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.”

Original contact sheet (Dec. 2000) - I only made two exposures, seems remarkable now in these days of rapid fire disposable imagery. In the second frame you can see how the arrangement of the figures has really anchored the composition. The light and general scene is impressive enough in the first exposure, but I could sense that a more significant composition was developing - and sure enough all the characters fell into position - one of those once in a lifetime moments.