Luminescent Splendour

NSAXENA4560

NSAXENA5198

The signature skylines of the mega cities around the world beckon me to them and these photographs are from my collection. Be it the colourful myriad of reflections created in the deep waters of the ocean or the star studded skyscrapers, the panoramic view is enticing and exciting enough for photographers to capture this shine and glitter in a frame.

The contrast between the deep blue sky and the shimmering buildings is best captured after sunset and before it turns dark. A fine balance of exposure is required between the background sky and the lights in front to get it right.The camera angle is equally important to record the reflections. Generally, one gets just 5-10 minutes at dusk to shoot this image.

These pictures are of the Central Business District and Darling Harbor, Sydney Australia.

NSAXENA4560

Camera: Nikon D-300.

Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm F 2.8

Focal Length:24 mm .

Aperture:F-8.

Shutter Speed 20seconds .

Metering: Matrix.

ISO :200.

White Balance:Auto

Mode:Manual.

Format of Camera: DX.

Format of Lens:FX .

Light Conditions :clear sky.

Time:1930 hrs.

NSAXENA5198

Camera: Nikon D-300.

Lens: Nikkor 14-24mm F 2.8

Focal Length:16 mm .

Aperture:F-8.

Shutter Speed 6 seconds .

Metering: Matrix.

ISO :400.

White Balance:Auto

Mode:Manual.

Format of Camera: DX.

Format of Lens:FX .

Light Conditions :clear sky.

Time:2030 hrs.

Navneet Saxena is our columnist for Pic(k) of the week to share some exciting shots by him, who has been into photography for over 25 years. A multifaceted personality he teaches the students of Vivek High School Chandigarh, Northern Indian Institute of Fashion Technology SAS Nagar, and is the External Examiner for Photography of Chandigarh College of Architecture. He is also the President Photographic Society of Chandigarh.

Awarded by the Hindustan Times in 2007, the Hindustan Motors for the Contessa Classic “94-99”, his work has been published nationally and internationally in various publications like the New York Times, The Tribune, Indian Express and Hindustan Times. To his credit is a coffee table book “CHANDIGARH-THE CITY BEAUTIFUL” published in the year 1999.

On this month’s picture, he says, “While sauntering along the Venice Beach, Los Angeles in the month of  June, I captured this frame during a weekly event “Circle of  Drums”. Overcoming barriers of age, class and gender, a wide variety of  fun loving people gather there to enjoy pot, hash and other drugs, all under the very eyes of the police! To add to the aura and ambiance they play different musical instruments till the wee hours of the morning when they are gently evicted by the police.

The harmony created is so complete that somehow all the different tunes played by the different musical instruments fit in together melodiously to create a symphony in an orchestra. I was fascinated by this girl who was a part of the group and she got enticed to pose for my camera. It was her eyes that did the trick for me and the details of her eyes speak volumes about the quality of the lens .