Starving Photographer

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.

Tags: Kubota Garden, Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 35mm f/3.5, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8, Photography Locations, Seattle

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.

Tags: Chacala, Elli, Evan, Mexico, Panasonic 7-14 f/4, Panasonic DMW-FL500 Flash, Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4, Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH OIS, Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm f/4.0-5.6, Photography Locations, Wedding

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

Tags: Alki Beach, Olympics, Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 150mm f/2.8, Photography Locations, Seattle, Seattle Skyline

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.

Tags: Bhy Kracke Park, Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 120mm f/4 Macro, Photography Locations, Seattle, Seattle Skyline, Space Needle

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

Tags: I-90, Leschi, Mt. Rainier, Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8, Photography Locations

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!

Tags: Lunar Eclipse, Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8, Photography Locations, Rizal Bridge, Smith Tower, Tips and Tutorials

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!

Tags: Chicago, Leica 18mm f/3.8, Leica M9-P, Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5, Mt. Rainier, Photography Locations

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.

Tags: Central Park, Empire State Buiilding, New York, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6, Panasonic 25 f/1.4, Panasonic 7-14 f/4, Panasonic G3, Photography Locations

Orcas Island

Written on September 9, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations

Orcas on Orcas Island: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR. Orcas with Mt. Baker in the distance.

Cindy and I just got back from a wonderful, 1-week trip to Orcas Island, in the San Juans. The weather was terrific, and we had tons of fun hiking, kayaking, whale watching, and just lounging around. The highlight of the trip was observing a pod of transient Orcas playing and feeding as majestic Mt. Baker loomed in the distance. Here are a few images I thought turned out well. Hope you enjoy ‘em!

For the People, By the People: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX. Mt. Baker at sunset as seen from the top of Mt. Constitution.

Choppy Waters: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR

The Kayaker: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Floating Sunset: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX. Cindy takes a break from paddling and enjoys the sunset.

Right Angle: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sunset Heron: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR. A heron, waiting patiently for dinner.

11 Comments

linda: I never envisioned a world where people go kayaking and everyone freezes at the same moment to watch a cascading sunset. You captured that. And thanks for the heron.

Conrad: Very nice man! You should post these on FM dude!

Randy: How close were you to the orcas?

--> Mahesh: Thanks, gang! Randy, we were maybe 100 yards or so from the Orcas.

Bev: Love the sunsets. Also the mountains. Beautiful.

Barb Michieli: Don't we live in a great state? Thanks for posting these . . . makes me feel like I was there!

Spoorthy vemula: So, what camera do you like better? The k-5 or the d7k?

--> Mahesh: Spoorthy, both the K5 and D7000 are very good tools. If I could have only one, I prefer the K5, but just by a hair.

Spoorthy: Then i made the right choice:D

bob towery: Mahesh, these are all wonderful, each in their own way. You captured the great moments of your trip, but also created very high caliber images. I particularly like choppy waters. I'm a big fan of moving ocean water images. This, along with the classic boat, and B&W, is just awesome.

Tags: Kayak, Mt. Baker, Mt. Constitution, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR, Nikon D7000, Orcas, Orcas Island, Photography Locations, San Juan Islands

Point of Arches

Written on August 29, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations

Sunset at Point of Arches: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

A few friends and I went on a fabulous camping trip to Shi Shi beach and the Point of Arches last weekend. The weather was warm, and the light was sublime. I planned it so we’d arrive at low tide during the early mornings. We had tons of fun exploring the tide pools, climbing rocks, and relaxing on the beach. I hope you enjoy the shots.