People

Nikon Coolpix Point and Shoot 

Why is this my one of my favorite photographs even though quality wise it is not that good quality of a shot?Hopefully it is obvious. There is a story unfolding here. All four key subjects in this photograph seem to have their own set of frustrations. My nephew - being first time on the pony is frankly  seems quite scared. My niece being a big sister that she is; wondering what the fuss is all about riding this little pony? Pony master - thinking "boy it's tough to make a living like this!!" Pony going - "here we go - one of them huh!! - lets move already he is yanking on my lip ring".

Ricoh with Sigma Lens, Manual Focus 50 mm, ASA 200, F6.0

One of my earlier attempts to shoot people (and black and white at that) - while the subject is in a dead center - my friend Suman that is - I think I was able to capture the mood and the moment - every morning first thing he did after waking up was to go outside to bask on cold Wyoming sun and light up a cigarette - you can almost feel the chill. With his dark robe there was some contrast luckily to otherwise a photo with lots of shade of white.

Sony Mavica with Carl Zeiss Lens Full Auto 35 mm, ISO 200, F3.5, AWB

Pic above is the example of being at the right place at the right time - in other words being able to capture this moment forever.

Sony Mavica DSLR with Carl Zeiss Lens Full Auto 35 mm, ISO 200, F3.5, WB-Daylight

What I am mostly proud of about this photo, besides taking the portrait of my lovely 3 years old niece, is that I was able to capture a wonderful mix of  brilliant colors. As for the subject you just can't ask for a 3 year old to pose for a photo - you can beg all you want -  they will not sit still even for of 1/500th of second - and although this photo my suggest that she was posing - she was not. I was canoeing with her in Phewa lake. I leaning to the side of the canoe we were on and paying with water - I set my camera ready  with exposure and angle and then made a loud coughing sound - she looked up to see what's going on and then ........."Click".

Canon Rebel XS EOS DSLR, Full Auto, 18-55 mm lens

While this picture could use little more light balance what intrigued me about this "posed" photograph is the ambiance. Centuries of burning candle had left dark soot on the walls adding a mystical backdrop to this picture of my brother in Swoyambhu.

Canon Rebel XS EOS DSLR, Full Auto, 18-55 mm lens

This is why shoot. She was not posting for this photo - but rather was standing on the ledge and looking towards me for help - Help to chase monkeys away that were nearby as she was waiting there to collect fire wood - on the trail to Annapurna Base Camp that is. Photo with amazing story, amazing backdrop, amazing subject; this is why you travel. There is so much I could have come away with had I had little better skills and better equipment - none-the-less will remain as one of the most memorable photographic moment for me.

Canon Rebel XS EOS DSLR, Full Auto, 18-55 mm lens, WB- set to cloudy

And there are those shots where no filters or exposures setting would help you get a crisp photo - when it is very foggy in this case that is. Then you just take what the scene gives you and try to capture it to tell a story. That was my attempt here. But this entry level Canon DSLR always left something to be desired.

Sony Mavica DSLR with Carl Zeiss Lens Full Auto 35 mm, ISO 200, F3.5, AWB

Evening sun does wonders to photographs in my view - just the right amount of light to do people shots. Took this photo near La Holla beach in San Deigo. These little boys of acquaintance of ours stopped paying on the sand for me to take this photo.

Canon Rebel XS EOS DSLR, Full Auto, 18-55 mm lens

One of my earlier attempt to manipulate a photo in a major way. As you can see I have a lot to learn. But the subject was simply irresistible - took this shot near Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.

A peaceful monk within the higher walls within the dense temple within the crowded city.

Paradox is this "tranquility" within "chaosness" - or is it "trapped" vs. "liberated"?? 

From a technical composition some might consider this photo to be a complete disaster. Main subject almost falls of the edge of the photo - and city is all tilted. I wanted to capture this monk within the whole context.  Had I taken his shot within the boundaries of the temples - that would look too simple. I wanted to capture the city and the sky - which was next to impossible with my standard 50 mm lens. I had to take diagonal shot to capture the sky.

I think I am "templed out" in BKK - I was at Wat Arun yesterday thinking I will take some good shots. But got bored as soon as I got there. While they are trying their best to preserve the temples here - there are too many unnatural and unoriginal artifacts draping the scene to take any decent photos - too much distraction  like wires, antennas, obscurely place lights, sign boards etc everywhere. As I was coming down the stairs I saw these young monk boys meditating on these little windows of Apsara's on a base of a temple. They made my day. Took tons of shots. Posting few here. 

I purposely avoided capturing the ground to give them this elevated posture.

Moments later the one that is done and smiling was pinching the cheek of the one that is still meditating - trying to tease and all. Kids!!! Now - that would have been fun to capture. Couldn't - happened too fast.