Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Needle in the Sky!
Stopping at the light saw the Church to the left! Looked again and suddenly saw that the needle from the structure was piercing the Sun! Thanks to iPhone I could capture this - but had to cycle through the traffic light a couple of times as I kept fumbling with the camera/phone. Luckily there was no traffic and hence no honking!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Crack of Dawn!
Travelling at the speed of jet....still is slow in space! Peeking through the window to see the sunrise - or the real crack of dawn was very exciting! Lasts momentarily but it was amazing to see the sudden spread of sunlight!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Serengeti in San Francisco!
A Bright Red Morning!
It was 4:30 AM. Yes in the morning! I reset my eyes to awake and get off the bed and slowly crawl to the bath room. This is much better than the other times when I had to be up all night.
Colgate greets my mouth but fails to bring that shiny teeth out for a smile. Decided to skip my Taster's choice as I grab my Canon for an experience which will take at-least another three years to come by. Overlook my jacket for my nylon black sweater with raised collar hoping it will keep my neck in check for my outdoor venture.
As I grab my Tripod My mind fails to remind me to take that knife with me which I will regret while I am on the field. My blue jeans should come in handy with those many pockets full of goodies. take some nuts for my ulcer while I am waiting on the earth to chase that Moon down.
Throw that Tripod in the back seat and crank up that lazy Chevrolet. it was my mistake for letting the heater thrown in the cold engine air on my face as if I didn't know any better! A mile down the road and I see my destination was not as far as I thought it was. And the Green Room experience was there right by the side walk. Throw my handbrake and leave the engine running while I grab the Canon by its collar and step out to embrace the cold air.
As I stretch the legs of my Tripod I look around to see for a parking spot while I angle the shot. Anywhere could be that sweet spot I tell myself as the NASA engineers failed to acknowledge the clearance from mother nature. It seemed too short for my 400 MM even for an early morning peek at the horizon. Curse my intuition and decided to throw them all in the trunk as I take a round trip to get my 2x. This time it took longer than reality as the Earth decided to make a move. Inching closer to full - the darkness was creeping while the light from the racing Sun was bringing dawn to the cusp of my love.
Same spot a few minutes later looked no stranger than before but made it easier for my spot glass to getup and go. Slide my glass. over my forehead and squint my eyes through the viewfinder. As the 400 failed to fill help me focus use my hands to slide the glasses back and forth. Sharpness might have to come from my light room 3 as the darkness made my eyes feel shy to look at that less shiny face.
As the Moon failed to light the sky even on this full moon day - Mother Earth showed her Prowess on who is mightier in this part of the world. As my Tripod try and hold the Canon's creepers I feel the lack of sharpness from that distant knife. And I start to lose my warmth in the edges of my body as I crawl back into my car to keep that blood going. Still had a long way to go said my Rolex not knowing how to keep promises let alone time.
with my creative juice taking charge of my fingers I bow down to Mother nature as the Moon blushes as the Earth stands in front while hiding the bright and shiny Sun. May be a few seconds- even on my fast moving Rolex was not enough to stop my shaking Canon from framing that blemish less Copper Red Moon and my heart went coo coos holding to that breathless moment!
Colgate greets my mouth but fails to bring that shiny teeth out for a smile. Decided to skip my Taster's choice as I grab my Canon for an experience which will take at-least another three years to come by. Overlook my jacket for my nylon black sweater with raised collar hoping it will keep my neck in check for my outdoor venture.
As I grab my Tripod My mind fails to remind me to take that knife with me which I will regret while I am on the field. My blue jeans should come in handy with those many pockets full of goodies. take some nuts for my ulcer while I am waiting on the earth to chase that Moon down.
Throw that Tripod in the back seat and crank up that lazy Chevrolet. it was my mistake for letting the heater thrown in the cold engine air on my face as if I didn't know any better! A mile down the road and I see my destination was not as far as I thought it was. And the Green Room experience was there right by the side walk. Throw my handbrake and leave the engine running while I grab the Canon by its collar and step out to embrace the cold air.
As I stretch the legs of my Tripod I look around to see for a parking spot while I angle the shot. Anywhere could be that sweet spot I tell myself as the NASA engineers failed to acknowledge the clearance from mother nature. It seemed too short for my 400 MM even for an early morning peek at the horizon. Curse my intuition and decided to throw them all in the trunk as I take a round trip to get my 2x. This time it took longer than reality as the Earth decided to make a move. Inching closer to full - the darkness was creeping while the light from the racing Sun was bringing dawn to the cusp of my love.
Same spot a few minutes later looked no stranger than before but made it easier for my spot glass to getup and go. Slide my glass. over my forehead and squint my eyes through the viewfinder. As the 400 failed to fill help me focus use my hands to slide the glasses back and forth. Sharpness might have to come from my light room 3 as the darkness made my eyes feel shy to look at that less shiny face.
As the Moon failed to light the sky even on this full moon day - Mother Earth showed her Prowess on who is mightier in this part of the world. As my Tripod try and hold the Canon's creepers I feel the lack of sharpness from that distant knife. And I start to lose my warmth in the edges of my body as I crawl back into my car to keep that blood going. Still had a long way to go said my Rolex not knowing how to keep promises let alone time.
with my creative juice taking charge of my fingers I bow down to Mother nature as the Moon blushes as the Earth stands in front while hiding the bright and shiny Sun. May be a few seconds- even on my fast moving Rolex was not enough to stop my shaking Canon from framing that blemish less Copper Red Moon and my heart went coo coos holding to that breathless moment!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Industrial Wheels!
Low Tide Lounging!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
An Unusual Experience with J Snail!
It is an unusual experience that I had the other day!
I have been doing some close up shots of insects & bees the last few weeks. Last evening at the nearby park I was scouting for something interesting to capture when I saw some kids running around with excitement on something.
As I walked close I saw a group of snails crossing the sidewalks and the kids were trying to touch and track that.
As I saw one fully retracted inside its shell -thought it might be a good subject to watch it come out of its shell and started calming the kids and started taking a position for its visit out of its home.
Some of the pictures I took were giving me an unusual feeling and excitement about what I was watching. Looking through the eyes of a Macro certainly gives a different perspective of even that slow moving snail!
After a good set of photos I was ready to call it victory and stepped to a park bench to review the snaps I had taken.
I was happy - but also know that i could have done better with different settings. As I was debating whether to revisit the snail - i saw a kid running to me and she started telling me that the snail is dead!
I re-assured the kid that the snail is playing dead to be safe - and the kid insisted that it is dead! So As I walked closer to the snail the kid said she knew who squished it!
For a moment I was stunned hearing that- as I had just become so close to that Snail! As I started seeing the set of pictures that I had just minutes ago taken - i felt more uneasy about what had just happened.
Suddenly it became personal and sad!
I have been doing some close up shots of insects & bees the last few weeks. Last evening at the nearby park I was scouting for something interesting to capture when I saw some kids running around with excitement on something.
As I walked close I saw a group of snails crossing the sidewalks and the kids were trying to touch and track that.
As I saw one fully retracted inside its shell -thought it might be a good subject to watch it come out of its shell and started calming the kids and started taking a position for its visit out of its home.
Some of the pictures I took were giving me an unusual feeling and excitement about what I was watching. Looking through the eyes of a Macro certainly gives a different perspective of even that slow moving snail!
After a good set of photos I was ready to call it victory and stepped to a park bench to review the snaps I had taken.
I was happy - but also know that i could have done better with different settings. As I was debating whether to revisit the snail - i saw a kid running to me and she started telling me that the snail is dead!
I re-assured the kid that the snail is playing dead to be safe - and the kid insisted that it is dead! So As I walked closer to the snail the kid said she knew who squished it!
For a moment I was stunned hearing that- as I had just become so close to that Snail! As I started seeing the set of pictures that I had just minutes ago taken - i felt more uneasy about what had just happened.
Suddenly it became personal and sad!
I am sure growing up every kid would have done the same - and I wouldn't have been any different.
But today with such close up photos and watching it in close quarters - it became very personal and difficult to digest what had just happened.
I just wanted to post these set of pictures not as a random set of pictures - but as portraits of a known Snail, who became unusually close after the shoot!
What was a casual outing for a close up experience became a somewhat sentimental experience with a different set of portraits!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Coffee , Latte , Cappuccino & The Southern Delight!
COFFEE and the Addiction!
Walking through aisle 7 looking for coffee! My brand, in my size wasn't on sale! Saw a shade darker and a brand from across the ocean that was a tad cheaper! Mmm A dollar saved is …I guess a Dollar saved!! Thinking through decided its ok to be dumping my 10 years loyalty and venture a bit for a buck or so!
my eyes and nose wake up only to that brewing aroma! New! Dark! Mmm...not so bad! I could really get used to it! Bitter! maybe some sugar..nah will get used to it!
An hour or so later - I see my pulse racing and I am feeling a bit restless! My immediate reaction - should I see a doctor? May be will wait! Thinking rapidly - anything to cause it? Lack of sleep? Too much stress? Running late? May be the coffee - a tad darker and a bit European- can it be? Naah- I have been Starbuckking for years now and cannot be the dark tone from across the ocean! It passes after about an hour or so! Decide to watch the next day!
Same! Same feeling! Another day, Another dose! Yes same!
finally lower the quantity and settle for the same feel with no jittery outlook! must be the age - I tell myself as I start understanding the East coast days when people used to frown when offered coffee after high noon!
This made me look at coffee differently after taking it for granted for so many years!
Before Starbucks - living in Philadelphia a stronger coffee meant going a bit late to Dunkin'Donuts and scrape the bottom of the pot!
No one I recall in East who would drink coffee after mid-morning!
When I moved to the Bay Area knowing I was a coffee drinker my friends recommended San Francisco as a place to be if you want some good coffee! Then came Starbucks and started taking things for granted!
once sitting in my usual
Starbucks off Embarcadero I look across the street and to my surprise I see another Starbucks right across the street! Crowded as this one!
Surprised - as I didn't notice for so long!
Surprised - it is as crowded as the one across!
Surprised - when it occurred to me that we follow a pattern in our behavior- even walking on the same side of the street! As all these days getting off the Bart I have always walked on the same side, crossed at the same signal and picked up my morning bagel at the same place! And of-course parked myself at the same chair for that shot of caffeine;
Surprised - Starbucks noticed it and opened for those who walked on the wrong side too!!
From Starbucks to Denny's there is a pattern and consistency in what you get.
Before Starbucks opened all night coffee shops - I had learned a few tricks from friends on how to make a lazy man's gourmet coffee;
Breaking them into what we need?
Coffee
Water
Milk
Froth
Fancy items
Looks simple enough! But not when I am half asleep in the morning. Instant coffee seems to be very under utilized category – so convenient and enables me to embrace laziness with ease!
The idea is to create every fancy forms with just stocked items from a nearby grocery shop and either a stow top or a microwave!
Step 1: Take 3-5 tablespoons of water and boil it
Step 2: Add instant coffee to it and stir it very well till it becomes a thick paste/liquid
Step 3: Heat/Boil Milk in stove top or microwave after diluting milk with water to suite taste.
Step 4: Take a bowl and pour the boiled milk into the bowl from about 2-3 feet high- this will form froth to the top of the milk. Do this 2-3 times till you get enough froth. If you need to vary the froth quantity change the water to milk ratio.
Step 5: Mix the content to a coffee mug in the following proportions based on what type you like!
1. Latte
After Step4 pour milk (3/4 Milk) to Cup with coffee liquid/paste
Add froth to the top to suit taste
2. Cappuccino
Same as above but less boiled milk(1/4 milk) and more froth
3. DLS - Southern Delight ( Specialty )
Add Milk (1/2 Cup) to a Glass Coffee Mug/Cup (make sure that the glass is capable of holding the temperature of milk/coffee)
Add Froth to the top of the Milk ( Note: based on taste vary the milk to froth ratio)
Gently Pour the coffee to the Mug/Cup against the wall or centre – this will form a ring separating the milk from the froth.
This concept applies to any variation of coffee/Mocha/Etc.
Add cinnamon or toppings to suit the taste.
All of these can be varied by using any instant flavor. This does not need any coffee or express machine. With the different varieties that are available in instant coffee- a few trials will get you the spot that is sweet and sensational to your appeal.
Using the DLS - Southern Delight could really be a surprise to your guests!
Anyone want to do the same for Tea? The way Starbucks did to coffee?
Walking through aisle 7 looking for coffee! My brand, in my size wasn't on sale! Saw a shade darker and a brand from across the ocean that was a tad cheaper! Mmm A dollar saved is …I guess a Dollar saved!! Thinking through decided its ok to be dumping my 10 years loyalty and venture a bit for a buck or so!
my eyes and nose wake up only to that brewing aroma! New! Dark! Mmm...not so bad! I could really get used to it! Bitter! maybe some sugar..nah will get used to it!
An hour or so later - I see my pulse racing and I am feeling a bit restless! My immediate reaction - should I see a doctor? May be will wait! Thinking rapidly - anything to cause it? Lack of sleep? Too much stress? Running late? May be the coffee - a tad darker and a bit European- can it be? Naah- I have been Starbuckking for years now and cannot be the dark tone from across the ocean! It passes after about an hour or so! Decide to watch the next day!
Same! Same feeling! Another day, Another dose! Yes same!
finally lower the quantity and settle for the same feel with no jittery outlook! must be the age - I tell myself as I start understanding the East coast days when people used to frown when offered coffee after high noon!
This made me look at coffee differently after taking it for granted for so many years!
Before Starbucks - living in Philadelphia a stronger coffee meant going a bit late to Dunkin'Donuts and scrape the bottom of the pot!
No one I recall in East who would drink coffee after mid-morning!
When I moved to the Bay Area knowing I was a coffee drinker my friends recommended San Francisco as a place to be if you want some good coffee! Then came Starbucks and started taking things for granted!
once sitting in my usual
Starbucks off Embarcadero I look across the street and to my surprise I see another Starbucks right across the street! Crowded as this one!
Surprised - as I didn't notice for so long!
Surprised - it is as crowded as the one across!
Surprised - when it occurred to me that we follow a pattern in our behavior- even walking on the same side of the street! As all these days getting off the Bart I have always walked on the same side, crossed at the same signal and picked up my morning bagel at the same place! And of-course parked myself at the same chair for that shot of caffeine;
Surprised - Starbucks noticed it and opened for those who walked on the wrong side too!!
From Starbucks to Denny's there is a pattern and consistency in what you get.
Before Starbucks opened all night coffee shops - I had learned a few tricks from friends on how to make a lazy man's gourmet coffee;
Breaking them into what we need?
Coffee
Water
Milk
Froth
Fancy items
Looks simple enough! But not when I am half asleep in the morning. Instant coffee seems to be very under utilized category – so convenient and enables me to embrace laziness with ease!
The idea is to create every fancy forms with just stocked items from a nearby grocery shop and either a stow top or a microwave!
Step 1: Take 3-5 tablespoons of water and boil it
Step 2: Add instant coffee to it and stir it very well till it becomes a thick paste/liquid
Step 3: Heat/Boil Milk in stove top or microwave after diluting milk with water to suite taste.
Step 4: Take a bowl and pour the boiled milk into the bowl from about 2-3 feet high- this will form froth to the top of the milk. Do this 2-3 times till you get enough froth. If you need to vary the froth quantity change the water to milk ratio.
Step 5: Mix the content to a coffee mug in the following proportions based on what type you like!
1. Latte
After Step4 pour milk (3/4 Milk) to Cup with coffee liquid/paste
Add froth to the top to suit taste
2. Cappuccino
Same as above but less boiled milk(1/4 milk) and more froth
3. DLS - Southern Delight ( Specialty )
Add Milk (1/2 Cup) to a Glass Coffee Mug/Cup (make sure that the glass is capable of holding the temperature of milk/coffee)
Add Froth to the top of the Milk ( Note: based on taste vary the milk to froth ratio)
Gently Pour the coffee to the Mug/Cup against the wall or centre – this will form a ring separating the milk from the froth.
This concept applies to any variation of coffee/Mocha/Etc.
Add cinnamon or toppings to suit the taste.
All of these can be varied by using any instant flavor. This does not need any coffee or express machine. With the different varieties that are available in instant coffee- a few trials will get you the spot that is sweet and sensational to your appeal.
Using the DLS - Southern Delight could really be a surprise to your guests!
Anyone want to do the same for Tea? The way Starbucks did to coffee?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Are we there yet....?
Just a Minute Early!
Another Minute or So!
Not just another Minute!
Its amazing how the morning drive is cluttered with speeding parents trying to cut corners and yet not lose it on the way to the school.
Marginally driving over the limit or rolling past the stop sign - yet carefully eyeing for any flashing red and blue!
With just a couple of miles to go one way - stealing that minute is all it takes to feel accomplished!
Why do I get that Polite driver in front of me - giving way to other drivers and people on the way - making me miss that much needed Greenlight! Making me plan with no room to miss a light or hold a bit too long at a stop - was all I could with my dated noodles - as this day seems to play like any other day of the year.
Watching kids rolling into school! Driving on the way to school with the Sun still in its early morning blues reflecting the sentiments in my car - it is nice to see batches of kids with a boat load of books toiling toward the school. Looking at the expressions on these kids -Some with anticipation for a new day..Others picking on friends..And some with absolute mysterious look!Looking at the budding fashion statements being made- seem to have some correlation to the size and grade of the kids!
Parents dragging their little ones hopping along the way like a pony! Yet others valuing the time speed walking to skip that minute or two in order to avoid the tardy slip! Helloing parents speeding to jump a car or two in the parking lot in rushing to work!
With music floating from the band practice mellowing the morning rush as some others drag back in catching up with concerned teachers!
Watching those kids do jumping jack as they try and wake up for a little stretch take me back through rusty memory lanes!
Sitting behind the wheels as I jump the engine, I lean over to look at that clock in my dash- doing a quick math realized that I need to beat a light or two to be on time for my 9'O clock!
They say its never too late!
But -It takes only a minute to be early!
As they prepare for the Memorial Day
shut down it was nice knowing we are only a few weeks from the long well deserved break after a year long struggle to keep pace with the Kids and the school!
Yes...Another School Year comes to an End!
When its here I am sure I would feel that its Not a Minute Early!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Watching a Flower Grow!
My first project was an easy cop out on the flowers. It was just a controlled environment where all i needed to do was keep a close tab on the growth cycle.
When I saw the plant budding and ready to blossom - decided to be patient and start timing the growth of the flower.
An interesting thing I learned about Wind and Flowers! It looks so appealing behind the viewfinder to shoot. But gauging the wind's impact was impossible - till you see the result. Thanks to the advancement in Digital technology - now the lag is minimal. In the early days - it was just a crap shoot as all these cameras had such a huge time lag - one has to be very lucky to really get what he or she planned for.
This was a few days long project!
When I saw the plant budding and ready to blossom - decided to be patient and start timing the growth of the flower.
An interesting thing I learned about Wind and Flowers! It looks so appealing behind the viewfinder to shoot. But gauging the wind's impact was impossible - till you see the result. Thanks to the advancement in Digital technology - now the lag is minimal. In the early days - it was just a crap shoot as all these cameras had such a huge time lag - one has to be very lucky to really get what he or she planned for.
In a controlled yet time intervalled shoot - it is really painful to assemble all the gadgets - from holding the steps to having the right tripod to avoid creepers!
From bud to flower though it took a few days - it was really fascinating to watch the various stages it grows through. Looking through the close up lens gave a very different perspective.
From bud to flower though it took a few days - it was really fascinating to watch the various stages it grows through. Looking through the close up lens gave a very different perspective.
Designs - Shades and Granularity reflecting the magic of Mother Nature!
With a good lens and solid tripod - a single layer of a petal looks beautiful and looks amazing from differing angles. Sun plays its magic on shades and reflections.
Now Wind - certainly there are times in the day when it looks like modern art! Nope - just enjoyed the walk and returned with no shoot.
Even though its been only a few years since we started getting some decent cameras with immediate play back - excellent memory capacity & battery packs -
I had forgotten how difficult it would have been without any of the new developments and gadgets.
I had forgotten how difficult it would have been without any of the new developments and gadgets.
With the light shining from different directions gave me opportunity to see how it actually develops and directs itself to the direction of the sun light.
When it finally reached a full growth stage I was hoping to see a bumble bee nearby to make the cycle complete! No such luck- but it was really rewarding to watch it grow and see them in digital form.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Tennis! Tennis & More Tennis!
Tennis in America!
Unlike other sports tennis facilities are available in almost every nook and corner - most of them free.
Of course the advantages are amazing!
Watching the kids aged 3 and up carry that racket and line up in the court makes me think what a process and commitment the kids and their parents make for Tennis.
This is a nation where sports and physical activities have been planned and brought into every one's life so that it stays that way for a very long time and become their life style.
No other sport has enjoyed the commitment that has been made by the schools, universities, cities and various government agencies like tennis.
In addition various Tennis organizations and clubs have made this sport an attractive activity by providing organizational structure and activities making this a sports and social event.
Unlike other sports tennis facilities are available in almost every nook and corner - most of them free.Tennis is also a challenging sport which takes proper coaching to learn it correct and a few years of frustrations to really get the technique before a person can play a decent game.
From footsteps to shoulder movements, contact points to eye movements, strategy to angle of approach - it is a carefully thought out game which needs a continuous open mind with disciplined practice!
Having said this I was amazed at the commitment made by kids and parents for a structured training program-
Looking at raw numbers:- 3-6 hours / week paid training at $15-20/hr for group classes- 
personal private classes range from $25 and can go all the way upwards of $100/hr.
- assuming they start at age 5 they spend atleast 10 years of coaching either in group lessons or private lessons before they are in school teams!
Most of the programs are available through city centres and community schools/colleges.
For serious interests there are private clinics and clubs which provide competitive tennis coaching at even higher rates!
That's about $200-$300 per month for at least 10 months a year for 10 years.
Now that's a big commitment when we do not take into account the tournament fees, travel expenses and the actual tennis gears!
Of course the advantages are amazing!The least talked about traits that shape the kids to be a well rounded person in their day to day in addition to preparing them for any profession that they choose!
- discipline
- coordination
- strategy
- structure
- competitiveness
- organization
- planning
- focus and
- clarity
Now looking at the immediate and more visible rewards:
- school team and its inherent advantages
- admissions to some of the best universities
- most of the schools and universities provide assistance and scholarships.
If the candidate is moderately successful the added advantages of tournament victories and corporate sponsorships!
Not to mention the life long advantages:
- good health
- a great family outdoor sports
- life long sport
- a great social activity And a wonderful organizational structure to co-ordinate, manage and promote all the activities.
There is no age that is too young or old for this sport!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Daily Life Signs!
In trying to achieve spontaneity and living in the so called NOW- I am realising that it is not that easy!
The transition to be impulsive and creative is going to be a long road as i try to slow down time and reverse the aging mind!
The early psotings (hopefully for not too long!) will probably be more analystical and dry - which has become second nature by now! And I hope to gradually make it not only meaningful but also interesting without being too theoretical or critical!
I will try to capture 4-5 pictures for each posting - most of them will be taken impulsively with a handy camera! THe idea for these is to limit write ups and focus more on visual - hopefully will give a different angle and perspective! But original! If the topic warrants and If I see I have some serious pictures from my collection that is appropriate - I will use them.
The picture on top is that of a Hibiscus a day or two after the bud started becoming a flower - with a few more days before full blossom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)