During my trip to Lahore, Pakistan June, 2014, I planned a visit to Masjid Wazir Khan. It was hot and bright sunny day, not a particularly favorable light for landscape or architectural photography. Scarcity of time didn't allow me to schedule for golden or blue hour. I had company of my nephew; though, he do not have much love for photography nor for historical sites.
To be discreet for obvious reasons I preferred using light weight Fuji and smallest Canon DSLR, all gear was easily accommodated in small Kata messenger bag:
Masjid Wazir Khan, located near Kotwali Chowk on Shahi Guzargah. Famous historical Mosque was build during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shahjehan. Outside 400 year old spectacular Mosque are mostly metal workshops. Kingly passages around the mosque have turned into black broken roads; whereas, adjacent Delhi Gate (historical site) entrance is rebuild many times to keep the Mughal architecture attractive. Renovation work was under progress in the Mosque as well. Lahore city may have developed and changed its face; however, this block reflects the true flavor of Lahore.
Beggars would welcome you outside many of the mosques in Pakistan, this mosque was no exception; surprisingly, instead of money they asked me to shoot them, which, gladly I did. I find it very comfortable that people in Pakistan generally and Lahore particularly were very welcoming to photographers.
Main entrance leads to three different areas of mosque, left and right sides to small rooms, stores and stairs to roof, while centre arch takes to the mosque hall through courtyard.
Beyond the main entrance of the mosque footwear are not allowed; floor of courtyard was very hot, I burned my feet after taking few steps trying to compose a shot from the centre. To facilitate visitors a thick jute carpet is laid from the entrance to the main hall of the mosque. A small pool in the middle of the courtyard provides wudu facility to worshippers; ironically, the water inside the pool was not very clean.
Undoubtedly the architecture was beautiful, patterns or what remaining of it on the arches, walls and roof were mesmerising.
On our way out, the watchman told we can view the locked portion of the mosque, if we "co-operate" and we "co-operated". The top of the "unlocked" minaret was the highest place in the mosque which provided view to the whole block.
The visit was to document historical site; it also gave me insights on rich cultural and historical background of Lahore. Speaking as a photographer, it was a great opportunity and I wish to go back in lower temperature at dusk hour; that day intensity of light forced me to bracket and blend digitally which I usually avoid. However, the neighbouring areas interest me more as a photographer. Fujifilm X-T1 worked really well for me coupled with XF 10-24mm F/4. It is much lighter and smaller than Canon 5D MkII with EF17-40 F/4 setup. Fujifilm X-T1 grabs very little or no attention at all on the streets, fewer people thinks that I am a "journalist"; and the result is not inferior compared to Canon's 5D MkII.
To be discreet for obvious reasons I preferred using light weight Fuji and smallest Canon DSLR, all gear was easily accommodated in small Kata messenger bag:
- Fujifilm X-T1
- Fujifilm XF10-24mm F/4 OIS
- Fujifilm XF35mm F/1.4
- Canon EOS100D
- Canon 40mm F/2.8 STM
- Canon 580EXII Speed light
Masjid Wazir Khan, located near Kotwali Chowk on Shahi Guzargah. Famous historical Mosque was build during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shahjehan. Outside 400 year old spectacular Mosque are mostly metal workshops. Kingly passages around the mosque have turned into black broken roads; whereas, adjacent Delhi Gate (historical site) entrance is rebuild many times to keep the Mughal architecture attractive. Renovation work was under progress in the Mosque as well. Lahore city may have developed and changed its face; however, this block reflects the true flavor of Lahore.
 |
| Camera Fujifilm X-T1 | Lens Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS @ 10mm 3 Exposure Blend f/9 | 1/80, 1/180, 1/320 Sec. | ISO-200 |
 |
Camera Canon EOS 100D | Lens Canon EF 40mm f/4.0 STM
Exposure f/4 | 1/160 | ISO-100
|
Main entrance leads to three different areas of mosque, left and right sides to small rooms, stores and stairs to roof, while centre arch takes to the mosque hall through courtyard.
 |
Camera Fujifilm X-T1 | Lens Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS @ 10mm
3 Exposure Blend f/5 | 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 Sec. | ISO-200
|
Beyond the main entrance of the mosque footwear are not allowed; floor of courtyard was very hot, I burned my feet after taking few steps trying to compose a shot from the centre. To facilitate visitors a thick jute carpet is laid from the entrance to the main hall of the mosque. A small pool in the middle of the courtyard provides wudu facility to worshippers; ironically, the water inside the pool was not very clean.
 |
Camera Fujifilm X-T1 | Lens Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS @ 10mm
Exposure f/8 | 1/250 Sec. | ISO-200
|
Undoubtedly the architecture was beautiful, patterns or what remaining of it on the arches, walls and roof were mesmerising.
 |
Camera Fujifilm X-T1 | Lens Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS @ 10mm
Exposure f/4.5 | 1/30 Sec. | ISO-500
|
On our way out, the watchman told we can view the locked portion of the mosque, if we "co-operate" and we "co-operated". The top of the "unlocked" minaret was the highest place in the mosque which provided view to the whole block.
 |
Camera Fujifilm X-T1 | Lens Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS @ 10mm
3 Exposure Blend f/9 | 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 Sec. | ISO-200
|
The visit was to document historical site; it also gave me insights on rich cultural and historical background of Lahore. Speaking as a photographer, it was a great opportunity and I wish to go back in lower temperature at dusk hour; that day intensity of light forced me to bracket and blend digitally which I usually avoid. However, the neighbouring areas interest me more as a photographer. Fujifilm X-T1 worked really well for me coupled with XF 10-24mm F/4. It is much lighter and smaller than Canon 5D MkII with EF17-40 F/4 setup. Fujifilm X-T1 grabs very little or no attention at all on the streets, fewer people thinks that I am a "journalist"; and the result is not inferior compared to Canon's 5D MkII.
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