Taj Mahal, Agra, India (Dec. 2000) - “I took this photograph on my trusty Nikon FM2 in 2000, I’d just won the Observer Outdoor Photographer of the Year, and part of the prize was a trip to India.
We arrived at sunrise, the soft light, diffused through the mist, gave the intricate marble and architectural detail a luminance and iridescent quality. As I framed the image and prepared to make an exposure I became aware of the tourists moving and milling about and I realised the composition was about to become more refined, something more than another souvenir snapshot of the Taj Mahal. And sure enough, all the tourists did fall into position - it could not have been orchestrated any better. A genuine moment. And of course shooting on film - no instant review or play back, but I had a feeling I had something special. I only made two exposures on the day - which seems remarkable now in these days of digital, rapid-fire disposable imagery.”