Dashboard: Cooling Shower

Dashboard

Cooling Shower

Friends,

This time I’m before you with a photograph, “Cooling Shower” which I clicked in a village of Bareilly District (U.P-India) a few years back. I noticed a diesel-operated water pumping-set in a farm-field. The pumping-set was placed there to irrigate paddy field. Soon a few children of the village reached near the fountain of water. They were in the temper of fun. As they started taking bath in the shower, I clicked this image. This picture definitely gives a feel of relief from scorching heat. Playing with such water-showers is a fun for village kids during summers. In fact these bore wells serve two purposes at the same time, the irrigation of fields and the fun for kids. In small villages there are not many options for children to play so this is the best and safe way for them to have joy in summers.

I clicked this photograph with a Canon, AE-1 camera. I used a slow shutter speed (1/30 sec.) to capture the flow of water dramatically. The aperture was f- 5.6 and the ISO of film was 100.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

On Project: Fishing in Goa

On Project

Fishing in Goa

Friends,

Goa is famous for diverse geographical features, multiplicity of culture, historical and religious places etc. Above all, we come across the older traditions and the modernity here at the same time.

Fishing is an important act in Goa. A good number of fishermen are actively involved in this work. In fact fish is a must for the majority of Goan people. They are born for fish. Many families in Goa survive on fishing. Fishermen catch fish with nets and sometimes with naked hands. They often ride the trawlers to reach deep into the sea.

Mr. Chandan D. N. Gaonkar of Panaji, Goa spent his time on Miramar, Caranzalem, Campal, Ribandar beaches for last few months and aimed at the activities of Goan fishermen. His effort has resulted into some good photographs. He has sent us a few of them for our delight. Please have a look.

Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Learning: Photographing Flowers in Window Light

Learning

Photographing Flowers in Window Light

Friends,

The light coming in a room through window provides ideal opportunity to take good photographs. I’m before you with a few tips for photographing flowers in the soft light of window. Just go through below mentioned points and get pretty images:

*Firstly we have to select the fresh and pretty flowers. Defected flowers are to be avoided.

* This is advisable to concentrate on a single or on limited flowers.

* We should place the flowers in a pot and then arrange them as per our aim.

* This time I have focused at shooting the flowers in the light coming from behind them. Shooting against light is very helpful in portraying the flowers dramatically. The another types of light have been discussed in our previous article (Photographing Flowers, January-23, 2010).

* We have to arrange the subject in such a way that light should strike it well from back and at about 30-45 degree height. This light will highlight the details of petals perfectly.

* Use of a dark background is very effective in presenting the flower beautifully. We can use a cloth or a paper sheet of any dark colour as background. But we have to manage the background in such a way that it should not hinder the light reaching to object. A small practice will help adjusting the background.

* While using a dark background, we should always give exposure according to the light falling on subject and not according to the whole scene. In such situation spot metering option of our camera is very useful. This helps us in giving proper exposure during above situation.

* We can use any camera (D SLR or Compact) as per our convenience.

* A macro lens will help us to capture the fine details. Moreover the close up mode of a camera is also useful.

* Use of a small aperture (22, 16 or 11) adds depth and sharpness to the subject. The shutter speed can be adjusted accordingly.

* A firm tripod is always recommended in order to avoid camera shake and get sharp images.

* We should compose the image in artistic way. Our composition should be simple and eye-soothing. Feel of rhythm is a vital part of an image. Understanding of good composition depends on how much we observe good images and then follow them by doing regular practice.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

Photo Feature: Paradise for Nature Lovers: Darjeeling

Photo Feature

Paradise for Nature Lovers : Darjeeling

Dear Friends,

Darjeeling, a famous hill station of India, is well known for its scenic beauty and a number of gorgeous spots. The main attraction of this place is the view of Mount Kanchenjunga.

Mr. Shekhar Roy of Mumbai is here with a photo feature on this stunning place.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

“Darjeeling is located in Himalayan region of West Bengal (India). The average height of this place is about 6, 710 ft. This is a well known tourist place of India with many spectacular spots. What’s more, Darjeeling is famous for its tea industry and Himalayan Railway. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak, (28,209 ft high) is well visible from here. If the weather is clear, Nepal's Mount Everest, (29,029 ft) can also be seen from Darjeeling. Vegetation in this region includes dense forests of oak and sal. A broad range of rare orchids can be witnessed in these forests. The famous Botanical Garden of the town maintains extraordinary species of plants. The West Bengal Forest Department protects Wildlife in this zone. Animals, like, Tuskers, tigers, leopards, one-horned rhinoceros, deer etc. and the birds, like, floricans and herons are found in the forests of this region. The main places to see in and around Darjeeling are Dhoom Gompa, the Mall, War Memorial, Chowrasta, Observatory Hill, Lloyd’s Botanical Garden, Druk Sa-Ngag Choeling Monastery, Tibetan Refugee Centre, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Batasia Loop, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Tiger Hill etc.

We can reach Darjeeling from New Jalpaiguri through the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway by covering a distance of 88 km. Another option to reach this place is from Siliguri through the National Highway- 55 by covering a distance of 77 km.”

--Shekhar Roy

Learning: Photographing Historical Buildings

"Learning"

Photographing Historical Buildings

Friends,

Historical buildings often provide golden opportunities for ideal photographs. These constructions fascinate a photo artist deeply. A few points can help us portraying these buildings beautifully:

1. Good equipment is a vital aspect. We should choose a camera with all necessary features. The most important thing is selection of right lens. A normal lens is always ideal because this assists avoiding distortion in our results. In some cases (in the condition when there is a lack of space) a wide angle lens is of great use. But this lens distorts photographs on the edges. This problem can be conquered by maintaining distance between the camera and the subject. A perspective correction lens can also help us avoiding unnecessary distortion. Moreover photo-editing softwares (Like Adobe Photoshop) also help us eliminating the distortion from our subject.

2. Good Lighting is always a requirement. Early morning and late evening light of sun is ideal for our intention. This light creates long shadows by falling on a subject at low angle. This boosts depth to a building and shows up the dimensions. Furthermore this light brings out the details of the subject. The results are superior when such light falls on the structures from one side.

3. Proper composition is a very important facet. Our composition should be simple and full of aesthetic value. Shooting a building in a straight line is not sufficient. A photograph should look interesting. We have to involve the environment also in company with the major subject. Involving trees, plants, human beings, etc. in the frame adds sense to our image.

4. We have to use a small aperture (22, 16 or 11) to show maximum parts of a building in focus with ultimate depth.

5. At times, a specific part of the building can provide a good image. The presentation depends on our approach. Few buildings are rich in artistic forms. If we document these forms artistically, we can get exceptional pictures.

6. Sky has an important role in architectural photography. We should avoid flat and dull sky. Blue sky is always ideal and if the sky has clouds too, we are lucky enough to get a decent shot. Flying birds (if we luckily get) in the sky or around the object also give strength to our photograph.

7. We can get good pictures of buildings during night also (if they are enlightened well). In such situation we should always rest our camera on a firm tripod.

8. Some times a low view point can give amazing results by depicting the buildings more grand.

9. Since these buildings are our heritage, this is our duty to not to harm them.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma