Arnab Maity | The Wireless Wanderer

Melbourne Evening Photowalk – Fine Art Street Photo Experiments

Arnab Maity — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:38:00 +0000

Melbourne is a street photographer’s paradise, period. No matter how much I love the street scene in Sydney (my current city of residence), its not comparable to the arty lanes and alleys of Melbourne.

Every time I come back to Melbourne, it presents me with something new, visually. The trams, the horse carriages, the Victorian era buildings, the graffiti, the modern architecture and the tasteful fashionistas make it such a unique juxtaposition, that I always end up with a plan to come back again.

This Easter was a good excuse for me to take a break from work and come down to Melbourne to explore the street scene here. The weather wasn’t too friendly for the camera, from grey skies to drizzles, it was relentless in its attempt to make a shutterbug unhappy. However, I wanted to see how Melburnians tackle the rains and whether it deters their partying spirit or not. I walked out with my Nikon D90 and the 35 mm f2.8 lens only, just to try some compositions with a free mind.

The theme that I had in my mind was “Walking”…

Few important photographic points about this walk and shoot:

1. All the shots were hand-held, without the use of any pods(read mono, tri).

2. All the shots were taken with a fixed focal length (35 mm) lens on a cropped sensor body (Nikon D90), so the only zoom I did was with my legs.

3. Grains in some of the shots are intentional to provide a retro look (what does that mean?)

Actually, I shot most of these at ISO 800, which introduces a bit of noise if the shots are underexposed. I did not want to correct the noise using a noise correction software. Why? Well, that’s a different discussion I can take up some other day.

4. Shooting handheld at night can be a real challenge. Exposing the scene properly will bring down the shutter speed and introduce camera shake while pressing the button. The only way to tackle this is by using a tripod. Well, not really. Any solid surface can act as a support to reduce shake, like a wall or a bench.

5. Another technique is to Shoot in Burst Mode. It will ensure that you capture at least 4-5 frames per second depending on your camera. On my Nikon D90, the H Mode in the Release options shoots about 4.5 frames per second. But this depends on the shutter speed as well. Too slow might not provide the expected fps.Almost all the shots here were taken using this mode.

6. Memory Cards might not be a matter of concern for most of us, but they can potentially make or break a picture. If your card is slow (10-20 MB/s, rating 2 to 6), it might impact your capability to shoot in burst mode. In burst mode, the camera stores the first few frames in its internal memory, but then tries to transfer it to the card. If the card doesn’t have a fast writing speed, the camera’s ability to capture more frames per seconds can get severely restricted.

The Walkers

Melbourne is a great place to walk, but how about walking patterns? Looking down I could spot a few different ones, some elegant, some bumpy and others, less a walk more a hop.

Monochrome processing in SilverEfex Pro.

Worth the Wait?

This lady was waiting for someone at Fed Square, I liked the reflection of the Flinder’s Street Station’s lights on the surface and also the impatient movements of the lady. She wasn’t walking but gyrating around that corner, pretending to start a walk.

Kept the station in focus and wanted to capture the oscillations of the lady.

Crossing Speed

Signals are interesting places to capture how different people interpret them in their minds. Some take the time-limit for crossing the road too seriously and try to cross it as fast as possible. Others would maintain their saunters in a relaxed way without bothering too much about the cars waiting for them to give way.

This had an interesting technique, I intentionally wanted to capture the motion blur caused by the people crossing the road. Cranked down the ISO, went low on shutter speed, took the support of a light post on my right and click, click, click..in burst mode.

Walking on Inclines

These are shot at one of my favourite places in Melbourne for street photography, Hosier Lane. The lane is famous for its street-art work on the adjacent walls. Another interesting thing about this lane is its slope. I knew I would get some interesting walks here too..

Grains and the look created in Lightroom 5.

Monochrome processing in Silver Efex Pro.

Walking through the alleys

Some people love browsing their phones while walking, lost in their worlds, indifferent to the surroundings.

This guy was taking orders at one of the lane restuarants and everytime he would walk up to a table, he would stand with this unique pose creating a triangle between his legs!

Leisurely Walk

An old couple walk in leisurely fashion scouring for a good eatery around Chinatown.

Let me know your views about this experiment. I would love to hear from all of you…

The Weekly Frame – Loneliness

Arnab Maity — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 01:23:00 +0000

Lonely on the land I walk,
Lonely cross the sea I sail,
Lonely air of beach I stroll –
This lonely life doth take its toll

– Mark R Slaughter

Shot at Camps Cove in Sydney, Australia.

Looking Ahead to Summer: Greek Activity Breaks

Arnab Maity — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:02:00 +0000

Make the most out of your summer beach break and add an activity-laden facet to your typical fun in the sun. Are you used to spending the duration of your time chilling out on a sun lounger with a great read and plenty of suncream? Why stop there? Holidays with Neilson provide plenty more opportunities for you, no matter what you love, meaning that you can enjoy your activity break to the max.

While thousands of holidaymakers will be flocking to Spain and the Balearics in the summer, others will head elsewhere and who can blame them? The more of the world we get to appreciate during our lifetime, the broader our horizons get! One place to definitely visit at some point is Greece, which will give you the chance to enjoy both the sun, sea and sand and as much history, natural beauty, adventure and culture as you can fit in to your hectic itinerary.

Where to go, though? Greece has an abundance of resorts for an activity holiday. Here are some of the best that may help you make your choice.

Lemnos

From mountain biking challenging routes such as the Sardes Loop and cycling to Myrina for a leisurely afternoon out, to taking to the water for any amount of watersports, Lemnos is jam-packed with exciting activities. Of course, relaxing by the pool and looking out over the gentle waves of the Aegean Sea is just as appealing, don’t you think?

Sivota

With an abundance of natural beauty on your doorstep, and enough activities to keep you occupied for the duration of your break, Sivota is a fabulous resort for families and couples alike, with Stay and Sail breaks being a popular choice. Tennis, biking, watersports and fitness opportunities are all waiting for you, as is the heat of the beautiful Greek sun!

Messini

Located in the southern Peloponnese, Messini is a mainland resort that has plenty of adventure surrounding it. From road biking and watersports to kayaking around the local coastline to find your own piece of seclusion, Messini has it all.

Take your pick from one of these Greek treats or check out some of the other resorts available, including Vassiliki or Lesvos – the choice is yours!

Durga Puja Celebrations in Sydney

Arnab Maity — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 08:33:00 +0000

Veer Sanghvi, the editor of Hindustan Times once wrote – “A man in Delhi once asked me -‘What is so special about Durga Puja In Kolkata? It’s just as big as Diwali is here in the North’.
I simply smiled and replied ‘You have no idea’.
Waiting for my late evening flight to Mumbai at the airport, I thought that there probably isn’t any festival in any city in the world that can match Kolkata’s Puja in intensity. You can take the craze of Diwali in Delhi, Christmas in London, Summer Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Valentine’s day in Paris and then add it to the month long madness of Olympic Games or the World Cup and cram all that into a span of 5 days and you still wouldn’t know what you are missing if you haven’t been in Kolkata during Durga Puja”

Being born and brought up in the City of Joy, I didn’t spend many Durga Pujas outside my beloved city. This year was different though. Sitting 6000 miles and 5 timezones away from all the madness and frenzy, I knew what I was missing. But sitting and cribbing for long wasn’t an option, so I packed my gear and left to explore the Durga Pujas celebrated at my current city of residence, Sydney.

The Durga idol at the BANSW Puja in Concord.

Performers enact the Durga-Mahishashura legend through dance forms at the Bangladesh Society’s Puja in Wentworthville, NSW

A lady greets the goddess with betel leaf, a custom performed during Vijaya Dashami- at the largest and most popular Durga Puja in Sydney, organized by the Bengali Association of NSW, Concord, NSW

Women at the Bengali Association Puja in Sydney celebrate “Sindur Khela” – a popular custom on the Dashami day.

Women at the BANSW Puja in Concord perform “Dhunuchi Naach”

Dhunuchi dance performer at the Concord Puja

There is a popular saying among Bongs – two Bengalis make an association and four make a Durga Puja. Sydney’s bongs are no exception. There were close to 15 Durga Pujas celebrated all around the city this year. They might have been miniscule in terms of size and grandeur of the Kolkata Pujas, but the fun, frolic, frenzy and the spirit was intact. The bhogs, the sindur khelas, the dhunuchi naaches were the highlights but there was something that surpassed all – the Adda, the Bengali’s very own brainstorming chat sessions that range from Bay Leaves fried in Mustard Oil to the politics of Somalia!

West Ireland Attractions: Why Visit County Galway

Arnab Maity — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:09:00 +0000

As soon as you step foot in this vibrant city, you will understand why many Dubliners flock here for a good night out. Not only are the city’s streets awash with traditional Irish pubs, fantastic bars and delectable restaurants, but it’s also the gateway to County Galway, where there are vast amounts of attractions waiting to be explored.

The natural beauty of this area of Ireland is out of this world and by dropping your gear off at the great value Galway Travelodge, you are letting yourself in for a real treat. Grab your comfortable walking boots and head off in search of what breathtaking views County Galway has to offer.

Located just off the coast of the county, the Aran Islands hold the secret of Irish lifestyle of yore.
Where the Irish language is the main language spoken and unspoilt landscapes surround you, these three islands would make an ideal addition to any itinerary that is based around heritage and culture.
Inishmore is the largest of the islands, where you can see for miles across the karst landscape atop Dun Aengus. From the welcome townsfolk to the secluded beaches and eroding cliffs, the Aran Islands are a real jewel of Ireland.

Similarly, if you’re a lover of the great outdoors, an adventure into the Connemara National Park is an absolute must. Located within the county, Connemara covers all manner of outdoor treats, including forests, mountains and grasslands, all begging to be explored.

Within the city, there’s a host of attractions that would add enjoyment to your visit, including parks, tours, cathedrals and the 16th century Spanish Arch that is located on the banks of the river It’s home to the Galway City Museum which has plenty of exhibitions that help you to gain insight into the history and heritage of the city and beyond.

While its winding streets may not be as bustling as they were a couple of months ago in the height of summer, the true beauty of the natural world will overwhelm you with warm colours and seasonal changes. Autumn is a wonderful time to venture to Galway and beyond.

The Weekly Frame – Surfer’s Paradise

Arnab Maity — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:49:00 +0000

The waves at Manly beach in Sydney are famous for their surf-worthiness. Every weekend, hundreds of surfers flock here to experience the kiss of the surging tide. Spirits sour high and for some even the setting sun isn’t a deterrent.

The Weekly Frame – Luxury Bathing

Arnab Maity — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Shot at the Coogee Tidal Pool in Sydney, NSW, Australia during daybreak.

After taking this shot, I packed up and took a dip in the inviting waters. It was almost like swimming in the sea…absolutely refreshing!

Stories from the Nepal Himalayas – in portraits

Arnab Maity — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 04:48:00 +0000

My recent trek to the Nepal Himalayas wouldn’t have been the same sans the exciting encounters with people of the Solukhumbhu region – the region often termed as Everest Region by the trekking and climbing communities.

Here are some of the snapshots from the trip:

The Best Wishes Girl:

She smiled at every trekker passing by her house on the way to Namche from Phakding and waved her hands wishing them luck.

The Legend of the Trails:

If you have trekked from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche on the Everest Base Camp route, its highly unlikely that you have missed this living legend. Lama Sheru has been building and maintaining the trekking trail all the way from Namche Bazar to Dingboche since 1958 with the help of donations from trekkers and fellow sherpas. In all these years, he has carved out a 20 km long smooth trail out of the rugged mountains, making life easy for thousands of trekkers who visit the region every year. And all this was done alone without any help from the government or local authorities. Don’t forget to help this noble man with your contribution if you see him during your trek.

The Chocolate Boy:

While trekking from Phakding to Namche Bazaar, I had stopped for my routine energy break(gobbling up a snickers bar) when he emerged out of nowhere. “Chocolaaate please” – his timid voice turned authoritative. The moment I handed over a bar from my supplies, he vanished. In the next minute I heard another “Chocolaaate please”, this time it was for a couple, standing twenty steps behind me.

The Monk who sold his house:

It was a chilly evening in Pangboche, when I ran inside the monastery to take refuge from the relentless snow-shower outside. There was this man, draped in a maroon robe smiling up to me, striking a conversation -“You don’t seem to enjoy the weather outside”.”I wasn’t prepared for this” – I said. “Are you an explorer?”, “Yes somewhat, but what made you think in that way?”, “Ohh, everyone of us is an explorer in some way or the other….” – and then it went on and on.
I wasn’t ready to discuss philosophy or religion at that time but I had no clue how time flew. After an hour of yoga for the mind, I was definitely wiser than before. The monk who had ran away from all earthly pleasures had sold off his house to explore the planet in search of the eternal truth. Would I be able to do something like this ever? – the question kept on lingering in my mind.

Sherpa mother:

Her sons had lost their lives in helping others conquer the tallest peaks on earth. Yet she lives with a permanent smile on her face to talk about their tales of bravado. She symbolizes the strength of a community that remains a lifeline to man’s eternal desire to conquer the highest place on earth.

The Devotee:

She had walked 20 miles to offer a homemade drink at a religious ceremony in Dingboche and would carry back the drink to her village without shaking it further. Her sense of devotion and faith was strong and explained the sincerity of the people in the mountains when it comes to their rituals and beliefs.

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The simplicity, honesty and hospitality of the people of Solukhumbhu had elated me even more than the sights of the tallest peaks on earth and their smiles will remain in my heart forever.

The Weekly Frame – Romancing the Monsoons in Kerala

Arnab Maity — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 20:26:00 +0000

Floating on a houseboat through the backwaters of Kerala and watching the rhythm of rains all around is possibly the best romantic escapade during the monsoons. Shot at Alleppey, Kerala

Ask Arnab : Planning one train trip in India, which one should it be?

Arnab Maity — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 11:41:00 +0000

“Ask Arnab” is my initiative to organize all your queries sent to me through email, fb, twitter or carrier pigeons. It will serve two purposes, help fellow travellers with similar queries directly find my answer on the web and help me save the cost of housing an elephant to remember all that I replied before.

Today’s question is about a mode of transport that is extremely close to my heart – the Railways.
It’s from Michele D’Amico from Santa Cruz, California

Question:
If I can only take one train trip in India, which should it be?

Answer:
Ahh, that is a tough one Michele!
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime train trip in India, it has to be the Palace on Wheels. It is the epitome of luxury in India’s train travel, easily finding itself in the bucket list of rail fans from around the world. You can get yourself transported to the world of the Maharajas by exploring their exquisite palaces and experiencing the royal service in a train that resembles the grandeur of their privately-run state railways of the yesteryear.

Interiors of the Place on Wheels

But POW is expensive even by global standards and if luxury is not what you are looking for, you can take a trip starting from Trivandrum (capital of the southern state of Kerala) to Mumbai passing through the Konkan Railways – the line, which runs parallel to the Arabian Sea coastline, offering some of the most spectacular views of any Indian rail journey.
Running along the contours of Western Ghats, the Konkan Railway features a maze of over two thousand bridges and about a hundred tunnels through mountains, gorges, river basins and palm-fringed backwaters. The construction of Konkan Railways is an engineering marvel; a man-made feat symbolizing that everything is possible.

Bridges and Waterfalls mark the Konkan Railway

Another train trip that might soon beat the Konkan Railways in its complexity and scenic offerings is the Kashmir Railway. Since it is still incomplete, I wouldn’t suggest it to to you as you will have to break your journey and take a few road trips in between to see the entire stretch. Expected to be completed by 2018, this railway promises to connect the picturesque Kashmir Valley to the rest of India.

The Kashmir Railway in Qazigund

In case you fall in love with the Indian Railways and decide to see a bit more of India through its lifeline(the railway), you can check my post on the Most Scenic Train Journeys in India.