Cherish The Moment !

I have developed just the right enthusiasm to plunge into
one of the most enamoring hobbies one may dream for ...
its photography. This blog of mine is indeed about basics
of photography through the eyes of a newbie. Life is full
of stories and what better than those sweet memories,
the Elysian life once spent to revive us from our moribund
life of drudgery.

Today's market is glutted with modern tech products with
scad of them flaunting their unique features. Its difficult amidst such
scenario not to list for one of these luring deals. However,
its obligatory to scroll through most products to analyze the
options and get the best buy. So first things first let's get
some basics about cameras. There are cameras with 10s of
mega pixels all around the market. The normal Digital
cameras also known as "point and shoot " cameras are
easy to handle. They slide inside the pocket quite easily
but the picture quality .... hmm not satisfying enough.
The performance of these cameras suffer greatly in low light.
The pictures lack the originality of the ever beautiful mother
nature.

The digital SLR cameras are far ahead when it comes to real world
pics. They have comparative mega pixels but packed with many
folds larger sensors to capture the same image thus far better
quality. The whole notion of digital cameras are their unique ability to
change lenses depending on the need. They encapsulate lenses for every
aspect of photography....let it be..wildlife, portrait, landscape low
light, even sports events. They have it all. With the control over the
shutter speed, aperture size, magnification and ISO level one could
experience the freedom to nourish the art in its own special way.
The new technologies like lens stabilization, Live view, sensors and
anti dust provides picture perfect experience for even novice
photographers. The depth-of-field phenomenon amazes the viewer
with its ability to showcase the focus than its counterpart surroundings
With immense potential and unmatched capabilities DSLR cameras
simply are the obvious choice.

There are couple of contenders in the camera market. The giants
being Canon and Nikon. Other players being Sony, Fuzi Olympus
etc. Couple of models like Canon 40D and 40DX are low end but
still powerful cameras. 400D XTi is a great camera with its
successor 1000D XS rebel. The show is ultimately stolen by the
450DXsi which truly deserves to be the worthy successor.
Nikon offers D40 D60 and on the higher side Nikon D80 which
is a bit costly however worth every penny. The new Nikon D90 also
provide HD video recording at 780p with 20 fps. Nikon arguably
flaunts better ergonomics, sturdy look and feel to the cameras.
There are other high end cameras like EOS-5D Mark II etc but
getting your hands on them would mean loads of bucks!

For real insight into cameras their comparisons few best links:
www.dpreview.com
www.cameralabs.com


Another contender to the camera mrket is Sony. It has also
launched its A100, A200, A300, A350 models which have high
mega pixels and reasonably good performance. The A300 and above
boast the ability to flip out and tilt the screen of the camera making
difficult shots easier. These cameras however use an additional sensor for
live view which makes it faster than its competitors. The benefit
is not having to bypass the conventional AF (Auto Focus) system
during Live View, thereby allowing the A300 to autofocus as quickly
as it would do normally, and without interruption or noise. It has its
downside too. It lacks the ability to provide genuine 100% coverage,
pixel-perfect magnified manual focus-assistance and a preview of any
sensor-shift stabilization which other counterparts provide. Sony has
inbuilt image stabilization which works with all the lenses that are
attached to it which makes it quite a handy camera and a strong
contender.

Nevertheless selecting a DSLR camera is a big task and solely depends
on the kind of photographer and the features that excites the most. It
could be the tilting screen of Sony or the picture perfect quality of
the Canon and Nikon which could vary with the interest and requirements
of the individuals. All in all the DSLR cameras are great pal to have.
They cost somewhere around 600-700$ for the lower end cameras
which can go much higher as they reach the semi pro or pro level. The
things like IS and UMS lenses can help achieve worderful exposure.
It is also true that the Mega pixels are not the only thing to consider
while buying a camera. There are much more to it in terms of pixel
density, sensor size, kind of sensors and technology used which can
produce vast difference in the image. I am planning to go for EOS
450D XSi which encompases all the new features and provides great
image quality. Get a feel of the DSLR cameras and you will know the
difference it has to offer. Capture the moment and cherish the memories!

Memories Linger

I remember my friends those endless talks...
The cherubic smile ...the bantering, those persiflage's..
I could still feel the early morning zephyr ...
I am faaaaaar away still I remember them all !


Our frivolous party with friends and drinks.
Those cricket matches, the sweet victory.
I remember birds flying in the morning azure sky,
in those endless melodious, enchanting voice.
The imprints linger, its me, my own.
I prize them all for my life, my soul.

But then why I feel the pinch straight in my heart.
How could I relinquish the past in a flash....
What has changed I think in my muddled head. How can I
relive the time I spent in my mothers lap. I remember
those sweet memories, the selfless love. Whats the thing
holding me back ?

Time has changed and so have we ....
what remains is our memories.... Its the heart that speaks and
the eyes that cry for that one lovely moment back from my life.
Let me live in my dream world with my loved ones, my bloods.
Tell me I can change it all ... change the days, springs the falls.
I aver to cede for the world once I was a part ...
how could I live it with my heart still apart.

Life in a metro

Fancy dresses, passionate crowd and loads to shop are the images
that catch our mind when we think of a metro city. I wouldn't aver
that my stay at the silicon valley of India has been all rosy but
surely eventful ! Plunging into the past few months I could reminisce
some of the lessons that I have learnt.

The day started as usual with me and my flat mate leaving for work.
I had forgotten to take my cell phone but did realize it soon enough
to get it back. So there were we at the auto/bus stand waiting for our
savior to guide our way amidst treacherous winding roads. It was
unusual but we could hardly descry an auto near the stand. Eventually
a bus stopped nearby and around 10 people came out of it which
made it manageable for us to get inside. As we got inside, the mob
popped back in. We could barely stand . Just then I realized
something was awry and rummaged through my belongings. To my
astonishment my cell was gone! The moment I reacted the mob
dispersed from the bus. Had I not taken my cell phone I would have
forestalled the loss. With the heavy heart I realized It was destined
to go.

The next day I learnt about the similar tactics employed by these
pick pockets but it was then too late. I had to learn it the hard way!

Another enamoring gift of our metro is our dear salesmen/women.
Its usually morning when they would greet us with their inordinate
money saving notions . Their contention truly amazes me. They
believe its not apt to buy gifts as and when needed but to buy and
later introspect whom to present it to.

Not once but several occasions I have met officious sales boy with
his impervious gift plans. I remember I had slept around 6 a.m when
'my friend' woke me up in the morning 9 a.m trying to sell a head
massager. I was vexed by his infringement into my dream world.
As I opened the door he asked me to shake hands! How often
do we shake hands with strangers... that too while half asleep......
solely driven by the desire to shoo the intruder.

Although I knew what he wanted but I still repeated the same old
question. He wasn't ready to reply until I did shake hands with him.
He took out his head massager and started massaging my head for
demonstration. Now that's some relief :). He kept on showing his
gadgets although I refused to show any interest in buying them. He
just wanted me to have a look instead of buying it ! yup this was his
noble idea. He reminded me of those somnolent lectures where one
can neither sleep nor listen but is physically present. Alas I
could see the deep rooted professionalism in a metro.

How could one forget the rampant auto drivers and their sky high
rates. They long for Americans and north Indians both considered
as 'seths' (rich people) in here. They would ask 200 bucks for a 40
bucks ride. Their wangled meter and before time night charges
exemplify their cupidity.

Once in here one discovers the seamy side of the world. Its time to
get real ... its time to get professional.

Baki baba sab thik kar dega ok!

The Day The Earth Stood Still

After loads of speculations I eventually decided to pen
down my experience when the earth stood still....

Yes ! ...... its the movie itself. It all started with the
fractured arm of my friend, my flat mate and me savoring
my elysian day off from work. As I was the most indolent
of them all I was doomed to buy the tickets for the night
show. If god is relentless there are better things to do
than watching movies in multiplexes.To my horror came
the movie Rab ne Bana di jodi with its exhorative promo-
-tions of SRK opening along with ours. I was there staring
at the counter with tons of people waiting to book their
tickets.

Man! now thats population explosion. I stifled my snicker
and floundered my way into one of the lines. Suddenly a girl
joined the line, a bit confused seemed apparent. With the
world so big and people so close she found her soulmate,
Auntyji , searching for the same cause yes you guessed it
right ..... Rab ne bana di jodi's correct counter...

The scene was going in the background when spotlight fell
right on me. Are we in the right line? Well I had minuscule
clue what they wanted but I was indeed enthralled by the
camaraderie. Instantly I was in a group of 'we' rather than
me standing alone. I suavely replied of the line being only
for the advance booking and me not for RNBDJ; as it might
have been of her interest. Well both ensuring where to go
made a beeline to the next queue for current show. With all
these drama around I finally got the ticket for the movie.
I wondered was it worth all the trouble. hell yah! not for
the movie but for the joke of a lifetime to follow!!!

We were there in the hall, cozy in our seats sipping coffee
when two genius joined us. They started arguing that one of
our seats belonged to them. Dude now this is hilarious, how
could we both have same seat number. The dude instantly out
of his sheer briliance unraveled the mystery and gave us the
irreproachable suggestion. Let's shift for the time being to
the next vacant seat. Sure! who wanted to squander the
moment on some needless discussions.

The first few mins with keanu Reeves amidst great snow and
an arcane shiny lump was about to take us into paranormal
world when we heard the familiar sound! The sound of our
genius confused friends ...... abe SRK kab ayega ! well we
couldn't stop laughing. Dude! its not RNBDJ ..... sry boss
mistake ho gya!They indeed realized quickly within 10 mins
of movie completely running in English.With no name of SRK
in the starcast but still hopeful of seeing their hero
truly amazes the love we share for our stars :)


Rest of the movie disappointed us completely with no story
but we did thank our prodigious friends for giving a great
start to the movie with his SRK joke !