Close encounter . ., a photo from Bagmati, Central

Photographer's Note

Sadhus in Hinduism are wandering holy men revered for being good that traverse not just in Nepal and India but further afield. Many sadhus are also Yogis who are practitioners of meditation who have given up family, home, material possessions and sometimes clothing to seek enlightenment. Many live in basic dwellings such as in caves, forests or Hindu temples live on the support of the people they encounter.Though the purists say otherwise in my experience they do accept donations for food or clothing, such a life of hardship means not many follow the path of a true sadhu.

There are many fake sadhus nowadays who come out only on such occasions as religious festivals to cash in on the generosity of others or simply to make money by other means. Sadhus in Nepal are also well-known for smoking hashish to help gain a high level of meditation. Sadhus usually wear ochre colored clothing, symbolizing renunciation and their faces are layered with traditional paint. Some dress as Shiva, one of the Hindu gods, complete with trident walking stick.

As for this picture, I am not sure whether he is a genuine or fake sadhu. But I can promise that he is in Nepal when I made this closed up shot at Durbar Square in Patan. Your guess is as good as mine.

In a meantime please enjoy a different kind of Patan streetscape...

timecapturer, emilbo, bayno, holmertz, krzychu30, ourania, kordinator, sevy, No_One, maria-v1981, Cricri, danos, mirosu, clic, aliabazari, delpeoples, CLODO, josepmarin, Graal, COSTANTINO έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη

Critiques | Translate

timecapturer (49288) 2012-11-06 5:25

Hi Abmdsudi
amazing close up shot this. I love the crop it is intriguing and has incredible impact. Superb detail and haunting eyes that seem to pierce your soul. Powerful imagery!

Regards - Brian.

Irenetta (22) 2012-11-06 5:59

Hello Abmdsudi,

I think that making a close-up photo like this one take a lot of determination. But the result is really impressive and unique with a feeling of intimacy. I like it a lot. Thank you. Irene

emilbo (22616) 2012-11-06 6:09

Allτ Abmdsudi!
Magnifique portrait de ce vieil homme bien prιsentι dans un excellent ιclairage et qualitι d'image. j'aime bien la composition rapprochιe de ce visage qui est trθs intιressant. Excellents dιtails et parfait rendu des couleurs.
Cordiales salutations,
Emilius

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-11-06 6:09

Superb close crop Abmdsudi - Every pore, every hair and even the flaking make-up is wonderfully sharp. And those deep dark eyes seem hypnotic. TFs and for your interesting and informative note. Warm regards rosemary

Oceania (5202) 2012-11-06 6:26

Hi abmdsudi,

The profound eyes seem like telling the stories of his life...this is a remarkable portrait!

bayno (18348) 2012-11-06 6:28

Ciao Abmdsudi,
beautiful close-up with so clear details, i like the lateral light and the natural tone of the skin...i like so much also your note, i spend in India most of my life...so i know very well the mentality of the most of sadu, many of them become sadu to escape the prison of caste, I've heard countless stories of people robbed after drinking a chai offered by a sadu and was made from datura, or women seduced, or countless other stories...so who know...
warm regards,
Valter

lousat (129839) 2012-11-06 6:33

An incredible portrait,one of the most original never seen on TE.I'm not a fan of this kind of pic,but this is really extraordinary,what a face and what a quality of details and colors,great work! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

holmertz (92736) 2012-11-06 7:21

Hello Abmdsudi,
This is close! Although the eyes are supposed to mirror the person's soul I can't tell whether this sadhu is real or fake. But as far as the photo goes the colours and sharpness and intensity of his gaze are much more important.
A very stunning photo.
Kind regards,
Gert

Fis2 (155455) 2012-11-06 7:22

Witaj Abmdsudi!
A very interesting face.
Excellent frame and colors.
Moustache add savor of photo.
Well done.
Best regards
Krzysztof

pajaran (102482) 2012-11-06 7:43

Dobro vece.
Vrlo interesnatan i dobar tekst ...
Dobra ostrina snimka i kontrast, lepe boje.
Lep portret ...
Lepo pokazan deo lica i oci.
Prijatno vece i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good evening.
Interesnatan and very good text ...
Good image sharpness and contrast, beautiful color.
Fine portrait of ...
Nice shown of the face and eyes.
Good evening and all the best.
Paja.

Janusz1974 (813) 2012-11-06 9:15

Hi Abmdsudi,
Very nice portrait. Sharp, well contrasted, good colours. The expression is simply amazing.Yes this is definitely Nepal as I like.
Best regards
Janusz

JFS (32459) 2012-11-06 9:38

Powerful close-up full of colour and life, a very good work, as usually. thanks Abmdsudi!
Chhers,Juan

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-11-06 10:15

Hello Abmdsudi,
incredible close-up portrait!Very expressive and deep.His facial expression,eyes and his skin-marked by the sign of the times-really makes impression.I like your interesting note about Sadhus and what they mean for India΄s culture and life.Remarkable shot!
Best regards
Krzysztof

ourania (51103) 2012-11-06 12:49

Hello Abmdsudi,
the way you've framed this close up portrait has given it so much intensity. The textured face, the thick moustache and the forehead decoration are strilikgly sharp and compose a stunning image with a graphic quality too. The intensity of the fixed glance is fascinating but the sadhu's mirror-like eyes are not windows to the soul. They remain mysterious or otherwise we can project our own interpretations and thoughts on them. Superb work, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely day,
Ourania

kordinator (8738) 2012-11-06 14:45

Hello Abmbsudi
An interesting text.
Everywhere in the world there are people who are giving up materialism, but not all of the same reasons.
Do not get into controversy, indeed there are people acting under false pretense for what they are not.
Here I am, for example, pretend that I am a great photographer. :)
Excellent clarity of every pore of your face and gorgeous colors, decorate your work.
All the best.
Saa

mauro61 (53411) 2012-11-06 14:45

ciao Abmdsudi,
un tagio stretto che coglie molto bene l'espressivitΰ di questo volto.
Perfetta definizione che ne evidenzia i particoari,
saluti
maurizio

sevy (58) 2012-11-06 23:50

Hello,

I like your note in line with what I experimented in Durban square, but at that time I was not doing such strong close-up portrait full of details.
Just before I commented a sadhu portrait made by Inasiajones. Interesting to see how each photographer is making different shots from same subject.

Yves.

No_One (4) 2012-11-07 5:13

Hi Abmdsudi
Wonderful portrait image, the close crop works perfectly well for your subject. If I were to guess, I would think this man is genuine as there is a very intense look in his eyes that I imagine is hard to fake. Beautiful street photography, and another fascinating note, thanks as always.
Noel

maria-v1981 (10966) 2012-11-07 6:39

Hello Abmdsudi,
I feel the eyes piercing my screen and touches my soul. This is a magnificent potrait so powerful and when i saw it the feelings was so many.
Have a nice evening,
Regards,
Maria

eldancer1 (36343) 2012-11-07 9:17

Wow! So powerful of a portrait! I hope this gentleman is not as mean as he look. Nicely captured with good lighting and dof with sharp details. Love the reflections from his eyes. Wonderful colors. Well done, tfs.

dkmurphys (77952) 2012-11-07 9:42

Hello,
A splendid cut for this amazing portrait. I like the quality and the colors.
Well seen, have a fine evening.

Daniel

BennyV (32568) 2012-11-07 10:43

Ouch, a superb ultra-close picture. You could count the hairs of the moustache (if you wanted...) - terrific piece of work, dear Abmdsudi. Thumbs up from me & wow again!

Benny

jemaflor (135270) 2012-11-07 23:12

Hi A,
A good option with this close up on this old man, well mananged the sharpness and the contrast, intertesting paeceful glance.

Cricri (176) 2012-11-07 23:36

Hi Abmdsudi
Magnifique le cadrage serrι de son visage,des petits yeux pιtillants, le rendu des dιtails de sa peau ridιe par le soleil et le temps, sa moustache grise et bien sur le point rouge au milieu du front, magnifique portrait et note
Belle journιe
cricri

danos (110407) 2012-11-08 0:32

hello Abmdsudi,
great the tight frame with the eyes of this native man with its strongly characteristic of his face, to are well seen and captured.
I like the details as the excellent light and colour management of the portrait.

Regards,danos

Robert1969 (7160) 2012-11-08 1:51

Hello Abmdsudi,

A picture with a lots of details.
In the middle the picture is sharp as a knife
and the border is nice soft and that gives
a nice depth in the picture (but makes also
the picture nice calmness).
Composition and light management are as always
excelent.

Friendly regards,
Robert

mirosu (16313) 2012-11-08 2:14

Hello Abmdsudi,
You are posting a great detail of this old man face.
The close crop, good lighting and rich dark colors give this portrait a wonderful feel. The light in the eyes is magical and the skin details are perfect. Really top class work with exquisite detailing where it counts. Have a great weekend.

clic (23760) 2012-11-08 12:35

Hello Abmdsudi
I have the impression he's reading my thoughts through those scrutinizing eyes that are so close and insistent!
Fine portrait of the experienced man!
Cheers.
Robert

yquem46 (38752) 2012-11-08 12:41

Hello abmdsudi
A very strong close up portrait and hat a gaze
Razor sharp mage and perfect definition
Best regards
Patrick

aliabazari (18418) 2012-11-08 20:06

Hi abmdsudi Dear
Portrait of beautiful and powerful and attractive look, I love it. Good exposure and sharpness and colors. Clearly seen.

With respect, my friend.

delpeoples (60326) 2012-11-09 2:04

Dear Abmdsudi

Wow. I don't know whether this guy is a real or fake saddhu either, but your photo is 100% in-your-face fantastic. You are so brave to get this close to anyone. This guy is absolutely amazing, looking right down the barrell of your lens like that. I love this type of close up. The colours, the lights in the eyes and the definition are amazing, and of course the tight crop of the main part of the face. Congratulations, this is a photo I'd love to have in my gallery and you've inspired to be a bit more brave when it comes to photographing people.

Warmest regards
Lisa

CLODO (45094) 2012-11-09 8:18

hello Abmdsudi

very close portrait and we have time to look at this face, beard, and 3 eyes
Amazing
Cheers
CLODO

josepmarin (59385) 2012-11-12 5:20

Hi Abmdsudi,
this one is an absolutely striking portrait, because of the great sharpness of the image and of the excellent close-up, which shows us all the details of the face of this holy man, as his wrinkles, his moustache and his beard, his penetrating eyes and the painting on his forehead.
The light and the colors are astonishing.
A great work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

Graal (103040) 2012-11-14 23:59

Hi Abmdsudi,
amazing portrait. Fine effect. Good details of skin and hairs. Well comment and photowork.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

fabbs99 (17179) 2012-11-15 20:06

Hi Abmdsudi,

Great shot of the Sadhu with lots of facial details.The black and white mustache look awesome.Very well taken.TFS.

Cheers
Farhat

COSTANTINO (104011) 2019-10-14 5:42

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
the result of this close up is unique!!!
the expression of the eyes describe
his feelings
welldone
regards
Costantino

Photo Information

Copyright: abmdsudi abmdsudi (abmdsudi) (88443)
Genre: ’νθρωποι
Medium: Έγχρωμο
Date Taken: 2010-02-22
Categories: Αποφασιστική στιγμή
Camera: NIKON D200, Nikkor 70-300 f4-5.6 G, ISO 100 RAW
Έκθεση: f/5.6, 1/250 δευτερόλεπτα
More Photo Info: view
Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
Date Submitted: 2012-11-06 4:20

Viewed: 2379

Points: 72

Discussions

None

Create a new discussion

Additional Photos by abmdsudi abmdsudi (abmdsudi) (88443)

Shaanxi photo
Sichuan photo
Guangdong photo

View More Pictures

Φωτογραφίες

::: Close encounter . . by abmdsudi (88443)

Photographer's Note

Critiques | Translate

Photo Information

Discussions

Additional Photos by abmdsudi abmdsudi (abmdsudi) (88443)

explore TREKEARTH

Προσθήκη Critique [Οδηγίες για τις Κριτικές]
Μόνο τα καταχωρημένα TrekEarth μέλη μπορούν να γράψουν κριτικές.