City of gods

City of gods, originally uploaded by Digital Monk.

Local people hang out at Patan durbar square early morning as pigeons scour the area to find food.

I had been to a photo frame shop in Kathmandu, when a photo caught my attention. That photo was neatly framed and was showcased. Not able to look away ,I went closer and talked to my friend about the photo's location and composition. It was a really well composed shot. In my mind I was wondering how I had missed to click a similar shot in that location. And then it hit me - I wanted to emulate the photo. It took a month or so.. but finally I was able to capture this shot which is strikingly similar to the one hanging in that frame shop. That's when I thought to myself - thoughts become things!

I think watching and learning is an integral part of growing... and growing fast. Many may criticize and say that this photo is a copy of the photograph from the shop (I still do not know who clicked the original shot though) and that such practice is unethical. Well may be. But, it does not hurt to try and find out what it takes for you to capture the shot yourself. We all watch and learn don't we? I believe it's true that we watch - imitate - learn, and over time ideas, techniques, imagination et al builds up and one fine day we realize that we have developed a style, which is unique to ourselves - we grow up as photographers!

Emulation, if used ethically, can sure bring out the best in us :-]