2013

Through the lens

By Patanjali Somayaji

Kabini, NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK, APR 2013

Continuing on the quest of clicking wildlife, we visited Kabini in April.

(1) A Hindustan Motors "Ambassador", once one of the only cars visible on Indian roads, lies abandoned at a Jungle checkpost. I thought this a very descriptive image about the state of this car today. (2) Clicking this elusive and shy cat is an education in Photography, with very little reaction time to set up and shoot. Not as sharp as I would have liked, but a shot with some movement anyway. (3) Better prepared to shoot this one. Thanks to our naturalist Arjun who predicted the movement and got us to calmly wait for the cub to cross. (4) We would have been disappointed not to see a Tiger. This was at quite a distance, captured on the 100/400 at 400 with a close crop. (5) You just get lucky with some wildlife shots (6) Shot with a 100/2.8 Macro, handheld. I chased a few of these for half an hour to get close enough to get a couple of reasonably sharp images. (7) We had off-season rainfall one evening; I've tried to capture the relaxed mood within in contrast to the rain and dipping sun.

NEAR PAVNA, MAY 2013

Lonavla, Pavna and other places near Pune are a usual haunt, but each trip throws up new possibilities to photograph.

Konkan & MAHABLESHWAR, May 2013

On a trip to Konkan in May, I was on the lookout for wide landscapes and panoramic views. But sometimes close-ups and high vantage points come up with nice surprises.

Clockwise from top-left: (1) You come across idols of Ganesha everywhere in India; I thought the "Volga" and Ganesha provided a nice contrast. (2) From high up in Mahableshwar, I clicked a few photos of what the locals told us was the shooting of "Chennai Express". This one however, appealed to me with its sense of starkness (3) The symmetry of lines and the expanse of water drew me to this one.

NEAR KHANDALA, AUG 2013

Before the expressway to Mumbai, going by train from Pune was the most reliable way to get there on time. Lonavala, Khandala and the Western Ghats are beautiful in and around Monsoon. In a spot nestled between heavy construction activity on both sides, this image from the past seemed apt in black & white.

PALKHI IN PUNe, JUL 2013

The arrival of the Palkhi in Pune brings out all the amateur and professional photographers in Pune.

(1) I squeezed a last shot out of a dying battery, capturing a group heading for their night halt. (2) As thousands of "Warkaris" descend upon Pune, areas of the old city turn into street markets and a photographer's delight. (3) A street vendor (4) The devotees walk over a month, followed by their trucks that contain their bags, food, utensils and a place to rest. Pune is full of these as locals throw open their houses to host them. (5, 6) As the "Palkhi" rests at Pune, the faithful cheerfully brave the long lines for a glimpse of the "Palkhi", intermittently humouring photographers and their DSLRs. (7) Locals set up stalls offering free food and drink (8) Savouring a hot cup of tea.

GANESH FESTIVAl, PUNE, Sep 2013

Pune's annual festive season starts around the Ganesh Festival, and seems to now be extended to the New Year. We set out one night to see the decorated "Mandals". This shot of the famous "Shrimant Dagdushet Halwai Ganpati" needed me to climb a barricade and balance the 100/400 on a jutting bamboo.

PENCH NATIONAL PARK, NOV 2013

(1) The defining image of the trip for me - we got really close to a male Tiger at Pench thanks to our naturalist Ramesh who predicted its movements based on earlier sighting. We waited patiently for 10 mins; our patience bore fruit as we spotted this magnificent beast cross the road not more than 15 feet in front of our vehicle. Few experiences match seeing a Tiger in the wild. (2) A tribute to Instagram, clicked at the resort (3) An observation hut clicked in the early morning light (4) A wild dog.

GERMANY & SWITZERLAND, DEC 2013

Europe provided probably the greatest variety of architectural and natural subjects to Photograph. I was returning to Germany after 3 years, back to where I had bought my first DSLR.

(1) The ease of traveling across Europe in trains is without parallel; while I experimented a lot with trying to capture motion blur when trains entered and left the station, I could not resist capturing this mirror image of the coupled engines at a platform. (2) A the Chateau de Chillon, this composition of the pier leading out into the lake was more appealing than the main attraction, the castle. (3) A train journey into the Alps provides some really nice views of snow capped roofs and mountains. (4) A bleak Christmas evening and a house that screams traditional German architecture (5) Christmas Markets are a tradition in Germany and families head out on cold winter weekends to enjoy Gluwein, street food and shopping at market stalls. The festive family atmosphere is an experience not to miss; here I tried to freeze the movement of the Carousel at a Christmas Market for a moment.

ST. Vincent's, PUNE, DEC 2013

Spent some time in School thanks to Avneesh's Sports Day and a mini-reunion with my 10th standard batch-mates from '93-94. Always a reminder that I'm growing old.

(1) Sports was and continues to be a focus at St. Vincent's - the start of the 100m. (2) Its been this way for as long as I remember, the door and window to the Art Room where I spent a significant portion of my time at school (facing building, top) (3) A corridor full of memories.

IN AND AROUND Pune, 2013

(1) Vada Pav, the staple of my college days. Tastes best when eaten off the street. When cooked at home the taste doesn't really match up. (2) Clicked near my house; these colourful flowers stood out in contrast to the lush green. (3) A temple, near Lonavla. (4) Stopping for roasted corn along the old highway to Mumbai, in the middle of the Western Ghats. (5) Khopoli lights up as dusk falls. (6) Pune is awake late in the night as the city comes out at night during the annual Ganesha Festival. (7) Even God needs to rest. (8) Work is done for these mannequins that graced the decoration of a "Mandal". (9) Rangoli in front of our door (credit to Poma).