Tag: Portrait

AtoZ Challenge: N – Normal Lens

A normal lens is one which produces images corresponding to the normal viewing span of a human eye. Generally this focal length is taken as 35-50mm. So, photos taken at focal lengths beyond the range are termed to be wide or telephoto and hence the wide and telephoto lenses.

The 18-55 mm kit lens, despite popular disregard, is one the most versatile lenses out there and can be used for shooting landscapes to portraits with ease and still produce quite amazing results.

Bandra Worli Sealink, 18 mm

Bandra Worli Sealink, 55 mm

The photos above have been shot at 18mm and 55mm respectively from almost similar viewpoints.

Comparing the results against dedicated lenses for the same is not a fair game though. The dedicated lens, such as a 35mm or a 50mm F1.8/1.4 are meant to be high performance and have immense light gathering power, but they lack the versatility of a zoom.

The photo of Laxmi here shows why it is worth investing in a prime lens, despite whatever limitations it may have.

Portrait, 50mm

All said and done, a normal lens is not fit for shooting landscape while I would go about shooting portraits on a normal lens all day long happily! Tell me what do you think about the judgments in the comments.

Last time, N was for Noise Reduction.

Cheers!!

by Categories: AtoZ Challenge, PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

AtoZ Challenge: K – Keylight

Keylight

Often referred to as the most important light in the photo, it is the one which makes your photo come alive in terms of depth and dimensions. One needs to choose their primary source of light and its use or the lack of it can create varied effects, as intended by the photographer. While making a light map of the shoot, generally, the key lights are the first ones which are put into place.

The following shot was taken without a key light in place.

Bubbles in focus, no key light

Now, with the introduction of a key light into the scene, the results, I find, are quite adorable 😉

Key Light being used for lighting

It is easy to realize that having a key light can mean a lot of difference in the final photo.

Immense thanks to Tuhina for being my model over and over again.

Last time, for K, it was Kelvin.

Go ahead and shoot some stunning portraits.

Cheers!!

by Categories: AtoZ Challenge, PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

What type of photog am I?

A question has been often posed at me, what kind of photographer am I? Today, I ll try to answer it.

I am in pursuit of photography with some seriousness, for the past two and a half years now. My peers, who had started along at the similar time, have become specialized. Some shoot only portraits, some are landscape guys while some are wildlife fellows. They have expanded their arsenal with better bodies and lens…and then there is me.
I have not managed to settle down to just one genre yet.
I like shooting portraits.

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Also enjoy shooting landscapes.
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I am not averse to shooting macro

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And even the streets appeal to me just fine.

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And sometimes, I do shoot purely technical shots too.

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I guess, I am just not cut for the strict regime of just one type of photography. Some might say that I am straying and that I must stick to a certain genre, but I’d rather shoot things that appeal to me,even if they belong for different genre. It brings out the me in the photos. This my calling, whats yours?

If things go according to plan, as they rarely do, next week, I shall be travelling to Velas, Maharashtra, to visit the tiny turtles hatch and make their maiden journey to the sea. Stay tuned.

Cheers!!

by Categories: Personals, Photography, TravellingTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

The other side of her

Sometimes, we come across wonderful people who have the amazing ability to exhibit at least two completely contrasting personalities, depending on the location and surroundings.
Today, I share some shots of an extremely talented and very beautiful person who I feel happy to call my friend. She is the creative head of our current student council. Amazing person to be with and an excellent artist.
Parthivi, can be found running about the college on various creative assignments often and she always has a very serious “I mean business” look on her face. She knows how to get things done. So, when the photoshoot came up, honestly, a tiny bit of doubt existed in me as to how comfortable she ll be and how the shoot shall progress.
It took her few minutes at max to put all of my doubts to rest. Underneath that steely exterior of her, there is a very happy and bubbling with energy kind of a person and I was very happy to be able to capture that.
Here are some of the shots of this really amazing person.

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A special thanks too to my brother, Mayukh for asking me to come along with you for this shoot and for helping with the long exposure shots too 🙂

by Categories: OCOL, PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

5 Points to a prettier you

Often, in the portrait shots, I have come across amazing ladies. Some know what makes them look good, which side of face suits them, what pose suits them and so on, while, some need to be directed.
From the experience I have had so far, I can formulate the below mentioned points, which, by me, if known by either the photographer, or the model, would help make amazing portraits.

  1. Turn to a side: Turn to a side while you are being shot. Pose in front of the mirror at your leisure. Find out which side you like, so the next time the photog asks you to pose, turn a bit, show off that amazing side profile, and voila, you have a nice photo. Also, apart from looking awesome, people generally appear slimmer on the side profile shots 😉

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  2. Look Back: Turn and look back. Imagine that you have been called from behind as you are walking away, turn back, and give that thousand watt smile. Trust me, that makes an amazing shot.

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  3. Let the shoulders play: Uneven shoulders, they work. They let the eyes follow the shoulder line and reach the most happy part of you, your face. Try it out. Droop to a side, tilt your head a bit, and look at the photos turn from fine to amazing.

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  4. Hands off:  Please let your arms be away from your torso. Stretch them, rest them on your hip, play with them, or anything of your fancy. Why, you may ask, the arms look thinner when away from the torso 🙂

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  5. Use a prop: Use a prop, whatever you may find handy. Get distracted a bit and let the photog shoot you. The shots come out natural, and the curiosity shows in the photos, which in turn make you look very beautiful.

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With this, my list of things I wish my models know while I shoot them comes to an end. And since you have shown the patience of reaching till here, I ll leave with a parting tip.
What’s common in the following photos?

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Am sure, you have guessed it, they are all smiling, happily and not faking it. So, think of a happy thought, and flash that charming smile of yours and let the photog capture it. You are beautiful, remember that.
So, the next time we meet, you, my dear reader, know just what to do, when I say, lets shoot 🙂

I ll take this space in thanking the amazing ladies who have graced my lens:
Ankita (http://lifestyleproblog.me/)
Dipanwita (http://talesfromtherainbow.blogspot.in/)
Ruhie (http://emoruhi.blogspot.com/)
Jinal (http://www.thateverydaystory.blogspot.com/)
Tara (http://crimsonapril.com)
Geeta (http://foodexpressfromchennai.blogspot.in)
Ananya (http://www.ananyatales.com/)
Parthivi, Akanksha and Rishika. You are amazing 🙂

Cheers!!

by Categories: PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , 11 Comments

The previous Saturday….

Almost every other day, after attending classes till 1730h, little energy is left to pursue the passion, so the previous Saturday, I called out to three of my closest friends at college for a impromptu photoshoot. Having a photo shoot with friends is one of the best ways to unwind, I am sure you would agree. Also, I had to shoot for a competition, the themes I chose were Silence and Fear.
Silence, can be very very loud if portrayed correctly, and I wanted silence to ring out loud and clear. Hence, the following photo.

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Not every silence is voluntary

Here, a commendable job by Gowri, my model here. Such expressive eyes are very rare and she understood the scene to the letter. She featured in the next photo, for Fear.

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Now, the demons have familiar faces

Again, such vivid expressions, that too from an amateur model is simply awesome.

While shooting these, it did take a toll on us. The mood had turned a bit depressing. So, we changed the location and went to the lawns for another shot of Silence.

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Peace and Tranquility

The best part I feel here is the beginning of the smile that has started to creep on Laxmi’s face. She is calm, peaceful and is happy. Agreed, we needed to take a few retakes as we would all keep on laughing, but she managed to hold on to the smile for just the right amount of time and the shot was done.

One of the prettiest photos of the evening was of Rishika, who is to credited for the shot ideas for fear and the second shot of silence.

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Pretty You

Some more impromptu shots were taken too and the mood became much much lighter and better.

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Featured in connected
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My model trio 🙂

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Then, as evening descended, hunger crept in. So, we left the college premises for some snacks. And with this final shot, my camera went in the bag for the day.

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Lots of thanks to Rishika, Laxmi and Gowri. You guys are amazing.

Its been quite some time that I havent gone out to shoot the nature around Pune, lets make a plan soon.

Cheers!!

by Categories: PhotographyTags: , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments