February 16, 2012
The universe is large and we are tiny, without the need for further religious superstructure. One can have so-called spiritual moments without belief in the spirit …
When you look at the Moon, you think, ‘I’m really small. What are my problems?’ It sets things into perspective. We should all look at the Moon a bit more often.
— Atheism 2.0 – A TED Talk by Alain de Botton
The beauty of being with nature, is that there comes a point,
When you are totally lost, as u search for yourself,
There is communication, even without conversation,
There is an insight, born out of silence -
Just being in the presence of self, both within and out !
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Minimalistic Moon
US 26 Enroute OR Coast, Oregon, USA |
Posted in Photoblog, photography |
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February 12, 2012
The starry skies on a clear night is so peaceful and soothing. Trillium Lake @ the base of Mt hood is an awesome place for watching the stars too. It is just far enough from the city to avoid the light pollution and short enough for an evening drive.
This was shot with the canon 7D at a slightly higher ISO [6400] and exposure of 30 seconds. It is indeed amazing how much cameras have evolved there by enhancing flexibility, freedom and creativity. This is one of my initial try, yeah there is lot more learning yet to be done … Though I am not satisfied with the overall shot, I was glad to be able to capture the milky way. Now I would just have to wait for the winter to pass so I can just drive up to Trillium Lake. U know, its biting cold to hike up, and not so pleasant to camp out in the snow :)
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Milky Way @ Trillium Lake
Mt Hood, Oregon, USA
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
16 Comments »
January 19, 2012
The Big Temple, as rightly said, was constructed by Raja Raja Chola nearly 1000 years back – to be precise in 1010 AD. This is also the world’s first complete granite temple and an brilliant example of the grandeur and the major heights achieved by Cholas in Tamil architecture. Also know by the names of Brihadeeswarar temple or Rajarajeswaram – this Shiva temple – still stands as the largest temple in India, with the main vimana towering to 216 feet.
This week shot is SOOC (Straight out of camera) of the main vimana / tower at the Brihadeeswarar temple. Even with all the wooden frame around the vimana for some maintenance work (yeah! such a bad timing for the visit), could feel the awe and grandeur of the architecture. The temple had been sculpted to detail in every nook and corner. It is so spacious with the open dance floor, huge lawn and multiple sanctum. This shot gives a much closer view of one of the hundreds of pillars out there. Makes one wonder on the amount of passion, dedication and work that would gone behind these marvels. If you are planning for a trip to south India, this is a must have on the iternary !!!
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Brihadeeswarar Temple
Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India |
Posted in Photoblog, photography |
9 Comments »
October 23, 2011
Fall season seems to be one of the best seasons to shoot waterfalls. The overcast days, just the right level of water, moderate temperatures that allow you to enjoy the hike up, the colors and leaves – all work in synergy. This week shot is from the Fairy falls from a late evening. The circular polarizer helped enhance the green & yellows, while the ND Filter helped capture the silky smooth water & the textures from the ferns and rocks.
Posted in General, Photoblog, photography |
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October 18, 2011
The pacific north west is not very well known for fall colors. I feel there are some well guarded secret spots, located in the west cascades and the Willamette National forest areas of Oregon. The scenic drive from Estacada into the cascades is an amazing place to start your fall tour. Highway 224 (Clackamas highway) is a pretty drive following the river. This weeks shot is a view, right from the highway. I couldn’t help myself but take a u-turn and get back to capture this shot, as the late afternoon sun dramatically lit the fall foliage. The 8 second exposure, thanks to the ND Grad filter, helped capture the flow of the water along with the amazing colors.
For folks in the side of the world, experiencing fall – happy travelling and shooting, enjoy the fall as it lasts. And for those who don’t get to see fall colors first hand, welcome to enjoy the same thru the shots !!!
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8 Comments »
July 25, 2011
It is always a pleasure to shoot the Mt Hood, one of the crowning beauties of Portland. This week shot is direct from the camera with no post processing, captured during one of fun drives to the base of Mt Hood. This was shot on a sunny weekend afternoon. The play of light and exposure at the right areas created the interesting silhouette effect. Really liked the way this turned out, as opposed to a boring blown out snow pile, that I usually used to get !
Also for folks following me, this shot is a remembrance from my previous stay here at Portland. The last time (three years back), the camera that accompanied me was the trusted canon is s2, with which this was shot. Am back to Portland, OR on assignment. Looking forward to shoot and share the amazing sceneries of the northwest with my next DSLR going forward :)
Adieu Bangalore, for now !!! Salut Portland, Nice to be back !!!
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July 2, 2011
In the spirit of ID4 celebrations coming up in the US, this weeks shot is from the fireworks show that was shot from previous years. July 4 celebrations, or pretty much any major celebrations across the world is not complete without fireworks. It is always much more fun to select fireworks of ur own choice and blast them in ur back yard or streets, like we do for Diwali in India. For those who don’t have that luxury, the only option is planned firework shows. This by the way gives an option for amazing photo opportunities.
Some tips that I can think of : Scout for the location – This definitely is key. Generally you can even get the info (just Google !) on where the show would be launched from. Prior scouting could help you get some vintage view points like near by parking garages :). Look for any water bodies that could be included in the composition. The reflections are quiet nice, as always. Get the tripod out – If you are shooting fireworks, you need to have a tripod. Be more comfortable with the manual focus. Be sure to use BULB, as this gives u an option to decide on the exposure time based on the size of the explosion. with BLUB it definitely goes without saying – use a remote trigger to avoid any shake. Happy firework shooting.
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 Flickr Page |
ID4 Celebration, Fireworks
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
7 Comments »
June 25, 2011
Flowers in general are always cool to shoot with – they are colorful, attractive and if you are lucky, they would be just stand still, for as long as you want, with a little bit of support from wind :). So when I came across the vibrant lily at Meenmutty Falls Resort , was delighted. This was shot during broad afternoon day light and was surprised the way it turned out. I had always thought that these kind of shots were made within a studio set up. All I did here, was used circular polarizer to make the water, non reflective and dark. Playing a bit with curves and levels, helped lose some of the other unwanted details. What do you think of the result ?
Below is a (so called) Haiku that I wanted to share alongside this shot !
Sometimes when
Every thing looks right & Every thing looks wrong … simultaneously
Look again
There is nothing wrong about the right &
There is nothing right about the wrong !!!
If you are still reading , then I welcome you to my kirukalgal (scribbling) collections !!!
Posted in Photoblog, photography |
12 Comments »
June 18, 2011
This is from the Miramar Beach, Goa. As part of the stay at Bogmallo, we were offered to be taken to Basilica and Panjim City for some shopping, before the evening Cruise. Opting to miss on the shopping & getting dropped off at Miramar Beach for sunset, turned out to be not that bad a choice. Walking toward the beach, it was not just cloudy, but real overcast too.
There were around the 8-12 ships lined up at the horizon. As I was thinking – all chances for a great sunset were bleak – it just happened. For a moment, the clouds opened up, a little bit with drama, to allow the rays fall on one of the ships, as if it was chosen for something. The evening sky was kind of red. I waited to see if it would be sucked up into space like in alien movies, but nothing happened :)
As for the processing, this is straight out of camera, with just some level adjustments. I know it is kind of dark, but felt it rather added to mystery around the shot and overall. What do you think !?
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May 5, 2011
Toroweep is one of a kind – awe inspiring, rare places, where one can stare into the face of time, still un-touched and un-spoilt. Check this out for the amazing 3000 feet Vertical drop at the view point. Anyways, while visiting this place, we stayed at a small inn, enroute from Kanab to Toroweep. It was a small cozy place, with a typical country side set up. The rooms were based on tribe themes with wooden floors – it went really well with the outside surrounding of red rocks. As soon as we entered the room, the hanging on the wall caught my attention – a framed letter from Seattle Chief to then US President (1855). It was quiet touching and I feel it is even more applicable today and not just for the whites referred here. Present to you the same, below.
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Graze lands Enroute to Toroweap
Kanab, Utah, USA
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The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land * How can you buy or sell the sky * The warmth of the land * The idea is strange to us * Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water * How can you buy them from us * Every part of this earth is sacred to my people **
We know that the white man does not understand our ways * One portion of the land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs * The earth is not his brother but his enemy and when he has conquered it he moves on * He leaves his fathers’ graves his children’s birthright is forgotten **
The is no quiet place in the white man’s cities * No place to hear the leaves of spring or the rustle of the insect wings * But perhaps because I am savage and do not understand, the clatter only seems to insult the ears * And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the or the arguments of the frog around the pond at the night **
The Whites too shall pass, perhaps sooner than the other tribes * Continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste * When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest, heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of ripe hills blotted by talking wires * Where is the Eagle * Gone * Where is the Buffalo * Gone * And what is to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt, the end of living and the beginning of survival **
Chief Seattle to President Franklin Pierce, 1855
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