Taj Mahal before a storm

Posted by Richard_Irwin (Belper, United Kingdom) on 10 April 2007 in Architecture and Portfolio.

This image was taken some time ago. It was in the weeks leading up to the monsoon, and Agra was baking in 48C of heat and 90% humidity. I was visiting the Taj Mahal just as the storm arrived.

The swealtering stillness was broken by the appearance of a hot wind which rustled the reed fences in the melon fields by the River Jamuna. The rain came just after, a welcome from the terrible heat.

In the shot, I used a slow shutter speed to capture the movement, and whilst I was still in the hot wind, cooling rain had reached the Taj Mahal to the right

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Comments (15)

Sujit from Hyderabad, India

Its simple beautiful. A welcome change from the cliched pictures of the magnificent Taj. Great shot.

10 Apr 2007 1:03am

Art Monkey from Salt Spring Island, Canada

I love the softness of this photo and I agree with Sujit - it's pretty interesting to see what is outside of the Taj - especially when you have never been there

10 Apr 2007 1:49am

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Great shot! Thanks for sharing!

10 Apr 2007 1:59am

Bronnie from Christchurch, New Zealand

Wonderful, wonderful - and I've seen a few shots of the Taj that are beautiful, but this is quite different, quite special. Thanks for sharing.

10 Apr 2007 2:24am

Rui Borges from Sintra, Portugal

Yes!
Different and beautiful view!

10 Apr 2007 4:46am

Taimaz from Iran

gnostic - Great shot!

10 Apr 2007 8:06am

Nick Passantino from Bronx, United States

I didnt even notice the Taj at first glance because of the fog.. But with it in the background this is a great shot

10 Apr 2007 10:52am

Rahul from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Thats a cool shot of Taj. What were you doing in the fields. ;-) Ok just kidding, very well executed and nice angle. I have never seen Taj from such distance. :)

Taj is absolute beauty though. The lovers memorial, loved by all loving hearts around the world.

10 Apr 2007 12:50pm

chiaki from Japan

very unusual image of Taj.
beautiful!!

10 Apr 2007 12:59pm

Jen from Jessup, United States

Beautiful shot and I love your commentary, I could almost feel the humidity and the anticipation of a cool rain! : )

10 Apr 2007 3:00pm

Lydia from Ottawa, Canada

I love how this picture captures a different view of the Taj Mahal, whre it is not necessarily the focus of the picture, but you can feel its presence in the background. It looks very humid! Great photo!

10 Apr 2007 10:59pm