Lens-scaped

A Kid & A Camera

2012-01-25T11:27:00.002+05:30

There is something acutely fascinating about photographing children. The kids of today are spontaneous, camera-aware, if not always friendly, and sharp.

The last week was spent in the company on such children. The age group varied from 6-12 year olds, with the latter just a handful or less.

Many of us came into the world of photography later. We used film cameras and they were preciously hoarded. But the kids of today came into the world of cellphones, cellphones with cameras, digital cameras and iPads and webcams and all such visual things. They can operate a digicam better than their parents ever could.

Most of the kids asked me what the difference between an SLR and a digicam was and they could understand the difference much easier than an adult ever would. That doesn't mean they have no questions... with the world being their playground, they are so curious about everything.

Different lenses, angles, lighting techniques... one six-year old could even direct me to shoot her with moody lighting. She set the stage, experimented and I was merely her hands.

I tend to forget these days that I am actually shooting or talking to children. They make so much more sense than adults. Often, when I hear some slightly biased statement, I know I'm hearing the voice of the parent and not the child. That can be easily corrected.

In the tired zone that I was, many of the children started to look like adults to me. Their statements were.

In conversation about creativity and imagination, we were arguing about the existence of something. An 8-year old flatly said it didn't exist. She said in such a matter-of-fact manner that I was wondering how she knew.

"You search it on the internet and if you can't find it, it doesn't exist," she said flatly and shrugged.

Such is the wisdom on the netizen junior.

9 Moments Of The Day - Jan 12

2012-01-13T11:55:00.000+05:30

So here we are with a new project... The aim is to capture 9 Moments from each day.

I'm not really sure if I am going to be doing this everyday... carrying a big bulky camera can be a pain sometimes, and I don't know how long I'll even be getting out.

I started the slight lomo/instagram processing on these photographs. I'm not particularly sure if I like it. I know it looks awesome to start with and all that.... together, as small thumbnails mostly. But as full sized images, they sort of lose some of their characters. But is certainly is easy processing, even if I think it is lazy processing.

Down Into The Light

2012-01-03T00:03:00.001+05:30

Down Into The Light, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

The month for B&W

A Photographic Retrospective - Part 3

2012-01-02T00:50:00.001+05:30

November & December - the busiest months so far. Hoping that continues... but in the meanwhile, it was just so not possible to pick one or two or even three images as my favorite. Perhaps in each category I could... but to make up for not uploading many photographs for a while, hoping you enjoy this selection.

Happy 2012!

(Part 1 and Part 2)

A Photographic Retrospective - Part 2

2012-01-02T00:36:00.001+05:30

July = Fashion and kids. Such bliss.

August: More food shoots. And one of the bizzarest fashion shows I'd attended so far!

September: A beautiful couple expecting their first child... capturing those lovely moments in the backdrop of Fireflies.

October: There were other things this month but these two photographs remain my favorites... indulgence and the price we pay. Shot at a birthday party and the aftermath of the Ganesha festival respectively.

(Part 1 of the retrospective is here)

A Photographic Retrospective - Part 1

2012-01-02T00:03:00.000+05:30

So Year 1 of a Photography Career... Much of my style and sense of imagery has evolved since January last year. A quick look back at the best images in 2011..

January... My first ever official assignment as a photographer - to cover an arts show. I wandered around, juggling shooting what I liked and what I was supposed to shoot.

February: The season of fashion shows begin. My first ever Fashion Show - Bangalore Fashion Week. I knew how to shoot... but I wasn't sure what to capture. And fashion shows actually seemed exciting!

March: The series of assignments are yet to start. But there are interesting shoots, the most promising - The shoot at Indriya school.
In the meantime, there was also a few scattered fun shoots of celebrities. I'd my quota of celebs at the fashion show but this seemed fairly easy to shoot.

April: Summer season and kids. One of my favorite candid moments.

April also meant concerts... Akon and Cradle of Filth. One rocked. The other didn't. You figure it out.

May: The season of travel... hint of rain, winding roads and a bike. And of course, some sparkles for a jewelry shoot. Oh my heart!

June... some food and some travel. A quick trip to Chikmagalur with its mists and valleys, and a gorgeous shoot at V-Desi, where I got to taste everything that I shot. The food is as brilliant as the image.

For Introspection

2011-12-15T15:24:00.001+05:30

For Introspection, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Elegance

2011-11-01T20:18:00.003+05:30

Elegance, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Simple and beautiful!

Food

2011-11-01T20:18:00.001+05:30

Food, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Food photography is just so much fun! For starters, you can eat what you shoot. And then order more for the main course :-)

2011-10-22T18:57:00.000+05:30

Finally Google decides to pay a little bit of attention to blogger and comes up with pretty templates.I like this one the best... It works really well for photographs, to scroll through and pick the one that catches your eye.

Of course, those things like "People Following" and all are removed. But why would you want to know that anyway? There is the little subscribe button on the side for those who want to subscribe to the blog. Of course, it also removes my FB page... so I'll have to rethink that bit.

But otherwise, what do you think? You can always see me at www.amulyanagaraj.com or www.facebook.com/amulyanagarajphotography

Projects

2011-10-05T20:48:00.000+05:30

It has been a long hiatus. There have been photographs but none that I felt like sharing and explaining. Perhaps the presence of toooo many platforms to share work simply diverts your attention. I should consider restricting myself to perhaps two platforms. Facebook, Google +, Bloggers, Flickr. Blah.

Anyway, so my recent, most interesting project till date is here - https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.184059141671619.45531.108276725916528&type=1

I took a walk by a lake nearby... It is just after Ganesha. And the lakes are flooded with idols. We all hear about it and perhaps even see photos of it. And then you see it so close, and you wonder WTF!

See. Enjoy. Share. And yes, stop the pollution.

A Thought. An Indication.

2011-09-24T00:57:00.001+05:30

A Thought. An Indication., a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Project Part 2

2011-09-04T23:08:00.000+05:30

There were a few people who joined in this week... on Facebook, on G+ and even on blogger. Quite heartening to see all those photos :-) Maybe I'll do a collage of them all when I have some time.

But for now, next week's theme:

A photo of the footwear on the foot riding a bike.

It is really quite fascinating what kind of shoes people wear while riding. I know this one is a little more challenging, particularly if you do not get out of the house much. So for those people (or if you live in a country with very few bikes), modify that to shoes of someone walking or well, your own shoes.

I did think of adding a time for this, but I guess this is challenging enough for now. Good luck!

Day 7: Tofu Specials

2011-09-04T23:02:00.005+05:30

It is really quite fascinating what is in front of you when the alarm goes off... it was lunch time and I was at this Chinese place. Slightly overpriced, especially considering this was just tofu. But they do have an interesting variety on their menu... especially to us Indians whose original idea of Chinese food was gobi manchurian.

So this is the finale of the week. I'll be introducing next week's theme soon. But one person did join us for this week, least for a day. Check out her post here. Hoping more of you will join next's week fun projects soon.

Tofu Specials, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Day 6: The Bookshelf

2011-09-04T23:02:00.004+05:30

The alarm went off... and this was what was in front of me. The book I was reading before I drifted off to sleep. It is quite an interesting book. It was just a lazy afternoon.

The Bookshelf, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Day 5: Hippiness

2011-09-04T23:00:00.002+05:30

Playing with that multi-coloured bangle. I really don't know what I was thinking when I picked it up... but it does make a wonderful accessory for days when I want extreme colours.

Hippiness, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Day 3: The Staple of Indian Hair

2011-09-04T22:57:00.002+05:30

So this was in front of me at 2.36... I did look around for something more interesting... but then this blue bottle of Coconut oil is just so super interesting too. Every Indian recognizes the blue bottle, if not the brand. The original brand I was familiar with was 'Parachute coconut oil', dutifully massaged into our young scalps by aunts/mothers till we began scorning the process. It perhaps accounts for plenty of the thick, long, black hair in India.

The Staple of Indian Hair, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Day 2: To Brighten Your Day at 2.36 PM

2011-08-30T14:38:00.000+05:30

Today's shot was planned and set. There is this huge Hibiscus flowering in my garden... and the family has been after me to show some of my photography skills here. The flower was almost drooping by the time I got around to shooting it... But I somehow like this shot, with the anthers, the bright colours and the slight browning. Does it remind you of an old woman retaining her youth despite the wrinkles? A flower brightens the room till it is rotten.

To Brighten Your Day, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Day 1 at 2.36 PM: At Siesta

2011-08-29T23:59:00.000+05:30

It was a day meant to shoot. All through the way, I tried to keep the camera focussed and shooting whatever came my way... and I had a moment to shoot. You see something but by the time you frame it, either you'd have moved or some car is in the way.

And as the clock struck 2.36, this came into my viewfinder. The man just sat there, on a street filled with furniture store. 2.36 PM is such a lazy time and the weather was so awesome. What would be a better time to test your furniture? I also love that blue wall next to it. So vibrant and beautiful in that road of browns and greys.

At Siesta, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

New Projects

2011-08-29T11:52:00.000+05:30

Apologies for the long absence. The Project 365 got a little old... and maybe a little routine. I need some diversions and therefore, the new "At That Time" project.

What is it: At a fixed time for the whole week, you take a shot of whatever is in front of you. The time will differ each week and maybe we'll do themes too. But for this week, time is 2.36 PM of whatever time zone you are in.

Yes, this project is open to everyone. I do not have the patience to add a lot of people here, so what you can do is post it on your own blog and post the link here in the comments or on the FB album. (I will definitely check... it'll be an interesting collage of what is happening across the world at that particular moment).

So go for it... and yes, you can write a little note too... Hoping for support here :-)

June 30 - Nature - Our Friend

2011-06-30T22:18:00.001+05:30

Nature - Our Friend, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 29 - Beaded

2011-06-30T22:16:00.001+05:30

Beaded, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 28 - Desserts

2011-06-30T22:15:00.005+05:30

Desserts, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

More photos on my Facebook page from the restaurant

June 27 - Skin

2011-06-30T22:15:00.003+05:30

Skin, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 26 - For Sale :-)

2011-06-30T22:15:00.001+05:30

For Sale :-), a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 25 - The Girl Who Had The Yashica

2011-06-26T00:17:00.001+05:30

The Girl Who Had The Yashica, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

This is one of my favorite photographs. I love her expression and I love the fact that she has a Yashica!

June 24 - Metal Flowers

2011-06-26T00:16:00.005+05:30

Metal Flowers, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 23 - Wedding Hues

2011-06-26T00:16:00.003+05:30

Wedding Hues, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 22 - Destiny Lines

2011-06-26T00:16:00.001+05:30

Destiny Lines, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 21 - Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhat

2011-06-23T12:43:00.001+05:30

Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhat, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 20 - Ringin'

2011-06-23T12:42:00.005+05:30

Ringin', a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 19- inspiration

2011-06-23T12:42:00.003+05:30

inspiration, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

june 18 - Shoes for puppets

2011-06-23T12:42:00.001+05:30

Shoes for puppets, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 17 - Sculptures

2011-06-23T12:41:00.005+05:30

Sculptures, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 16 - Walk The Line

2011-06-23T12:41:00.003+05:30

Walk The Line, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 15 - A Plea

2011-06-23T12:41:00.001+05:30

A Plea, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 14 - Burying Myself

2011-06-23T12:40:00.003+05:30

Burying Myself, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

... in lingering memories of the vacation

June 13 - Back On The Highway

2011-06-23T12:40:00.001+05:30

Back On The Highway, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 12 - Vacation

2011-06-23T12:39:00.003+05:30

Vacation, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 11 - Burnin

2011-06-23T12:39:00.001+05:30

Burnin, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 10 - Horizon

2011-06-23T12:38:00.005+05:30

Horizon, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 9 - Roses Are Red... And there are no violets

2011-06-23T12:38:00.003+05:30

Roses Are Red... And there are no violets, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 8 - Sweetness

2011-06-23T12:38:00.001+05:30

Sweetness, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 7 - Why Caged Birds Sing

2011-06-23T12:37:00.001+05:30

Why Caged Birds Sing, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 6 - Warnings

2011-06-23T12:25:00.003+05:30

Warnings, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 5 - Fashion

2011-06-23T12:25:00.001+05:30

Fashion, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 4 - The Silent Man In The Corner

2011-06-23T12:24:00.001+05:30

The Silent Man In The Corner, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

June 3 - The Crown

2011-06-04T13:43:00.003+05:30

The Crown, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

One of my favorite photographs in a long long long time!

June 2 - Cloudy Sunshine

2011-06-04T13:43:00.001+05:30

Cloudy Sunshine, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

And monsoons are here!

June 1 - Summer Colours

2011-06-04T13:42:00.003+05:30

Summer Colours, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

Green isn't my favorite colour but they look perfect on a leaf!

May 31 - Bandaged

2011-06-04T13:42:00.001+05:30

Bandaged, a photo by amulya on Flickr.

May 30 - Chasing Bubbles

2011-05-31T14:54:00.001+05:30

Chasing Bubbles, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 29 - Eternal

2011-05-31T14:53:00.007+05:30

Eternal, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 28 - Netting The Light

2011-05-31T14:53:00.005+05:30

Netted, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 27 - Peace

2011-05-31T14:53:00.003+05:30

Peace, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 26 - Cutie

2011-05-31T14:53:00.001+05:30

Cutie, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 25 - How To Exercise

2011-05-31T14:52:00.005+05:30

How To Exercise, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 24 - Horsing Around

2011-05-31T14:52:00.003+05:30

Horsing Around, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 23 - Ancient And Eternal

2011-05-31T14:52:00.001+05:30

Ancient And Eternal, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 22 - Wedded

2011-05-31T14:51:00.003+05:30

Wedded, originally uploaded by amulya.

This was another shoot at a jewelry store. The most beautiful jewelry, with the most compelling designs!

May 21 - Obsessed With Flame

2011-05-31T14:51:00.001+05:30

Obsessed With Flame, originally uploaded by amulya.

What is so compelling about that yellow flame?

May 20 - Pearls, Diamonds, Gold

2011-05-31T14:50:00.003+05:30

Pearls, Diamonds, Gold, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 19 - Heat

2011-05-31T14:50:00.001+05:30

Heat, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 18 - Toe'n the line

2011-05-31T14:49:00.003+05:30

Toe'n the line, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 17 - Dirt Cars

2011-05-31T14:49:00.001+05:30

Dirt Cars, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 16 - If looks could kill...

2011-05-17T13:09:00.001+05:30

If looks could kill..., originally uploaded by amulya.

May 15 - Siesta

2011-05-17T13:08:00.005+05:30

Siesta, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 14 - Spotted

2011-05-17T13:08:00.003+05:30

Spotted, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 13 - The Indian

2011-05-17T13:08:00.001+05:30

The Indian, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 12 - salted

2011-05-17T13:07:00.003+05:30

salted, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 11 - Spot The Joke

2011-05-17T13:07:00.001+05:30

Spot The Joke, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 10 - Behind Closed Doors

2011-05-17T13:06:00.005+05:30

Behind Closed Doors, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 9 - Smell The Roses

2011-05-17T13:06:00.003+05:30

Smell The Roses, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 8 - Night Lights

2011-05-17T13:06:00.001+05:30

Night Lights, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 7 - At A Junction

2011-05-17T13:04:00.002+05:30

At A Junction, originally uploaded by amulya.

I was at a traffic light... right up in front, looking down on MG Road looming in front of me. I was first struck by the absence of traffic. And then I realised how much the entire landscape on MG Road has been changed in 5 short ... or not so short years. The concrete on the left used to be a beautiful avenue, with a small path and little benches (quite a favorite with couples)

May 6 - OneNote

2011-05-08T12:05:00.001+05:30

OneNote, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 5 - History

2011-05-06T13:48:00.003+05:30

History, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 4 - For Summer

2011-05-06T13:48:00.001+05:30

For Summer, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 3 - Dangerous Temptations

2011-05-06T13:47:00.001+05:30

Dangerous Temptations, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 2 - In The Dark

2011-05-06T13:46:00.001+05:30

A Flicker of Hope, originally uploaded by amulya.

May 1 - The Trail

2011-05-06T13:14:00.001+05:30

The Trail, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 30 - fashion

2011-04-30T14:32:00.000+05:30

fashion, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 29 - Plated

2011-04-29T14:32:00.000+05:30

Plated, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 28 - Music

2011-04-28T14:32:00.000+05:30

Music, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 27 - Siblings

2011-04-27T14:11:00.003+05:30

Siblings, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 26 - Lights

2011-04-27T14:11:00.002+05:30

Lights, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 25 - Genelia

2011-04-27T14:11:00.001+05:30

Genelia, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 24 - In the Dark

2011-04-27T14:11:00.000+05:30

In the Dark, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 23- Cradle of Filth Concert, Bangalore

2011-04-27T14:10:00.003+05:30

Cradle of Filth Concert, Bangalore, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 22 - Guess what

2011-04-27T14:10:00.002+05:30

Guess what, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 21 - Cradle of Filth

2011-04-27T14:09:00.000+05:30

Cradle of Filth, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 20 - Prints

2011-04-26T14:10:00.000+05:30

Prints, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 19 - Raindrops

2011-04-26T14:09:00.000+05:30

Raindrops, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 18 - Fixing a puncture

2011-04-19T13:54:00.001+05:30

2, originally uploaded by amulya.

The stories on the streets...

April 17 - Concert Crowds

2011-04-19T13:53:00.001+05:30

Concert Crowds, originally uploaded by amulya.

I actually shot Akon's concert... so you might ask why am I posting this photo instead of Akon... because shooting the people in the crowd was a lot more fun than shooting the man himself. If you do want to see more photos from the concert, click on the photo...

April 16 - Purple

2011-04-19T13:50:00.001+05:30

Purple, originally uploaded by amulya.

I generally don't post photos I take for the page 3 issues... but I just love the colours in this one :-)

April 15 - Public Notice

2011-04-19T13:39:00.001+05:30

Public Notice, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 14 - Faces in the Smoke

2011-04-14T17:44:00.003+05:30

Faces in the Smoke, originally uploaded by amulya.

April 13 - Indian Cows

2011-04-14T17:44:00.001+05:30

Indian Cows, originally uploaded by amulya.

Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge!!!

April 12 - Cri-ket

2011-04-14T17:43:00.003+05:30

Cri-ket, originally uploaded by amulya.

Screw the quality of the photo. My first match in a stadium!!!