TRACE THE RAYS

Back again

2014-11-20T19:24:00.002+05:30

Have been disconnected from blogging for various reasons. Will be back with frequent posts soon.

Yay!

Vagator's call

2012-06-22T09:10:00.002+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I captured this image during a fun trip with my friends to Goa. We did an early morning ride through the unknown streets to reach Vagator beach. I had heard about this beach and its beauty through one of my other friend, and so I urged my pals to visit it. Fortunately, the place wasn't crowded as Baga or Calangute. As expected, the beach was very beautiful and luckily, we had a soothing weather that day. I climbed over the small boulders along with my friend, Anand, to make some portraits with him. The view stunned me as I had never seen a beach high above the ground. This is the image I composed before bringing my friend into the frame. Browsing through this set of pictures today, I feel like Vagator is calling me back.

It's Delhi-03

2012-06-16T19:16:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
Captured at Safdarjang Tomb In Delhi. It all started with a midday travel in the metro train from my place, Chattrapur to Jor Bagh. Steaming temperatures prevented me from getting off the train. My curiosity overtook it and made me walk through the beautiful roads of Jor Bagh. In fact, it is one of my favorite places in Delhi. I just love to walk through those roads for hours. Though Safdarjang Tomb isn't very big, it is mind-boggling when you see it from an architect's point of view. This picture reminds me about the casual chat I had with a member of ASI. I wish to visit this place again; but, definitely not during another summer.

Trail of a train

2012-06-05T19:59:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
A late night shot captured in Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai. I went there just to catch up with my friends whom I didn't meet for a long time. Few students were practicing the long shutter speed techniques. I helped them a little bit by playing with light. When I saw the flying train arriving in the station, I decided to capture it. I made the composition and waited for more than 15 minutes. Alas, when the train's headlight peaked, I opened the shutter, a little earlier. Not the perfect timing that I expected; still, it satisfied me. In fact, that's a fortunate moment as I didn't see another train till I left the place.

Towards enlightenment!

2012-04-26T19:17:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
Few months back, a random idea buzzed my mind. It took me some time to finalize this frame. Then, I started working with cardboards to imitate a butterfly's shape. Wasted a few boards before I carved it perfectly. To be literal, I spent several hours in the dark to make 72 different exposures for the butterflies and one more for the center light source. To my surprise, my mobile phone's torch light helped me to illuminate the butterflies precisely. Alas, when I blended the exposures, I realized that I had to stop right there. Definitely, this image would add up to my portfolio sets.

Representing Fiesta

2012-04-01T20:41:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
Met this guy at the Fiesta stall during my visit to Delhi. A kind, responsible and friendly guy. When I told him that I may be going to Chandigarh for a short trip, he immediately opened up that he had a close friend there who would help me in case if I wanted. Unfortunately, I missed his contact after some days. Hope, he will be close to his dreams by now. One week of unforgettable moments and one month of blissful life. Longing to go back to Delhi, sometime. If you are here, Seshank, Good luck!

In harmony

2012-03-01T19:04:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
Captured this moment a few months ago, during my trip to Goa. These four guys are my friends. Even now, they aren't aware of this picture from me. I hope, they will see it here first. I composed the image and then waited for the legs to synchronize. Unfortunately, the kid came into the frame at the right moment. Still, I think he adds value to the image. We enjoyed the trip very much and our memories are priceless. From left: Harish, Vasi, Ibrahim and Anantha krishnan.

Back to blogging!

2012-02-24T18:35:00.001+05:30

My journey resumes...

Enjoy your work

2011-09-29T06:54:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I clicked this picture some days ago in Marina. Since I go to this place often, I learned how fishermen live their life. First, they assemble the boat's engine in the shore. The weight of the engine requires atleast two people to carry it. Then they load the boat with fishing nets and necessary tools. After the boat is ready, everybody except two guys climb the boat. The two down, pushes the boat towards the water. Once the boat starts to float, the two guys runs fast to climb before the boat goes farther into the sea. They reach their fishing spot, spread their nets wide and wait patiently for hours. After collecting the required quantity, they return back to the shore, disassemble the engine and then sort the fish according to their variety. And then they are ready for sale either directly or through re-sellers. However 'team-work' is essential to make a successful job.

Chamber of secrets

2011-09-06T16:59:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I always wonder about the presence of arches in most of the historical buildings here in INDIA. This picture was taken at the King's fort. Even though the buildings have become pale and broken, the essence of the fort is still there. Myself and my friends were wondering why they have built so many large chambers with a small entrance. Only after enquiring the local people, we came to know that the chambers were built for accomodating the horses. One chamber for every horse, wow. You can spot the small entrances on the right side in this picture. Imagining hundreds of knights running out from these chambers brings me a collosal feeling. I wish I could go back to the past to see this king's rule.

Silent yet violent

2011-08-23T15:16:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
The power of nature could never be under-estimated. This place is located somewhere in the north madras. The rock stones are brought together to make this artificial path through the sea. I felt like as if I am standing inside the sea when I turned back to look the shore. And many sea inhabitants rests on the rocks. The scene was beautiful whenever the water splashed against the rocks. Sometimes they rose to a height of more than 5 metres. I chose the monochrome version because it emphasizes the splashing water more than the rocks or the sea.

The mystery look: part 2

2011-08-10T06:28:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I hope that you might have enjoyed my " The mystery look" picture which I had posted earlier. This is the same girl and in every frame of mine, she had that mystery look. Although, I am not aware of the reason for it. Like many said, sometimes eyes speak a lot than words. I have one more picture of her in the series and I hope to post it sometime later. I wish to see this cute little girl once again in my life. For part 1, click here.

King's fort, once upon a time.

2011-08-06T17:30:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
The room was very dark and the ceiling was about 25 metres high. The smell of the atmosphere stinked because only the bats lived there these days. Somewhere in the middle of the ceiling, there was a small circular hole through which light rays flowed at an angle. The place is identified as a granary where the vijayanagar kings stored the grains. A path took me to the corner of the room where I found the broken steps. I climbed them without knowing where they lead me. After sometime I saw the blue skies, I smelled fresh air and of course my body felt the heat. And this is the view that mesmerized me from there and I sat down despite the thermal disturbances. You can spot two of my friends whom I met there for the first time.

Curve iD

2011-08-03T05:24:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
As usual, one morning I went to the marina beach for capturing the sunrise. Before I reached the beach, there was one particular vehicle- some kind of a tractor which kept blocking my way. Everytime When I tried to overtake it, something came in between and prevented me to do it. Finally after reaching the beach, I kept exploring with objects in the sand like footprints, coconut with big husk, patterns left by the sea water and so on. After some time, the same tractor passed near me making an u-turn. This time, I looked the driver and gave a smile at him. He nodded back. The patterns on the sand looked wonderful and somehow I decided to make a picture with it. I was looking for high angle. While thinking of how to achieve the high angle, a boat came in and the fishermans pulled it towards the shore. Wow, after the fishermans got settle, I climbed the boat and composed this picture. Fortunately, my friend was standing there at one end of the curve which made the picture more meaningful.

Pattern unknown

2011-07-28T05:48:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
As the title suggests, I personally feel that randomness doesn't exist in this world. When we cannot crack the pattern behind it we simply call them as random. But there is always a pattern. since I made this image, I realized the pattern as soon as I took a glimpse at it. Still, this is not a difficult pattern at all. The lights were from various sources on the road. The degree of randomness is what makes the complication of the pattern.

When art blends with culture.

2011-07-19T10:34:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
Indian women are famous for this flour art. We call it as "kolam". On this particular day, there was a kolam competition for the people of Mylapore. Around hundred people participated in the contest and to my surprise, there was also a man. Later, I heard that he was the winner of the previous year's contest. This particular woman in the picture was very much dedicated in her work that she never get disturbed when I was hanging with my gear around her. Definitely, Mylapore is a place where people portrays our original culture.

Arc of architecture

2011-07-05T18:16:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
This is a shot almost from the floor and yes, it's a blind shot. This is an awesome place. I underwent a lot of pain and difficulties to make up to this place. I did climb about 1000 steps in the burning sun to reach this place. Its in the top of a fort. I realized the worthiness of water that day. I drank the stagnated rain water between the rocks where tadpoles and fishes swam. To my surprise, the water was very good than the corporation water we get in the city. At the end of the day, not only I had an awesome experience but also I got 2 new friends there. I am longing to go to this place sometime soon.

Admiring the sunrise

2011-06-15T18:21:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I am back to blogging after a long time since I was outside my place for a month. As I told earlier, Marina beach is my learning pit. This picture was shot in an early morning. I watched these guys enjoying the sunrise without any photographic equipments. Very few people are left like them who really admire and enjoy nature. I wish, I could have left my gears at home. Still, I enjoy nature through my viewfinder. The power of scale can be realized in this picture. The sun's rays were beautifully penetrating through the clouds and I could not remove my eyes from the viewfinder.

Signature lap

2011-05-04T17:25:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
This is one of my favourite moment at the race track, that day. As I told earlier, Lewis Hamilton was driving so casually even at the speed of 200 km/hr. The moment in this picture is captured right after he finished a right curve. Fifty percent of the car was on the muddy grasslands and the remaining 50% on the asphalt road. For viewers, it looked like as if he was about to roll. But Lewis managed the situation brilliantly and within a few microseconds, he was back on the track. Not only, he returned back to the track but also he made donuts instantly creating smoke clouds in the ground. Every moment was so much thrilling and wonderful for the viewers. Refer the previous posts for more of my pictures captured at the same venue.

Stream-line to turbulence

2011-04-26T20:21:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
I am sure that the mechanical engineers could understand the story behind this picture right after reading the caption. This was taken during my one night shoot with the smoke. My dad was watching some cricket match late night that day. So, I had to close my door for avoiding some fishy reactions from him. Damn, I am not smoking yet my room was full of smoke and filled with pungent odour. If he had knocked my door, I would have emerged out from the clouds of smoke. I planned everything before the shoot since the subject was a little dangerous to handle in a small
room. Definitely, the Reynold's number would have been less than 2000 during the initial stage and might have raised above 10,000 in the final stage. All these transitions happened within just 5 seconds.

Either way - It's right

2011-04-18T16:36:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
The place is in a church near St.Thomas mount. I could not guess where the steps lead down to. I personally feel that this picture has an awesome message. It tells me that whatever the path we choose from our heart will always be right and fruitful. This picture inspires me to move on through my own path in my life. Though one path may seem bigger and attractive than other, both leads to the same destination in life. The path chosen should be made right instead of choosing the right path. As captioned choosing either way is always right.

Finger-hand relationship

2011-04-11T18:33:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
It was an amazing moment that day and also it was my first shooting experience in a wedding. I was packing up my camera when this cute little girl walked in with her mom. I knew I am left with a very little time. I quickly opened up my bag and took my camera out. She noticed me and got excited. she called her mom and pointed me. They did wait for me with pleasure. I just set the basic parameters and then pointed and shot this picture. Although I didn't have much time to control my picture parameters, this moment was truly wonderful. Somehow, I managed to take 3 shots with this kid. When I realized that I have got a pretty descent picture with this girl, I waved my hand to her. She replied me with her hand and walked away with a cute smile.

Pillars of strength

2011-04-07T18:33:00.001+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
This picture was taken during one of the most difficult trip I faced for photography. Yes, I did climb around 500 steps in the mid-day. It was summer and the sun was striking at it's best. Alas, I made it up to the tower. The place was beautiful and fortunately, I was in the shade. While making this picture, I was lying flat on the floor against the gravity because I could not bring the pillars in my frame while standing on my legs. I wished I could take some sleep there but it was not just the right time and place. The best thing about this trip is that I got 3 new friends just like that and 2 of them become so close to me. Never expected this day to happen so.

Moon's night out

2011-04-04T20:14:00.000+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
FYI, this picture was not taken on the day when the moon came closer to our earth. I found the moon beautiful, 2 days after the super moon day. Earlier, I have posted a sun rise picture which was taken from the same place. When I took a walk in my terrace that day, I felt more coldness in my feet. I started wondering why it was so cold that day. The clouds drifted faster and the cool breeze brought a pleasant feeling in me. I realized that i need to make a picture with the same feeling. The picture definitely describes the drifting clouds. I never feel lonely, whenever the moon is visible on the sky. To me, moon-love-companionship all these are mutually related to each other.

Wake up - smile.

2011-03-31T17:27:00.002+05:30

STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE
This shot was taken at the marina beach, one fine morning. I didn't own a DSLR camera that time. I was practising with my friend's D90. This kid along with 3 of his friends came around me. Knowing that I am set with a large aperture, I composed this picture standing high on my legs. The high vantage point helped to soften the picture towards his legs. The kids were very happy to be photographed and also they gave us some stunning poses. From his eyes, you could realize that he had just woken up. Relating it, I captioned this picture as "Wake up - smile".