Thunderstorm

This thunderstorm was moving very fast and seemingly appeared out of nowhere. For a while, these fantastic low cloud formations swirled around in a magcal show. There was no rain or lightening. But as this formation moved away northwards, a larger darker arm of the storm came from the south an spewed a lot of rain accompanied by brilliant lightening.

Twinking eyes

My father's eyes twinkle when he smiles. (My Indu Atya, his sister, also has the same smile.) He loves to crack silly jokes - we call them PJ's by VJ.

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

Of Spider Webs and Dew Drops

It was cold december on the sada in the Konkan. The grass had become reddish golden brown. Early mornings were enveloped in dense fog.

This wondorous landscape had another surpise for the intrepid adventurers - the jewels of the Gods. These symmetric webs of thin strands, adorned with sparkling spheres, dotted the landscape. The spider webs and the dew. It was mesmerising to look at them in the early morning fog-filtered light.

Aba

Aba likes to play with his granddaughter and take walks. He loves to travel and eat different things. A regular quiet person who spent his entire life in the usual quiet struggles of the common man. He who has seen the ups and downs of life and is neither too happy nor too sad.

The photo
Camera: Sony A7R III
Lens: Sony Zeiss Plannar 50 F 1.4
Used a softbox up close and front for this one.

The Soft Hands

My father has soft hands.

I have rarely, if ever, met someone who has more empathy than my father. He can feel the pain and suffering of others. And when he does, he gets besides himself in trying to ease it.

Growing up, these soft hands have carassed us and given us so much comfort. They have toiled tirelessly so that we could live.

Sony A7R III with Sony Zeiss Plannar 50mm F1.4

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.