Photo-Curry

Solitude

2008-04-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Caught through the window pane at a restaurant in Rishikesh. I think it is called white breasted kingfisher. I would be glad to know, whether i am right or not.

Post Processing : Increased contrast

Desert Trail

2008-02-01T04:07:00.001-08:00

(ISO 320, f/3.2, Shutter Speed 1/15 sec)

Location : Khuri Sand Dunes - Jaisalmer

Post Processing : Contrast Increase

Stripe-ed

2008-01-02T20:46:00.001-08:00

(ISO 100, f/5.6, Shutter Speed 1/60 sec)

Just out of the camera from the trip of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. Khuri Sand dunes are located at a distance of around 45kms from Jaisalmer city. We had a great time camping out there in desert under the moonlit sky. One experience that no one should miss, when you are in Jaisalmer.

Location : Sand Dunes, Khuri - Jaisalmer

Post Processing : Increased contrast

Coupled

2007-12-17T04:29:00.001-08:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/15 sec)

Coupled Together :)

Location : Garden of Five Senses/ Said-Ul-Azaib - New Delhi

Post Processing : Increased contrast and Gamma Negative, Tone down colors

Golden Glow

2007-11-12T08:40:00.001-08:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/40 sec)

Shubh Deepavali/ Happy Diwali to everyone:)

Location : Home

Post Processing : Increased contrast and Gamma Negative, Tone down colors

Refraction

2007-10-23T23:08:00.001-07:00

(ISO 64, f/3.2, Shutter Speed 1/10 sec)

Location : Office :)

The sunlight was coming through the window blinds creating a interesting pattern on the desk.

Post Processing : B&W, Cropped from left

Life in a Metro

2007-10-15T03:42:00.001-07:00

(ISO 320, f/3.2, Shutter Speed 1/15 sec)

Location : Delhi Metro, New Delhi

The late night metro in Delhi, shot using Nokia N70 from one end of the metro with focus on the hand holder (first one) on right top side.

Post Processing : B&W, Cropped from right

Hand Rest

2007-09-30T21:14:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/400 sec)

Location : Red Fort, Delhi

Benches for the sound and light show at Red Fort in Delhi.

Post Processing : B&W

Conquered

2007-09-03T02:49:00.001-07:00

(ISO 200, f/6.5, Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec)

Location : Amber Fort, Jaipur

The unconquered and majestic Jaigarh Fort framed through a broken window from the walls of Amber Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan (India)

Post Processing : None

Crossings

2007-08-15T11:17:00.001-07:00

(ISO 200, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/200 sec)

There are always crossings to jump from one line of life to another, you just need to identify the right crossing :)

Location : Railway Station : Shimla

Post Processing : Black & White, Contrast & Sharpness increased by one step

Poised

2007-08-09T23:01:00.001-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

Location : On the way to Vice Regal Lodge, Shimla

Rain drops poised perfectly on the small leaves with sun light falling on them.

Post Processing : Contrast and Shadow increased by one step

Surreal Edifice

2007-07-31T00:16:00.001-07:00

(ISO 80, f/4.6, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

Location : Vice Regal Lodge, Shimla

Located on the Observatory Hills and also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, ViceRegal Lodge was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. This rambling Scottish baronial edifice was designed by Henry Irvine, architect to the Public Works Department of the colonial government in India.

This was the venue of the Simla Conference in 1945. In 1947 , the decision to partition India and carve out the states of Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) , was also taken here. After independence, the Lodge remained the summer retreat of the President of India. In the early 60s the President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, a leading philosopher and writer, and the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru decided to make it a scholars’ den where the best minds would find an ideal retreat. That’s when the Indian Institute of Advanced Study moved into the Lodge in 1965.

Post Processing : Orton Processing to give a painting look !!

An Evening in Shimla

2007-06-26T11:26:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/4 sec)

Location : Ridge, Shimla. A beautiful sunset in Shimla, just after rains. The clouds were almost passing through us and thats why you can see them so close in pic. Pic taken in warm tone and underexposed to get this effect.

Post Processing : Contrast Increase

Diwan-E-Aam, Red Fort

2007-06-21T11:23:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/4 sec)

Location : Red Fort, Old Delhi.

Post Processing : None

Entrapped

2007-06-17T23:04:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/3.3, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Location : Red Fort, Old Delhi.

Will he make it to outside world ???

Follow up for Solitary post Pic, same soldier from the back...................

Post Processing : Old Photography Filter, reduce saturation, sharpeness increase.

The Solitary Post

2007-06-11T10:34:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/40 sec)

Location : Red Fort, Old Delhi.

A single Soldier at Red Fort in Delhi. With no more kings he must be wondering, whom he is guarding there !!!

Post Processing : Old Photography Filter, reduce saturation, sharpeness increase.

Embossed !!!

2007-06-04T11:08:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/4 sec)

Location : Mirza Ghalib Haveli at Ballimaran, Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi.

Post Processing : Contrast increase and sharpned at centre.

Paint The Sky

2007-05-23T23:26:00.001-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/640 sec)

It is one of the first few pics that i took when i was exploring photography and that too with a friends cam, Canon - A85. I just can't forget the views from the jungle hut at Munnar in the TN-Kerala Border (Southern states of India) but this one tops all of them becuase of the colors in the sky at the time of sunrise. Munnar is one of the most beautiful hill stations, i have been in India. Clouds floating across, blue skies, tea plantations and totally virgin landscape. A place, no one should miss out, if you are in Kerala.

Post Processing : Contrast increase, Saturation increased one strep and then removed noise from few areas using Neat Image.

Camera Shy !!!

2007-05-12T21:40:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec)

Quite shy to pose for the camera !! Caught it at Qutab Minar complex in Delhi.

I was on break for few weeks. No, i was not clicking a lot. Work was keeping me busy and in between, i was out for a trek to Chopta-Tunganath in Uttaranchal. I would be posting few pics from that trip here soon.

Post Processing : Contrast Increase.

Badge From Past

2007-03-31T21:38:00.001-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/4 sec)

Railway badges : photo of one such badge displayed at Railway Museum in New Delhi.

Post Processing : Applied "Old Photography filter", toned down the saturation and increased contrast.

Skewed Reflection

2007-03-21T00:23:00.001-07:00

(ISO 50, f/3.7, Shutter Speed 1/25 sec)

India Gate reflection in sunglasses, taken using my friends Nikon 7600. I shot this photo the same day i shot the earlier pics of India Gate, which i posted few weeks back. You can see them here.

Post Processing : Cropped from right, Contrast increase

Shooting The Shooter

2007-03-15T05:15:00.001-07:00

(ISO 100, f/3.7, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Photo taken at Jungle Hut (for Wildlife Santuary Officials), Panna National Mark in the state of Madhya Pradesh. A friend was trying to take a shot of something inside the hut, when i caught it on my camera.

Title also symbolises the fact that Wildlife Santuaries were created to stop people from shooting the animals though shooting them using camera is allowed. I know, quite a bad attempt on creating a oxymoronic title :)

Post Processing : None

Trial By Fire

2007-03-03T23:22:00.001-08:00

(ISO 200, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/320 sec)

An Artist performing the traditional dance at Delhi Haat in New Delhi

Post Processing : None

Misty Morning

2007-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

(ISO 100, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Photo taken at Panna National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The park is famous for its tigers (though not many are there) and the scenic Ken River. This pic was taken early morning while we were on a safari jeep inside the park.

Post Processing : Orton Post Processing to give the painting look.

Joy of Dance

2007-02-12T20:46:00.000-08:00

(ISO 150, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/60 sec)

Portrait shot of a Folk Dancer at one of the performances in Delhi Haat in New Delhi. It was tough to shoot him because of his fast movement. Though, i got the right mood on his face but i wish he would have been looking in camera direction in this photo.

Post Processing : Contrast increase, Cropped

Tijara Fort - Panorama

2007-02-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

(ISO 100, f/5.2, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

Panoramic view of Tijara Fort

Tijara is a historic town situated 48 kms North East of Alwar. Its old name was Trigartpur. It was the capital of the Mewat and has a long and glorious history of bravery and sacrifice. There is a popular Jain temple, visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year.

Tijara fort situated on the crest of a hill has been famous for the excavation of hidden treasure recently. It houses Rani Moosi ka Mehal, who was queen of King Bakhtawar Singh and committed sati (self immolation of a widow on her husband’s funeral pyre) on his death.

Post Processing : Stiched 4 photos, Contrast increase

The Journey Back Home

2007-01-28T23:43:00.000-08:00

(ISO 100, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

Fresh out of my camera, shot in the interiors of Rajasthan near a place called Tijara (Alwar Dist.). Me and my friends were returning back to our Cab from the ruins of Tijara Fort at the top of a hill, when i saw this overloaded Jeep with Villagers returning back to their villages from the main town. With sun setting down as a backdrop and an overloaded Jeep with people, I couldn't afford to miss such a dramatic pic :).

Post Processing : Contrast increase, Flash was used to get the Jeep clearly in the photo.

Colored Symphony

2007-01-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/50 sec)

Shot on Diwali, arranged the colored wax diyas on the centre table (round) to get this angle. Focus on the part where Blue and Yellow ones touch.

Post Processing : Cropped, Contrast increase, Saturation toned down.

Through The Arches Of Time

2007-01-17T03:50:00.000-08:00

(ISO 200, f/8.0, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec)

Orchha, meaning a "hidden place", 18km southeast of Jhansi was the former capital of the Bundela dynasty. This shot shows the façade of Raj Mahal inside Orchha Fort, whose construction was started by Raja Rudra Pratap, and completed by one of his successors, Madhukar Shah. The whole palace is marked with opulent royal quarters, raised balconies and interlocking walkways in symmetrical tiers on all four sides, crowned by domed pavilions and turrets. One can find the fragments of mirror-inlay and vibrant painting plastered over their walls and ceilings.

Sorry for being not regular on the blog. I have been keeping quite busy with hundreds of shots taken in Khajuraho and Orchha on my December trip to these places. I have just uploaded the set of Khajuraho pics till now and you can check them here. Orchha pics would be uploaded in next few days. Personally, I am not at all happy with my work at Khajuraho (maybe cuz as one friend said, I never loved that place)

Masquerade

2006-12-28T02:18:00.000-08:00

(ISO 200, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/100 sec)

(ISO 200, f/3.7, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Masquerade of Colors !!! Pics taken at Delhi Flickr Group's meet at Delhi Haat in New Delhi. Since, I was not able to decide which of them is better, I am posting both of them here at blog.

Post Processing : Cropped from top and bottom, Contrast and Sharpness increase (Both pics)

Shy Innocence

2006-12-09T21:12:00.000-08:00

(ISO 200, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/60 sec)

Shooting Kids is tough, isnt it ? They are always moving, hardly still for a second to get a good shot of them. I have been quite lucky to shoot so many of them in past few days. The second portrait shot on my Photo blog (both kids) after i posted Vyom' photo here, few weeks back. She is daughter of a friend and such a sweet kid.

Post Processing : B/W Mode, Contrast and Sharpness increase.

Memorial to Unknowns

2006-12-03T00:57:00.000-08:00

(ISO 50, f/2.8-5.4, Shutter Speed 1/3 - 1/1000 sec)

India Gate : One of the most beautiful structures of modern India. The monument was built by Edwin Lutyens to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afghan Wars. Please refer to Wiki for more details.

These photos were taken in evening using a friend's Nikon 7600 in Auto Mode. To see the bigger size version, please visit my Flickr site.

Post Processing : Contrast increase and Cropping

Romancing The Shadows

2006-11-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

(ISO 200, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/200 sec)

Photo taken at a friend's place. This lamp shade was refracting the light rays in a unique way, which was creating a mesmerizing pattern on the wall. I took this picture in color but loved the B&W mode of it more. Waves of light swirling around in deep ocean of darkness. Thanks Kanu for suggesting the title :)

Post Processing : B&W mode, Contrast increase

Steps Through Time

2006-11-14T10:14:00.000-08:00

(ISO 80, f/3.3, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec)

Location : Steps of Step Well in Boondi. Focus in on the third carving from right.

I don’t like the overexposure on left part of pic, but they add a contrast with right part. The pattern and shadow below it are enhanced by the sun light directly falling on the carved steps which are designed in exquisite way.

Post Processing : Cropped from Bottom, Contrast increase

Watch Out !!!

2006-11-05T00:20:00.000-08:00

(ISO 80, f/4.6, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

Photo taken in my Leh Trip at the shores of Dal Lake near Hazratbal Mosque. I clicked this pic with 12x zoom (optical) when crows were trying to find something in water next to the barbed wire fence, which is fixed inside the lake to stop the dirt and waste in the lake to move to shore. The Eagle was following its predatory instincts and trying to find out what has interested both the crows in the water (My interpretation of the scene)

Post Processing : Cropped from top and contrast increase

Colors of Light

2006-10-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

(ISO 400, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Riot of Colors, Colors of light : Name is whatever you want to for Diwali. Its the biggest and most brightest festival in India and I just love it and the only festival i really look forward to. For past two years Diwali has been synonymous with trip back to home (Delhi) from Chennai. Not anymore this year and with Winters knocking on the door, the timing of this year's Diwali wouldn't have been perfect. Shubh Deepavali to everyone :)

Some pics that i shot on Diwali are here -> Diwali 2006

Post Processing : None

Inquisitive Innocence

2006-10-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/80 sec)

My first portrait shot on my Photoblog (including previous one). I am not much good in shooting people and i need to learn a lot before i can even shoot an average quality portrait pic. I shot a lot of them when my nephew and niece were here last month. This one of Vyomi (Vyom : My sis son) was taken when he was sitting in the toy train at Railway Museum. Those innocent, inquisitive eyes is what i like best in this pic.

Post Processing : B/W mode and enhanced contrast

A Threaded Journey

2006-10-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

(ISO 100, f/3.7, Shutter Speed 1/125 sec)

Just another experiment at home, when i had nothing to do and i was totally bored.

Subject : Left on your imagination :)

Post Processing : Cropped from bottom, reduced saturation to show only slight warmish tone.

Cut - Uncut

2006-09-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/3.3, Shutter Speed 1/160 sec)

Place : Rani Ji Ki Baoli at Boondi (Rajasthan)

I have written in detail about this place in one of my earlier post "The Queen's Step Well". I took the pic in way that it should only show the half part of the symmetrical arch. To shoot it in half or not, hence the title : Cut-Uncut :)

Post Processing : Black and White mode, Increased Saturation and contrast.

Reflection

2006-09-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

(ISO 100, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/50 sec)

What the heck you three guys are doing ? I am sure the Double Humped Camel would be wondering that when me, Prashant and Subbu sir were trying the capture the reflection of the Nubra landscape in his/her eye. Though i am sure the camel was enjoying it because it hardly moved while we tried so many shots to get this.

I am not happy with the result, The photo was taken at 12x of Optical Zoom in Macro mode. It could have come out better if I have used a tripod. Still I am posting it here because i liked the experiment (credit to Prashant for mentioning this kind of shot). Would surely like to know your viewpoint on this..........

Post processing : Cropped from all side and contrast increase.

Rail Road to Past

2006-09-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/60 sec)

Fresh out of my camera. Took this pic yesterday at National Railways Museum in Chankya Puri at New Delhi. Incase, if you are wondeing what I was doing there, well having fun with my nephew and niece (Vyom & Gungun). I have always been fascinated with Trains, so understandably this is one of my favorite place, right from kid days. Talking about my fascination with railways, i have travelled almost all across India in Trains including some of the famous and most picturise routes of Konkan Railways (Ticket in Rajdhani but spent all time sitting on door cuz of views), Kalka-Shimla, Darjeeling etc.

About this pic:- (Wheels of EM-922 Locomotive from back low angle, focus: centre wheel)

EM -922(NWR) : This glamorous locomotive which had the proud privilege of hauling VIP & Royal trains in the past also adapted itself by changing its name matching the diginitary it carried. It changed names from "Lord Clyde" to "Roosevelt" to "Queen Empress". This locomotive which hauled passenger trains on the Great Indian Penensula & North Western Systems was converted to super-heated type in 1922 and was rebuilt in 1914 at the Mughalpura workshops when its classification was changed from E-1 ton EM.
Year Built : 1907
Maker : North British Loco Co.,Atlas Works, Glasgow
Railway : Great Indian Penensula Railway

Post Processing : Selective Coloring using Photoshop, Sharpness increase

Vibrant Hues of Leh Valley

2006-09-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

(ISO (ISO 100, f/8, Shutter Speed 1/500 sec)

View of Leh (Green Patch) taken from somewhere in between the road to Khardungla Pass or K-top as it is known as. Scenic beauty cant be as dramatic as what you see in Ladakh region. You can see the barren hills in various shades of brown topped with ice and a stream of water flowing between it and few green patches. Quite Dramatic.....isnt it ?

Khardungla Pass is officially rated as the highest motorable road in the world at 18380 ft. But contrary to popular belief the highest motorable road is Marsimik La (18634 ft) which is also present in Ladakh region. Indian Army doesn't advertise it as security reasons and let K-Top play the popular role for tourist adventure. Btw Marsimik La is just 700 ft short of Mt Kilimanjaro, that means K-Top is is just 952 ft short of Mt Kilimanjaro (the biggest mountain in Africa) Hats off to BRO (Border Roads Org.) to maintain the roads at such a high altitude.

Check out rest of the Leh Pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/deepak79

More Panoramas in store for you and Leh Trip pics divided in 4 Albums. The last album is of pics taken by Anubhav.

More on Leh Trip : http://lehtrip.blogspot.com

Pangong Tso

2006-08-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

(ISO 100, f/8, Shutter Speed 1/800 sec)

A panoramic view of Pangong Tso (Lake) near India-Tibet border. Pangong Tso is 154 Km long and 4 Km wide at its widest point. 1/3 of Pangong lies in India and 2/3 of it lies in China (Tibet). Spangmik, where we stayed for the night in camps is the last point till where civilians are allowed. Infact, China invaded India through this front in 1962 and the road to Lake still passes through un-removed mine fields. It is the biggest lake in Ladakh region and largest brackish water lake in world. Another fact : the water changes it's color every hour in shades of blue.

This pic was created by joining 5 photos. Post-processing include contrast and sharpness increase. I would be posting few more panoramas in coming weeks. In case, you are wondering what's up with me and Panoramas, maybe you can credit that to the person (who has taken one of the best panoramas, i have ever seen) who inspired me towards taking up photography.

Please check the Post in IE, some problem in Firefox because of large size of image.

The Last Autumn

2006-08-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/2.8, Shutter Speed 1/40 sec)

Macro Shot of a lovely but withered flower taken at Nishat Gardens (one of the famous Mughal Gardens) in Srinagar last weekend. The last Autumn in the beautiful valley of Kashmir.

Race the Sun

2006-08-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/5.6, Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec)

Sunset on the way to Haridwar from Lansedowne. Pic taken from car window moving at speed of 20 Km/Hr, posted here without any post processing.

The Queen's Step Well

2006-08-05T21:54:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/200 sec)

Rajasthan : the land of forts and palaces is quite famous in tourist circuit (especially foreigners). Though the popular destinations are Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur there are few more small cities all across Rajasthan which boast of some exquisite architecture. Also apart from Palaces and forts one can see some of the best step wells (Baoli) of India in this region.

Fortunately i had the chance to visit one of the lesser known cities in Rajasthan (Kota) few weeks back. I used this opportunity to visit Boondi (an erstwhile kingdom of Rajput kings). Boondi is famous of its wall paintings, City palace, Taragarh Fort and Rani Ji ki Baoli (in pic). Raniji-ki-Baoli, (Queen's step well) is a 46-m-deep step well, built in 1699 by Queen Nathavatji, and is known for its carvings as you can see in the pic.

Do take out time to visit Boondi, Will be posting more pics from Boondi in coming weeks.

Aaghaz

2006-08-01T10:56:00.000-07:00

(ISO 80, f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/250 sec)

Aaghaz : Urdu Word for "Beginning". I know this is just another routine photo. Taken at 5:30 AM in morning at the foothills of himalayas, sun rising behind the hills and weaving its magic on us wanderers :) I wanted to put this pic because the one with which i ended my last post at previous blog was a sky shot behind the grills and here is a early morning sky with the first rays of sunlight. Cheers to this new blog.............Welcome PHOTO CURRY :)

My Favorites - I

2006-07-27T02:06:00.000-07:00

Some of my Favorite Pics from previous blog. Check http://aportraitoflife.blogspot.com/ for bigger versions of the pics. Check the second part of the "My Favorites" too.

My Favorites - II

2006-07-27T02:05:00.000-07:00

Some of my Favorite Pics from previous blog. Check http://aportraitoflife.blogspot.com for bigger versions of the pics. Check the first part of the "My Favorites" too.