Stills

The first thing that struck me was the shimmering heat. That does give an extra dimension to the depiction of the Indian way of life. The bicycle and the road sign give a broad indication of the century. Those catttle are very thin. It is interesting how the cattle lead one across the picture and yet she seems to be stationary - perhaps she stopped for a moment to let her photo be taken! The colour of her clothes seems to do battle with the bleaching effect of the sun.
 

I too like the bike (and the red basket). It stops this being just another sacred cow snap. I loved my trip to Rajasthan a few years back. The thing I remember about it is how alive it all was. This contrasts with most pictures that I see - which are either mystical or deep, and definitely stereotyped. The bike makes this photo real.

Oh, and it is a nice portrait of the girl, too.
 

Such an archetypal image, notwithstanding the bike. A more severe crop to remove the bike in an effort to maintain the ‘purity’ of the archetype may have been tempting for some but I don’t think it would have been an improvement. The bike is another dimension or question to ask I suppose and that is where my eyes end up and dwell. I wonder why with such a powerful foreground subject? Perhaps, as auspicious says, it makes the photo real.
 

thanks. John Larry's Kathmandu image inspired me to share this.

Rex: didn't noticed the boy with bike when I shoot this. so he was accidently added. but I'm glad he is included. the story could be he is enjoying his time while his sister had to take care of the cows... by all means imaginable.

John E: the shimmering heat... we had up to 47° C in Jodhpur. really hot.
most cattles in india look like that. just thin. didn't remember if the girl noticed me taking the shot. her red clothes and the red spots in the BG adds a nice contrast to the environment.

Colin: strongly agree about all being alive and colorful there. lively all day.
doesn't matter if holy day or workaday. just in opposite as here in germany.
been in India three times and love it for its life and colors, mysteries and contrasts.
if there is a chance to go again I'll take it.

JohnJo: yes it would be easy to crop out the boy and In fact I spent a short thought
on cropping but he is there and part of the impression. without it would be just another sacred cow shot as Colin said. the bike as symbol of a contemporary reality of a modern India. progress and tradition side by side.
 

Glad that my picture made you show this. I like the way the environment is captured here. The figure on the bicycle adds to this. I think that the first thing to catch my eye was the rib cages of the cows, particularly on the right. The background gives a feel of a hot, dusty city. The girl, in her red sari, adds a bit of colour. Her face and sari does look a bit dark and I wndered if using the dodge tool, lightly, would enhance her and let us have a better look at her face.
 

thanks John L
the girl's face and sari are already dodged. it was difficult to keep the balance with the enviroment and not to 'overdodge'. so this was the most pleasing result to me.