Magnificent Lucknow - A photographer's dream come true!

Lucknow Tour - Majestic gates, originally uploaded by LooseCanon.

Recently I was out on vacation for over 3 weeks. During this time, I was on a 3 day visit to Lucknow, UP. I was there to attend a marriage but quite unexpectedly, it became an absolute photo-tour. The realization is that Lucknow is a photographer's dream come true and a foodie's paradise. It's rich cultural heritage somehow remains unspoilt inspite of this place being the epicentre of political activity in UP.
The place where i thought, 3 days would be too much... they fell too short. I wish I had at least 2 more days to visit the Residency as well as La Martinere school building. Anyway, in the time that i had, i could make it to the Lucknow Zoo and the old town which includes Bara and Chhota Imambara and Chowk. The narrow gullys at the place were quite interesting. The old city is also heaven for people who enjoy food the way I do, especially non-veg food (which includes beef).
If you find time, check out the set for lucknow at http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceandtime/sets/72157603319660285/

here's a teaser -

On the streets of Hyderabad...

Style has nothing to do with money, originally uploaded by LooseCanon.

I was on a usual visit to Hyderabad from 25th to 27th August '07. Somu was planning to go by car, and Arpita and I joined in. So, the three of us reached Hyderabad on 25th afternoon. This time i golconda fort on my photography agenda and because Arpita was visiting Hyderabad for the first time, we were planning to roam around in the city as well.
Anyway, the same evening there were bomb blasts in Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat and all plans were cancelled. We didn't enter the city at all. Golconda remained the only option and even that plan was washed out by the rains. Finally we went to meet up with an old college friend OSK. Near his place i came across this group of street children who came up to me for "Ganesh kaa chandaa". So, i suddenly came up with this idea of clicking their pics. I gave them a little chandaa and after that starting clicking.
This was my first experience of any kind of street photography and i loved it. You get to connect with people who you'd never really meet and/or care about in your life. It opens your eyes and your mind.
Street photography rocks - period!!
More pics can be seen on my flickr page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceandtime/

Downtown Pittsburgh

Downtown Pittsburgh, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Well... put straight, this is where I am for a couple of weeks. Check my flickr page and picasa album for detailed pics.
Came to pittsburgh few days back for technical discussions with the team out here. All i can say is that i've been having a great time here visiting new places, meeting new people and tasting a totally different cuisine. But i'm looking forward to go back home to India :)

Silver line in the black could

Silver line, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Every endless night, has a dawning day,
every darkest cloud, has a shining ray...

This pic is a reflection of our lives.... black clouds and shining rays!!

PS: Click on the image to visit my flickr photostream... photography has been the shining ray in my life off late :)

Life in blue - the next level

Life in blue - the next level, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

This is taking "life in blue" (my older photo-post) to the next level. I got a new Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro lens. Now as it was already night by the time I got home, there was no opportunity to test the telephoto capabilities of the lens. So, i decided to be the god of small things and try the Macro mode. To my surprise, the macro mode is pretty good - sharp and crisp.
Now coming to the pic of the day. This is a macro shot of a water bubble in the bucket in my bathroom :). I adjusted the image for high contrast and enhanced the blue tone to get this effect that you see!

Mouthwatering

Mouthwatering - II, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Okay... i decided it's time to spice up my blog. Hence the pic of the day :)
We went to this restaurant called "Balle Balle" on the Outer Ring Road, for a team lunch today. The cook was preparing mutton on the grill at the table. The pieces of mutton wrapped in red spices were too good to resist. The colors in this scene made me take out the camera and start clicking.
...apologies to vegetarians though :)
Yummy!!! :P

Life in blue

Life in blue - II, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Captured this shot of water flowing from the tap in my bathroom. White-balance adjustment gave it the blue tone.
High shutter speed shots simply rock :)

A painted stork in flight

A painted stork in flight, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Caught this painted stork in mid flight. Location of the picture is Ranganathittu bird sancutary.
This satuday, I took a Thunderbird on an experience ride to Mysore. Arpita was my pillion and we were accompanied by Shashi on his Machismo. It was an amazing experience riding the Thunderbird as we visited places like Ranganathittu Bird Sanctury, Mysore and Chanmundi Hills.
Total Distance Covered through the day was 400km
The complete album for the ride can be found here -
http://picasaweb.google.com/manas.saran/MysoreRideOnAThunderbird

A rainy night in Bangalore

A rainy night in Bangalore - II, originally uploaded by manas.saran.

Took this pic on Sunday night. Shailesh and I were having dinner at Kanti Sweets on the outer ring road and by the time we finished, it's was pouring cats and dogs. We both knew we'll have to try to wait till the rain stops. Luckily i had my camera with me and I spent the next couple of hours clicking pics :)
Considering the fact that it was almost pitch dark, this was one of the better shots i got of the rain.

ab mujhe koi intezaar nahiin

ab mujhe koi intezaar nahiin...

na phone kii ghantii bajegii,
na darvaaze pe dastak hogii,
na saanson mein ravaanii,
na dil mein dhadkan hogii,
na maut ka sannaataa,
na zindagii kaa shor hogaa,
na aankhon mein chamak,
na baazuon mein zor hogaa
aaj pehlii baar mujhko,
khud pe aitbaar nahiin...
aaj mujhe koi intezaar nahiin...

na sapnon mein bageeche,
na hawaaon mein mehel honge,
na khayalon kii jheelon mein
khilte kanval honge
na baadalon ke paar
pariyon kaa baseraa hogaa
na surmayii shaam,
na rangeen saveraa hogaa
in tamaam kisson se,
ab koi sarokaar nahiin...
aaj mujhe koi intezaar nahiin....

na pyaar kii amaanatein,
na muskuraate pal milein
na diary ke pannon mein,
likhii huii ghazal milein
na chaal mein unmaad, aur
na baat mein mithaas hogii
tham chukii is zindagii ko,
ab bhalaa kyaa aas hogii
sab waqt kaa hai khel,
mere pyaar kii yeh haar nahiin...
par ab mujhe koi intezaar nahiin...

ab mujhe koi intezaar nahiin...

-- Manas Saran (26th March, 2007)