Tag: 2012 Project 52

Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak

This week I've celebrated Diwali with Bhavana's family. It felt a little hectic this year. Last year Diwali was in October. The only event we had to contend with was Halloween. We also celebrated my sister-in-laws birthday two days before. This weekend is my birthday and next week we're hosting Thanksgiving. Whew!

As a family, we are normally surrounded by the rest of the USA going about their preparations for Thanksgiving and then Christmas. As the kids got older we wanted to celebrate their mother's culture. For a few years, we've created a tradition around Diwali that involves making rangoli. The crafting material was purchased from Michael's. Bhavna's friend Ami -- we consider her an extended family member -- has been helpful in finding creative ways to make rangoli. This year she helped the kids create a Diwali scrapbook. She wanted them to have something they could look back on when they are older. Next year my son will be in high-school. It's often a time when kids have trouble finding their identity. I hope it will help him stay grounded.

Ami had the steps to her home decorated with diya. Traditionally these are oil lamps that are left lit all night to help guide the gods to your home and to bring blessings to the home. For safety reasons we used tea lights that we extinguished before going to bed. We also have electric tea lights.

Snow on the ground

Early morning after the snowfall. I was on my way to an employer-hosted innovation conference. I realized I had time and opportunity to capture some images of Carnegie Lake from the Princeton side. I drove down Route 27 but I couldn't find my way into the parking area along the lake. The snow was deep and had not been ploughed. Fortunately, I could still get into the area near Eno Terra in Kingston. The snow wasn't as deep here. I got a few quick shots off before I had to leave.

I was both an attendee and a photographer at the event. I was one of four employees who volunteered. I used the best equipment I had -- my Nikon D40, kit lens, and a $20 flash diffuser. I sometimes feel inadequate when I see the photography equipment of others. I get that feeling of want that I often struggle to avoid. So here's what I want or put another way, what I think I need in my basic photography kit.

  • A new camera body capable of at least 10MP so that I sell my images on 500px.
  • a 24-70mmm f/2.8 ( or faster ) zoom lens (35mm equivalent). This would be my landscape and family photography lens.
  • 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. This would be my sport, street and nature photography lens.
  • A TTL flash unit.
  • A sturdy tripod with a ball head.

I'm not sure what camera body I want. I love the more compact form factor of the micro four-thirds format but I also want to retain an APS-C sensor. Time to make some money from this hobby so that I can pay for my "wants".

The image was post processed in Adobe Lightroom and Photomatix Pro. Photomatix Pro is used for HDR photography. I only had one image but I liked how the result produced by opening this single image and applying my filters.

After the storm

I fell behind in posting my images for my Project 52. Time to catch up.

It’s the morning after Hurrican Sandy. The air is cold. I’ve never heard such quiet inside and outside the house. We are still without power. It seems the AT&T cell tower has gone offline. My phone has a no service sign. It’s still dark in the house, but I’m well-rested and can’t sleep anymore. Shaan is up as well. Time to make the coffee. Are we in the eye of the storm, or is it over?

A large tree has fallen across River Road ( near Blue Spring Road ). The tree has brought down the power lines. I’m not sure if these are the lines supplying power to our neighbourhood.