Photo Drive to Tamhini Ghat in Monsoon 2016

This year (2016), during the monsoons I made a short half day drive to Tamhini Ghat. This was more of a photo drive than just winding up.

This was probably my fourth or fifth trip towards Tamhini but the place never ceases to amuse me with its breathtaking beauty. This year Tamhini received the most rainfall in Maharashtra (yes, surpassing even Mahabaleshwar), so the astounding greenery and the spectacular white streams were in abundance and perfectly complemented each other. 

We had to stop at several places and take photos to the heart's content.

Not a place to be missed during the monsoon, if you are in/around Pune.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN MONSOONS.

The photos are clicked without any ND or CPL filters. I used a simple gorillapod to place my 5DMK3 on top of it.

The first spot where we reached by 8 am in the morning was the gigantic waterfall just besides the Mulshi Lake.

There were some tiny waterfalls around it as well.

And I certainly did not let go of any opportunity to try various angles and focusing techniques.

All these sources of water combined into one and a gushing stream was output through the bushes.

Everywhere as far as one could see, it was green all around...covered with white sheets of cloud...

...and small streams gently flowing to its destiny...

..and some tiny beauties...

..and some marvels of nature....

..and some fauna too...

Practicing with high shutter speed....

Monsoon brings out the explorers in us....

Sometimes only sitting in the car also can bring your attention to beauties around you....

And some more greenery on our way back...

We had a stopover nearby Mulshi Dam, and the beauty simply was breathtaking with the farmlands posing with a genuine grin (read 'green') in contrast to the last year's seriously dry spell..

Finally, before our ways part until the next blog, no monsoon photoblog can be completed without such pictures as below:

Time to say good bye. 

Thank you very much for taking your time to go through the post. If you like it, please leave your encouragement as a form of a comment.

See you!!

Photo Walk at Pashan Lake by Pixavince

Date: 28-Aug-2016
Place: Pashan Lake
Organizer: Pixavince Photography Group

On a cloudy (and hence lazy) Sunday morning I managed to gather myself at Pashan Lake for a Macro Photography workshop arranged by Pixavince. And there were many other enthusiasts as well.

I did not carry any specific equipment for Macro and I still rue this fact. For an outdoor macro photography (and that too on a day with such clouds hovering around), you definitely need a few gears specific to Macro.

There are equipments like Macro lens, Extension Tubes, Reversal Ring, Diopters, Macro filters which would certain boost the magnification (read my post on Macro Photography). And one would also need a source of light such as inbuilt flash, external flash or some other lights (mobile flash etc).

The group at Pashan Lake. Photo courtesy: Pixavince.

Macro opportunities were abundant at the location but I was not able to create some good shots, because of the low light (and I was not carrying any flash) and the absence of macro specific equipment (I was just carrying the 24-105 mm kit lens). Hence the number of images is also limited to a very few.

All photos are in low resolution.

The Mushrooms:

The Gathering:

The Feast:

The Descendant of the DRAGON:

Nature's Symmetry:

The Climb:

Leaf Texture:

DPC Sunday Photo Walk at Parvati Hills

Date: 21st August 2016, Sunday
Place: Parvati Hills

On the occasion of the World Photography Day (19th Aug), Delhi Photography Club 's Pune arm had arranged a free photo walk at the Parvati Hills, arguably one of the highest points in Pune.

The weather was tricky. When the group of around 10 people started the walk after the initial introductions, it was sunny but as the day progressed dark clouds engulfed the sky completely and a little bit of drizzle was on its way as well. The fickle characteristics of weather provided a unique challenge to all the participants to quickly adjust the camera settings according to the frequently varying lighting condition.

There were total 5 temples at the top, the Shiva- Parvati temple being the most prominent and the largest one, along with the Peshwa Museum and the final resting place (tomb) of the great Maratha warrior Balaji Bajirao. Even if one is a non-believer, one can still visit the place because of the historical significance of this place. Pune is a place full of history, after all!

1.5 hours ended rather quickly and the group reassembled at a small tea stall for a brief chitchat, after which we parted ways, promising positively for the next event!

Would like to Thank the DCP co-ordinators Mr Arun and Mr Tushar for taking the initiative and effort to organize such tours, Hope to see some more in future.

Firstly, the participants (thanks to DPC team) of the walk.

Below are some of the photos that I captured during the photo walk. All photos are in low resolution.

Apart from the Camera body (Canon 5D Mark III) and Kit Lens (24-105 mm), no other equipments had been used.

Three of a Kind:

The journey has started:

A mini-market on the way:

A curious little boy:

Lack of maintenance:

A View from the top - exhilarating as well as refreshing:

The main temple:

Meditation:

What else could be better marketing campaign for Brittania Marie:

The temple - from another angle:

The weather was changing its characteristics too soon - cloudy now:

Who knows what is hidden behind the door?

Entry is Strictly Prohibited:

Autumn is approaching - 1:

Autumn is approaching - 2:

There was a group of 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi':

A group of enthusiastic and energetic young kids: