Midhun Menon Photography

Arial Photography : Through Aircraft Window

2011-02-09T21:07:00.001+05:30

Arial photography gives freedom to photographers for capturing a large panoramic landscape in a single frame. However, when it comes to arial photography through commercial aircraft window pane, it adds a lot of limitation to this free expression.

The most difficult situation will be to cover a horizontally large landscape. Instead what you may get in your viewfinder could be a vertically large span of area with clear sky horizon. To generate interesting shots, look for dark or huge cloud formations or significantly visible point of interests.

Also keep your camera ready when the flight is taking off or just about to land to get interesting view of the city.

Using Foreground Subjects to Landscape Photography

2011-01-11T19:40:00.000+05:30

Unlike any typical blog posts regarding landscape photography, this post do not cover the basics of landscape photography. This post suggests a pointer which you can consider in your check list while doing landscape photography to improve the overall visual appeal of the image.

As landscape photography typically uses a wide angle at a higher aperture setting, you tend to get a flat distant image. In many of the cases, the landscape photograph that is taken is far less realistic and appealing than being witnessed through the real eyes.

How if we can improve the appeal of your landscape photography by a small little consideration while you compose your shot?

The tip is simple. Include a foreground subject in your landscape photograph. The reason why many landscape photographs look dull is due to the fact the images are flat. Try bringing in a foreground subject such as a tree, a big rock or a pavement. Since you would be using a higher aperture, you will have a deep DOF.

Couple of examples more...

Portraits with secondary subjects

2010-11-22T21:04:00.000+05:30

A commonly said rule on photography is to isolate your subject; such that your subject stands out and there are no other distracting elements.

I personally feel that there are no rules on photography although few of them could be used to take better photographs (as long as you know the rule and why you are bending or breaking the rule).

Adding subjects of secondary interest could give a different dimension to portrait photography. This is slowly catching up and several advertisement photography uses this to a larger extend. Though in advertising photography, the difference being secondary subject is as prominent as the primary subject.

Depending upon the location, you can choose suitable secondary subjects. It could be a flower, a veil, a hair drier, balloons or even cityscape.

Try what you are comfortable with. You may even use a larger aperture of F/10 or F/12 for portraits with cityscape.

Creative Photography with Balloons

2010-11-11T21:13:00.000+05:30

I am a person who loves creativity in photography. I sometimes get to think differently; thanks to frequent online photography competitions.

This is a series of photographic examples using a common subject like balloons.

A is for Ants

2010-11-09T22:40:00.000+05:30

These photographs were taken for an online photography competition.

I thought I would throw a little more insight on working with living subjects for macro photography. This technique is not a new one and possibly a lot discussed over the internet.

Golden Tip: Freeze the action, but don't kill 'em.
The best way to slow down a living subject for macro photoshoot is to freeze them. You can captivate your subject in a small jar and put in your refrigerator to slow down the subject. Try with 1 minute inside the fridge and if the action is still higher, try for 2 mins. This is good enough to slow down your subject for the next 3 - 4 minutes, but ensures that your subject will walk away on its own once your photoshoot ends.

You can repeat the above procedure to do more number of shoots. But wait till your subject gets back its complete action before you repeat your task.

India and its road side sales

2010-11-04T20:22:00.010+05:30

Woman selling coconut, flowers and other pooja offerings to devotees of Nimishamba Temple, Mysore.

People who are from India, and people who have visited India will know for sure that the places for shopping are quite numerous here. Collecting a souvenir from India is the most easiest part; as it can be made possible from every nuke and corner of the cities.

Undoubtedly, India is a country with lot of road-side sales.

Adjoining each and every tourist place, there will be hundreds and thousands of these small shops; selling artifacts, consumables, eateries, and other items that are of interest to the tourists. This post is to show few photographs of our Indian Road-Side Sales. All the photographs were taken during my visit to Mysore, Karnataka in the month of April 2010.

Looking at one of these road-side temporary establishments is real fun. It has the energy of a 'sunday market'; yet it has a huge diversity depending on the locale / tourist spot. The photograph of the left hand side is such a crowd seen near Gumbaz, tomb of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali at Mysore, Karnataka.

There is everything for sale here: post cards showing excellent photographs of tourist interest in and around Mysore, gift articles, ladies favourites such as comb, bangles; to even stalls selling tender coconut to quench your thirst.

If you are a person who is fond of capturing these moments as a souvenir itself, I am sure you would enjoy each and every trip that you make within any Indian tourist destination.

The photograph of the boy cutting tender coconut is also taken near Gumbaz, Mysore.

In May 2010, sale of peacock feathers were banned in India. Following excerpt indicates the same.

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday announced a proposal to ban trade of peacock feathers to protect the national bird from illegal poaching and killing.

Inviting comments before imposing 'a comprehensive ban on the sale, transfer and trade of peacock feathers,' the environment and forests minister said this is in response to numerous requests from various stakeholders.

"It has been brought to the ministry's attention that the demand for the feathers outstrips the supply leading to the rampant poaching and killing of the birds for the purpose of their feathers," Ramesh said.

It said the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, shall be amended to remove exemption granted to the peacock owners under Sections 43(3)(a) and 44 for transfer and sell of the tail feathers and articles or trophies made from them.

While the act already prohibits killing of peacocks as well as export of tail feathers or articles made from them, it allowed domestic trade in them so far under the assumption that these are naturally shed, the ministry said.

If you had been lucky enough to buy one peacock feather, keep it as a valuable possession. This photo of a man selling peacock feathers were taken on April 2010, just one month before the ban was imposed.

One last photograph in this post is that of a man selling papaya outside Mysore Palace.

Gumbaz: Tomb of Tipu Sultan & Haider Ali, Mysore

2010-11-01T20:23:00.005+05:30

At the eastern end of the island towards the south is Gumbaz or Mausoleum. It was built by Tipu Sultan for his parents between 1782-84 A.D. Later Tipu was buried here on 5th May 1799 A.D. It is an impressive square tomb chamber surmounted by brick built dome. Open corridors run black stone pillars. The carved stone windows and doorways with ivory inlaid doors are fine workmanship. In the verandahs and on the platform are housed the Tombs of Haider's family members. There is also a mosque in the complex built in Moghal style.

Brindavan Garden & KRS Dam, Mysore

2010-10-28T21:17:00.006+05:30

Musical Fountain at Brindavan Gardens, Mysore

One of the most visited places in Mysore by locals and by tourists is the famous Brindavan Gardens. Located about 19kms from the heart of Mysore these beautiful gardens are laid out below the Krishnaraja Sagar dam built across the river Cauvery. These gardens are famous for the illuminated dancing fountains that come to life after sunset. The Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (KRS) (known as Kannambadi to the locals) itself is a superb example of excellent engineering and itself is a tourist attraction in Mysore. Sir M. Vishveswariah, one of India's finest engineers, built it in 1924.

Krishnaraja Sagar Dam, Mysore

He used 'surkhi' a mixture of limestone and brick powder instead of cement. The dam was among the first in the world to have automatic sluice gates. The dam is named after the then Maharaja of Mysore Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar who financed the dam. The dam is 3 kms long and is located at the confluence of the rivers -Cauvery, Hemavati and Lakshmanathritha. The lake that is formed by the dam is one of the largest in India. The dam is a multipurpose project conceived by Sir M. Vishveswariah for supplying water to the agricultural lands of Mandya and Mysore districts and for ensuring power supply to the Shivanasamudra project.

Sir M. Vishveswariah is often called the architect of modern Mysore and "the father of planning in India". The gardens were designed by Sir Mirza Ismail another important and progressive Diwan of Mysore. Spread over an area of 150 acres, the Brindavan Gardens is considered one of the best gardens in India. The garden not only been meticulously laid out and has beautiful lawns and shrubs, but has thousands of fountains in different shapes and sizes that are lit with colorful lamps and are set to pleasant music.

Flowers at Brindavan Gardens, Mysore

The best time to visit the gardens is after sunset when all the bright colourful fountains come alive and seem to dance with joy to the accompanying music. This is a sight worth beholding as the entire garden is transformed into a fairyland. The Brindavan gardens remain illuminated from 7.00pm to 7.55pm from Monday to Wednesday and from 7.00pm to 8.55pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Getting a park space at Brindavan Gardens is relatively easy. The parking yard right in front of the KRS dam is massively huge.

Parking lot in front of KRS dam

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Srirangapatna, Mysore

2010-10-27T21:45:00.005+05:30

Haidar Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from the time of his father's death in 1782 until his own demise in 1799.

Tipu Sultan's summer palace is located at Srirangapattana, near Mysore city. It is also known as Daria Daulat Bagh meaning "the wealth of the sea", situated outside the fort. Built in 1784, the structure is in Indo-Islamic style of architecture, constructed mainly of Teak wood.

It is now a museum and tells eloquently of the valor and legacy of Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu, "The Tiger of Mysore" and, subsequently his losing battle against the British. The summer palace converted museum displays war weapons, paintings and coins of Tipu’s period. One of the main feature of this museum is the famous oil painting "Storming of Srirangapattanam" by Sir Robert Ker Porter made in 1800. This historical painting depicts the final fall of Srirangapatana on 4th May 1799.

Balcony in Tipu's Summer Palace, Srirangapatna, Mysore

Nimishamba Temple, Srirangapatna, Mysore

2010-10-27T20:27:00.009+05:30

Nimishamba temple, around 2 kms from Srirangapatna town and 130 kms from Bangalore; was built at the time of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar about 300 to 400 years ago on the bank of the river Cauvery. Sri Nimishamba is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Parvathi, the wife of Lord Shiva.
There is a belief that Sri Nimishamba is going to remove all the problems and troubles of her devotees within a minute. That is why she is called Nimishamba. Nimisha means a minute.

This is a place where a king by name Muktaraja belonging to “suryavamsha” had performed his penance (tapas). This is considered as a holy place. In fact Muktaraja had got carved “shrichakra” on a stone and started performing poojas. It has been kept in front of Nimishamba deity inside the temple, which we can see even today. Muktaraja blessed with “moksha” by Lord Shiva that is why there is a deity by name Moukthikeshwara. This was installed at the time of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar.

There would be a fair on “Vasavamba jayanthi”, which is also known as “Nimishamba jayanthi”. On every full moon day there will be special poojas.

Everyday from morning 6am to evening 8.30pm, one can have the “darshan” of goddess.

There is a bus service from the Mysore city to this place. Commuters can also take an auto from Srirangapatna.

There is also a full fledged commercial setup rising around Nimishamba temple where you can instantly buy everything required for pooja; flowers, fruits, coconut, etc. Who knows if you are lucky enough, on the way back you can get really fresh vegetables as well.

Once you start walking down, you can see Cauvery river. The place is calm and quiet and is a good place to take rest to ease your senses.

Enjoy the chirping sound of birds and if you feel like, have a small ride on the river.

Chamundi Hill Temple, Mysore

2010-10-26T22:35:00.015+05:30

Chamundi Hills is around 175 kms from Bangalore; located around 35 kms from Mysore City. Driving in a car might take you around 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours depending on traffic conditions.

Chamundi Hills, the home of Goddess Chamundeshwari is about 335 metres high, can be reached by a 13 km road from Mysore.The temple of Chamudeshwari, the patron goddess of the Mysore Maharajas, has been held high in reverence for centuries, associated with the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana, in 12th century and Vijayanagara rulers, in 17th century. In 1659, Maharaja Dodda Devaraja built a flight of one thousand steps leads up to the summit of the hill which is at a height of about 3000 feet.

Chamraja Wodeyar IV is said to have worshipped here in 1573. It is believed that he was saved from a lightning hit miraculously owing to the blessing of the Goddess. Krishnaraja III (late 18th century) built the temple tower and presented the Nakshatramalika jewel with sanskrit verses inscribed on it.

The architectural beauty of Chamundi Hill temple will awake the photographer inside you.

Mahishasura Mardhini, the one who vanquished the demon Mahishasura, Chamundeeswari, or Durga is the fierce form of Shakti. A colorful gigantic image of the demon, Mahishasura greets visitors as they reach the summit of the hill. During the reign of Dodda Devaraja, this statue was built, along with the steps leading up the hill.

Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Bull, a monolith is found at the 800th step on the hill. It is over 15 feet high and 24 feet long. One can find several idols of Nandi nearby. There are many shrines dedicated to Shiva Mahabaleshwar and Lakshmi Narayana.

During the Dasara festival, on Vijayadashami, the Jumboo Savari, traditional Dasara procession goes onto the streets of Mysore city. Idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a Golden mantapa, on the top of a decorated elephant. Balarama, the elephant has been performing this great venture from the past 9 years.

The Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees. The summit of the Chamundi hills offers a panoramic view of Mysore's landmarks like the race course, the Lalitha Mahal palace, Mysore Palace, Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes.

Statue of Mahishasura

Not just the statue of Nandi, you can find many cows on top of Chamundi Hills which the Hindus consider sacred.

Once you reach Chamundi Hills Mysore, I am sure you will be able to find many people whom you would find good subjects for photography.

I would say Chamundi Hills is a must go if you are planning for a one day or two day weekend trip to Mysore.

Despair - Message of Love

2010-06-06T20:04:00.002+05:30

EXIF Details
Lens: Canon 18-55 F/3.4-5.6
Camera Model: Canon EOS 1000D
Exposure Time: 1/19 sec.
Aperture Value: 5.00 EV (f/5.7)
ISO Speed Rating: 1600
Metering Mode: Center-Weighted Average
Exposure Program: Manual
Focal Length: 33.0 mm

We like to be out, in the real garden

2010-06-04T21:31:00.004+05:30

Camera: Canon EOS 1000D
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-55mm F/3.4-5.6
Aperture: F/5.6
ISO: 100
Exposure: 15 Seconds

This photo was originally taken for In the Garden II photography competition. These are artificial flowers made out of fabric. Beads of Window blinds give a soothing bokeh to this photo.

Radha Krishna - Symbolism of Real Love

2010-06-03T22:35:00.005+05:30

Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S9600 Digital
Exposure: 2 Seconds
Aperture: F/4
ISO: 80

Radha Krishna is a Hindu deity. Krishna is often referred as svayam bhagavan in Gaudiya Vaishnavism theology and Radha is a young woman, a gopi who is Krishna's supreme beloved. With Krishna, Radha is acknowledged as the Supreme Goddess, for it is said that she controls Krishna with Her love. It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha "enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all. Radha Krishna".

Gagan Chukki: 'Closer Look'

2008-03-07T11:34:00.002+05:30

Location: Gagan Chukki Waterfalls

EXIF Information:
Aperture: F/11
ISO: 80
Exposure Time: 1/60Sec

This is a more closer look of Gagan Chukki Waterfalls.

'Gagan Chukki': Heavenly Water

2008-01-27T16:38:00.000+05:30

Location: Gagan Chukki Falls

EXIF Information:
ISO: 80
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter Speed: 0.8Sec

This is one of the highly visited waterfalls near to Shiva Samudram Hydro Power Project. 'Gagan Chukki' means one which touches the sky. The twin falls make the waterfall very aggressive. We reached Gagan Chukki falls by around 11.30. The sun was too powerful, and the made the photo a bit harsh look. A little bit adjustment on curves and saturation had to be done to bring the picture back to life.

Lost Glory

2008-01-21T17:12:00.000+05:30

Location: Hesaraghatta Lake

EXIF Information:
Aperture: F/5
ISO: 80
Exposure: 1/1200Sec

Hesaraghatta lake is a 1,000 acre artificial lake, once used for clean drinking water. This watch tower look alike structure is in fact a water redirection tower to supply water to nearby areas. When we went there, the lake itself was almost dry. The tower seems to be abandoned these days.

Time to Play

2008-01-21T00:27:00.000+05:30

Location: Doddamakali Fishing Camp

EXIF Information:

Aperture: F/4.9
ISO: 800
Exposure Time: 1/4000Sec

I saw these children playing near the river. These kids were staying along with their parents in the jungle lodge. As we had not taken any accomodation there, we were forbidden to go near to that side of the river. It was really nice to see them playing, although I couldn't see anyone fishing at point of time.