Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Mirror conjures dreams
dreams mirror the inner self
the simple, muddled, lucid dreams...



I see you...
looking at me in my dreams
Mirror, mirror on the wall
am I dreaming after all?

Invoking the Spirits: Happy New Year 2007!

Driving back from Lake Berryessa, I saw this beautiful oak tree shorn of the leaves. So, we decided to stop and invoke the spirits for all happiness everywhere. Here's wishing all of you a very Happy New Year!

Spreading happiness around...

A few days back, I photographed my friend Henrik and Mina's wedding.

Henrik was a lieutenant in Swedish air-force and looked dashing in his airforce dress. Mina, tall and pretty, complemented him. The wedding was a small family affair in a quaint little church in Sausalito. Henrik called me last month to ask if I would photograph his wedding. Ofcourse, I was more than happy that he would ask me to photograph their special day. After the wedding, I took them to Marin headlands overlooking the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco bay area for a few portraits. As usual, it was windy and cold. I was hoping to see a golden gate swathed in sunlight. But, when it is warm inland, the cold rushes in along with fog. So, braving the wind and cold and accepting compliments from the usual swarm of tourists, they posed for a few pictures. Happy and so in love with each other, they spread the happiness around. Henrik and Mina - I wish you both a very happy married life!

The feeling Called Love

The Feeling Called Love...certainly shines through in this photo I took last year at Tim and Giuliane's wedding. I had been going through some of the photographs and portraits I took at their wedding last year and thought I'll share it with you.



Photographing a wedding is fun, yet stressful and tiring. One needs to be mentally alert all the time to capture the fleeting moments that would not come again. A photographer really does not have any time to relax during a wedding except maybe during a quick dinner interrupted by more pictures. So why shoot a wedding? Just because...for a people-lover like me, a wedding is a chance to capture some spontaneous moments filled with love and happiness. And that's the reason why I shoot weddings sometimes, mostly for friends and acquaintances. It is hard work but very satisfying when the couple like your work. In this post, I'll just share some portraits that I liked of Tim and Giuliane.





We had gone to a beach next to Golden Gate Bridge where I wanted to capture their exuberance. This was after the wedding day as they wanted some more portraits. We stopped at Lucas Arts Campus in Presidio for some photographs. I really wanted to photograph them with Golden Gate as a backdrop. After Presidio, we went to the beach. Light was getting low and had me wishing we had more time. And, it was cold as usual in San Francisco. Tim and Giuliane braved it all and I got to capture some dynamic portaits along with their happy, sporty attitude.

I love this shot of the couple in the church with Jesus seemingly blessing their vows. The light in the church is usually dim and here's where the fast lenses come in handy. The lighting inside can be daunting but ofcourse that's where one rises to the challenge.



The next two portraits were taken after the ceremony when we were off to reception at the Golden Gate Yacht club. Oh, and this was the first time I actually got to ride in a limousine. That could be another reason - shoot a wedding and got to ride in a limo. :)

I really like this B/W portrait of Giuliane with the veil happily fluttering with the wind. There is something about B/W that imparts a timeless feel to a frame. Just two minutes before this, Giuliane was very cold and feeling tired; wanted to rush to the reception. I told her that I would like two really nice shots and we may not have a chance to shoot their portrait again. Suddenly, she was not cold anymore and took charge posing with effortless ease of a model. I was pleasantly surprised and happy with the energy that was being revealed though my camera shutter.


This portrait shows a tenderness as they are about to kiss, a kiss full of love.


And that is precisely what I love when shooting a wedding...all that energy and the air filled with this feeling called love.

A sunny winter day on Mission Peak

It's supposed to be rainy season in San Francisco bay area. But, the rains continue to play hide-and-seek.

Saturday came and Sun was out inviting us for a not-so-leisurely walk up the mission peak in Fremont. It sure feels nice to be out again with my camera. The pond is still waiting for the rains to fill it up; it has filled up partially since my last visit two weeks back. With the cows stomping around, the texture looks cool.

And, ofcourse in the picture are my two favorite people discussing who gets to carry her big white jacket.

With the Sun slowly going down, the shadow of the first hill falls on the track, highlighting the dried stalks of grass. The two specs towards the left in the shadow area are two hikers coming up the hill to see the Sun going down. Reminds me of the lyrics of the Beatles' song - "The fool on the hill sees the sun going down...".

I want to stay for the sunset too. Everytime I hike the mission peak, I usually descend after the sun has gone down. And, I have seen some glorious sunsets and moonrises from here. But, this particular day, I could do with some food. :)

Could not decide whether I like the color or bw version more. Always, decisions...

Taking the easy way out, I am putting up both. Take your pick.