April 2, 2013
I can still remember that particular evening at Hampi. The air was crisp, the breeze was so pleasant and the distant sunset was quiet dramatic. Mahanavami Dibba – located within the fortified area was probably the seat of power of the fallen empire. The views from here were grandeur and King Krishnadevaraya would have enjoyed similar views of sunset during his days :)
This is a pseudo digital oil painting based on the sunset from that particular evening. I am still refining on my workflow and painting process. How do you like the same ?!!!
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Sunset @ Mahanavami Dibba
Hampi, Karnataka, India |
Posted in Painting, photography, photos |
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February 24, 2013
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Roses are Red
Lalbagh Park, Bangalore, India |
Posted in photography, photos |
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February 22, 2012
Hampi, apart from the historical ruins is an awesome place for trekking and rock climbing too. Matunga hill @ Hampi is one of the best spots for watching sunrise. the hike is a bit on difficult side, especially if you are not aware of the route. It is better to have a guide if you planning to hike up in the dark for sunrise. But the views are well worth it, they are pretty amazing. This week shot is of the temple ruins, right on top of the hills. The sun was playing hide and seek as the mist was starting to clear. This was taken just moments after the sun rise shot that I had shared in the past. wow the scene changed so dramatically with light , angle and direction !
Update : Sorry, the deal is dead. Not sure why, It was supposed to be active thru Mar 2, 2012.
On a different note, if you are into photography and were looking to buy Photoshop, now is the best time. There is a huge sale going on @ Adobe site. The current version of Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended can be got for $39, yeah you read that right – $39. The Student version generally sells for $199 (and the original without discount sells @ $699) and there is a 80% additional off, if you use the code SAVE80EDU. You could even get this for your kid who is in kindergarten – all you need is a student ID card or an appropriate school document. If you don’t have a student in the family, now is the time to join that course that you were eying for a long time ! The lower price is probably because of the fact that next version of Photoshop would be out in couple of months, but @ $39 I am not complaining :) The deal is supposed to be on till March 2, 2012, Go grab it while it lasts !!!
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Veerabhadra Temple
Hampi, Karnataka, India |
Posted in Photoblog, photography |
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November 6, 2011
Talakadu (also known as Talakad) is a town on the banks of the Kaveri river, Karnataka, India. The place is known for temples submerged in sand. It is said to have around 30+ temples under sand. It is surprising to see the geology out here. The powerful Kaveri had helped create the dune like area. There is a little bit of history here, blended with some geology and topped with legends and myths. The bit of history is associated to the place is tied to the Mysore Raja Family of this palace. You can read further about the legend here at wikipedia. This weeks shot is one of the excavated temples, along with the intricate stonework, laid out beautifully in front.
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Lord Vishnu Temple under Sand Dunes
Talakadu, Karnataka, India
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
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August 27, 2011
“If dreams were made of stone , it would be hampi” – One can completely relate to it, the moment they get into the vicinity of the place. Hampi – has some amazing and stupendous architecture captured in stone from the Vijayanagara period. Apart from the architecture, the place is also know for some strong and dynamic sunrise / sunsets. Matunga hill is a prominent hike up, where one can enjoy the same. Since a relatively a larger crowd trickle in to bid goodbye to the sun rather than to witness the sunrise, I decided to hike up at dawn. There are a couple of paths leading to the topmost point, where the Veerabhadra Temple is located. It is better to carry a torch irrespective of if you are planning for the sun rise or the sun set as the place is not well lit. After taking up the stepped ramp from the west , reached the top just prior to sun raise. There were only a very few folks around, but was really surprised to see a small shop selling garam garam tea and noodles, at that place and time :)
As it was quiet misty, was not hoping much for the sun to come out. Just as I was enjoying the watery tea, the sun decided to give a peek out. It was quiet dramatic, with the Achyuta raya temple at the foothills , the dense forest and the sun peeking thru the misty morning mountains afar. Boy, was I glad to have the 10-24mm wide angle. Did my best to capture it, though I knew I was not able to do complete justice.
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Sunrise, Matunga Hill, Hampi
Karnataka, India
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
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August 6, 2011
There are those special full moon days, when u feel that the moon is much larger. The drama created by the clouds is so strong, that you just feel like being one with the night. This weeks shot is from one such days. Photographing the moon is a real challenge, if you don’t know how to do it. But just a handful of tips & a bit of trial and error, you definitely can get a keeper. When I initially started shooting the moon, used to set up my tripod and try for long exposure, you see it was night and dark, right ! Wrong. Moon is one of the brightest objects and at the same not static. Hence any thing less than a 1/125 sec would result in not so sharp shot. This article has lot of details on the technicalities of setting up the shot. Before you head out, u definitely need to know when the next full moon is. This calendar is handy, yeah gone are the days when we all had the time to look up, every night and know when the full moon was approaching.
And to go along with the shot, here is one of my, supposed, haiku. For my non-tamil readers, have tried my best to provide a close enough translation. Hope you enjoy it as much as the shot.
ennavalae
nee nilavai pondraval
andru alagil
indro thoo’laivil …
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Dear,
you are like the moon
then in beauty :)
but, now in distance :(
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
8 Comments »
July 15, 2011
It is a really nice feeling when you least expect and things just unfold – one step at a time – resulting in something awesome. The same was the case with this shot. One lazy afternoon, just decided to take my son for boating at the KR Puram lake. Little did I realize that it is a commercial picnic spot run under the name of ‘Fantasy Lagoon’. Apart from the jogging / walking track, there is a choice of boat rides – pedal, speed or scooter boat. They do have food options, though we did not try anything. As we were enjoying our pedal boat, the sun decided to peak out of the clouds to create the stunning scenery.
It is a nice place to kill time. How do you think it is ! What are your favorite places around Bangalore to spend a lazy afternoon ?!
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June 3, 2011
Mysore palace is now one of the most famous tourist spot attracting more than 2.7 million visitors in the recent years. This Indo-sarsenic style Palace reflects Muslim architecture on the outside, while the interior is a fine example of Hindu architecture. The palace is in its full grandeur in the night, as it is lit with thousands of bulbs and it becomes the most attractive monument in the city. Even without the thousands of light bulbs, it is a sight to watch when it is back lit with flash lights. The below was shot at one such occasion. I really like the way the Big cats came out as silhouette on the back lit palace.
The part I did not like about the place is – though tourists are allowed to visit, they are not allowed to photograph inside the palace, what crap :( Wish they make it photographer friendly, so that the grandeur can be shared with you, who are not able to make it to the palace in person.
On the processing, the HDR accentuated the intricate work on the palace walls (worth checking out on the larger size), highlight part of inner chambers , garden and the walkway.
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May 28, 2011
Bylakuppe, located in District Coorg (Madikere) in Karnataka is the second largest Tibetans settlement outside Tibet. Close to 20K monks stay here living in the Tibetan tradition. They co exist peacefully with the neighborhood, continuing with their chanting and training, not bothered about the tourists and onlookers.
The focus of the settlement is The Golden Temple and the focus of the temple, of course, is the 60 foot Gautama Buddha, accompanied by Guru Rinpoche and Buddha Amitayus on the sides. The huge hall is so cool and smooth, with reflective flooring. The walls adorned by amazing paintings are sound absorbent. The surrounding is so calm that you would just feel like sitting in silence. No wonder, even the people who don’t have the habit of meditation, will just feel like being in silence and meditate. The amazing architecture goes hand in hand with the silence and the Tibetan culture.
The temple is probably juxtaposed here amidst the natural beauty of Coorg. One can spend hours out here, at a minimum plan for at least an hour. Right in-between the misty morning walks at the coffee fields and an amazing sunset at raja’s seat, you could fit the visit to the this temple. Photographing the place (indoor) is as good, even at noon. But don’t be surprised if you forget your camera, once your are inside and get lost in the silence, which is even better :)
On the processing, the HDR helped capture the golden sculpture along with the intricate work and paintings. Let the movement on the people as such, as it kind of added to the shot.
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May 21, 2011
This weeks shot is in entire contrast to last weeks spring image with so much vibrance and energy. It is from enroute to the dream land of Hampi from Bangalore. The dry brittle land reminded me of drought, but the monsoon storm that was building up that afternoon, was so very promising. For reasons unknown this scene evoked a mix of emotions in me. Nature has a peculiar, but very effective way of keeping things in balance. Be it thru drought or flood, famine or tsunami, forest fire or rain, abundance or dearth – there is a reason and rhyme behind everything. It just happens, with the flow.
But we humans – are so prone to – not just getting stuck with something , but not willing to move on either. It is so very tough for us to accept and move on – “Sometimes you hurt yourself more than anyone else ever could. Look deep, then you might understand better.”
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Enroute to Hampi from Bangalore
Karnataka, India
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
18 Comments »
April 9, 2011
This square stepped shringi thirtha pond is located in one of the small, not so very famous temples, near Nandhi hills, Bangalore – Bhoganandishwara Temple. It was a hot afternoon, still sitting in the shade under the mandap, along this pond was so pleasant and breezy (though the steps were scorching hot). The 10mm came in handy to capture the complete pond in this perspective. This place also boasts shrines with fine sikharas, built out of stone. Check this out for one of the most ornate temple walls that can be found in the south Indian temples. Do make it a point to visit this place if you already have (or not) Nandhi Hills in the itinerary.
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Bhoganandishwara Temple, Near Nandhi Hills
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Posted in Photoblog, photography |
4 Comments »
March 24, 2011
Being at Peace – It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm at heart. Just felt at peace, watching the sun set, across the city from the terrace. It pays – to take time – to look around , what do you say !
And on the processing, just applied a bit of focus vignette around the corners and a bit of warmth to the HDR shot.
Posted in Photoblog, photography |
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March 19, 2011
Much discussion have been floating around the so-called "super moon" that will take place tonight (March 19). Actually the phenomenon of super moon occurs once in 14 yrs or so, but this time it also turns out to be on a full moon day. The discussion has been actuated by aftermath of the Tsunamis that hit Japan around last week and the rumored natural causes around the super moon.
Is it really super. Decided to venture out and take a look at the same. Though scientifically it is indeed couple of 100 kms closer, not sure if it would not make much of a difference to a casual observer. Also the time / location of observing and the optical illusion around it (Building or know objects in the close foreground , and the moon on the far back ground at horizon) make lot of difference to the perception. As I was at the terrace , not much of interesting subject to shoot along with the moon. May be next time should head out to the lake or something !
So what do u think, Is there any thing super about super moon ? Super moon or not, it was indeed enjoyable spending some night time, out with the moon !
P.S : Drop by my Photo Site. Have updated the home page with awesome mega slide show, that fills ur browser automatically(Pure CSS / JS / HTML, yeah ditched the Flash!!! - Thanks 2 FastlineMedia for sharing the amazing library). Do share ur thoughts on the same :)
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March 13, 2011
After a five km hike, that too in the night, was exhausting. But having a camp fire, with an awesome view, waiting for the sun to rise – was quiet an adventure. This is from a full moon night trek. Yeah I had posted this shot as part of the travelogue. But I liked the shot soo much that I wanted to get it out here in full glory here @ the main blog for all my friends to enjoy. The way the distant city lights and the camp fire turned out was really vibrant. You should really check out the large size to see the starry sky ! Wish I had reached couple of hours earlier to do a star trail shot, need to plan for it sometime …
If you are planning for a skandagiri trek, do check out this travelogue !
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February 4, 2011
Jacaranda (blooming period Feb-Mar): Delicately beautiful, this tree carpets the roads and yards all over town, with fragile purple flowers. It is one of the most ethereal sights to see every feb/march or so. Of all the places in Bangalore, Cubbon Park, as usual has a prize collection of the colorful carpet flowers, apart from houses all around town.
Was quiet lucky when the sun-set treated me one nice evening, from the luxury of my balcony, with the below scene. HDR really came in handy in capturing the twilight along with the beautiful violet jacaranda in the foreground. It is probably worth to check out the full size (clicking the below image and selecting ‘X3’ in the sizes).
Posted in Photoblog |
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January 14, 2011
Just a fortnight onto 2011 and I had a chance to make it to Nandi Hills twice clubbed with a hike. Great way to start a year ! But yeah both the times the security check at the foot hills jeopardized the sun raise shots , which was ridiculous. Anyway, the hike at Nandi hills today, with my bro was a real treat. We got to find some real sweet secret spots. Note to self : Plan for an overnight @ the place, to better leverage these view points and avoid the early morning check post trap !
Below shot – The New Dawn (as apt as it seem) – is from an un documented spot at Nandi Hills, which is around 60 kms from the maddening crowd of Bangalore. Being a week day not many people were around , allowing oneself to bathe in nature’s lap with out any disturbance. Though the sun was almost up , the blanket of fog was still covering the distant mountain ranges. It is worth checking out the larger version by clicking on the image below (like all other Photos , it would open up the larger version @ my dedicated photo site) to see around 10 mountains tips over at the horizon. The early morning dawn light with the for created an amazing splash of colors.
And Happy Sankaranthi (இனிய பொங்கல் வாழ்த்துக்கள்) to all. This is partly the Indian version of Thanks Giving for those who are not aware !
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