A Short Visit to Tucson

Written on February 4, 2012 Posted in Photography Locations


Saguaro Glow. Saguaro National Park: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Please click on images to see larger versions. I was down in Tucson, AZ for a couple of days on Radiology related business.  Of course, I took the opportunity to photograph their beautiful desert scenery.  I briefly visited Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon.  Here are a few images you may enjoy.

An Oasis in the Desert. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Rocky Sunset. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Star of the Desert. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

The Hiker. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

Desert Drama. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

The Riverbed. Sabino Canyon: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Desert's Last Light. Saguaro National Park: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Cactus Color. Saguaro National Park: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Desert Beauties. Saguaro National Park: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

  • 3 Comments

Bev: Love the Saguaro shots, and I am not a desert person at all.

Betty Caulfield (SWGSAM): Takes me back to a visit to the beauty of the desert. Makes me WARM all over. Keep clicking! BC

Barb Michieli: Very nice, Dr. Thapa! What an altogether different environment from western Washington!

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Aloha! – Images from the Big Island of Hawai’i

Written on January 31, 2012 Posted in Photography Locations


The Melting Pot. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Cindy and I just got back for a whirlwind tour of the Big Island of Hawai’i.  In 3 full days we covered volcanoes, waterfalls, endless cliff faces, and beautiful beaches.  The people were friendly, and the scenes were breath-taking.  Here are few images I thought were worth sharing.  Mahalo for looking and commenting!

A Little to the Right: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Paradise Found: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Endless Faces. Pololu Valley Lookout: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8, 8 Stop ND Filter

It's a Palm Jungle Out There: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

The Angry Sea: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8, 8 Stop ND Filter

Flower Fall: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

From Sea to Shining Sea: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

On Guard. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Lava Land. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Backlit Beauties: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Motion Emotion: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8, 8 Stop ND Filter

Mellow Yellow: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Forest Flow. Akaka Falls: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Monochrome Sunset: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Hidden Beauty: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Roots: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

  • 10 Comments

conrad: Awesome stuff man! Simply awesome!

Nicole: Mahesh, great photos! Of course I love the little yellow bird... :-) How'd you pull that one off before he flew off?!?? Well done, as always...

Bev: Hi Mahesh, Love the volcano and the yellow bird. You are getting really proficient at the wildlife shots.

Barb Michieli: Okay . . . I'm officially jealous!

Andi: Mellow yellow...they are all fab. :O)

Rachael: AWESOME AWESOME!

mariann: Amazing as always!!!

linda: I've never been to Hawai'i, and your shots are stunning as always. [loved capture of yellow bird.] Yet surprised to discover - through your photography - WA seems more beautiful.

linda lin: Stunning!!!!

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The Bridges of King County – Kubota Garden

Written on January 19, 2012 Posted in Photography Locations


Fire and Ice - Kubota Garden: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 35mm f/3.5

Please click on the pictures to see larger versions. As many of you know, the weather in Western Washington this week has been ridiculous.  Snow, hail, sleet, freezing rain…you name it, we got it in buckets.  While most people are trying to stay off the roads, I’m looking for places to visit for unique photo opportunities.  One of my absolute favorite venues for snow photography in Seattle is Kubota Garden.  After a particularly heavy snow fall, the red bridges look amazing and really “pop” against the white surrounding.  Remember the exposure can be a little tricky in the snow.  Usually, I overexpose the shot by 1 to 1 1/2 stops to ensure the white of the snow looks white and not gray.  Here are a few images from today, I hope you enjoy.

Stepping Stone - Kubota Garden: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8

Bridge Over Calm Water - Kubota Garden: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8

  • 9 Comments

linda lin: Beautiful!!!!!!!

linda: One of these red bridges on a snowy day is the first photo I bought from you. Glad to see more!

Ann: It has been a tough week here but you captured the beauty. I love them all, esp. the second one.

sdone: Serene, that is it, serene.

Barb Michieli: I knew that we'd be seeing snow photographs from you, Dr. Thapa -- terrific color contrast!

Chris Budech: Cool images (pardon the pun). Love those red bridges in the snow. Plus another reminder to visit Kubota--I always mean to, but never get down there. Thanks!

Richard Augastino: Absolutely beautiful, Mahesh. I still get rave comments about your prints on my wall.

--> Mahesh: Thanks, everyone! It was worth it for me to risk the weather to see Kubota in all her winter beauty. Glad I could bring it to y'all. Linda and Richard: I'm so happy to read about the photographs. I know exactly which prints you're writing about.

Bev: I love the color contrast of the red against the snow and black; but especially the way you have caught the reflection in the non frozen water.

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Wedding in Chacala, Mexico

Written on January 2, 2012 Posted in Photography Locations


Pelican Sunset. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3,Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6

Please click on images to see larger versions. I was lucky enough to attend and photograph a good friend’s wedding over the new year week in Chacala, Mexico, a small fishing village located about 1 1/2 hr north of Puerto Vallarta. Here are a few images which you may enjoy. Happy New Year!

Rocky Chacala Sunset: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Last Light on Chacala: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6

Bar with a View. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Night Heron. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6

Night Waves: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Over the Shoulder. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

Eye Do. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH OIS

Live Well. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

The Final Steps: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4

Backlit Embrace. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic DMW-FL500 Flash

Fresh Fun: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic DMW-FL500 Flash

The Happy Couple. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic DMW-FL500 Flash

With the Girls. Chacala, Mexico: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic DMW-FL500 Flash

  • 3 Comments

linda: What joy it must have been for your friends to have you there to 'capture' them in your unique, and beautiful shots. [And the bird shots are amazing captures.]

Rachael: Great photos of the bride. Also, makes me want to head to the palapa for a something with fruit floating!

Steve Koskella: Thanks so much Mahesh. These photos convey the magic of the time much more strongly than I have been able to do with words.

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Christmas Lights, Seattle Style

Written on December 25, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Christmas Lights, Seattle Style. Alki Beach: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 150mm f/2.8

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Merry Christmas, everyone!  Here are some holiday lights, sort of.

Alki Beach Sunset: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 150mm f/2.8

  • no Comments

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Happy Holidays from the Emerald City

Written on December 22, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Twilight at Bhy Kracke Park: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 120mm f/4 Macro

Please click on the image to see a larger version. I recently learned of this view of Seattle.  Although Mt. Rainier is hidden, the perspective from Bhy Kracke Park offers another wonderful look at downtown Seattle.  I think late fall or early winter is a good time to visit this location because the Space Needle can be framed between the branches of the leafless tree on the right.  This image is a stitch of 5 vertically oriented shots.  I hope you enjoy it, and happy  holidays, everyone!

Here is a 90% crop to give you an idea of the awesome detail being captured by the 40 megapixel CCD sensor of the Pentax 645D.

90% Crop: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 120mm f/4 Macro

  • 3 Comments

Chris Budech: Mahesh, very nice, thanks for all the great shots over the year-Happy Holidays to you and your family. cb

Jennifer: You have made our day with this beautiful photo! Keep them coming in 2012! Happy Holidays!

Cheryl: I love the grasses in the foreground of the first photo...it adds additional depth.

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Late Light on Leschi

Written on December 17, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Late Light on Leschi: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8

Please click on the image to see a larger version. We had some beautiful late afternoon light today in Seattle.  In my never-ending search for great and unique views of the city, I found this perspective from Leschi.  I hope you enjoy the shot!

  • 7 Comments

Andi: You always do the most amazing things..

Daniel: Absolutely wonderful. Composition and detail are truly amazing. Thank you for sharing. Remember, we always have room for your photography on our walls. Daniel Localharvest@me.com 206-790-1710 Local Harvest Restaurant BI, Wa 98110

vivek: Amazing !

Dale: Great image, Mahesh! What black and white software do you like? Thanks!

--> Mahesh: Thanks, gang. Dale, I use the channel mixer feature in Photoshop to make my conversions. I hope that helps.

Bev: Great view of Mt Ranier--thank you. Bev

Chris Budech: Wow, what a shot! I like it. Hope it's not fixin' to blow anytime soon! cb

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Going, Going, Going….Gone! Lunar Eclipse Over Seattle

Written on December 10, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations, Tips and Tutorials


Going, Going, Going....Gone! Lunar Eclipse Over Seattle: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8

Please click on the image to see a larger version. I woke up at 2:30 this morning to capture the lunar eclipse.  The clouds rolled in and obscured the 2nd half of the celestial event, but I was able to capture the 1st half.  The Rizal bridge was a perfect venue for this shot.  My friend and I were the initial ones there, but by the end, I counted a dozen photographers lining the bridge.  For this picture, I first captured the night lights with a long exposure (30 sec, f/11, ISO 100).  Then, I took several other short (1/125th sec, f/5.6, ISO 100) exposures, each about 8 minutes apart to capture the lunar eclipse and its course.  In the digital darkroom, I combined the exposures to produce the composite image you see here.

  • 10 Comments

linda lin: wow! that is amazing!

Kalpana: Mahesh, you are dedicated! Absolutely gorgeous

Sally Allison: This is sensational!! You must be thrilled to have it captured! And I love your title!

mariann: Beautiful as usual !!!

Bev: Mahesh, Just great that you have captured the eclipse so beautifully with the city lights. Spectacular.

Nicole: First of all, AMAZING shot. Secondly, it's interesting to think about how much went in to making this image happen... Clearly, you had to investigate where to position yourself for the best angle. Sounds like an event like this was a perfect way to meet fellow photo fanatics!

Barb Michieli: Thanks for "suffering" so that those of us, warm in our beds, could enjoy the event through your camera lens, Dr. Thapa!

Stacy Brown: You are amazing. I knew there was an eclipse and was sad to have missed it. thanks for sharing

Chris Budech: Very nice shot. I would have guessed you would have needed longer exposure or, bigger aperature, or higher iso for the moon shots--good to know. Thanks for the tech info.

Rachael: Oh, Im so happy to be seeing this. I missed it when it happened and this is even better because it's a glimpse of each phase. Thanks, Mahesh!

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A Short Trip to Chicago

Written on December 5, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Marylin: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Just a few images from downtown Chicago.  The last is a shot of Mt. Rainier as seen from the plane on my way back to Seattle.

Chicago Lights, Leica M9-P, Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

Stadium Lights: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

The View from Up Here. Mt. Rainier from the plane ride back to Seattle: Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

  • 8 Comments

Julie: Spectacular Mahesh!

monty: very well done! those are professional pictures!

Karen: Hi Mahesh, I hope this finds you well. Thank you for once again sharing your beautiful gifts. I may never get to go to any of the places you photograph, but I feel I am there, threw you...Thank you..

Bev: Very nice---especially Chicago lights and the beautiful view of Mt Ranier. Great work; you are so artistic.

Doug: Nice photos, love the monochrome treatment and particularly the stadium photo! That Marilyn statue is just hideous though !

Sally Allison: Thank you Mahesh! The one of Stadium Lights is stunning, well, they ALL are!

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Images of New York

Written on November 14, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Last Light on New York. Taken from the top of the Rock: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Please click on images to see larger versions. I recently came back from a four-day trip to the Big Apple.  The weather was unseasoably warm, with beautiful light and wonderful scenes.  I traveled light with a small but capable micro 4/3rd system.  I had the Panasonic G3 camera body, 7-14mm (for ultra-wide scene), 25mm f/1.4 (for low light candids), and the 14-45mm standard zoom lenses.  Here are a few images from the trip I hope you enjoy.

Fall in Central Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

View-box. Taken at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

The Big Apple: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

To Coney Island: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Purple Walkway. Highline Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Social Animals. NYU: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Mass Transit: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Fun with Bubbles. Central Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Lost in Thought: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Fashionable: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Bookworm: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Atlas Shrugged: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Graffiti: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Leashed: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Sliders: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Moment of Silence:Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Easy Rider: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Handi-capable: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Controlled Impulse: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

  • 7 Comments

karen: Awesome! Especially loved the dog walker (go figure...Penny and Maggie).

Kalpana: Fabulous!

Mariam: these are great!! you have totally captured NYC. looking at them I totally miss NY now!!

Rachael: I love the lady on the bus and the guy you captured on his scooter with a box strapped to his back.

Karen: Wow!!! These are awesome!! I want to go there, right now!!! I used to go up at Christmas a lot. So cool Christmas in a big city like that. The hustle and bustle and the store windows, just the feeling in general. Thank you, once again for sharing such awesome pictures...

Nicole: Your skyline image feels/looks like a futuristic city. It has this mystical feeling to it. I really like that one. I also like the Lost in Thought picture. She's so pretty and such a thoughtful look on her face. It makes you wonder what she's thinking about...

Jennifer: These are fabulous! You are an amazing photographer! We were just there end of October for Tony's mom's surprise birthday party.

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