Jibak Bhattacharya, an oncologist at Kolkata's Apollo multispeciality hospital, captured a striking photograph on his iPhone 16 in 2024 during a work break. The image shows three construction workers balancing on scaffolding for a new high-rise building, visible through a large square glass window on a landing.
Inspiration Behind the Shot
Bhattacharya, whose consultation suite lacks windows, often steps out to the landing to enjoy sunlight and the outside view. 'Previously, it was unobstructed nature, but they are developing a high-rise now,' he says. He noticed the pattern made by the three workers on the scaffolding, reminiscent of noughts and crosses. 'I had an idea to show how we, as individuals, are bound and engaged in our small worlds,' he explains. 'Though we are part of a larger frame, we keep ourselves in small cages, without connecting to others.'
Minimal Edits for Claustrophobic Effect
Bhattacharya applied minimal edits to the photo, 'mostly cropping out some remaining green bushes to give a more claustrophobic look.' The resulting image emphasizes the isolation and precariousness of the workers' existence.
Reflections on Construction Workers' Plight
Indian construction workers like those in the photo face a precarious existence. Bhattacharya reflects, 'As a kid, I wondered about the masons who put the concrete and cement so perfectly on the bricks. It is quite artistic, no doubt. But it is not well paid, and poverty is not something I romanticise. In my job, I have come across a lot of the social, financial and logistical problems these people have to face, and their suffering is unbearable at times. Nobody should suffer like that.'
Broader Context of the Photograph
The photograph, titled 'Caged, 2024,' was taken with an iPhone 16 and published by The Guardian. It is part of a series featuring phone photography, highlighting how everyday moments can reveal deeper social truths. Bhattacharya's image serves as a metaphor for the cages people build around themselves, both literally and figuratively.
