Taj Mahal continues to be a photographer's delight

As one of the world's most photographed monuments, the 17th century Taj Mahal continues to delight and fascinate camerapersons from all over the world.

Every day, hordes of photographers - both amateurs and professionals - shoot pictures of the white marble mausoleum, bringing joy and excitement to those who pose against its backdrop.

"For many, it's the fulfilment of a dream," tourist guide Ved Gautam told IANS.

"It's the architecture, the perspective and the unique backdrop that includes the Yamuna and a whitish skyline that appears to extend to eternity that I find most appealing," added Gautam, who has started a photography club.

For 90-year-old Ramesh Chandra Khandelwal Agra's oldest photographer and who runs the more than a century old firm of Priya Lal and Sons, the Taj Mahal will never lose its fascination and awe.

"One building with immaculate, Nayaab dimensions, perfect lighting conditions, such variety of angles and contrasts, what else could a photographer want? And if you take into account its history and the romanticism associated with it, who would not like to be photographed with it," he asked.

Wildlife photographer Lalit Rajora, who began his journey 16 years ago from the Taj Mahal, still cannot delink himself with the grand Mughal monument.

"The grand Taj Mahal, with its enticing beauty, has an eternal fascination for me. Its aesthetic beauty, pristine craftsmanship and grandeur attract me as a photograph does. As a photographer, when this attraction converted into an unfading romance and passion is difficult to tell. All I can say is that the Taj, under the seasonal hues of the sky enkindles my soul, gives wings to my imagination and meaning to my expression and creativity," Rajoria declaimed.

Vijay Goyal, who spent 20-odd years at the Taj Mahal shooting pictures for tourists and VIPs, told IANS: "I recall the statement of a lady tourist long back. She reacted: 'Oh my god, this looks much better than the photograph I saw back home'."

(Aug 19 was World Photography Day)