Charles Verghese - A Dubai Photographer's Blog

My First Attempt At Star Trails

2011-11-26T10:33:00.001+04:00

Hi All, Early this morning made my first attempt at capturing star trails. Image was captured near the 'Fossil Rock' area beside the Sharjah-Kalba / Maleha road in the United Arab Emirates. Details after the jump.... I had just returned from a place called Wadi Bih (just North of the UAE in the bordering territory of the Sultanate of Oman). A 'Wadi' is basically a dried up river bed or

ODIN: Phottix's New ETTL Wireless Flash Trigger For Canon - FIRST REVIEW!

2011-09-14T03:05:00.001+04:00

Hi All, Just super excited to give you a review on the soon to be released ETTL wireless radio triggers from Phottix - called Odin. I will be doing a range test and a few other details in another post in the near future. All photos at the exhibition were taken with a Canon 7D and a 18-135mm stock lens. Here are pictures of the Odin Canon ETTL speedlight triggering system.... More after the

2011 Mitsubishi Galloper 3.8 GLS: My Shiny New Horse!

2011-05-22T00:41:00.005+04:00

Hi Folks! Just wanted to post a picture of my new ride. I am really proud of this new car. This is the first vehicle the I drove out of the showroom back in February, 2011. Why do I call it my 'New Horse'? Well, my old vehicle is a Hyundai Galloper. While I love my new car and enjoy the comforts and luxuries it affords me, I miss the rough, rugged and beaten up Galloper. That car has taken

Abu Dhabi - Yas Marina Circuit (Porsche GT3 Cup + Radicals)

2011-04-10T23:36:00.001+04:00

Hi All!! Just thought I'd start updating my blog with some more regularity. To kick things off, I am posting some action photos that I took at Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is located about an hour and a half drive away from Dubai. Please give me a 'heads-up' on what you think of the photos (critiques welcome). So here

Phottix Atlas (Update): Go For Launch!

2010-07-13T13:01:00.008+04:00

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas) Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing) Firstly I need to thank a few of my inspirations....mainly on account of them opening my eyes to off camera flash techniques.... Joe McNally The Strobist (aka David Hobby) Zack 'One Light' Arias Gulf Photo Plus (I am where I am because of you)! I

Gulf Photo Plus 2010 (Shootout In Dubai) - Zack Arias, David (Strobist) Hobby & Joey Lawrence

2010-06-28T20:11:00.001+04:00

Here are some pictures I took at this year's Gulf Photo Plus event held in Dubai (2010). I know that this post comes way (way) after the event, but I thought I'd put it up just the same. Actually, I just got 'round to getting some down time here in Dubai. All images were taken without the use of flash and at high ISOs...so forgive my grainyness! More pictures after the jump.....

Zack Arias Pictures From Gulf Photo Plus In Dubai

2010-06-28T18:29:00.003+04:00

As mentioned in an earlier post, below are some pictures of Zack Arias from his 2 (2009 & 2010) visits to Dubai's Gulf Photo Plus: Engage Hyperdrive..... Zack @ one of his workshops Zack & Erik Dixon - Confused? I AM ZACK - Watch Me Slide!! Zack & Erik - Desert Farm Zack - Blown Away By Dubai Zack, Erik & Loe

Phottix Atlas (Wireless Radio Triggers) LAUNCHED !!!

2010-06-16T12:07:00.001+04:00

Hello Everybody, Just a quick update to my 3 part review of the PHOTTIX ATLAS wireless radio trigger.....They are now officially LAUNCHED. Update: Also please take a look at Taiwan based Craig Ferguon's video review of the Atlas. Take a look at this challenger to the gods (Atlas of Greek Mythology) where in this case the GODS are PocketWizard. This is indeed good news for all photographers.

A Shout From Seattle - Zack Arias' Conversation With Chase Jarvis

2010-06-16T05:40:00.003+04:00

I would like to humbly say that I am proud to have met, gotten to know & assisted (local assistant in Dubai's Gulf Photo Plus 2010) Zack Arias. I met him last year at Gulf Photo Plus 2009. Zack Arias (of the One Light Workshop fame) is a wonderful person and has an unlimited well of street knowledge of photography. While, I'm sure he doesn't know it all (and who does???), he is one of the best

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Long Range Testing) - Part 3 of 3)

2010-06-08T06:37:00.012+04:00

This is Part 3/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II... Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas) Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed) OK...so it has been longer than anticipated to post the final part of this review as I had a roll of assignments here in

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) - Part 2 of 3)

2010-05-07T15:48:00.111+04:00

This is Part 2/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II... Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas) Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing) Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed) OK! So folks settle in for a product description (the best that I can come up with anyway) and a demo of the short range wireless triggering

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Intro - Part 1 of 3)

2010-05-07T14:29:00.037+04:00

Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing) Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed) Atlas , from mythology was a Titan who dared go up against Zeus and forced to hold up the celestial spheres (the sky) from the western edge of Gaia (the Earth) as punishment. He is also known as Atlas Telamon or "Enduring Atlas". "What has

Testing The Mobile 2 Blog Service On My iPhone

2009-11-06T03:52:00.002+04:00

Hi Folks!!!Guess I'm upwardly mobile now. I can post articles from my mobile now. No more excuses for letting my blog stay idle now.I will be updating this site more often. Would love to hear from you people.(Sent from my iPhone)Charles VerghesePhotographerCharles Verghese Photography+971 (50) 4959512+971 (55) 4959512www.charlesverghese.com

Strobist Boot Camp II - Assignment 1 (The Head Shot)

2009-06-10T14:55:00.003+04:00

OK...so it's on!The first Strobist Boot Camp II assignment is up on the Strobist website. A simple head shot along with a self portrait taken in the same setting (rules apply). Access the site for more details.Winner gets:• One Speedlight Pro Kit (more info)• One Strobist Lighting Seminar 8-DVD boxed set (more info)• One set of Strobist Trade Secret Cards (more info)Deadline is June 23, 2009 (

Strobist Boot Camp II - Starts June 10 2009

2009-06-09T21:05:00.005+04:00

Hi Folks!Just in case you haven't heard, David Hobby (aka Strobist) is back in action and kicking our butts into shape! Yet another Boot Camp!! Woohoo!The Strobist will be providing a series of 4 exercises/assignments with a few set of rules and with some wonderful prizes (shipped anywhere in the world). Assignments will cover four areas of flash photography. Open to anyone, this is a

Going The Strobist Way

2009-05-30T23:36:00.010+04:00

Ever since I was introduced to David Hobby (aka Strobist) via Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) last year, I have been experimenting on and off with off-camera flash lighting techniques. The results always inspire me. Now, I'm not saying that my results are good or unique, but I always feel that I am taking one more step in the right direction.After this years GPP '09 event I was yet again inspired to try

A Drop In The Ocean

2009-04-19T20:25:00.007+04:00

A long time coming...this image was taken in March of 2007 but didn't know how & where to post it. It was left forgotten in the dark recesses of my hard drive. Always thought that this was in interesting image.So when this image showed up in one of my keyword searches in Adobe Lightroom, I decided to take this image on by the horns. Lightroom is a great program once you know how to manipulate

Out Of The Shadows....Into The LIGHT!

2009-04-17T19:15:00.005+04:00

I have had my blog running for some time now. First on Wordpress (which currently on standby) and then here on blogspot/blogger. I used to think that there wouldn't be anyone interested in my 'happenings' and therefore chose to occasionally post something without announcing or even linking to it from my website. I still haven't placed a link from my site. I guess that will come in due

Finally, A Strike !

2009-03-26T17:01:00.001+04:00

Hi Folks!It started to rain here in the UAE. Many of you might be thinking...WTF? This guy seems like someone who hasn't seen rain before. Well, 'course I have seen rain before, but living in the Emirates, rain in any quantity is a reason to celebrate.The morning was showing around 38 degrees. I think every one was basically in a foul mood...something to do with the onset of summer, coupled

An Addition To My Cap

2009-03-14T14:15:00.002+04:00

I have decided to add modeling and fashion photography to the list of my abilities as I am gaining confidence and experience in this area. The initial reason that I got into photography was because I loved taking candid photographs of people in a wide variety of situations. Back in the day, I used a simple point-and-shoot (PNS) and the results were interesting and people liked the results.As

My Strobist Post

2008-12-08T13:45:00.003+04:00

Addressed to David Hobby of Strobist fame commenting on some negative feedback on his article/essay about offering free photography servicesHi David,I have been an avid reader ever since I met (....well, actually saw you and heard you speaking while out in the corridor on the last day) you at the Gulf Photo Plus 2008 event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the time, I had heard about and

On My Own Again....

2008-08-27T23:17:00.001+04:00

Guess it was just a matter of time... for me anyway.At the end of July 2008, I finally quit my job as an Account Director of a small advertising agency in Sharjah, and ventured out into the unknown on my own...Well, not on my own exactly. I do have my wife to thank for. She has been constantly nagging pushing me to strive to higher goals (earning) and aspirations. And let me not forget to

Down Memory Lane

2008-08-27T22:58:00.002+04:00

Down Memory LaneOriginally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)A dhow (traditional ocean going boat) with a Barajeel (wind tower) in the background. Image taken in the Dubai Heritage Village (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Light Shadows!

2008-08-27T22:56:00.002+04:00

Light Shadows!Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)Shadow of one of the lamps in the Dubai Heritage Village in the United Arab Emirates. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Forgotten Door

2008-08-27T22:55:00.001+04:00

Forgotten DoorOriginally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)Image of a (fake / decorative / ornamental) door at the Dubai Heritage Village in Shindhagah area od Dubai (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.2008-08-2710:55:33 pm