Digital Photography World

March 2009 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2009-03-01T14:46:00.000+05:30

A channel of Shayok river in Nubra Valley, Ladakh.

Equipment Acquisition

2009-02-18T22:47:00.002+05:30

There are some new gears on the block. I just happened to borrow a 70-200L f/2.8 lens and am totally thrilled about being able to carry one around. Next, I bought a 50mm f/1.8 lens this evening. Again, totally thrilled about being able to shoot at f/1.8. The fun of shallow depth of field is amazing.

I am heading out this week for a few days with all the gear, and can't wait to get shooting. Although I have been professionally shooting frequently and enjoying it quite a bit, nothing like shooting for fun and hobby.

February 2009 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2009-01-31T17:47:00.000+05:30

This month's desktop calendar wallpaper is from Khuri Village, Rajasthan, India. Click on the image to get it in 1024x768

The End of JPG Magazine

2009-01-12T21:00:00.003+05:30

A mail sent from JPG Magazine a few days ago announced that they are going to shut shop and go down. The email read -

We've spent the last few months trying to make the business behind JPG sustain itself, and we've reached the end of the line. We all deeply believe in everything JPG represents, but we just weren't able to raise the money needed to keep JPG alive in these extraordinary economic times. We sought out buyers, spoke with numerous potential investors, and pitched several last-ditch creative efforts, all without success. As a result, jpgmag.com will shut down on Monday, January 5, 2009.

JPG was an interesting experiment with a mix of social media and print publication in the field of photography. The site members of jpgmag.com submitted images. Member votes and editorial evaluation resulted in selection of images that would be published in a print magazine that came out bi-monthly. The biggest draw for the contributor - $100 for a published photograph. The model helped amateur photographers to showcase their work without having to go through entry barriers setup by other publishing houses. But unfortunately, it doesn't look like the model brought in much money.

But some recent developments indicate of positive developments at jpg mag. The mail declaring the demise had created lot of noise in blogosphere, and it seems to have attracted some interests. Another email from 8020 publications, the people behind the magazine arrived in my mailbox today:

We couldn't ask for a better community. In the week or so since our last email, the outpour of support has exceeded our wildest expectations. Your efforts, such as starting savejpg.com, writing blog posts, commenting on Twitter and Flickr, and generally making your voices heard, have provided exciting new opportunities for us.

We're thrilled to say that because of you, we have multiple credible buyers interested in giving JPG a home. We will be keeping the site up after all, and hope to have a final update in the next week or so on who the acquirer will be. Thank you for making all of this possible.

The email is vague and doesn't say much about what is cooking. But my guess is, there would be someone interested in the website, which has a large number of registered contributing photographers. This would be an excellent base for launching a photography based social media website, which is what an investor would be looking at.

Happy New Year + January 2009 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-12-31T09:19:00.000+05:30

Here is wishing all the readers of Digital Photography World a very happy new year. May the year be full of happiness and fruitful in terms of photography for you.

This month's desktop calendar wallpaper is an image from Ladakh, a lake on the way to Pangong Tso. Click on the image to get it in 1024x768

Canon EOS 5D Mark II in India

2008-12-20T22:53:00.004+05:30

I happened to meet my photography equipment dealer yesterday, and asked him about the price of the new EOS 5D Mark II out of curiosity. The 5D, it seems will be available at Rs.139,850.00. According to him, Canon has currently frozen distribution in India until the moment they resolve firmware issues with the camera. It might take up to a month before the camera becomes available.

For those who do not know, Canon EOS 5D Mark II is the new Canon Digital SLR camera with full frame sensor, live preview and HD video capabilities. Apparently they are running out of stock in the west, and some dealers are even selling them at a premium!

Food Photography

2008-12-17T17:56:00.005+05:30

I have been exploring new areas of photography in recent days, food photography being one of them. I have kept away from studio and indoor photography for many years and never thought it would be something I would like to try. Interacting with an established photographer in the last few weeks, I decided to work with him in some of the indoor assignments, and was pleasantly surprised to realize that I enjoy photographing indoors as much as I would outdoor. There is plenty of challengers involved, which include the choice of lights, lighting angles and understanding how final results really should be for each genre of photography.

Last week, I have been doing some food photography where the prime challenges are to bring alive the textures on the food, make it look tempting, and juicy where applicable. The first few shoots were not surprisingly disaster. But some on site guidance from the person I work with, and tips from Michal Ray's website have been helping me get better by the day. Here is one of the images I shot yesterday. Does it bring out the textures on the food well? Does the arrangement successfully show the depth and create the third dimension or appears like flat two dimensional object? Does it tempt you to pick it up for desserts or at least make you curious to figure what is this and where can it be procured from? Or is it just a boring image to let go? Do tell me what you think.

Aftermath of Mumbai + Taking Camera around freely

2008-12-10T11:45:00.003+05:30

I was denied entry to a mall yesterday because of my camera!

After the shootouts in Mumbai that left nearly 200 people killed, there is tightened security in all places where lot of people hangout. Bangalore is no exception. I gave a visit to Forum Mall, one of the well known hangouts in the city to buy something. Unlike the usual days when a security person standing at the gates would quickly let people pass after a superficial check, there were elaborate inspections and a long queue for security check.

My turn came after ten minutes of wait. I was frisked like everyone else is, and was directed to another person to have my bag checked. This man opened my bag, which had a laptop, a 17-40 lens and a rather large 100-400 lens attached to the camera. He looked at the 17-40 and could not figure out what equipment is it, but continued his search and found the camera.

"This is a camera?" he asked me, "do you have some photography program inside?"

I said no, and he asked me if I am coming here to shop. I nodded in affirmative. He then checked with this superior if cameras can be allowed inside. This guy quickly had a look at my bag and said 'professional cameras' are not allowed.

On a normal day, I would talk to him, try to explain how harmless a thing this is and why it is foolish not to let me in with the camera. I would have probably demanded to see the manager too and would try to prove my point. But now I get the feel that it would be better to make small sacrifices to ensure smooth security operations than obstruct their work and waste their time and mine. May be the time has arrived when we have to make small sacrifices for national security. I had to give in and go to another place to buy what I wanted, and the shops inside will have to do without my business. So I returned without saying a word and headed to another place.

On the way back, I found two policeman standing, and asked them if they do not allow cameras inside. They shrugged, indicating that it is up to the (private) security guards, but helpfully suggested that there is a luggage room which I could use. But I had no intent to leave all those expensive equipment in a luggage room, and decided to move on.

Looking out for a new Camera

2008-12-07T11:24:00.004+05:30

It has been three years since I have thought of any equipment upgrades. The camera I have - EOS 350D works just fine and keeps me happy. The picture quality that comes out from the sensor is reasonable, and 8mp is more than enough to make center spread images for a magazine (Not that I have magazines begging me for images every day).

But of late, though I am still content with my camera, I am beginning to think of an upgrade. The reasons are many, the most important being, if the cameras you now get in the market do a better job, why not go for them?

My thoughts for a new camera was first triggered when I saw a stock agency expecting images to be shot from at least a 11mp camera. It simply ruled out my chances of applying with them. And then there are a few things that I can't do today, that I can do by buying a new camera. A 14 to 15mp sensor would allow me to do some cropping and still get reasonably good sized images. The next thing to look forward to is noise levels in higher ISO. The EOS 350D is not much of use at ISO above 400, but I am told that today's cameras can do a good job even at ISO above 1000. It would be of great use to shoot in low light and indoors.

An additional fillip to upgrade was given by a technician who saw me mount my 100-400L over 350D and simply said - 'it is a cheap camera'!

I don't have money for an upgrade at the moment. And even when I do have extra money, I would not feel too nice to be investing it on a camera than a lens. But I think this is one upgrade I should consider.

For what I can afford in near future, I can only look up to buying a 50D. I wish I can wait longer and hope to buy a camera with a full frame sensor. But it would take really long time to gather $2500, cost of a EOS 5D Mark II.

Writing for Brighthub

2008-10-04T08:32:00.024+05:30

Starting this week, I will be writing for brighthub.com's Digital Photography Channel. Bright Hub is a technology focused article repository, with many more channels such as computing, internet, environment, and more.

You can see all my articles here.

This blog will continue to exist, there will be no change or whatsoever here owing to my joining brighthub.

October 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-09-30T09:41:00.000+05:30

This month's calendar is from Leh, Ladakh, India.

Exif: Canon EOS 350D, 100-400L at 100mm, 1/400sec, f/10, ISO 100, handheld

A new approach to sensor cleaning

2008-09-19T10:17:00.003+05:30

Let me start with a disclaimer: If you are trying this, you are doing it at your own risk; don't blame me!

Somewhere in the middle of my two-month long Ladakh trip, my camera's sensor attracted a big blotch of dust. It was too big and too dark to ignore. It was large enough that picture could not be corrected on a computer without harming the image itself.

I felt helpless, and wished that I had carried my sensor cleaning kit with me when I left home. But it was too late to think about it. Feeling a little depressed about the state of the sensor, I mused on possible alternatives. I still had one month on the road and could not do without the camera. I did not feel good to carry on shooting with a dusty sensor - I had to do something.

That's when I decided to take some risks and clean the sensor in a more conventional manner. I took out the lint-free cloth that comes with my goggles, inserted a fully loaded battery into the camera, and put it on sensor cleaning mode. I wrapped the cloth around a finger and started wiping the sensor.

The first thing that excited me was that I was at least not damaging the sensor. I could clearly see a big spot of dust on the sensor, and got rid of it easily. A test against the sky showed me that I had left many small specks of dust though I got the big one out.

Things were now better than the time when I started, but it could get much better. Now armed with a confidence that I am not damaging the sensor, I decided to go in for another iteration. This time, I first cleaned the cloth and got rid of whatever dust I can take out from it. I then cleaned the sensor, wiping it in only one direction and effectively getting the dust to one edge, and eventually taking it out.

This time when I took a picture, the amount of dust had come down by a great degree. It was still not as clean as it could get if you use a sensor cleaning kit, but was sufficient to get me going for rest of my trip. I started off with the operation a little tense, but was delighted when the job was complete.

But still, I would not keep doing this again and again unless I get into another similar emergency. A sensor cleaning kit can do a better job and is much safer. But in case you get into a situation like mine, you know there is an option that can be exercised.

Return from a long journey

2008-09-14T00:04:00.002+05:30

Last three months have been very silent on 'Digital Photography World'.

I spent these 3 months in the arid and inhospitable high altitude terrains of Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas, travelling, experiencing the place and trying to take pictures.

In terms of photography, I could not live up to my own expectations, and came back a little disappointed. Nevertheless, I did not let this spoil my travels, but went ahead and had a good time anyway.

Troubles started from the day I left home. I forgot to carry my P mount though I had remembered to pack the GND filters. But there was no way I could shoot without GND filters, so I hand-held the filters and used them anyway - a not so effective way. But something is better than nothing. I had to hold it pressed to the lens to avoid reflection from the filter, which means I could have introduced some shake from my hands. The next thing that did not work in my favour was the weather. Even on hot sunny days, clouds always stayed put on mountain tops and troubled me to no end.

There was also some trouble, a really bad one. Half way through the trip, my telephoto lens gave away and some parts inside were hanging loose(a separate post on what exactly happened). I still managed to put it to some use, but never to its full potential. The next thing to stop working, this one almost at the end of the trip, was the ballhead of my tripod, which became unstable.

All along, it wasn't a great trip when it comes to photography. I was hoping to come back with some good landscape images, which did not happen. Nevertheless, it was two wonderful months in a very pretty region, every moment of it very worthy.

September 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-09-01T01:21:00.000+05:30

Here is the desktop calendar wallpaper for September 2008, from Skandagiri near Bangalore. Click on the image to get 1024x768 version.

August 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-08-01T00:52:00.000+05:30

Here is the desktop calendar wallpaper for August 2008, from Kappad Beach, North Kerala. Click on the image to get 1024x768 version.

July 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-06-30T12:37:00.000+05:30

Here is the desktop calendar wallpaper for July 2008. Click on the image to get 1024x768 version.

Three years of Digital Photography World

2008-06-19T09:16:00.002+05:30

DPW is has been three years old, and the day of its inception passed without me noticing it!

The first ever post was made on May 5th 2005, a few days after I bought my first digital camera - Canon EOS 350D. To date I have retained the same camera, completely happy with it and never needing an upgrade.

Digital Photography World was born as place for me to make notes of all things I learn about digital photography, especially technical stuff. But in the recent years, I have moved out from getting deeper into technical aspects of photography and have been spending that effort in making better images.

It has been a silent month at DPW as I have been busy with a few other projects I am working on, and things may remain so for two more months. But that doesn't mean an end; I will get back to making continuous updates here again.

Walks in India series on India Travel Blog

2008-06-05T11:35:00.001+05:30

India Travel Blog is another blog where I write on, related to personal insights on travelling in India. The blog is featuring a series of articles in the month of June, called 'Walks in India'.

During the month of June, India Travel Blog will be featuring a series of articles for travellers on Walks in India.

Unlike in many countries, walks and walking tours are not common or popular in India. This series intends to promote the idea of walks that can enable travellers to see and experience the places better by getting closer. The series explores short and easy walking trails across India, with which a traveller can witness history, culture, life, landscapes and heritage of the country.

The series will have fifteen walking trails, published through the month of June, containing detailed description of the walk along with maps, difficulty level, best season to do the walk, time of the day and distance of the trail.

The places include, but are not limited to metros and cities, and are chosen from every corner of the country. The walk intends to cover a lot of variety, such as walking the sand dunes in a village in Rajasthan, experiencing devotion on the bank of Ganga, seeing history come alive in the remains of ancient structures and short walks in snow amidst views of the snowy peaks.

Walks are a great way to see places, get up close to people and interact, observe carefully and see things better. They help the traveller take time and feel involved with the scenery instead of buzzing past and seeing things as a window-view. This series will assist you to find some great walks from all along the country and feel its pulse.

Walks published so far.

1. Introduction
2. Old Delhi Walk
3. Rishikesh Walk
4. Varanasi

June 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-05-31T16:05:00.000+05:30

The calendar for this month is from Madurai Meenakshi Temple. Click on the image to get it in 1024x768.

New Equipment Acquisition - 250GB Portable Hard Drive

2008-05-17T01:38:00.004+05:30

Some equipment bought after a long time - a sleek 250GB Portable USB Hard Drive. It is lightweight, easy to use and extremely convenient to carry around. Besides, I can even use it as a portable PC by installing an OS into it and booting from it.

Two years back or so, I had been wondering how to supplement my CF cards when I am travelling. I explored secondary memory devices but never really bought any. Indeed, prices were pretty high too in those days when a 2GB CF card would have cost more than USD100. Extended memory was expensive too. I acquired some more CF cards when the prices fell, but they still did not let me shoot at will and needed some kind of a secondary storage. Now I don't need to worry about memory, and add to that, I can (hopefully) personalize and boot from USB even if I am using a public computer when travelling.

The Dilemma of Stock

2008-05-06T18:12:00.003+05:30

I had enrolled with a stock agency a few months back and had submitted some images. Any self respecting stock agency requires that the images be sold exclusively through them, and the photographers will not be permitted to sell those images directly.

I have been writing for a few travel magazines lately, and any submission usually accompanies a few images. This put me in a dilemma. I could provide only left out, sub-standard images to the magazines that I had not submitted to the stock agency. The magazines I write would not have been able to pay the rates fixed by the stock agency and hence selling those images via the agency was ruled out.

None of my choices were very desirable - to submit sub-standard images to the magazines or to submit sub-standard images to stock agency and provide the good ones to magazines. Finally I decided to close my account with the stock agency and asked them to do so.

It was a pain having to choose between the two, but eventually the person I was in touch with the stock agency offered me a middle ground. I am now having images removed from the stock agency, but I will continue to keep my account and submit those images that I won't be using for other purposes. That probably means I won't be able to sell much of images, but is still better than closing my account.

May 2008 Desktop Calendar Wallpaper

2008-04-30T16:59:00.001+05:30

This month's calendar is a smiling young monk from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Click on the image to get the larger version.

Ansel Adams and Yosemite

2008-04-27T21:37:00.005+05:30

Louise Story writes an excellent article in New York Times, going back to the Yosemite of Ansel Adam's days and talking about Adam's perspectives of the Park.

Adams first visited Yosemite in 1916 when he was 14 years old. On that trip, he hopped up on a tree stump to take a photo of Half Dome, then stumbled, headfirst, and accidentally pushed the shutter release. The upside-down image remained one of Adams’s favorites, he wrote in his autobiography.

Yosemite is one of my favourite places on earth, and what I regret greatly is not being able to spend any more than just a weekend in the park. Here is a picture, shot using a disposable point and shoot film camera in the days when digital SLRs were far behind film.

One for Earth Day

2008-04-22T15:28:00.002+05:30

Here is an earth day link for photographers - "10 Tips for Being a Greener Photographer".

Some of the tips are obvious and you would have already done it with or without good intent, like going digital and using rechargeable batteries. But a few more are interesting, like what to do with the old cameras.

I am doing some of the things mentioned without actually having aimed to reduce my footprints. One - I printed very little since the time I have gone digital, and I have occasionally used the camera to work for NGOs.

DSLR News and Rumours

2008-04-16T12:20:00.004+05:30

There is a rain of new entry level DSLRs in the last couple of months. Gizmodo does a quick review and comparison of all them. Just the kind of stuff you would want to know if you are looking to buy a new basic DSLR. Cameras reviewed - Canon Rebel XSi, Sony Alpha A350, Nikon D60 and Olympus E240.

Next about rumours - Engadget reports of rumours of a Nikon D3X in the making with a 24.2 megapixel sensor. And Photography Blog says Samsung is coming up with a full frame sensor camera, trying to catchup in DSLR market.

Update: The Chinese are making clones of high end point and shoot cameras. Of course, they come cheaper than the originals. I hope they start cloning SLRs too. Not that I would buy one of them, but they all help in driving the prices down.