michael_bialecki Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Hello everybody, Here are some photos that I shot with my Leica m6ttl in New Delhi, India on October 29, 2005. These photos were taken on the Main Bazaar in Paharganj when some Islamic extremists detonated a bomb the night before the Diwali festival. I was in India working independently on some documentary projects with my Leica, and I was in New Delhi that weekend waiting for my Pakistani visa so I could go the earthquake affected region. I posted some questions on this forum while I was in Pakistan because I was having some issues with my light meter and I received some interesting responses, those who responded know who they are. Anyways, I contacted Gamma in Paris who sold some of my photos of the bomb blast to Paris Match, I ended up getting 4 pages published in the early November issue. I was asked by some members of this forum if I could post some of my images and I stated that I when I got back to the states I would. Well, I am back in the states and I am currently trying to build a website and I decided to share these photos with the members of this forum. These photos were developed by a commercial lab overnight in Delhi, they did not do a good job and they have to be re- washed in some photoflo when I get back in the darkroom, and the images could use some adjustments in Photoshop, so please save the criticism about the quality of the scans, it was a miracle that I found someone willing to develop two rolls of tri-x on a Saturday night in New Delhi, after a terrorist attack. The bomb detonated 18 minutes after the sun went down, I know this because it was Ramadam, there was little light to work with, my shutter speeds were slow, my lens were wide open, there was fire and body parts all around me, it was total chaos, and the fact that I was 30 seconds away from where the bomb went off and my life almost ended, needless to say it was a very difficult thing for me to photograph. I have many photographs that I would like to share with the members of this forum, because some of you have given me valuable advice while I was in India and Pakistan and I appreciate that. I hope that I can complete my website and get some of my images up soon. Thanks and sorry for this being so long......Michael Bialecki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoody Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 God, how does one respond to this? I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to witness this, let alone take photos. I take that back. After looking at the photo more, I think maybe I can actually "begin" (only begin) to imagine what it must have been like. Thank you for sharing. In a way I look forward to seeing more and in another I'd just as soon never seen them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_unsworth1 Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 One of the best photographs I ever seen here. The stillness of the head of the central character while all aroung him is a blur of motion gives a real sense of chaos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Michael, any advice or comfort the forum has given you is more than repaid by this one image alone. I can't wait to see more, and I want to thank you for pushing through what must have been incredible horror, fear, and sadness to take these pictures. This kind of testimony is direct evidence of the truth of the Buddha's words: "Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is unalterable law." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 that's a first class photo, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael s. Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 I was among those asking that you post upon your return, Michael. My goodness! A harrowing and terrible event. That you were able to photograph it at all, much less as capably and vividly as you have, shows your seriousness and your commitment. Glad you're back safe, and I look forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 very impressive image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gup Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Unsettling. Disturbing. Fascinating. Wonderful work. Gup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Great to see you back here michael excellent work! regards C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Nice example. I wish that you will sell a lot of photos and get all the exposure, money etc and all that. Please do visit here and share your work whenever you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtk Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 It's reassuring to see the humanity Michael's depicted, in the midst of the innately religious horror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_t3 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Mike, Thank god you were alright, it's amazing sometimes how fate works in that you were only 30 seconds away from the blast. Sometimes seconds can change lives forever. This image is a fascinating one. The look in the face of the central figure is incredible coupled with it's sharpness in comparison to the rest of the photo. It reminded me of 9/11 and the images that surfaced after that horrific event. Again, thank god you were o.k., that's the most important thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_senzaorbi Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 What's amazing to me is that Michael bothered to come back here and share his work after the way he was treated and accused in <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EAD8">this thread</a> which was never edited or deleted. Someone accused me of being a pseudonym and having multiple pseudonyms on a thread yesterday, I guess this must be some sort of initiation rite? Actually I have to thank Michael for his example, if a photog with his kind of chops can ignore the pinheads, an average joe like me can too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekkie Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 A classic that portrays the event so very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 I am reminded of images that I have seen of Vietnam and also the images of 9-11. Its an incredible image that shows the horror of the event. I look forward to seeing more of your posts Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prof-K Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Disturbing. Great capture Michael, and I'm glad that you are ok. Sad that this has become a regular event in my country (Bangladesh) too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben conover Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Outstanding, thanks for the details. I also find the Staedtler erasers too soft and they wear out too quick, women like Sue are usually right about those things........ Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 <I>"...ignore the pinheads..."</I> <P> Tony you've been a member for less than a month and an hour ago you were apologizing for your "bad behavior". Now now you're back stirring the pot. Why don't you just chill a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 I'm curious how a new member can remember an old thread so well, Tony? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over exposure Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Glad that you survived.... The picture is outstanding, I doubt that making too many comments on it could explain my feelings better.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_senzaorbi Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 "Eric ~ Prolific Poster, feb 05, 2006; 11:29 p.m. I'm curious how a new member can remember an old thread so well, Tony?" What to remember? I loved the photo Michael posted here, so I clicked on his name to learn more about him, and there I read through his previous posts. There were only a few, including the one where he was basically accused of being a fraud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Last night your user account was list as being deleted, today it's back. What gives? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shayne_herrera Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 amazing story... but I think the picture is even more amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 "Last night your user account was list as being deleted, today it's back. What gives?" Curious, isn't it. Perhaps, in this case, the squeaky wheel got some grease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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