Washing day..., a photo from Gandaki, West

Photographer's Note

Washing clothes in lakes and rivers is still the normal way of doing laundry in many less-developed parts of the world and Phewa Lake is no exception. The general population in the surrounding areas rely on the lake for most life functions and the uses are nearly endless such as agricultural use, as an energy source, transportation, drinking, bathing etc.

As I have observed, the women folks would normally come here twice daily - in the early morning and late afternoon- to do their routine, washing clothes as part of their livelihood chores, because most don't have the luxury of washing machines to wash at home. Their portable scrub boards, plastic tubs and soap - the essential items- can be seen lying around the lake shore are indication of the lively activity while some women can be seen scrubbing their laundry on some rocks.

This is the place I had spent hours of watching women engaged in the rigorous activity while noting down their behaviour and work patterns. I call this a multi-purpose lake, but most times this lake looks so peaceful like this and here I was so grateful witnessing the sole woman washing at late hour of the day, surrounded by beauty of mother nature as the sun began to set.

Being alone as a stranger photographer has an advantage, I was able to immerse myself in the tranquil setting unnoticed and this allowed me to watch the whole proceedings without intruding the privacy and her precious time till the last light dipped beyond the lush mountains when the lake turned to darkness.
And jobs finally well accomplished....

This magical setting will forever be branded in my minds

emilbo, Graal, ourania, bukitgolfb301, mirosu, kordinator, siolaw, CLODO, adramad, TopGeo, papagolf21, bayno, marabu61, Cricri, SnapRJW, Nard, josepmarin, thebest, amaryllis, aliabazari, COSTANTINO, Kielia, PiotrF, Didi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emilbo (22616) 2012-10-31 6:38

All� Abmdsudi!
Un beau tableau de fin de journ閑 peint par la nature. La perspective est excellente et l'effet d'閏lairage est merveilleux. Les couleurs et les reflets sont fantastiques. La silhouette du personnage est int閞essante et participe � la beaut� de la photo. Beau travail.
Bravo mon ami!... et bonne fin de soir閑,
Emilius

mayjayne (7204) 2012-10-31 7:23

Dear Abmdsudi,

You have made washing clothes almost magical, with the mountains in the background, and the wonderful reflections in the water! A wonderful image.

TFS,
May

No_One (4) 2012-10-31 10:15

Hi Abmdsudi,
May has used the word magical in teh post above, and that is the perfect word. There is a fine sense of mystery and otherworldiness to this, I think it being the silhouette in teh dark, and beautiful warm golden light on the left. The mist over the mountains helps this also. This image could have taken at any point in time for centuries back, really nicely done. Love the colours and light is fantastic!
All the best
Noel

Fis2 (170861) 2012-10-31 10:27

Witaj Abmdsudi!
I like this daily life shot.
Beautiful colours and light.
Photo has climate.
Excellent work.
Best regards
Krzysztof

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-10-31 10:37

Hello Abmdsudi,
washing day-certainly quite exhausting way of doing laundry,but the beautiful scenery around makes up at least a little for this inconvenient.Very nice,kind of intimate scene taken with good sense of the situation.Excellently composed and framed,but one thing comes to the fore-namely this beautiful,soft light so lovely illuminating the whole scene with its warm colors.Especially the reflections in the water in the foreground look so captivating.
Well done!
Best regards
Krzysztof

holmertz (102774) 2012-10-31 11:00

Hello Abmdsudi,
It's getting dark at the end of a long day when this woman has already spent many others fetching water, collecting firewood, cooking food for her family, fed the animals and what else. We can see her still working hard standing in the water while the sun casts its last reflexes on the surface. You managed the sparse light excellently and created a good balance between the large reflection and the woman.
Kind regards,
Gert

Glint (6171) 2012-10-31 11:08

Hello Abmdsudi,
this is an image infused with atmosphere. So tranquil, a scene to quiet the nerves. The light falling on the water bottom left is a lovely element and works compositionally too as it shimmers and ripples diagonally from the corner.The woman and her shadow are perfectly placed.
Bev

Waylim (25436) 2012-10-31 11:42

Hi Abmdsudi,

Very low light but you manage very well, which also bring us the very moody shot of the early morning. As the day begin, the people go on their daily life. This would be a lovely landscape shot but with the presence of the washer, adds daily life and cultural element to the photo. Will be in Nepal in a few days.

Way

Graal (103040) 2012-10-31 12:23

Hi Abmdsudi,
amazing scene and interesting comment in note. Photo is well composed and done. Fine quality. I like it.
Have a nice evening.
Aleksander

madhumita_roy86 (2344) 2012-10-31 12:32

Hi Abmdsudi,
very good capture..
excellent sharpness...
nice moment..peaceful ambiance..
great colours..nice reflections..
Tfs! regards,
Madhumita.

ourania (51103) 2012-10-31 12:41

Hello Abmdsudi,
I love this still and peaceful, blue and hazy ambiance. The lady is doing her laundry in a magnificent setting where the only sound heard must be that of the water. I also love the darkness, the mysterious view of the village across the lake and the golden reflections of the last light of the day. Your lighting is masterful, the blue tones, the shadows and the texture of the water are mesmerizing. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great month,
Ourania

pajaran (115989) 2012-10-31 13:36

Pozdrav.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lep pogled na jezero i gospodju koja pere rublje ...
Dobra ostrina, kontrast i perspektiva, lepe boje.
Dobra kompozicija, lepi refleksi na vodi.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2012-10-31 16:54

Hi dear Abmdsudi YTH

So fantastic and artstic image again.
Under-exposure adds so much tasteful atmosphere.
Great composition too. Many tnaks for your sharing and have a good day!

Takero from Tokyo

mirosu (16313) 2012-10-31 23:05

Hi Abmdsudi!
A great use of decent light. The deep depth of field and overall clarity is perfect. A well presented crop allows eyes to remain fixed on the woman in the water. The nice light on the sky, the light reflections in water and the dark hills in BG in the background also lend a lovely contrast to the scene. Have a nice day.

Bartleby (13552) 2012-11-01 1:55

Dear Abmdsudi,
what I especially like here is the low-light atmosphere which is so well-rendered. Those patches of golden glow really are eye-catching and composition is to the book. Nice!

Philippe

kordinator (8738) 2012-11-01 2:37

Hello Abmdsudi
This is a fantastic picture from the lake.
Beautiful, conjured life.
Imagine that the woman sitting next to the computer and put the laundry in the washing cheerful, so these photos to moderators deleted. :)
Very nice atmosphere and a fantastic sunset.
Fantastic compositions with excellent quality of the image and amazing colors.
Kind regards
Sa歛

siolaw (38294) 2012-11-01 2:52

Hi Abmdsudi
The low POV and the timing, with some sunlight visible in the reflections, give a well conveyed atmosphere and mood. I use to stay in a little house above the lake more than 30 years ago, it was a great time there!
Greetings
Laurent

CLODO (45116) 2012-11-01 3:09

hello Abmdsudi

the dark hues of the mountain and lake are enlighten by the golden colors of the clouds reflections in the water. This landscape is inhabited by a woman washing her cloth which reflection is also in a golden area.
My best regards
CLODO

yaya13baut (3344) 2012-11-01 4:18

Hi Abmdsudi,
nice light and colours giving that shades and this golden look to the water of the lake.
the picture is quite well composed : the mountains in the background give a natural frame to the scene and the eye is leading to the womand who is washing the clothes on the right.
Yannis

adramad (73006) 2012-11-01 5:00

Hello Abmdsudi.
A very beautiful composition, reminiscent also a pictorial composition, lights and these reflections in the water are a true marvel, the lady who is washing, is a nice touch vital to the image.
Superb how well you've managed the light and shadows in place, I like the atmosphere that creates these dark tones of color.
Great job, I love it.
Have a nice day.
Best regards.
Luis.

TopGeo (38220) 2012-11-01 5:58

Hello Abmdsudi.
A very beautiful composition, a pictorial composition, lights and these reflections in the water are ideal vital to the image of sunset. I like this writing
"This magical setting will forever be branded in my minds" gave a romantic person with a pleasure to see your wonderful landscapes Beautiful colours, lovely lighting, perfect exposure and stunning sharpness.
Beautiful.....charming ...
Kind Regards,
Georgios

JudyR (1671) 2012-11-01 6:09

wonderful colors and a beautifully balanced portrait. Reminds me of a painting by Maxfield Parrish. Do you know his work?

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-11-01 9:52

Hello,
Amazing atmosphere in that moment. I live the colors and the soft colored reflections. Amazing catch!

Daniel

papagolf21 (152607) 2012-11-01 10:03

Bonsoir, Abmdsudi,
Encore une photographie d'une grande beaut�. Les reflets dor閟 sur l'eau sont superbes. Les sujets parfaitement mis en valeur.
De l'excellent travail !
Bravo !
Amiti閟.
Philippe

livermore (1631) 2012-11-01 15:20

Bonsoir Abmsdsudi,
Cette photo est superbe, les couleurs, les reflets sur l'eau.
Il s'en d間age une atmosph鑢e tr鑣 agr閍ble.
Amiti閟
Vincent

bayno (18348) 2012-11-02 1:38

Ciao Abmdsudi,
beautiful golden reflections on the water, excellent light management and always a good framing, you have made perfectly the idea of the atmosphere and customs of this people, wonderful shot...with excellent quality
best regards,
Valter

fabbs99 (17179) 2012-11-02 7:30

Hello Abmdsudi,

I have been to Fewa lake in Pokhkra around 15 years back and I found it to be one of the most beautiful lakes surrounded by massive hills.This early morning shot displaying a lady washing clothes has a great flavor of the place.The reflections in the water and the misty air weaves a magic in your shot.Very well done.TFS.

Best Regards
Farhat

marabu61 (11587) 2012-11-02 7:53

Hello Abmdsudi
Ah well, washing has to be done everywhere and alas I don't think that magical location helps to ease the chore.
This is very well thought trough to take this shot while the light of the day is fading away, it is so calming in a way.
have a good weekend
Daniel

Cricri (176) 2012-11-02 12:20

Hi Abmdsudi
Vous avez bien capturer la sc閚e de la dame sans "la d閞anger" dans son travail, j'aime l'effet de la lumi鑢e dans l'eau, le graphisme des montagnes a l'horizon, la douceur du moment et l'instant paisible, tr鑣 jolie
Belle soir閑
cricri

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-11-02 22:21

Hello Abmdsudi - Your words here add a very good layer of understanding and a poetic commentary to this peaceful scene. The woman is obviously working hard, she probably has been all day, but your photograph adds a romantic feel to the mundane activity. I like the way you speak about being unobserved and enjoying watching the activities on and around the lake unfurl before you, I think your shot conveys that idea, I can imagine the simple pleasure of watching and enjoying the play of light on water. The quiet splash, the vigorous rub, the lap of water against the bank. There, I have transported myself into the scene, that's the mark of a good image. excellent. Warm regards rosemary

chrisvek (7003) 2012-11-03 3:43

Ηello Abmdsudi

That's a great photo with superb composition and colors.Amazing background and very nice POV.Very good job!

Have a splendid weekend
Chris

Nard (6972) 2012-11-03 5:01

Hi Abmdsudi,
Sweet light and colors for a quiet and beautiful place. I like the atmosphere that gives, far away, out of time, but so pleasant. The reflects of the clouds in the FG are also wonderful.
Regards
Bernard

eldancer1 (36343) 2012-11-03 9:19

Wow! Awesome capture of the daily life! Very moving moment but also sad to think how those people lives. Love the soft lighting as well as the reflection and it has good dof with nice details. Very well done, tfs.

josepmarin (59385) 2012-11-03 11:12

Hi Abmdsudi,
the weak light of the late afternoon, the wonderful tones of the reflections on the water, the mountainous landscape, the clouds in the sky, and the scene of the daily life, with the woman washing clothes in the lake, they form a really beautiful composition, very subtle and full of serenity.
The technical execution is impeccable, and the image has a high quality.
A beautiful work, my friend.
Best regards,
Josep

jemaflor (147224) 2012-11-04 12:15

Hi A,
What a wonderful golden light, great result with this lonely woman, very well mananged, congratulations !

sacavem (18620) 2012-11-07 7:47

Ol� Abmdsudi,

The other TE friends have said all, but I think this photo can bear another two points ... ;-)

Filipe

thebest (4276) 2012-11-12 1:24

Hello Abmdsudi,

This is a beautiful image it reminds me of an oil painting - the glossy effect of the water is brilliant - the sun has almost gone down leaving just enough light to capture what I think is a brilliant artistic shot.
Congratulations Abmdsudi.

Kindest regards,
Dawn.

amaryllis (37047) 2012-11-14 5:00

Bonjour
une superbe photo de fin de journ閑 et une sc鑞e de la vie "quotidienne" de lavage dans cette eau avec des reflets splendides; certes les machines � laver sont inexistantes et ces femmes viennent ici comme le montre si bien ta photo
excellente composition
Juliette

kato (11630) 2012-11-15 15:57

Hi Abmdsudi,

You're capturing well daily life by a good compositionand excellent tone, so it's impressive to see the spectacle that the woman is washing clothes at the lake. It's effective for reflection of sunset dyed to the lake and mountain layers.

Regards,
mikio

aliabazari (22281) 2012-11-15 20:34

abmdsudi Dear
It is so beautiful. Exposure and mix well performed.
Thank you for registering an attractive image.

Regards ...

COSTANTINO (116580) 2012-11-17 7:10

Hello
another interesting shot with useful notes
I like a lot the artistic way you have been
used for this capture,amazing reflections
with an excellent movement of the seasurface
regards
have a nice weekedn
Costantino

CanmoreKevin (2111) 2012-11-21 15:34

Abmdsudi,
Beautiful limited colours. I love the depth and reflections. The figure is nicely placed.
Kevin

Kielia (24077) 2012-11-24 6:21

Hi Abmdsudi,
this is a very nice note that is accompanying this interesting impression of the washing ceremony. Looking at this image I can only praise the engineers who invented the washing machine.
The colors are very pleasant and your excellent POV gives a good idea of the activities by the river. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

elenimavrandoni (0) 2013-02-17 12:46

Magical moment right at the end of the day when all the colors get softer and the nature is resting quietly giving an extraordinary scenery as a reward to a great photographer!
a beautiful picture,
Eleni

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-05-03 20:06

hmmm very impressive and very moody.beautiful evening colors and atmosphere.
regards
dwaipayan

berek (50518) 2015-06-15 21:37

Dear Abmdsudi
A beautiful picture end of day painted by nature. The outlook is excellent and the lighting effect is wonderful. The colors and reflections are fantastic.
Greetings
Burak

PiotrF (54788) 2016-10-21 16:29

Hello Abmdsudi,
A nice view of this beautiful place, nice daily life scene.I like warm colors , nice composition and very good quality. Interesting notes.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Didi (61589) 2019-07-28 11:09

Hi abmdsudi
Very peacefull ambiance in this scene Very good lights in the early morning
Well done
Best regards