my expedition had came to an almost end and it was a little tiring but very exiting morning for both of us. thats when i happened to spot him lost deep in his thoughts, waiting for a train ride, or may be already riding his last journey in his mind. The idea was to get as candid snap as possible but not without his permission. hence i called him and just as he turned, before his mind could put up a plastic face, i captured the shot.
The most challenging thought that came to my mind when shooting this portrait was the absence of eyes in the photograph.
a portrait lives by its eyes. thats what most of the time makes or breaks a portrait photo. hence, here i have tried to do full justice to the remaining features of the gentleman to keep the intrestingness alive.
i hope it turns out to better than my previous attempts.
Vishal's Photolog 