Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
I was in a hurry on a hot, humid morning in Calcutta, India, in October 2006 when I noticed something interesting. This unusual stack, part of what must have been hundreds of light bulbs, had just been taken down from the facade of a residential apartment block.
The lights had been used to illuminate the building during the festive Puja season, in an age-old tradition where lights and assorted decorations adorn homes of all descriptions. The Pujas are a prolonged holiday period during which Indian cities are transformed into havens of shimmering night-time light.
I composed this shot to emphasise the careful manner in which the bulbs had been arranged, but also to draw the eye towards the colour-coded wiring. Obviously the lights were removed in a certain sequence, and were about to be stored in a way in which they could easily be retrieved and replaced the next year.
Visit TNChick's Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Electric''.
Yeah, my Christmas lights look just like that. (Not!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the amazing photos. Some eyes see so much more than others.
I wish I could see them lit up. I like the understanding of the order behind the riot of light.
ReplyDeleteThe up and down of it.
You always see beauty in such interesting things.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could see those all strung out and lit up. It must have been a sight!
I love that shot, nice and bright!
ReplyDeletenow that's one helluva neat packing job!
ReplyDeleteLove the colors! enJOY your day!
ReplyDeleteFantastic picture. I just found you via some tangential internet leaps.
ReplyDeleteGlancing at the pictures quickly I thought it was ripe & unripe tomatoes! Wondered why you were talking about light!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I looked very carefully after that & saw the bulbs! Great neat & tidy sequence.
Great pictures.
How colorful, wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteshows the difference from America, where we know if throw the lights out we can get them next year for $1 at Target...yikes!
ReplyDeletelooks like a lot of balls to me mate!
ReplyDeletesaz x
Ooo! Clever! At ferst I thort they wer tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteImagine all the work it takes to hang the lights and then take them down and to bundle them properly. I bet they're festive when they're hung and all lit up!
ReplyDeleteI like them because they look like candy to me; therefore childhood memories of happy times.
ReplyDeleteYes, David, the wiring makes this shot rich indeed. Great composition.
ReplyDeleteI have just been watching a documentary called 'My big Fat Indian Wedding' Glorious, you really know how to put on a show. I couldn't begin to imagine how many lights were used for all the fabulous parties, and the couple were soooooo beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI thought they were lemons and tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteThey look good enough to eat!
The lights looked like apples on my blog roll-- The lights are very cool. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
They look great like that. I can just imagine how wonderful they must look when they are turned on.
ReplyDeleteI hope I can be as meticulous as that when I bring down our tree's lights, :D
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Wow, so painterly! They look like some kind of fruits!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Suzanne, I wish I could see them lit up.
ReplyDeleteGood morning David, when I first looked at your shot, I thought I was seeing cherry tomatoes!!! A great picture of sets of lights..my husband likes to wrap up our Christmas lights a certain way to keep them straight for the next year.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week-end. Baba
Yes Christmas is coming and those lights will be on...Happy hunting.
ReplyDeleteThat is so colorful and unusual David I love when I see something new and totally unexpected --come see where those got started on my post
ReplyDeleteThat is a great shot...very clever for "Electric" blog.
ReplyDeleteVery unique take and colorful shots!
ReplyDeleteThose are really neat. I thought at first they were some funky type of Christmas light until I read the story. Great take on the theme and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHow very pretty, they look like cherry tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteMy Photo Hunt entry is here.
Seems that everyone was inspired by your light this week!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. Love the festive colors. Reminds me of christmas.
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