15 January 2013
old buildings automatically make great subjects... their time-driven textures add that natural element to human creations to make it perfect for crazy people like photographers.... photographers like textures... they venture into stinky damp places in search of textures... but remember that photos only contain visuals, they don't record smell or any other negative aspect of the place... so, if the end result looks cool, that would justify anything...
I've seen Joe McNally take subjects down to shaky boats on crocodile-infested Florida swamps or on flying helicopters above the "Hollywood" sign... all of that to get a great natural-looking backdrop... others like Joel Grimes make their mark as composite artists, combining the subject and the backdrop in Photoshop in a way that would make even the best of critiques think twice...
Baliati Palace provides a diversity in backdrop like no other....
anyway, back to old buildings... like many other photographers, I also got fascinated a little with old buildings as portrait backdrops... Baliati Palace at Manikganj is one of the prime places I've found in Bangladesh... its walls, doors, and arches give numerous opportunities to diversify framing.... they're no doubt great backdrops, but there's something missing there... its not the place where I would go to get a wide shot... for that kinda shot, I would prefer Panamnagar at Sonargaon in Narayanganj.... that place is also great for lovely old backdrops, but recent 'renovations' over there wiped off a lotta cool textures forever and also put some of the most attractive buildings beyond limit... entering these buildings is a challenge for most... though with proper permission its possible to get access...
Panamnagar gives an excellent option with open spaces inside ruins....
another place I would consider good for portrait photography is Rani Bhabani's Palace at Natore..... this place doesn't provide a lotta different backdrops, but certainly a handful.... the other attractive place near Rani Bhabani's Palace is Puthia Palace at Rajshahi.... Puthia's position is a little sensitive though.... I've seen Bangla movie shoots there with actors dancing on temples... well, my experience says thats exactly what one should avoid if you want some last friendship with people over there.... I've got tremendous support from Puthia's caretakers because of my gentle handling.... anyway, this is a sacred place and mostly contain temples... still there are opportunities there keeping the place's integrity intact.... the things most unique about this place are its terracotta.... the temples are full of fantastic terracotta art.... though the terracotta is missing in a lotta places, its still something not to miss....
Puthia Palace provides magnificent terracotta backdrops....
Rani Bhabani's Palace at Natore has some cozy backdrops....
so, do I really think that Baliati is the best portrait backdrop from the ones that I've seen?.... difficult question, but I would say 'yes'.... unless I want open spaces within old structures... for that I would pick Panamnagar... and if I want terracotta, it has to be Puthia.... it also puts the matter of convenience to the fore.... Puthia and Rani Bhabani Palace are far from the capital Dhaka, whereas Panamnagar is the closest, closely followed by Baliati....
what do you think?.... whats your favourite old backdrop? :)
old buildings automatically make great subjects... their time-driven textures add that natural element to human creations to make it perfect for crazy people like photographers.... photographers like textures... they venture into stinky damp places in search of textures... but remember that photos only contain visuals, they don't record smell or any other negative aspect of the place... so, if the end result looks cool, that would justify anything...
I've seen Joe McNally take subjects down to shaky boats on crocodile-infested Florida swamps or on flying helicopters above the "Hollywood" sign... all of that to get a great natural-looking backdrop... others like Joel Grimes make their mark as composite artists, combining the subject and the backdrop in Photoshop in a way that would make even the best of critiques think twice...
anyway, back to old buildings... like many other photographers, I also got fascinated a little with old buildings as portrait backdrops... Baliati Palace at Manikganj is one of the prime places I've found in Bangladesh... its walls, doors, and arches give numerous opportunities to diversify framing.... they're no doubt great backdrops, but there's something missing there... its not the place where I would go to get a wide shot... for that kinda shot, I would prefer Panamnagar at Sonargaon in Narayanganj.... that place is also great for lovely old backdrops, but recent 'renovations' over there wiped off a lotta cool textures forever and also put some of the most attractive buildings beyond limit... entering these buildings is a challenge for most... though with proper permission its possible to get access...
another place I would consider good for portrait photography is Rani Bhabani's Palace at Natore..... this place doesn't provide a lotta different backdrops, but certainly a handful.... the other attractive place near Rani Bhabani's Palace is Puthia Palace at Rajshahi.... Puthia's position is a little sensitive though.... I've seen Bangla movie shoots there with actors dancing on temples... well, my experience says thats exactly what one should avoid if you want some last friendship with people over there.... I've got tremendous support from Puthia's caretakers because of my gentle handling.... anyway, this is a sacred place and mostly contain temples... still there are opportunities there keeping the place's integrity intact.... the things most unique about this place are its terracotta.... the temples are full of fantastic terracotta art.... though the terracotta is missing in a lotta places, its still something not to miss....
so, do I really think that Baliati is the best portrait backdrop from the ones that I've seen?.... difficult question, but I would say 'yes'.... unless I want open spaces within old structures... for that I would pick Panamnagar... and if I want terracotta, it has to be Puthia.... it also puts the matter of convenience to the fore.... Puthia and Rani Bhabani Palace are far from the capital Dhaka, whereas Panamnagar is the closest, closely followed by Baliati....
what do you think?.... whats your favourite old backdrop? :)
