Doha Aspire Park

"Aspire Park" a part of the legendary "Aspire Zone" built for Asian Games has become one of my favourite spot in Doha.

This man 88 hectare man-made park with lush green pastures, trees and even a large man made pond is very refreshing.

A view of Doha tower from Aspire Park.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 32 mm, f/14, 1/100s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 35 mm, f/10, 1/100s, ISO 100.


Hidden behind the "Villagio Mall" this is one of the best places in Doha to get some fresh air.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 135 mm, f/11, 1/125, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 48 mm, f/16, 1/160s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 48 mm, f/16, 1/160s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 70 mm, f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 32 mm, f/14, 1/160s, ISO 100.

The Malaga Hangover

It's been over a year since the last trip to Malaga, the memories still linger around, the below images came out of the photo files after a week ends journey into them.

Clean and vibrant Torremolinos Beach as viewed from the 7^th floor of my favourite hotel "Melia Costa del Sol".

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 22 mm, f/11, 1/80s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 62 mm, f/16, 1/60s, ISO 100.

The floral with an old Anchor for sure will draw the attention of any one passing across the side walk adjacent to Torremolinos beach.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 22 mm, f/5.6, 1/60s, ISO 100.

In the dusk the sunshades on the beach with brilliant colours made a stunning ambience.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 26 mm, f/4, 1/30s, ISO 100.

Upon arrival at a resort near Malaga for dinner, the fabulous tiny park drew the attention of whoever entered the resort.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 20 mm, f/5.6, 1/40s, ISO 100.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 32 mm, f/4.2, 1/30s, ISO 100.

These guests of that resort thought they were unnoticed.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 135 mm, f/5.6, 1/30s, ISO 100.

The interesting lamp post near the Malaga bus station with flora (and fauna) on top of it.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 40 mm, f/9, 1/100s, ISO 100.

Calle Marques de Larios Street, Malaga, a lively place during weekends.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 8 mm, f/3.5, 1/3s, ISO 100.

Taking a walk back from the Plaza de la Merced, gave me a view of La Manquita ( vaguely interpreted as "one armed woman") of the Malaga Cathedral which escaped from my lens during the trip in 2006.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 75 mm, f/5.6, 1/15s, ISO 100.

Patriotism on Indian ID-62

On the rainy day of August 1, 2009 a short trip on the roads of Chennai was quite interesting since it gave a good opportunity for some clicks on the display of patriotism.

Most vehicles including auto rickshaws on the streets proudly carried the Indian flag or a sticker symbolizing the tricolour flag.

The tri colour flag on a commercial goods vehicle.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 G lens @ 35 mm, f/13, 1/125s, ISO 200.

Hot sale of the day!!! Mini flags and stickers sold at a traffic signal by a slum kid (does she goes to a school?!).

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 135 mm, f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 200.

The tri colour flag hoisted at Higginbothams book store, one of the prominent land marks of Chennai.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35 mm f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 85 mm, f/13, 1/125s, ISO 200.

The tri colour flag flying high, on top of the clock tower at Chennai Central Railway Station.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35 mm, f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 44mm, f/10, 1/125s, ISO 200.

A coolie at work in the Chennai central railway station proudly wearing the tricolour badge.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35 mm, f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 66mm, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 200.

Tri colour decorations at a Bharat Petroleum fuel station.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35 mm f3.5 – 5.6 lens@ 20mm, f/10, 1/125, ISO 200.

Tricolour flag and decorations at a small garden in an Indian Oil fuel station.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35 mm f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 38mm, f/9, 1/125s, ISO 200.

Tri colour balloon decoration inside a shop.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 35mm f3.5 – 5.6 lens @ 20mm, f/3.8, 1/50s, ISO 200.

And now a honest confession, on that day if I would have been on the streets very early in the morning, for sure this post would have be filled with more good Shots.

Ponte Sant' Angelo & Castel Sant' Angelo

Al long stroll on a May evening from Phantheon to the banks of river Tiber that leads to Castel Sant' Angelo via Ponte Sant' Angelo was refreshing.

River tiber as seen from Ponte Sant'Angelo

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 20 mm, f/5.6, 1/10s, ISO 100

The below images of the 10 Angels holding the instruments of passion was shot during the hour long wait on the bridge "Ponte Sant' Angelo" for the sun to set and give a twilight ambience. These angels placed on Ponte Sant' Angelo are said to be the last large projects of Bernini. Yet it is said that Bernini has finished only the first two angels (One with the INRI inscription and the one with Thorn crown) in person.

Angel with the Column

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 52 mm, f/5.6, 1/60s, ISO 100

Angel with the whips
Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 44 mm, f/5.6, 1/10s, ISO 100

Angel with the thorn crown
Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 50 mm, f/5, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with garment and dice

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 62 mm, f/5.3, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the superscription

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 58 mm, f/5.3, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the sponge

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 52 mm, f/5, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the Lance
Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 50 mm, f/5, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the Cross

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 40 mm, f/4.5, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the Nails
Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 48 mm, f/4.8, 1/30s, ISO 100

Angel with the Sudarium

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 48 mm, f/4.8, 1/30s, ISO 100

A view of Castel Sant' Angelo across Ponte Sant' Angelo

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 44 mm, f/11, 2s, ISO 100

A night view of Castel Sant' Angelo

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 40 mm, f/6.3, 5s, ISO 100

Darkness and light - the duality

Couple of days back, when i was reviewing my photo collections, especially when i cam across the below pictures the truth of the duality (darkness and light) did strike on my mind. It's not just the duality of darkness and light that gives good pictures but aren't they the basis of existence?



The fire place

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 70 mm, f/5.6, 2.5s, ISO 100

Decorative Clay oil lamps on lawn

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 135 mm, f/5.6, 4s, ISO 100

Candle offerings at a church in Rome, you can notice the multiple subjects the little girl lighting the candle, the taller girl and the lad starring at each other across the candle and the hand of a lady lighting a candle.

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 40 mm, f/4.5, 1/30s, ISO 400

A boquet from nature

Nikon D80, Nikkor 18 – 135 mm f/3.5 – 5-6 @ 125 mm, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 400