Friday, January 7, 2011

My Best Photos From 2010

Here are some of my best photos from 2010, all on this blog.

January



The chair is a rocking chair I have at home, and it casts that shadow at night, in yellow light. Above that is the neighbourhood of the home I grew up in - I was actually trying to get a picture of the sunset. Next to that is the day's washing - I had laundered a whole lot of towels. I like the picture for the light pouring in through the window. Below that is a scene captured from behind the window of a moving train.

February


I saw this commode (WC) at the site of a demolition. Next to that is the decoration at a wedding - the plates contain beads, tinsel and sprinkles stuck to them. Below that is a small truck transporting green bananas, and next to that is part of city beautification - the city is being beautified with paintings of folk art. I've taken so many pictures of that through the months.

March



I joined a yoga class where the mats were rolled and hung up so - it was on a terrace but thatched to provide some relief from the heat. Next to that is a scene rather typical of South India - the saris, the plaits and the strings of jasmine - I took that with my mobile camera and I really like this photo. Below that is the statue of a local deity, his arm was missing then but has been restored since. Next to that is yellow watermelon, a real rarity in these parts. 

April



The boy managing the pavement store that stocked these tender coconuts didn't know what to say when I finished having my coconut water and told him I'd take a few moments photographing the coconuts. He was so surprised. What strikes you about the picture next to that? It's from a performance - and the image is similar to the folk art mural I included in the February collage above.

May


Usually, May is the hottest summer month in India, and fans like this are popular as they come in handy when electricity fails, quite a common occurrence. Then, I cut a pineapple and liked the way this piece of peel arranged itself. I like the next picture for the shadows.

June


I finally watched a jackfruit being cut, joined yet another yoga class (notice the stick figures in various asanas in the centre photo) and fried fish.

July


The pots hanging are from a street-side nursery that sold plants. Next to that has to be one the most bizarre sights I've ever seen - mannequins torso down, for a denim brand, hanging from the ceiling. Below that is a weaver plying his craft on a loom - I got this at an exhibition of textiles. Next to that is a picture from the seaside where the boys are playing kabaddi.

August



This month, the city was full of such installations of Gods and Goddesses as part of some festive period. These were usually above a platform/stage on which some song-and-dance show was being performed, or above a temple. I enjoyed breaking through the small groups of onlookers and participants at these places to take the pictures.

September




I lost my camera in August, and got a new one. I'm sure the picture of the pepper vine next to it would not get any marks for lighting, but I love the way the new camera captured the green peppercorns turning (and turned) black.

October



A bangle seller.  haven't seen this cart since I finished school, perhaps. If I ever saw one of them again, I would think, I would drop whatever I was doing and take a picture. I'm glad to say I did. 

I asked him if I could take a picture and he agreed, waiting patiently till I had taken as many as I wanted. He agreed there were fewer carts such as these but that they still existed here and there, and that he came by this area everyday. 

November


The picture at the top and bottom are from my trip to Rajasthan. The woman is a vendor of jewellery at a fort and the sunset is from Sam in the desert. It looks like an isolated spot, but it's actually full of tourists - and camels and their masters.

December

  
I can't believe I got such a photo. Enough said.

I'm sending this off to this event.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

The 365-1/4th Day

There, I've come to the end of this project which actually ended quite a while ago. If you've been following this blog, you will know I lost my camera at the end of August, and that derailed my momentum with this photo-a-day project. I tried to keep it going, but I began forgetting to take pictures for days on end after that. I'm quite sad - I thought I could and would see it through.

So here are the last batch of photos taken over the last one month. I am looking out for another project but none as intense as this - I was really seized with it as long as I didn't lose my camera - it made me spend more hours on the computer, more hours up at night, and for a while, I didn't even feel like working on the other blog because I was spending time on this every day. I also took a lot of pictures just for the sake of meeting a deadline - I guess it's time I eased up and learnt some photography now!



One of the nicest hotel rooms I've stayed in!


Home baked goodies from a friend!


Trying some food photography!


Same star, different shot


Cooking in progress!


It's been many days of Rajasthani food at home since my trip last month to Rajasthan - here it's pithore ki kadhi in the making. The cubes above are the pithore, made from besan. More posts here and here


 The pattern on this pressure cooker full of greens and dal reminded me of geographic maps.


I boiled eggs straight out of the refrigerator. An egg cracked and this yolk popped out. Maybe there were two or it shaped itself so. I found it cute.


An evening out




Hard times - vegetables at awful prices


But at the end of the day, something sane, some good advice ... 


A very happy new year to you all!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Rajasthan journey


This past week, I was in Rajasthan for a trip with my friends. We went to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur. These pictures are from Jaisalmer. The lady above is a vendor at the fort, which is home to about 4,000 people.


There are many shops for tourists inside the fort, this one selling hats and turbans and other stuff is one of them.


As you enter the fort, there are several stalls selling silver jewellery and puppets.


Just a small example of the beautiful carvings in sandstone - I think this is from Patwon Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer.


Sunset on the dunes in Sam (pronounced 'Sum', in the Thar desert.)


A 'pol' (gate) at Mandore Fort, Jodhpur

The imposing Mehrangarh fort


The Blue City, as seen from Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur. Originally painted blue for Brahmins to distinguish their houses from others', the indigo wash was later adopted by everyone as it was supposed to have disinfectant qualities.

Amber fort, Jaipur


Inside Amber fort, Jaipur. You can see the wall of Jaigarh fort, which houses the world's largest cannon, at the back.


A large courtyard inside Amber fort - there are several courtyards, not to mention rooms, gates and passages inside this sprawling fort. The place is a maze, you can get lost very easily and waste a lot of time as there are no directions and the audio guide tour is also badly organised.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

These Past Few Days

Nowadays, I don't even try to take good photos. This project has become one that's all about struggling to the finish line at any cost. Here are pictures from the past few days:


A landmark in my city


I've seen stuff like this only on the doors and walls of loos in trains, this was in an elevator!


Double rainbow! On the way back from home after the Deepavali break. I saw a rainbow on my way there too!


I still remember the days of my childhood when this creeper came to our house - how taken we were with its exotica, and its fragrance. It smelled very sweet and there were ants running over the flowers all the time. I just realise I'd posted this on my other blog a couple of years ago.


Green bananas, steamed, grated, tempered


Mashing garlic, in preparation for tawa paneer



Gravy for paneer makhani