Couch Potato's Photoblog

Pixetra Posts

2008-01-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

This series of pictures is from our trip to Ragihalli on the outskirts of the Bannerghatta National Forest. Highly recommended for birders and nature lovers. I want to go back again.

Amogh silhouetted against the dawning sky.

Laughing Doves: This was the first time I'd seen these incredibly named birds. No, I didn't hear them call at all much as I would have loved it.

The slew of photographers standing around waiting for breakfast and then the word "GO!"

A Magpie Robin gives us the marching orders from atop a roof.

A coppersmith barbet readied himself for his morning's hard work of banging a pot into shape.

A babbler peers through his leafy hide - man watching.

This tree in the water started us off on a memorable journey of photography and nature.

A large female funnel-web spider awaits us on our path through the jungle.

Shivu, our guide of the day, carried a bottle of water in a flourescent green plastic bag. To his credit, when the water ran out, he didn't discard the bag but brought it back to camp with him.

Pothen and Sandipan stand silhouetted.

Sethu, our benevolent mentor and guide in photography critiques a picture by Binu.

A stone cairn at the top of the hill caught everyone's eye and was, in turn, caught on everyone's camera.

This picture might have looked better in silhouette but Amogh's features were interesting, I thought.

Getting set for a shot. The shadows made for compelling photography.

I love black and whites, especially when I think I've caught everyone unawares.

I did catch Sethu unawares though. I like this one. The picture was taken as a black and white and this is not a result of post processing.

Sandeepan emerges from the inner forest trail. Battered, bruised, and bleeding, we were, nevertheless, happy. We'd seen a slender loris and to our everlasting envy, only two people managed to get decent photographs of it.

And finally, the crab that made it to the big time. There were other distractions, but mud, sweat, blood but, thankfully, no tears, we made it to lunch and a leisurely discussions on the failings of nature that wouldn't help us at all.

Song in pictures

2007-01-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm back. I just don't seem to find the time to upload pictures and talk about them either.
Took this picture on New Year's eve party. I'm proud to call this man my friend.
Picture was post-processed as a black and white. I'd love to have your comments.
I do have some more to post but will have to wait till I can find the time to do it.

The one with the flaming brand is of him too.

Some from my collection

2006-07-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

This wasn't one of my best but I was drawn to the poignancy of the scene.
This construction worker in India takes a break sipping a scalding cup of tea out of a plastic cup. Many of these workers come out of rural India seeking better paying jobs in the cities and end up as cheap labour.
In time they become experts at climbing the scaffolding and operating some of the heavy machinery used to pour concrete and laying out the steel infrastructure.
I took this as a long range shot, converted in post production to black and white and then threw a soft focus around his head and shoulders.
I like the effect, but your comments would definitely be appreciated.
Sadly, this isn't mine. It was taken by my wife. She definitely has a steadier hand than mine.
This chipmunk is a regular visitor. He usually can be found most mornings sunning himself on a tree limb just outside my house. He stays in that position of hours with never a twitch of his whiskers. Makes for an easy shot, really.
I found the play of light and shadow rather compelling. A wayward baseball, swollen with the waters of the Atlantic lies partially drowned at the pier adjacent to the New England Aquarium.
A bit soft on the focus, I thought.
These three sentinels were most uncooperative and preferred their solitude. They ignored me completely and much as I would have liked to capture their heads in vibrant, alert poses, they just refused. Must have been the early morning chill coming in from the Atlantic.

All rights reserved for all pictures. Kindly do not use without permission.

Me and my pictures

2006-06-02T00:06:00.000-07:00

I am the eye in the sky.... How I love that song.
This is my photo blog. I'll try to post several pictures here as I go along and as time permits.