Articles from March, 2011

Amman: The City of Seven Hills

Written on March 31, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Full Moon Over Amman, Jordan: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Please click on the images to see larger versions. This is the third and last of the blogs about my recent middle east trip.  In Amman, Cindy and I spent most of our time exploring the market place, trying new food and photographing the locals.  We also spent an evening at the Citadel, home to the Temple of Hercules.  We were fortunate enough to be there for the full moon rising above the city just as the sun went down (opening image). What a magnificent sight that was!  I hope you enjoy these photographs.  To see the complete set, please click HERE.

Thank You for Smoking: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.8 Limited

One Eyed Wonder: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

The Citadel: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

The Thinker: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Tools of the Trade: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Stepping Stones: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

The Local Wildlife: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Watchman: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Hairlip: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Taxi Driver: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Roman Candles: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited

Temple of Hercules: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 Limited

  • 8 Comments

Rachael: You've got to be kidding me. These photos grabbed me so completely i had to put everything down to get closer! Thanks for sharing these. It totally brightens my week!

Chris Budech: What a fantastic journey, thanks for the exceptional photo tour.

Conrad: Wow.....

Ann: Love them all, esp. Roman Candles.

Al: Very nice, very nice indeed. I recently found out that I will be living in Amman for three years, starting next year.These images only serve to make my wait a long one. I'm curious, did you use model releases for any of the people pics?

--> Mahesh: Thanks, everyone! Al, I just sent you an email about your question re: model releases.

JoAnn: Wow! Mahesh! Thank you!


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Jerusalem: Holy Land

Written on March 29, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Come Ye of All Faiths - Late light on the Holy City of Jerusalem: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Cindy and I only had two days in Jerusalem, but we tried to make the most of it.  We spent almost all of it in the Old City, visiting the four religious quarters and talking with the people.  We especially enjoyed walking the “Via Dolorosa,” literally translated into “The path of suffering.”  Supposedly, this is the exact path Jesus walked when he was condemned to die by crucifixion.  The Via Dolorosa is marked by several “stations,” each describing a separate event that happened to Jesus.  For example, at station V, Jesus was helped by Simon of Cyrene who took the cross and carried it for Him.  I hope you enjoy these samples.  To see the entire set, please click HERE.

Morning Prayer - On the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Station V - Via Dolorosa: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

The Old City: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Old Friends: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.8 Limited

Weathered Face: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

The Spice Shop: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Morning Walk: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

  • 5 Comments

Conrad: Compelling images my friend. You've outdone yourself!

linda lin: Nice!!!!!!!!It really tells a story on their faces! Did you go to the crying wall?

Barb Michieli: Fantastic images, Dr. Thapa! You really ARE the world traveler!!!

Bev: Great photos, especially the golden dome with the light shining on it.

Jason: Great shots! Thank you for sharing.


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Petra, Jordan: Faces and Places

Written on March 28, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Color Me Petra: Such beautiful rock patterns and colors are ubiquitous in Petra. The trick is to find eye-catching compositions. Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4ED AL Limited

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Cindy and I just returned from an awesome trip to the middle east where we visited Amman, Petra, and Jerusalem.  This is the first of three blogs.  I’m going to post images from Petra first, as it was definitely the highlight of the trip.  This was the trip of a life time for me.  The Jordanian people were some of the friendliest and most helpful I’ve ever met.  The food was delicious, and the scenery was breath-taking.  I traveled very light, armed with the Pentax K-5 camera body and three small prime lenses (DA 15, 40, and 70).  This gear allowed me to hike all day without being overly burdened by extra weight.  The small lenses were also less intimidating when photographing people.  I hope you enjoy these sample images of Petra.  If you want to see all of them, please click HERE.  Stay tuned for shots from Amman and Jerusalem!

Wisdom Beyond His Years: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.8 Limited

Room with a View: Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Bedouin Stare: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited

A Place of Worship: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Young Bedouin: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Treetop View: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Little Princess: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Treasury Guards: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Warrior Eyes: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

Inside Looking Out: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Young Entrepreneur: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited

  • 7 Comments

Ann: Beautiful shots, Mahesh! I recognize some of the children from our trip there last November. It is a friendly and stunning country!

Conrad: Amazing work! You're ready for NatGeo!

Sally Allison: Conrad's comment about Nat'l Geo is accurate! I have a friend whose son got on with them, and he is extremely happy! You should pursue this!

Aaron: Very nice landscapes but superb portraits!

Kalpana: Awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Barb Michieli: The rock formations are truly amazing and the "Little Princess" is absolutely adorable! What a wonderful way to capture the land and its people.

Bev: Why are you doing radiology when you are such an artist? Beautiful photos and composition. I also recognize the kid in the sweatshirt. Entrepreneur is right.


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Moody Seattle Sunset

Written on March 13, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Rainy Sunset at Rizal Bridge: Pentax K-5, Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited

Please click on the photograph to see a larger version. It poured down like cats and dogs yesterday at sunset, but I was out there with my camera trying to capture the light. The mix of rain and sunset sky made for an interesting image, I think. The somewhat low contrast effect on the city is from the falling rain. I hope you enjoy the shot.

  • 7 Comments

Ann: nothing stops you and you always seem to capture the beauty as no one else can. good job, Ann

Sally Allison: I love the tail light streaks from one vehicle only! It looks so clean! Great shot!

Elisa: Another incredible one. My wall isn't big enough for all these wonders!

Bev: You do beautiful work with light and color. Who would think that after a rain, it could be so inspiring.

Kalpana: Mahesh, it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Karen: You are truly gifted. Thank you for sharing it....

naveen: Love this! Love the way the roads are shining... captures the essense of this city!


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Picnic Point Park in Edmonds, WA

Written on March 6, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Picnic Point Park Perfection: Pentax K-5, Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

Please click on the image to see a larger version. Yesterday, I visited Picnic Point Park in Edmonds, WA.  It’s about a 20-30 min drive from Seattle and offers outstanding views of Puget Sound, Whidbey Island and the Olympics.  Last evening, the mountains were obscured by the clouds, but the quality of the light was nice nonetheless.  I waited for the setting sun to peek out through a break in the distant clouds before taking the photograph.  The relatively small aperture (f/11) helped obtain that sunburst effect on the light, and there was just enough illumination to provide some side lighting to the foreground pylons.

  • 4 Comments

Naveen: Absolutely stunning picture...Love the lead into the sunset...

Bev: Beautify use of perspective and leading the eye to the sun. May I use it?

Justin: Really stunning. I just realized you're "mahesh" on dpreview.com. Your photography is simply stunning. All of it. How many cameras do you own? Is the K-5 all it's really cracked up to be?

--> Mahesh: Thanks, Justin. I just saw your comment. Sorry for the delay. Yes, the K-5 is all that it's cracked up to be, now that firmware 1.03 has come out and the low-light autofocus issue has been fixed (for my camera, anyway). As far as how many cameras I own...let's not go there. :-)


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Suzzallo Library

Written on March 5, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Path to Knowledge: Pentax K-5, Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

Please click on the images to see larger versions. If you’ve never been the the University of Washington’s Suzzallo Library, you’re missing out on some charasmatic architecture.  The grand staircases leading to the main quiet study area are flanked on one side by beautiful, tall stained-glass windows and on the other by intricately carved rock railings and mammoth columns.  The study area itself is a sight to behold.  The overhanging light fixtures, the stained-glass windows, and the woodworking are simply stunning.  It feels like one has stepped into a library not at the University of Washington but at Hogworts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  Such a venue was the ideal place to try out the redonkulously ultra wide angle Sigma lens.  Mounted on a Pentax K-5 camera, the 8-16mm lens has a 12-24mm equivalent field of view.  That’s pretty incredible for a non-fisheye lens.  I hope you enjoy the shots.  I certainly had a blast looking through that lens!

Modern Student, Old Library: Pentax K-5, Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

The Grand Staircase: Pentax K-5, Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC

Door and Chair: Pentax K-5, Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5.5.6ED AL IF DC WR

  • 5 Comments

sugoto: Loved the "redonkulously". Are these all handheld? K5 looks good!

--> Mahesh: Thanks, sugoto! The K-5 is an amazing camera, very well thought out with an amazing sensor. These shots were all taken from a tripod.

Rachael: Okay Mahesh. It's been a long time since I've been in a college library like this. You captured it beautifully. I'm going there soon to see if i get my tea leave read by Professor Trelawney!

Kristopher Gerner: Very impressive, I need to rent a K5 now. Thanks

Richard: I love the image of the grand stair case. Nice work.


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Storm at Gas Works Park

Written on March 2, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Sunset Storm Over Seattle: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 17-40mm f/4L

Please click on the images to see larger versions. It is often said the best time to capture dramatic light is when a storm is approaching or abating.  Keeping that important principle in mind, I headed out to Gas Works Park.  There was wind, rain, rainbows, colorful clouds…basically, there was a lot of drama.  My favorite spot at Gas Works Park is on top of the grassy mound where a beautifully intricate sundial is located.  After a rainy day, the sundial is frequently surrounded by shallow water, perfect for reflections.  This time I was even lucky enough to encounter a friendly kite flyer.  It was a cold, wet evening, but totally worth it!  I hope you agree.

Gas Works Color: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 17-40mm f/4L

Somewhere Under the Rainbow: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 17-40mm f/4L

  • 11 Comments

Karen: Wow how beautiful. And a rainbow even!!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful gifts. : )

Nicole: My fav is the sunset over Seattle one! They're all awesome shots- beautiful...

Conrad: Wow! Very cool!

Kalpana: Hey Mahesh, what beautiful pictures. I love the rainbow and kite combination. The sundial is gorgeous!

Sally Allison: You have an incredible ability to capture moments and views that will never happen again! Love them! Thank you!

Bev: You did a beautiful job with color and light. You are right to leave the birds to someone else.

Rachael: ooooooo love the second one so much!

Chris Budech: cool, like a medallion hanging from the neck of the city---did you need tripod in the wind? Chris

--> Mahesh: Thanks, everyone! What a great description, Chris...does kinda look like a medallion hanging from the city's neck, doesn't it!? Yes, definitely needed a steady tripod for the low light, high winds, and relatively small lens aperture (to obtain maximum depth of field).

Kris: Wow, Mahesh you really have a talent I love the sunset over Seattle


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