Fifth class (1974) Photo

Photographer’s Note

I can clearly remember that there were 4 classes on this train - because for the adventure we travelled in the fourth class! I am describing those who rode on the roof as the fifth class. I do wonder if they if they all survived?

This photo was taken in the late afternoon and there was little light. By turning this image into sepia I have been able to strengthen the low light and enhance the prominent features which are the roof travellers and the people sitting on the adjacent railway track.

A scan from a kodachrome slide.

syrus_persia, holmertz, denisn72, PaulVDV, CycleEyes, macondo, fanni, mahmoud, Koopman, sevy, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (9328) 2008-12-20 5:09

Hello Marlene,
Oh, what a beauty! I have heard some wonderful stories about train travelling in Sudan, but I never got the opportunity myself. (Not that I regret it too much). There's a marvellous atmosphere to this picture, mainly due to the composition and the light, but also because of the sepia tones.
Best wishes,
Gert
PS The first time I was in Pakistan they still had a "Servants' class" on the trains.

brandstaetter (13758) 2008-12-20 5:13

Hi Marlene,
an old one, a good one..the quality of the scan is OK, what I like best is the perspective and the backlight. Produces an authentic mood.
Compliments, Chris

denisn72 (6909) 2008-12-20 5:15

Hi Marlene
I like the old style you gave to the picture by turning it to sepia. The ones on the roof probably have a better view than the inside and the wind refreshes them. I like the point of view you chose. Thanks for sharing those memories.
Have a great day
Denis!

rodgerg (23207) 2008-12-20 6:08

Hello Marlene,

A very interesting and a very good scan of 1974.
This slige show the life in Africa in this time, a scene of evryday's life well collecetd. A good photowork very interesting for TE.
Best regards,
Roger

yaya13baut (2233) 2008-12-20 7:04

Hi Marlene,
nice daily scene, interesting : it shows us how poor people travel in this part of the world (and elsewhere too).
Good use of the sepia treatment.
Yannis

PaulVDV (5068) 2008-12-20 11:56

Hello Marlene,
This picture is an important document of the daily life in Sudan.
You wonder if the people on the roof survived the train ride. I don't know for how many hours they were on that train ...
I'm perhaps wrong but I would fear more to be inside.
Best regards, Paul

CycleEyes (598) 2008-12-20 14:03

Alô Marlene,
Great capture of moment and report, it´s seem old book photo. I like this intense atmosphere with monochrome, very opportune and nice shot.
George

macondo (12991) 2008-12-21 1:40

Hi Marlene.
I like these old photos that have been scanned, and have been meaning to dig mine out for ages. You must be about the same age as me if you went travelling in the 70s. I like the atmosphere in this one and the strong gleams off the tracks, strengthening the perspective effect. Your use of the sepia has done wonders for the shot, giving it a timeless and documentary quality as well as rescuing the light and shade of the colour version. Great title too.
Regards,
Andrew

fanni (8717) 2008-12-21 4:52

Hello Marlene,
I agree with your idea of converting the image into sepia! Thus the scene acquired a very special look, and it is more emotional and more impressive.
I like the perspective view very much!
Very interesting photo. For a moment this scene reminded me of the movie "The Sheltering Sky". Some associations...
I wouldn't ever dare to travel "the 5th class"! But I know that sometimes we can't but "travel" in such a way, no matter whether we want it or not!
kind regards,
Elena

jmdias (18819) 2008-12-21 5:46

marlene

it is a nice image, the lines croissing the compo in the diagonal,the sillouets. we can enjoy the place and the way people live there. good the simplicity and this artistic framing

well done

hugs

jorge

syrus_persia (2122) 2008-12-22 0:08

Salam Marlene
Very beautiful compo! Excellent perspective and very good lighting. Well done.
cyrus

LuxAdams (16) 2009-01-01 16:26

I love the colors in this one. Great photo.

marcdemoulin (1492) 2009-01-06 12:14

Stunning light, stunning picture. Love the grain. Bonne année Marlene in 2009.
Marc

Koopman (907) 2009-01-22 5:21

Hi Marlene,
Strong composition. The rails accentuate the perspective. At a glance you see how they travel(led)in India. However, this picture also could have made yesterday.Therefore, in my idea, pure black and white is als an option.
Regards Henk

sevy (12961) 2009-02-13 10:27

Hello Marlene,

Interesting your idea to have dealt in sepia this scanned slide. It seems to come from an other and ancient time.
Very good composition playing with the perspective effect of the railways and showing how much the train is filled.
Should have been a great travel than this one. Difficult to see now what Suddan is.

Yves.

worldcitizen (2201) 2009-03-13 18:46

Hello Marlene,
This photo is full of nostalgia, and there are lots of interesting details to take in. I like all of the different travelers: some on the roof, some sitting on the rails. The sepia really adds to the mood, and the lighting is great. This looks like a scene from a movie, frozen in time.