Fitting in does not mean you belong. Standing out does not mean you are desolate.
Don’t be afraid to Stand out. We are born unique, but spend the first couple of decades of our life, learning to confirm. Learn – it is important. But – Learn critical life skills. Learn what helps you to stand out. Learn to differentiate what is being shoved down your throat by so-called society.
Don’t be afraid to Stand out. Don’t lose the uniqueness that is You.
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f5.6 : 1/45 sec
The views you get to see, depends on the windows you choose.
If you don’t like where you are (even in life), get up & move. You are the one who can decide what happens to you. Worst case, you can at least decide how to respond, with what happens to you – and that makes a world of difference :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 11 mm : f3.5 : 2.0 sec
Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
The Cosmos is all that is, or ever was, or ever will be. – Carl Segan
It is one thing to drive out to the county side in the dark of the night to enjoy the stars. But imagine a world where you could wait for the sun to go down the horizon, grab some coffee and just enjoy this celestial view.
There exists places where, when the sun sets the black curtain rolls up and the sky fills with dazzling stars.
Most of us being urban dwellers, ought to do more to protect the night sky. Not just for the sake of protecting it, but for the sake of amazing views and serene feeling it brings !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 2500 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20 sec
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges Cedar Key, Florida, USA
The Oaks of Charleston – at the outset it looks like each one is standing in a line – individually. Look further, and you would realize each one of them is connected at a far deeper level – by the comprehensive root system. But not always the connections manifest at a physical level.
We are connected with each other & everything that surrounds us. Be aware, Breathe, when you get a chance to walk on the grass barefoot, hug that tree, sense the surrounding, feel the connection – with one another & the surroundings :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 18-270 mm : ISO 100 : 119 mm : f11 : 10 sec
Oaks of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina, USA
This particular afternoon started out as a moody and overcast one. After gambling that the the sunset would not hit the high cord, decided to hike up to the little Gotto Falls.
But as luck would have it – the overcast became cloudy, resulting in a bit of drizzle, eventually clearing up by around sun set. The colors were starting to show up thru the trees, but it was too late to head out. That is when I decided to capture how the falls would witness such a lovely sunset … how do u like it :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f16 : 30 sec
Seeing a place from a different vantage point always makes it stand out. Getting over the keys was one of the best ways to enjoy the view. We even got to see some marine life (sharks and rays, etc.). The different colors in the water helped appreciate & perceive how shallow some places indeed were.
In addition, getting to view the ship wreck made the experience complete :)
Canon 7D : Tamron 10-270 mm : ISO 100 : 85 mm : f5.6 : 1/500 sec
Key West National Wildlife Refuge Key West, Florida, USA
Dry Falls flows over an overhanging bluff that allows visitors to walk up under the falls and remain relatively dry, hence its name. Unfortunately no one told this is true, only when the flow is low. That particular day we got pretty wet – with the spotty rains and more so from the spray of the falls. Not that we were complaining, but it would have been good to know !
With the rain, I was not shooting much and this particular view felt cliche – but the hiker in the red jacket (yeah that tiny red fleck you can see, in the center of the frame, about to hike behind the falls) made all the difference and I couldn’t resit but go for the click :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 100 : 10 mm : f22 : 10 sec
Dry Falls Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina, USA
Our society thrives on the concept of being busy all the time. The entire system is built around to keep you busy, on the edge, always being bothered, forcing to carry the mountains that aren’t yours to carry.
Photography for me, helps to go within and contemplate what is it I am here to do. Sometimes our life is full of chaos, sometimes the mind is full of chaos. It is all about Calming the Chaos …
Hidden in the chaos, are the treasures of life … Would you agree :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 160: 14 mm : f4.0 : 1/30 sec
Lake Hartwell State Park Fair Play, South Carolina, USA
This is not a great shot in technical sense, but the experience was quiet surreal …
I was really lucky : I got to experience the synchronous fireflies at Smokies for two years in a row. For the first year I got the tickets (this was the first year when they introduced the lottery for the viewing). For the second year I was not that lucky – the tickets got sold in minutes, from when it was opened up online.
As I was exploring to see if anyone would share or other alternate options – realized that booking a camp site at Elkmont campground, during the same days – would grant access to the trails. After trying few days, was able to grab a reservation as someone else cancelled. This even had an added advantage – It gets you within a mile of the Elkmont Viewing area. Even more, one could hike up the entire trail to avoid the crowds, much beyond the set area for lottery viewing. Just make sure to carry the campground reservation.
This shot is a composite of 164 shots (22 minutes) and around 8 sec exposure for the foreground. Thanks to the Sony A7S II that I was able to rent. This low light monster was able to capture so much of details even in the faint moon light !
The 70% gibbous moon was not conducive for the fireflies, but that did help light up the nearby stream :)
The hustling stream, chilling breeze, dark of the night, the little bit moon lit forest, walking with my son, by the trail into the Smokies Forest & Fireflies along the path – it was indeed a surreal experience !
Sony A7S II : Sony 28 mm: ISO 12800 : 10 mm : f2.0 : 8.0 sec [164 shots]
It was almost new year’s eve and we were in the process of moving out of Florida. As much as I was excited about the move to the new place, I knew I would miss those lovely florida sunsets.
That particular Friday was pretty darn cloudy. Looking up the forecast via Clear Outside, realized the evening was going to be 99% cloudy. Was debating if it was worth taking the chance. Since there were not many more evenings left in Florida, decided to just drive out.
It was pretty overcast all along and the sun was nowhere to be seen. But the walk by the lake was pretty soothing with the evening breeze. Then the 1% clear sky happened by the horizon. And that was enough for the sun to put up a show …
Sometime, all you got to do is just show up :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm: ISO 200 : 10 mm : f6.7 : 1/350 sec
Enroute to Smokies we heard about this waterfalls that was tucked away in the mountains. We decided to make the trip to Minnehaha and it was well worth it. Located the trail head with head with help of GPS [34.749633, -83.479083]. There were very few parking spots by the road, but the drive up the winding road and the lake was quick a sight. Once you locate the trail head (with small set up stairs from the road) and get a parking spot, the fun continues. The trail is somewhat uphill, but the few stairs sprinkled along the way helped.
In addition to the trail, the falls itself is incredible. They spill over a cliff in a gorgeous, multi-tiered cascade before continuing downstream to the Lake Rabun. The morning sun, the floating fog, the spray from the falls, the chillness of the water – it all makes it a worthwhile experience.
Water is the most perfect traveller, because when it travels it becomes the path itself ! ― Mehmet Murat ildan
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm: ISO 100 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 8.0 sec
You can feel the stars and the infinity of the sky since life, in spite of everything, is like a dream. – Vincent van Gogh
In spite of all the noise, there is a connect when you are with the nature In spite of all the chaos, there is a tranquil when you are with the cosmos In spite of all the chase, there is a silence when you are with the stars
Cherish it, live it, love it and don’t ever lose it !
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 3200 : 10 mm : f3.5 : 20.0 sec
Great Smoky Mountain National Park Clingmans Dome, Tennessee, USA
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. Find your light and make it shine :)
Like the Ocean 