Travel and Me

Twelve Apostles

cooolnits — Sun, 9 Jan 2011 02:57:00 GMT

The best drive trip, among the few I have done in my life. Along the Great Ocean Road near Melbourne. If only we weren't rushing back we could have stayed a little while longer at this fantastic place. This is one of the most breathtaking sights, shot exactly 2 years ago on January 26th 2009. Couldn't have asked for better company than my childhood buddies Jassi and Ari - a time to remember! This are called the 12 Apostles for they are originally 12 free-standing rocks in the beautiful blue seas.

Timeless in Tuscany

cooolnits — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:51:00 GMT

A lovely ochre colored texture wall in the lovely city of Siena in Tuscany. It was as if the shot was timed for perfection, or rather the harmony between the 3 and their connection with each other was forever planned and just waited to be shot by someone. Here I was probably the lucky person. The balance between the bin, the square recess on the wall, the cycle, the wall, the slope and everything around seemed planned to perfection, since a long time ago, and was almost lost in itself.

Door of Perception

cooolnits — Tue, 7 Dec 2010 18:09:00 GMT

My favorite shot from Rovinj. One I took at dusk from the top. After a short swim in the waters that had now become cold we went on a walk up the top of the town to the church. What we witnessed was absolute delight. Children playing around, tourists taking photographs, parents relaxing, lovers embracing, the endless horizon and the calm seas and the tall tower rising high up above us displaying it's might. The doors of the church were open and silence inside, people and kids praying.

Once I entered this church and looked behind at the very door from which I entered this is what I noticed and I could not help but marvel at the sight. The blueness of the sea embracing the blueness of the sky until they seemed like one - like lovers - two bodies but one soul.

And the endlessness and the infinity made you wonder, amaze at the landscape. What could be the limit? It's only as high as you think it is. It's only as far and as tough as you think it is. Nothing is impossible. Believe and hope, and believe. Destiny is in your hands, you make your own destiny. A million thoughts in my mind. It's all a matter of how you perceive it.

I call it the "door of perception", a name inspired by a blog called "doors of perception" by John Thackara.

A difficult day for me today. After two of weeks living, like in a dream, I am back to reality now. Reality strikes they say, really hard. A million thoughts about the future. Many decisions, uncertainties and challenges lie ahead. But as I wrote above, it's all a matter of perception. Believe. That whatever happens is going to be for the best. And I hope and pray it is.

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

cooolnits — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:56:00 GMT

A Nomad. They say Citizen of the Country of Longing. (Maximum City, Suketu Mehta). It's what I feel I am. Living away for the last 21 years in different parts of India, Singapore and Milan - traveled to over 15 countries. Yet I don't know what next - just go with the flow. Travel and take pictures - of things as they are, people as they are. Some things appeal to me more than the others, and behind it the irresistible urge to capture it, preserve it. Being an architect helps, too. I always look for new experiences, and I know that learning is an endless, continuous process. With no formal training in photography and having just used my instincts until today, this Scholarship would benefit me immensely. With these skills that I gain during the project I could do better justice to my surroundings, aided by my intuitive sense and my past travel experiences. I took these photographs a year ago (Jun'09) when I was new to photography and had just acquired a new DSLR camera. I am fond of the 50mm lens because it brings me closer to the subjects and helps see things better. Between then and now I have improved and taken better pictures yet I somehow felt that this was the story I wanted to share. The pictures were taken in Abhanpur village - close to the capital city Raipur (Chhattisgarh), where I am from. I went with my dad to resolve a land dispute. There was a Panchayat's room, a village school, the bore-well, and lots of children around - not bogged down in body and spirit by the 45 degrees dry summer heat. It was the government's mid-day meal time and kids were on a break gallantly posing for me, while some I discreetly shot! The girls peeping through the school window, the 2 kids probably the best of friends and the happy band of boys are my main characters.

Bonds of Love

cooolnits — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:13:00 GMT

Shot at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in May 2009, with Mel(issa) as good company. This is definitely my favorite portrait with the limited experience in photography and my camera. What made it better that Zamri (who I didn't even know back then) had no idea I was taking this photograph, and I got a really natural expression. He later realised I was shooting him, and asked me to show the picture, loved it, asked me to send him a copy, made it his profile picture (for almost 6 months) and me his friend ever since. He now tells me his kid has grown up and walking!

Miles of Smiles

cooolnits — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 19:31:00 GMT

Two girls conscious of me photographing them, in the village of Abhanpur, in Chattisgarh - about 45 minutes drive from Raipur my home town. It was an incredibly hot, sunny afternoon when my dad decided we had to go to the village (this) since we had to clarify and solve some land litigation issues - my father owns a small piece of land and it was encroached by the nearby land owner. It was a pretty sight and their endless smile just made my day. “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” (Mother Teresa)

Clear Calm Cool

cooolnits — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:30:00 GMT

Shot in Bylakuppe in Coorg (Karnataka, India) last September. This area in Coorg is known all over for the Monastery (Tibetan) and the monks, and some lovely tibetan food. While I was walking at the park in the monastery after the mid day prayers I noticed these 4 monks sitting among themselves, completely at peace and reminders of tranquility in a world so increasingly obsessed by disorder and noise. There is a lot these expressions tell us, a subtle smile, a smirk, or just like saying "been there done that"? Or "Smile.. cos it costs nothing!"

Why so blue when all's red

cooolnits — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:42:00 GMT

This was the second phase of my Spain trip. This in Zaragoza. After spending 3 days in Barcelona and 2 heavy nights of partying, losing my phone, spraining my ankle (which almost forced me to abandon my trip midway), and missing my first and second bus at 7am and 8am from Barcelona. I finally caught the 3rd bus at 9am and managed to reach Zaragoza around 1.30pm.

Hot and sunny, dry all along the way. Zaragoza struck me instantly for all the contemporary architecture I saw all around the town. Will talk more about it in the later pictures. For now this, a really loud and mischievous clown walking around town. A festive carnival atmosphere, and I was lucky to witness that on that day for it brought the entire town to the streets. Notice carefully, it is actually a woman at the back of that mask.

The Wall

cooolnits — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:37:00 GMT

Ar picture that I took in Barcelona - and one that compels you to think beyond the picture. One of my first shots in the city, and little things and moments like this that lead to other realizations. This girl leaning against the wall and the beautiful piece of lighting that falls on her.

If you think deeper into this, she could be standing like this for a number of reasons. May be she works inside the cafe and is waiting for a customer, or waiting for a lover, or chatting with someone on the road, may also be wanting to catch some morning sunlight and get some fresh air or is she just lost in thoughts and retrospection, and finally might just be waiting for someone close to her heart.

The thing about waiting I always say is "It is easier to wait for someone or something when you know how long you have to wait."

Photos: Here, There and Everywhere

cooolnits — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:05:00 GMT

Photos from my Travels

A regular day at work

cooolnits — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:03:00 GMT

During my recent trip to a few small towns in central India to visit my relatives, we had a stop for our morning tea on the way, at this many years old hotel called Milan. We have been patrons of this hotel since times unknown and it was good to sit back here for some tea and breakfast.

Here, the man is frying what we call "samosas" in oil in a large 'wok' that we call a "kadai" in India. Samosas are pyramidal shape patties filled with a potato/onion mix inside and fried in oil, and usually eat with tamarind chutney (kind of jam) and yoghurt.