The Udumbara (Audumbar)

At the sasurwadi (in-law's place) there is this Audumbar tree which grows next to the building. The fruits grow in clusters. There is some kind of hair on them which gives them sort of a mystic halo — making them look like magical luminous spheres.

The Writer

A published author and a deep thinker. Whenever I try to click him, there is some kind of shyness which comes over him. Like a true blue creative soul, perhaps, he is unsure of what part of his complex self will be visible in the photo. Perhaps.

He has written a full length crime thriller novel published by Hachette. It has been well recieved. You can buy your copy here: Shot, Down.

The photo
Camera: Sony A7R III
Lens: Sony Zeiss Plannar 50 F 1.4

Artificial light coming from a couple of sources. Post processed in Lightroom/Photoshop. I tried to give a softer look in similitude of the softer introspective nature of the artist's soul.

Distant Rain

far away on the horizon the rain fell in dancing sheets
the glory of the late sun a mere backdrop now, of golden wonder
the storm raced across, rousing the furious wind
vicious bolts of lightening and bellows of glorious thunder

- q

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Urban Abstract

Perpendiculars. Rigidity. Nature never does this. Nature is the best teacher, but we are not ready to learn yet.

Samsung S21 Ultra; PP in Snapseed.

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Urban Abstract

Stacked pyramids. Pointing upwards.

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Urban Abstract

The rectangles. Dark and Light.

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Urban Abstract

The perpendiculars and the angles.

Serious Observations of a Funny World

Animal angel

He loves animals more than humans. They love him back.
He sings. He plays the piano.
He cracks silly jokes.

He is a dear friend from our time at the campus.

The photo
Camera: Sony A7R III
Lens: Sony Zeiss Plannar 50 F 1.4
Other Equipment: A simple reflector

There was soft lighting coming from a window on the left. I used a reflector to fill in the opposite side. The idea of the lights was because I suddenly felt his 'angel' ness when it came to animals. He really can connect to them. My dog also goes crazy when he is around. These are cheap christmas lights which I wrapped around his head. Post processed in Lightroom/Photoshop.

The sun and the flag

The sun moves northwards inexorably...

Being stuck mostly indoors for the whole of the past year we have been forced to look closely at what we can see from our vantage. The world around is infinitely interesting if we choose to peer and ponder.

The 200-600 extends the reach to things usually too minute to notice. Like this flag against the setting sun...



Serious Observations of a Funny World

Breakfast Lonavla

The famed Dukes Nose

A sunday ride to Lonavala was Planned. Amit W was very bullish on it. His enthusiasm rubbed off me. The Himalayan had been exiled in an inaccesable part of our parking due to major repairs at the bldg. We spent a hour or so and did some dune riding (he did), debri cleaning etc. to get the bike out of exile. Amit B was also summoned to help. This was Saturday.

On the morn, we gathered under the bldg. W couple, B couple and W's friends (a couple). Satish and Shilpa were meeting us at the Dehu fata.

The riders.

Earlier at Kamat's

A close call.

Of old connections

The fools met again.

After the year-end blast at Mandwa, we decided to meet again. A central location (Lonavala) was chosen. Hurried plans. But good ones. The hotel was mostly empty. We booked two rooms — 3 each. It was a great night. We played music (mostly Hemant did) and we sang and we danced into the merry night.

The next morning every left for Mumbai and I headed back home. Nice time.

Minchin

I made Minchin sit for this shot as I was experimenting with mood lighting. She usually is not so intense but the shot demanded it.

The left eye looks brighter than the right one because of the surrounding tone even though they are lit similarly. Local contrast plays a very important role in the composition. The justaposition of the various forms and their tones create their own reality.

The photo
Camera: Sony A7R III
Lens: Sony Zeiss Plannar 50 F 1.4
A softbox with strobe from the right.

Mahabaleshwar Market

Clicked in the monsoon of 2015

Mahabaleshwar market in the rains. There is an old world charm to it.

The solar system

The 5 year old is getting smarter by the day. 

The planets have characterstics. Mercury is small. Earth is blue green and has a moon. Mars is red and has 2 moons. Jupiter is large and has lots of moons and the red spot! Saturn has rings. She ran out of space for Nepture and Uranus so they are dipcted symbollically.

Curious

The wife is not happy when I click her photos. She belives I have no sense and always click when she is not ready. Here is one of the moments when she is curiously looking at my antics.

The photo
Camera: Sony A7R III
Lens: Sony Zeiss Plannar 50 F 1.4
Natural light from a window on the left.