Be Thankful for the shadows, for they are there only because of the light :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 200 mm : f5.6 : 1/15 sec
| Grandfather Mountain Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA |
October 21, 2018
Yin Yang of Fall
October 16, 2018
Fall Colors by Tranquil lake
A tranquil lake, twilight shades, fall colors, some calming reflections – prefect recipe for a lovely shot :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 16 mm : f4.0 : 1/4 sec
| Mirror Lake State Park Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA |
October 7, 2018
The Capitol by full Moon
Initiated around 1793, the core building of The Capitol (Washington D.C) construction took 33 years. It was interesting to learn that the current dome of the capitol building was actually the second one. The original wooden dome was subsequently replaced as a precaution for fire.
Today it stands as the meeting place of the nation’s legislature. The Capitol also houses an important collection of American art, and it is an architectural achievement in its own right. The several blocks from Washington memorial to the capitol building houses the various Smithsonian museums and is a great place to take a walk !
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 200 : 33 mm : f4.0 : 1.5 sec
| The Capitol Washington, D.C, USA |
September 30, 2018
Twin Falls on a Rainy Day
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover
And never judge a day by it’s weather
This particular Saturday started with showers all around. It was a tough choice to decide between lazing the afternoon with family in the couch vs driving couple of hours and taking a hike. With the rain, it was tempting to decide to stay at home, especially since it involved a hike. ClearOutside showed a small break in weather for the late afternoon. Am glad I gambled to take the risk, at the end it really paid off :) Though I did get wet, the rain added to the volume of the cascade and the rolling fog made the day !
Generally, worse the weather & lower the probability of getting a shot, the better it turns out to be :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10.0 sec
| Twin Falls Sunset, South Carolina, USA |
August 6, 2018
Find the Zen within
It’s possible to travel thousands of miles to the other side of the world, to take a plane, three trains, two ferries and a bicycle, in order to stand completely still. – TED Talks
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 30 sec
| As the Sun set Clearwater, Florida, USA |
March 15, 2018
Be Curious
Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the Universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up. – Stephen Hawking
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
| Caesars Head Cleveland, South Carolina, USA |
March 8, 2018
Life Happens …
Life is what happens, when you are busy making other plans.
Sometimes those wonderfully insignificant moments are all that you need :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 640 : 270 mm : f5.6 : 1/60 sec
| First Bloom Alpharetta, Georgia, USA |
February 11, 2018
Just in time by Jones Gap
Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter – Ansel Adams
Jones Gap is one of a kind, so wild, yet not very far from Greenville. The main highlight of Jones Gap is the Middle Saluda River – the states first designated scenic river. The hike & terrain is somewhat challenging in a couple of places, but the views are amazing.
The late afternoon sun and the clouds were just right. The fall colors and the diffused light caused the entire place to be flooded with the golden glow. Was there just in time to enjoy this lovely scene :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 13 mm : f22 : 15.0 sec
| Jones Gap Wilderness Marietta, South Carolina, USA |
February 4, 2018
Soco Falls – Hidden by the road
Soco falls is a beautiful, double waterfall on the edge of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, located near Maggie Valley. Its one among the most lovely waterfalls, by the Blue Ridge parkway – just 1.5 miles south of Soco Gap @ Milepost 455.7. Look for the small roadside parking area on the left of the road. It is easy to miss, since there is just one tiny sign.
This view requires a short hike. It is not a cake walk, but not super hard either. You need to be careful as it is steep and a bit slippery, especially when wet. But the adventure is well worth the view, wouldn’t you agree :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 160 : 18 mm : f11 : 8.0 sec
| Soco Falls Maggie Valley, North Carolina, USA |
January 26, 2018
Hiking by Paris Mountain
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. – John Muir
One of the easiest ways to unload, unwind and de-stress is to get out and connect with nature. Natural environments are rich in the characteristics necessary for the brain to replenish itself :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 400 : 39 mm : f4.5 : 0.3 sec
| Paris Mountain State Park Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
January 17, 2018
Snowflake Snowflake
Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake.
Little snowflake falling from the sky.
Snowflake, snowflake, little snowflake.
Falling, falling, falling, falling, falling,
falling, falling, falling, falling…falling on my glove :)– To be read as if you were a kid !!!
After couple of years, got to shoot the little little snowflakes again. It was fun. Snow out here in South Carolina is rare and that made it even more exciting :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 320 : 270 mm : f5.6 : 1/90 sec
| Snow Flake Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
January 13, 2018
Exploring Florida Keys
No man is an island – John Donne
Flying around Keys was quiet and experience, especially with an entertaining guide. Out here, there are more than 5000 islands. Each island is its own community of ecological biodiversity. Yet, these islands have stood by time and inexorably linked by nature.
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 350 : 54 mm : f4.5 : 20 sec
| Key West National Wildlife Refuge Key West, Florida, USA |
January 7, 2018
Cosmos
At times, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere,
At times, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.
Cedar Keys, FL is one low key place that still holds secret spots where lights have still not polluted the gorgeous night sky. Being under the stars always brings in the feeling of being wonderfully insignificant and puts one one in a contemplative state. Starting 2018 with reflection and positive thoughts & Wishing you the best for the same too :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
| Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Cedar Key, Florida, USA |
December 12, 2017
Sunset by Clock Tower
The beauty you see in me, is a reflection of you. – Rumi
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 1000 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/15 sec
 Buy Print |
Furman Bell Tower Greenville, South Carolina, USA |
December 6, 2017
Bahai Honda Sunset
Bahai Honda State park is one of the best spots to enjoy an Florida Keys Sunset (not that there is even any bad spots :))
On the left is the ‘Bahia Honda Rail Bridge’ – a derelict railroad bridge connecting Bahia Honda Key with Spanish Harbor Key. After a replacement Bahia Honda Bridge opened in 1972, two spans of this defunct bridge were removed to accommodate boat traffic. On the right is Hwy 1 – driving it feels like floating by the ocean.
The cold water felt good for the hot summer. Standing in knee deep water, the view was great. Though the crabs were kind of bothering me, they were not as bothered by me :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 200 : 10 mm : f6.7 : 1/90 sec
| Buy Print |
Bahai Honda State Park Big Pine Key, Florida, USA |
November 21, 2017
Twilight by Grandfather Mountain
I went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sun down, for going out, I found, was really going in – John Muir
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 1/60 sec
| Buy Print |
Tanawha Trail Blowing Rock, North Carolina, USA |
November 6, 2017
Magic of Fall
The raging winds of Irma, Jose & Nate (2017 hurricane) took down most of the leaves this season, especially in higher elevation. The sporadic temperature swings did not help much with the colors either.
But this hidden treasure by the corner of Blue Ridge Parkway, had protected the beauty of the season. With a slight drizzle, rolling fog along the sparkling creek – the colors of the fall were just a magic to be witnessed.
Magic & Magical places do exist. You just need to believe !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 20 mm : f16 : 30 sec
| Buy Print |
Jones Gap State Park Marietta, South Carolina, USA |
October 31, 2017
The Lone Kayaker
It is a general perception that the quality of light moves toward harsh, as the sun moves up the sky, and not ideal for photography. But all rules are eventually meant to be broken :)
This particular hot afternoon I was driving around scouting for a potential sunset location. Glad the car in front of me slowed down, I applied the breaks and was treated to this view thru the window. It was only for a brief moment – the moving clouds diffused the harsh sunlight. And just a little bit gleamed thru, to light up the kayaker and part of the hill.
Always be prepared … it helps with photography too :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 50 mm : f4.5 : 1/500 sec
| Devils Lake State Park Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA |
October 29, 2017
A beauty called Linville Gorge
The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area lies entirely within the Pisgah National Forest. Sometimes referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, it is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. Given the terrain, it is also an outdoor paradise.
This is from the Chimney view overlook that provides a glimpse of Linville falls. The falls view is good, but one can’t miss this lovely view behind, especially with the lovely fall colors. Standing at the edge, the sheer depth of the Gorge was scary and at the same time exhilarating :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 500 : 25 mm : f11.0 : 15 sec
| Chimney View, Linville Falls Trail Marion, North Carolina, USA |
October 21, 2017
Orionids on a Chilly Night
A Sip of a hot chai
Gentle breeze of the cold night
Shimmering of the twinkling stars
A blazing streak of a meteor
– few experiences are worth skipping the cozy sleep :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
| Orionid Meteor Shower (10.21.2017) Whitmire, South Carolina, USA |
