Far above the ground level

Due to some personal problems I have not been able to concentrate much in tying up assignments for last quite a few months. One assignment came my way from a Tyre company in manufacturing Tyres agricultural and earth moving equipments. Oh my those things were really, really big. I had to setup my lights and shot against a white background setup requested to be created in one their huge halls. There were a few tyres that looked like new born babies, but they were just a few. The basic idea was to do cut outs of these products for their product catalog.

Another part was to take pictures of their set up and infrastructure. They had two manufacturing units close by and on another huge industrial plot there was a ware house to stock these till they were sent to their clients / dealers.

During the discussions earlier when the briefing was on through phone calls, where they mentioned of their wish to some how take bird's eye view. I needed the services of Superman to fly me up to shoot angles comfortably. How could a comic character come to my help? Using flying machines like helicopter or small planes was quite a possibility, but as per my information one needs quite a lot of clearances from the various government agencies. I could be wrong here. I did it leave to them to decide. They also broached the easy possibility of arranging a crane to use. What height crane should be used? I have never been up that high, so it was a tough call for me, but felt it should go up at least twice the height of the plant building. They did organise a crane that could go up to 120 feet. They too had a special platform built with railing, to help save the earth from caving in from my weight and the weight of my Canon 5D Mark II if I measured the height and gravity during the fall. Well it was a very new experience for me when the crane came very late in the afternoon as the sun was going down to light up the other part of the globe. The crane was called in on the third day of the shoot. Well the guys kept us all waiting since Noon time that is when I thought should be the right time to start the shoot. It would take time to drive and park the crane and by that time the light would be nice on the buildings.

On the first two days and first half of the third day I expected to finish off most of the industry's machine shoot and the tyres. On the third day post Noon I kept for the bird's eye view, and the final 4th day to wind up covering any areas that were not ready for one reason or the other.

BKT Company's marketing official Mr. Vikash who had been coordinating the shoot specially flying down from Mumbai and came along with me in the vehicle, had to leave early on the second day on a family emergency. It was unfortunate. He was a nice person to interact and I found him to be a really wonderful person.

I was then to coordinate with HR Manager Mr. Zutshi for the rest of the shoot. Coordination by one of the senior company officials is a must otherwise things do not move. He is another wonderful person and a great personality. I loved his tea, coffee and Cinnamon with honey that he served every time I went into his office. He told me he drank a lot of these all through the day. I could see a huge stock of the raw materials. An electric kettle made him independent from getting his beverages from outside his office. Cinnamon and honey helps in reducing weight and is also good for the body. I to have started drinking the same every day. Though my sugar level has some how gone quite a bit north than the normal, I just take it with out any kind of sweetening. Once in a while I just put small spoon of honey in my tea. With so many sweet people around, except for the guys who have taken over my flat and not signing the lease deed and start paying the rent, one can easily give a miss to sugar. So far there is no craving for sugar or any thing sweet. Hopefully my taste buds keep reined and in control.

We had the crane set up in the open yard in the middle of the plant. The light was going down fast, but we needed to check out the view we could be getting. So I just suggested if he would accompany me up on the platform, where he was  game. The reason I wanted was that he would be there to help take decision while I showed him the views on the camera screen plus  he also will be able to communicate with the head office on what we were getting. What we were getting were the slanting roof of the plant that were gray and not very pleasing in looks. I did some frames for building a panorama image, that through him we shared with the head office. They instructed that we should in any way go ahead with the aerial shots. The crane stayed put where it was, for me to go up again in the morning. Good thing as I got the feel of being taken up and coming down. It was comfortable. During the shoot another employee Mr. Bunty who was attached to me for carting my equipment, organising help, drinking water supply, etc. was a great guy. He was there all through the days of shooting. It was a memorable experience doing this industrial shoot. Though Bhiwadi where the units are based is not far from Delhi but the highway is one of the busiest. On a bad day it could take more than 2 to 3 hours. Doing up and down would have been very strenuous, carrying all the lighting equipment and other accessories every day would have been a nightmare. Missing to pack some piece of equipment also haunts us all. I remember I missed carrying my studio light reflectors to an out station shoot. It gave a miserable feeling, and the pressure builds up. Though one knows it can not be helped, but the feeling haunts and haunts through rest of the shooting time.

Missed a second camera, this one is with my mobile phone

Going up with the crane was a great experience. The platform swung slowly with the wind. One could see the pollution in the area. In the later part of the evening it was not clear for any possible shoot. There was smog that spread making every thing in the same gray scale. Oh yes the crane guys went missing for 2 to 3 hours. When we went to the second unit, they said that they would like to have a lunch break. Now one can not just say no for lunch. We too went in the canteen to have a quick bite. On coming out side we found the crane missing. They were supposed to be there and it was no courtesy but they had been hired at an astronomical amount. Bunty and the driver went around in their search and found them doing some work in another unit. Oh if they had not taken the lunch break, the rest of the shoot was for hardly 45 minutes only or even less. The crane had to be parked at the best possible place for an angle. One could not move around much with it as there were high tension electric cables. There were limitations, so I had to go up and just shoot various possible views or frames for the panoramas. It was hand held as there was hardly any space to to put up my camera on a tripod. The criss cross heavy duty belts left no space at all.

There was a large group of people watching the proceedings. I was wanting to shoot some frames, but avoided fearing running out of space on my memory card. I just have one as of today. While coming down at one site I saw this boy who sat in some industrial waste or some lime waste of wall peelings piled on the side. The side road we were on also had lots of loose black dust. I came down and tried shooting him with his face. But he hid his face but I think it was nice in a way. I had noticed some wild plants surviving through this waste and were popping out. A small yellow flower blossomed. I think all these things happen and get noticed quite quickly when one has been concentrating in finding angles, etc. Given the situation I think it has come out reasonably well. But I surely leave to the viewers to express their opinion about a visual. Every one has one's own interpretation, so why impose mine. I feel it also helps me in growing, maturing when I hear the thoughts of others on my visuals.

To sum up the four days of my shoot was nice. The guest house within the Bhiwadi plant at the entrance was very good. Nice food was cooked in the evening along with a nice breakfast in the morning. Though I did miss my fasts of Navratra, but on a job I am sure it is not possible. The industrial shoots are very demanding on energy, and with a fast I would not have been doing justice to a paid assignment by feeling weak during the day and that too for 4 days continuously. One can manage a day, but surely not 4 days at a go.

These were some musings of my last work.

Designing aspect in blogger.com

Hi,
While doing my post on "Making of Mats from Water Reeds" I found my mistake in doing my post on the vegetable market a few days back.
I have edited the same once again and it looks better than the earlier post.
Cheers

Making of mats from water reeds

Finally finished and relaxing with the final roll of the mat

The city is a religious town Garhganga or Garhmukteshwar in Uttar Pradesh India. With the sacred city of Haridwar going to Uttra Khund with the partitioning of a big state for better governance. The Uttar Pradesh government is trying to develop this town. It had been neglected for many many decades.

More details can be got from http://wikimapia.org/6515236/Ganga-Mandir-Garh-Mukteshwar " This very ancient temple situated on top of the hill.It is dedicated to Ganga Maiya and Lord Brahma. Once Ganga used to flow here .There are 101 steps to reach the street level. If you throw stone over them you could hear watery sound. Puranic place now desolate.Garhmukteshwar is very ancient. Description comes in Vedas and Mahabharat. Not to be missed."

The Ganga Mandir was established by my fore fathers about 300 years back. We have another Ganga Mandir in old Delhi dating back to the same year. This temple in old Delhi was a part of the living complex. We have to maintain the temple in old Delhi like our house expense. The temple in Garhganga since it was on the banks of the river received enough donations was to be maintained by the donations. It was left to be managed by the heads of the town. This was never willed to any one. There is a recorded will of my fore fathers Dewan Nand Lal ji who laid the foundation of the temple. He was Dewan of Nawab Jajjar.

Ganga Maiya

The look has changed as the Uttar Pradesh Government spent quite a sum on renovation of the temple by covering up the open area to create a hall. The amount supposed to be spent can not be seen as what was constructed can not be of the amount that is quoted to be spent. Wow here also the corrupt never miss their chance making some money. Very sad it is but is true.

Temple view from the bottom of the hillock with 101 steps that emit a sound of water when walking or if some stone falls on its steps.

The Ganges flowed down the hillock where this temple stands. At that time there were many pilgrims. I am not sure when the river Ganges shifted its route away from this small town. I have been always trying to find out when the river changed its course to the current area called the Brij Ghat, which I believe about 5 to 6 kilometers away. Since it shifted the flow of pilgrims has become a trickle as most flock to the Brij Ghat. I have no idea how it is during the main festival periods, never been there during that time.

I have been going quite regularly along with my parents. After the demise of my parents we do still go there. Ours has been a very large joint family and now many family members make it a point to go there. The temple has some values where wishes of many people get fulfilled. One of the British officers could not get an issue, so some one suggested that he should seek the blessings of Ganga Maiya. His wish was fulfilled and placed a stone with his message of thanks.

Dried up land always gets people to inhabitate. Settlements pop up quite fast. In the dried river Ganges basin after it changed its route to 5 to 6 kilometers, as said a settlement has come up. There are lots families who work with water reeds to weave mats used to create temporary partitions, roof, walls etc. where required. I used to walk down the steps and shoot some frames as I always carried my camera, but that was always slide or negative films. Digital has made it quite easy to share images with people and in various forums like jpgmag.com, Blogger.com, etc.

The boy enjoys lying on the finished portion of the mat while his mother weaves the rest of the portion

A few years back I did a small shoot of a family where each member worked to weave these reeds in to mats. They occupy the side walk or any open space near their house. At that time 10 such mats cost Indian Rupees 400.

The whole of the family puts in the labor to weave mats for sale. They work on the side walk or any open areas as each mat requires some space to spread. 

Working space on the side walk

Over the time each family must have demarcated their area work and stocking raw material.

Young girl carrying a bundle of dried reeds to the work space

The young girl is busy weaving. The mehendi on her hands shows either she attended some wedding or she may have had some engagement, etc.

Checking the weave

Each open space as mentioned is used for working. The man works at the main entrance of his home. On the left is a hand pump to provide water to the family. The hearth is out side the main build up area. The smoke stays out. 

Each space is fully utilised

One can see the use of the mat on the right side. Though it is now quite worn out, this one of the uses to create a partition. These very much used during plucking seasons of fruits where they create a hut like structure to sort and stock fruits. It gives them a shelter.

The young fashionables

The boys really enjoy themselves. I am sure these must be the children from the weaver's families. 

Camaraderie

These children had their food and had come down. They enjoyed being photographed. There is the innocence and care free life seen in each one's face.


We had come here to distribute food. We call it a 'Bhandara'. This is mostly done to celebrate some festival, pay our respects for the departed parents or family members. The food is cooked in large quantity. The cooks get busy since morning. The trend here in Garhganga is to make the people sit and we serve them. There is space and it can be easily done. 

This is the hall created by the government by its own selected contractor under the supervision  of their engineers

In bigger towns it is difficult to do this way as there is lack of space. So we find road side stalls created. The food is cooked adjacent. The raw material is generally fixed, and what ever gets cooked is distributed. When it is finished, well it is finished.


There has been a stone that keeps building up. Each new growth over the time shows a shape of a religious person / saint, etc. It stays here in the temple. Many have tried to steal it.

The ever evolving sacred stone

From Delhi it is just 80 odd kilometers but it used to take about 2 hours plus drive by road. There was much of construction activity. I do hope quite a lot must have been completed making the drive in hours shorter.

Jai Ganga Maiya, may you bless all.

Design

While I was posting my last blog I just could not place the images and the text as I had wanted. It looks so jumbled up. I think I am missing some where some thing how to properly place images and text properly. Hope some one reading helps me with some tips.

Vegetable Market, Sector 41, Noida Uttar Pradesh, India

Fresh Red Chillies

It was quite freshening to find a temporary market setting up every Sunday where I shifted my residence in Noida. In Delhi we do have similar markets but they are there every day of the week. 

A view of the market

It is different here as they cover the needs of a cluster of residential sectors on specified days. It is very convenient. There are fresh vegetables, fruits, utensils, clothes, etc. But I concentrated more on the vegetable section of the market while I did my purchases for the week. Also this part of the market is well organised better lit than the other parts of the temporary market.

This balloon vendor  is a regular here

How ever I am missing a few pictures in this story how the tables are carted to the area and are left on the sides of the street by a contractor. This starts from early morning though late afternoon the vendors start coming to set up their wares. Many bring their own push carts / tricycle carts as they save on the rental of the tables.

Keeping track of the sales when buyers are not around

There is always more rush at the start of the street from the side of Sector 41. At the end of the street we have a main road and there is the Noida City Center Metro Station. On one side of the road is Noida authority service and maintenance center, then there is some research institute. This side of the road where this tomato vendor is standing there is a Sector 39 Community Center and adjacent to it is a Womens College.

Mobile has become very affordable and keeps people always connected 

It is an art to keep vegetables fresh even in the adverse of temperatures and they know it well. Parsley, salads, mint leaves, etc. look so fresh as if just plucked from the farm despite these being on display since mid afternoon.

Pile of fresh Okra / Ladies fingers

The season vegetables occupy major part and are seen to be more on display. There are various varieties of Brinjals. The set up is quite in contrast to what one finds in similar western markets.

Lots of fresh variety of vegetables available.

Vegetables available are season based in India, at least in the central / northern part of India.

Onions and  potatoes

I may have already mentioned that in these markets the best thing is that one can select each piece of a vegetable. What is not good is left out and many a times even the vendor discards them from the pile. This quite a luxury from the mall vegetable out lets. There are plastic baskets with each vendor for the purpose.

A tomato vendor with his cart 

We are used to living on fresh stuff all round the year and enjoy seasonal vegetables and fruits. So it has become quite a necessity by way of habit to by fresh farm produce. There is always a variety in every season though in some the offering may be quite few. But we prefer vegetables of the season as we find these are healthy.

Making a bargain

The cold storages has helped to get some exotic fruits and vegetables. They look beautiful but they do not have a taste of flavor to the Indian fruits and vegetables.

Dangerous combination???

The generator contractor spreads points along the sides of the street. 

What an assortment of fresh vegetables

Such markets are legal as the city administration have given them vending rights for specific days along with identification papers on payment of fees for the whole year. It is all a well organised affair from the city administration side. There are more contractors / suppliers who supply carry bags, tea, snacks, etc.

The biggest convenience is for the people who stay as they have to walk from their homes to the market. In case one misses on their day one can always drive to a nearby similar market in the next cluster of residential housing sectors.

Fresh tomatoes

Very few go in for off season vegetables or fruits released from cold storages unless some thing has to be on the menu.

The ambiance is great perhaps one has to enjoy it in real than through still photographs that do not convey the sounds, the calls of the vendors announcing their rates of the vegetables or the feel of the freshness of the vegetables and fruits.

Final journey from the vendor to the buyers house

This is a small contribution to the forum specially for those who may not have had a chance to have personally enjoyed being in such a place. Such places are photographers delight.


Thanks for taking time to go through my small contribution. Feed back is vry much appreciated.
Cheers