Changing Lanes

24/03/2009
00:21am (London time)

Far off in this darkness
Glitters a fire that I can not see
For I am looking at the wrong end
Looking for an hand to guide me

Concealed beneath the initial impressions
Are things I wish to ignore
Cause I'm so full of myself
That everything else seems a blur

So I pretend to stand at a place
Where I can choose to lose it all
Where I can pray to keep it all
And I'm still lying to myself

I was in love with all these mirages
They're all I want to believe they were
But I couldn't see the devil hidden within
While shines a fire that no one can see

-Stained

Shot taken from the plane on our way to London on Qatar airways. Staying here till the 27th and I'm sooo glad I have wireless internet connection at my friends place.....though my netbook is a pain to work on for editing pictures especially when I have photoshop CS instead of CS3.Shooting Date/Time : 3/13/2009 13:52:23 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/1600
Av(Aperture Value) : 5.6
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Focal Length : 10.0 mm

This is a combo shot where I have copy pasted the sign board from a shot taken at a different exposure but of the same scene and pasted it on this image. 

BTW if you refer to the post 'Tired' I made earlier you might note that I was trying to get my hands on an ultra wide lens(tokina 11-16mm f2.8). Well after being out bid I decided to get the lens from UK(without warranty) but then realised I could spend the same amount of money locally to buy a Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 instead(as the tokina costs more in the UK). So I bought the lens from the ultra friendly sales person from micro digital computers at Deira City Centre(ground floor) on thursday who offered it to me at a great price with local warranty...

Took this today from Jadaf. The weather is really wonderful today....Shooting Date/Time : 3/4/2009 6:13:48 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/125
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

Had to take product shots for a coffee shop situated at Dubai Marina for their menu....my first food assignment that I estimated would take me 90minutes. Ended up taking me 260minutes. Due to my miscalculation I got paid for 180 minutes... :(

Anyway one of the shots that I like from the shoot....Camera Model Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Shooting Date/Time : 2/21/2009 8:06:28 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/50
Av(Aperture Value) : 7.1
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

I'm just too tired with life in general to make long Salalah type post regarding my India trip right now...Maybe I'll give it a try next week....So for now I'll just post a shot I took yesterday with a ultra wide lens that I was planning to buy for AED1800/- but got out bid by some French guy who works in Gulf News who paid AED2200/-.Camera Model Canon EOS : 400D DIGITAL
Shooting Date/Time : 2/24/2009 2:45:54 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/30
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.8
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : Tokina 11.0 - 16.0 mm
Focal Length : 11.0 mm

Kinda upset about not being able to get the lens cause it was amazingly sharp and it's not available in the UAE. Will need to order it from the US which brings in the risk of getting a bad copy delivered plus the extra AED300-600 I have to pay for it.... :(

A old wooden pier where I found two Pathans fishing. For those who don't know that is Festival city buildings in the background. Shooting Date/Time : 1/7/2009 5:35:41 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/250
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 800
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

I really love this shot and consider this as one of my best shots. Unfortunately not many seem to agree as I haven't received many positive comments about it....let me try my luck here!!
An old tube well motor...The sky got its blueness due to the polariser. This was also taken with a little bit of fill flash with my 430EX external flash.Shooting Date/Time 12/9/2008 : 11:57:02 AM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/160
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

Did you people know that taking a picture of an Adnoc petrol pump is not allowed...weird!! I was stopped by two guys from taking a shot, but I had already taken one even before they realised what I was doing. Hail the fast focusing DSLR!!! :D

Anyway in this shot I am trying the Tilt and Shift lens effect. Basically the lens lets you achieve focus at specific points in the picture while keeping the rest of the picture out of focus. Obviously I can't afford that lens as it costs a bomb so photoshop to the rescue. A bit of post processing and I've achieved the effect. Though it's not as clean as the real thing...Shooting Date/Time : 1/16/2009 6:14:23 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/6
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

Here's a 7 shot panorama I took from the Emirat Petrol pump on the Dubai-Al Ain highway on the 15th of January....Shooting Date/Time 1/16/2009 8:29:47 - 8:30:04 AM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/60
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 18.0 mm

This open sign is above the door of the Taj Mahal Restaurant in Deira near the demolished Dubai cinema. Btw their Mutton Biryani is quite good!!!Shooting Date/Time 1/15/2009 9:00:40 PM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/40
Av( Aperture Value ) 2.8
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro
Focal Length 50.0 mm

These seems like Wheatear birds though I might be wrong though I'm sure they're the same specie, just one is male and the other is female....Shooting Date/Time 1/14/2009 10:11:36 AM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 6.3
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 200
Lens 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length 200.0 mmShooting Date/Time 1/14/2009 10:12:02 AM
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/60
Av( Aperture Value ) 6.3
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 200
Lens 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length 200.0 mm

Mom had asked me to wake her up at 9am instead of the usual 10am. So I had to wake up early myself. So the alarm rings at 9am, I wake up mom and realize that the house is dark meaning the weather outside is cloudy. I walk out of the kitchen balcony door and look at the sky. After a few moments I notice the rainbow. I rush back inside, grab my camera without bothering to change my lens or mount the polarizer. Took as many shots as I could before it faded away after a few minutes. This is the best shot I managed. Not a great shot, possibly the worst rainbow shot ever but I'm happy I was able to capture my first rainbow....so that!!!Shooting Date/Time : 1/13/2009 9:20:53 AM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/2500
Av(Aperture Value) : 4.5
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

This is officially the clearest moon picture I've ever taken with my Sigma 18-200mm lens!!!Shooting Date/Time : 1/10/2009 7:29:21 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/320
Av(Aperture Value) : 7.1
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 200.0 mm

Shooting Date/Time : 1/4/2009 10:59:51 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/100
Av(Aperture Value) : 4.0
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

Yes that is my reflection in my cats eye. I'm posting this picture cause I've been tagged by Neel where I have to say 10 honest things about Myself which makes me feel I'm under the spotlight or something like that. Anyway I hope I do this right and don't scare off the people who read my blog ...

1) I like to see myself as a loner...I'd prefer spending time by myself staring at the sky, making shapes in the clouds instead of having fun with family or friends.

2) But I'd love to be liked by people in general for once...

3) I believe in Revenge!!!

4) I hate the feeling of being second to somebody (except in studies that is...) and would do almost anything to get rid of the competition.

5) I want to sleep on a Bunk Bed all my life...I hope my future wife wouldn't mind that...

6) I think I'll end up in depression if I find myself unable to run up the stairs like a 16 year old...

7) Photography wasn't my first passion. I initial loved videography and my parkour video is proof of that.

8) I want to get rich so that I can look down on the people who have scarred my family's memories with pain.

9) I like counting the number of lights or tiles that are there in a room when I have nothing else to do.

10) I don't have a emotional span of a teaspoon as many guys tend to have.

That was too much effort...I tag who ever visits my blog!!!

I wish I could buy a new telephoto lens giving me a reach of 500mm. I'd love to get shots of the moon with greater detail.Shooting Date/Time : 12/30/2008 7:08:42 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/50
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 18.0 - 200.0 mm
Focal Length : 200.0 mm

Took this after taking some macro shots of green vegetables and found the knife to be a more interesting subject...Shooting Date/Time : 1/3/2009 3:40:50 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/60
Av(Aperture Value) : 6.3
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

Shooting Date/Time : 1/2/2009 1:37:39 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/125
Av(Aperture Value) : 2.8
Metering Mode : Center-Weighted Average Metering
ISO Speed : 100
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm

My Mom screams out to me from the kitchen asking me to get rid of the house flies buzzing around her head as she cooks some fish. I hurry to the kitchen and spot a house fly and manage to somehow make it fly out the door (leading to the balcony). I look around for some more flies but spot none. I walk back to the computer. After some time my Mom tells me there is still a fly buzzing around. I get back to the kitchen look around but can't spot the fly. I looked carefully at the food and spotted a fly walking on some uncooked fish completely wet and unable to fly. I take a dry tissue, managed to get the fly to walk onto it and laid it down outside. Then I stood there and took a few shots while I watched the fly for a good 10mins as it dried it legs, eyes, wings. It was fascinating to watch such a small creature go about drying it self.Shooting Date/Time : 12/31/2008 12:35:23 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/60
Av(Aperture Value) : 4.5
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mmShooting Date/Time : 12/31/2008 12:35:54 PM
Tv(Shutter Speed) : 1/100
Av(Aperture Value) : 4.5
Metering Mode : Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed : 200
Lens : 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Focal Length : 50.0 mm