I shot this photo from inside the complex of Taj Mahal. The river is Jamuna and flows right behind the Taj.
Tech: I was shooting into the sun, hence the colors were muted.
I think the muted colors help in keeping the emotional appeal of the image. In my opinion brighter colors, in this case, would be distracting.
I feel there is a tension in the image. The man's hand risen to show him time. He is getting late for work. The boatsman pole is high, about to push the river bed and propel all of them to their destination..