High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, 23 April 2010

it was a very very sultry weather, but we braved the weather to venture into a room that drains the energy out of the body in minutes!!

it was another strobist meet..... a meet that we learned to call Studiowalk.... it got that sort of name because we not just shoot with strobes, but shoot with anything that we can put our hands on...... anyway, this short, but nice Studiowalk was organised by Zaim..... actually we couldn't even think of something like this without Zaim's proposal....... his proposal was unanimously greeted with excitement and the enthusiasm actually skyrocketed once we saw the samples of the graffiti over there... Zaim and his friends created these arts and gave a new horizon to think about.... at least, I haven't seen such graffiti in our country so far..... we simply didn't want to miss such a unique opportunity..... so, there we went.... it was a preparation of almost a week, yet we felt a little under-prepared once we reached there....

the building has been abandoned for more than four years...... and gives an eerie feeling inside..... there are marks of human activity, but not a single soul to be found..... the floors have acquired so much dust that one can create a graffiti using the dust!....... all the floors were empty and dusty.... we climbed to the top floor, the 10th floor..... and things began to clear up in front of us..... this floor contained offices, and there were plenty of files and other office stuff to corroborate the fact..... the floor was once fully air-conditioned; so, now it contains to air outlet..... we opened the door to the balcony and let some air and light in.... this made us survive there for around two hours.... the month of April was felt inside down to our bones..... it was sultry and exhausting.....

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f8, 1/250, ISO 200
Strobist info:
3 x SB-900 with warm gel filter outside filtered window glass on stand; TTL mode; triggered with SU-800+ extension cord

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f5.6, 1/250, ISO 200
Strobist info:
3 x SB-900 with warm gel filter outside filtered window glass; 1 x SB-600 with honeycomb grid on left on stand; TTL mode; triggered with SU-800+ extension cord




anyway, we started off with the main graffiti..... the sun was exactly to the opposite side and there were huge windows with filtered glasses prohibiting light from coming inside.... the graffiti was pretty much in the dark, so, we needed to set up some flashes to light things up..... we set up three SB-900 flashes outside the window with warm gel filters to create late afternoon sunlight..... but it proved difficult to trigger the lights with the SU-800 from inside the dark glasses.... it took some effort to get an acceptable exposure.... we weren't absolutely happy about it, but accepted it..... needed to set up another SB-600 with honey-comb grid as fill light..... the samurai replica from Hameem gave us the opportunity create some drama.... the whole thing proved tough because of the extreme contrast created by the graffiti colours.... we couldn't find a satisfactory solution to it.....

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: dipa
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f3.5, 1/200, ISO 200
natural afternoon light coming through large filtered glass window

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: zaim
Nikon D700 + Sigma APO 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
f3, 1/250, ISO 1400
natural afternoon light coming through large filtered glass window


anyway, shooting continued with strobes..... there were quite a few strobists there shooting away.... I gave a hand to some and helped create some great images..... I, on the other hand, found my frames with available light.... the huge filtered glass was holding enough of the afternoon sun to get some cool portraits.....

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: zaim
Nikon D700 + Sigma APO 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
f3, 1/500, ISO 200
natural afternoon light coming through door

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: zaim and kamal
Nikon D700 + Sigma APO 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
f3, 1/320, ISO 200
natural afternoon light coming through door

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

model: kamal + hameem's samurai
Nikon D700 + Sigma APO 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
f3, 1/2,500, ISO 200
natural afternoon light


Hameem's samurai had seen some action, though mostly without its original owner... while I was shooting Zaim with the samurai and thinking of creating a scene where a samurai silhouette would be attacking someone else's silhouette, Zaim came up with a cool idea of creating a Japanese beheading ritual...... Zaim and Kamal created the scene, though there were not enough space to do this properly.... we also went outside and shot the samurai with the setting sun......

From High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

The Koba Squad!!
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f10, 1/500, ISO 200
Strobist info:
6 x SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 on stand (4) and on ground (2); TTL mode; triggered with SU-800


the last act of the day was a group shot..... the big graffiti was the obvious choice for a background..... it was real challenge to light everyone with strobes, since we had space constraints on one side, which left us with one side to setup the strobes..... we used a total of 6 speedlites to do the job...... killed the ambient light with a high shutter speed and set up two flashes behind the people in front to that we had enough light for the people in the far corner.... it wasn't the most ideal of group shots, but was enough for us start packing.... it was already quite dark and we had to go all the way down the dark stairs.... there was no electricity in the whole building.....

it was a cool outing.... though tough from the conditions point, it surely helped us learn quite a few things..... lighting and other conditions were quite different from what we had encountered in other places.... the challenge was great and we thought we came through..... lessons were learned, for another day..... we have to come back.....

for more shots from same venture, please visit the following link:
High-rise Graffiti Shoot, Dhaka, April 23 2010

Lessons of Baliati and Nikunja strobist meets......

I really feel there were many things to learn from the several recent photowalks we had in the strobist way....... I've thought about listing them down, but haven't really got the time to do it..... at last, I got determined to finish it...... here we go.....

Grip Kit:
keep as many options with grip kit as possible..... grip kits can save the day many many times..... take as many tripods and light stands as you can..... you may not always find assistants to hold lights...... sometimes, lack of proper grip kit can even get expensive equipment damaged!!

and if you place lights on the ground, they'll create multiple problems with unnatural shadows..... its also a pain to hold diffusers...... tripods and light stands are the solution..... take as many as you can, even if its a pain to carry them..... and take as many clamps, clips, rope, tape etc. to improvise....



Diffusers:
take all types of diffusers, especially the bigger ones, as they can help you take a full-body portrait..... less than ideal models would always force the photographer to look for full-body portraits...... close portraits would be more appropriate for models with better facial structure and skin tone.... smaller diffusers would then be very useful..... umbrellas can be the most cost-effective way to diffuse light if light fall-off on the background isn't an issue.....



Reflectors:
bigger reflectors are needed if they are going to be used for full-body portraits.... small reflectors are OK for close portraits; so, they're always useful to have.... its always quite tricky to make proper use of reflectors, as they cast a huge amount of light...... mastering the art of reflector photography can be a target for the future strobist meets....


Warm Gel Filters:
these are exceptionally useful and can create late afternoon sunlight any time.... they can make a rather bland picture pop.....



Number of Strobes:
take as many as you can...... this is especially for group portraits.... sometimes, while trying to overpower the sun, more than one flashes may be needed..... bigger, and more powerful strobes may help even more in this regard......



Strobe Distance:
have to be very careful about this, as strobes can cause flare on the lens if they're too close to the subjects while taking group portraits.....

Models:
we definitely need more models for smoother shooting...... photographers can be models, but it would restrict the learning of the photographers in some way..... dedicated models can go a long way in this regard.....



well, these are some of the lessons that have come to mind.... others can share more....

Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

it was a sudden decision..... the holiday wasn't sudden; so, we had a prior thought to utilise the spare time.... afternoon was the target and the great idea for a place came from Atia..... she was the catalyst behind the previous short photowalk at Nikunja.... this time too, she came forward and guided us..... we were a bit confused about the venue, but once she came on board, it was fixed.... we would shoot near the air port using strobes.... and we would have taking-off aircraft behind the subject....

getting to the place needed some effort, as the place is a bit under watch.... people can go there, but at some places, checkpoints are there and the guards need to be convinced...... anyway, we took a different route and avoided checkpoints.... Saif Bhai went back to bring his car through the main checkpoints, which ensured security for the car and a much better way to go back during the evening......

we took our position assuming that Atia was right about the airline schedule..... according to her, there was a flight of Saudia at 4:30PM, which was certainly not going to be any other than the huge Boeing 747...... we didn't want to miss such an opportunity to have a giant like that in our frame.....

we soon found out that planes were taking off from another direction and the 747 was nowhere in sight..... so, we quickly changed our direction and setup..... the sun was setting on our left.... we kept the sun in the frame as long as we could.... and the rest of the times, we were depending on the afterglow..... we shot away until around 6:45PM, when it was pretty dark...... we had a lot of fun and didn't forget to learn all the way..... it was a good practice session, and a nice afternoon adda with some cool people.....

here are some glimpses of the captures.....

we started off with typical portraits using flashes..... the main idea was to overpower the sun and to underexpose the background.... it was the warm-up time before we could see some big airplanes overhead....

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f4, 1/1,600sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on ground on camera right with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: tahmid
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f4, 1/1,600sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on ground on camera right with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800


we had to change our direction quickly to catch the airplanes in our frame.... the sun was on our left, and using a wide lens, it was possible to bring the sun in the frame..... the sun was already behind the trees, so, just a bit of read was all we could catch.....

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: atia
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f4, 1/1,600sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on voice-activated tripod (Tahmid) on camera left with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f4, 1/1,250sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on voice-activated tripod (Tahmid) on camera left with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: tahmid
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f4, 1/1,000sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on voice-activated tripod (Atia) on camera left with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800


then we came up with the crazy idea of capturing a high-speed duel between two "urban warriors"....... the light was fading, but we had the flash duration of the strobes to support us in capturing motion.......

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: tahmid & biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f5.6, 1/100sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on ground; one on camera left and another on camera right; with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: tahmid & biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f5.6, 1/100sec, ISO 200
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on ground; one on camera left and another on camera right; with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800


we had to bring down the shutter speed and boost up ISO to bring the background into play...... it was already getting dark.....

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

model: tahmid & biju
Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f6.3, 1/30sec, ISO 640
Strobist info:
Two SB-900 on ground; one on camera left and another on camera right; with warm gel filter; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800


by the time we came up with the idea of a group shot, it was already quite dark..... and without a tripod, it became sort of a pain to get the best composition...... the effort was still there to get a goodish group portrait.....

From Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

The Koba Squad!!

Nikon D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f6.3, 1/5sec, ISO 640
Strobist info:
Two SB-900, one SB-800 and one SB-600 on ground; two on camera left and two on camera right; with warm gel filter on the SB-900s; TTL mode; triggered by SU-800; on timer; on ground

please don't forget to visit the whole gallery to have a look at more pics, including some hilarious bloopers!!
Nikunja Strobist Meet, 16 April 2010

The boatmen of Basila still look for passengers....

09 April 2010
Basila, Dhaka, Bangladesh

its been almost four months since the inauguration of the Third Buriganga Bridge.... I had been there several times during this period..... I've seen the number of boatmen getting reduced..... just as most of the farmers of this country are dependent on Nature, these boatmen also put their faith on their fate..... the bridge took quite a while to go up..... but these boatmen had little idea that they would lose their only source of income soon...... and there was none to advise them either....

now, some of these uneducated boatmen still spend time on the banks of the river with their row-boats looking for an ever dwindling number of passengers....

From Basila, 09 April 2010

still staring at that hope, which is fading away everyday.....

From Basila, 09 April 2010

waiting for those rare passengers.......

From Basila, 09 April 2010

the engine boats take a different route, which keeps their business running......

From Basila, 09 April 2010

this is life on the edge.......

Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

Portraiture Heaven Revisited

10 April 2010
Baliatii Palace, Saturia, Manikganj, Bangladesh

after the huge success of the first photowalk at Baliati, most of us were looking for another opportunity; especially the ones who missed it the first time..... we proposed 10th as a tentative date for the repeat tour..... but as it closed in on the 10th, the enthusiasm got lost a bit through the clutters...... this required a shake-up.... decided to give it a last minute effort to boost the chances of a photowalk... and people responded..... they all had been as hungry as me to go out and have some exercise with the camera..... for me, after an unusually busy week, it was a gift from heavens!!

we ultimately needed to take two vehicles to transport the whole group there.... more than 15 actually showed up, which was quite a contrast from the thought of previous night that we would cancel the tour if we managed only around 4-5 people.... late night entrants made the tour possible and the news in the morning surprised everyone!...... thanks to Shudipto for arranging the transport and a big thanks to Tinku Bhai for lighting up the tour with his presence..... Kamal also deserved thanks for managing the small details..... and thanks to everyone for making this a reality....

though the planned start of the tour was at 10:30AM, it took almost 11:00AM to get a real start.... our previous experience told us that it would take around two-and-a-half hours to get there.... but this time we took our own vehicles, which ensured that we were there by around a couple of hours' time.....

it was sapping heat.... and just like the earlier visit, the building looked washed in harsh sunlight.... but we knew exactly what we were after..... harsh sunlight was not going to hinder our effort in any way..... we took some rest and regained our strengths..... some of us also enjoyed a nice bath in tube-well water.... Tinku Bhai and Juthy Apa brought the lifeline for us, cool water bottle in a big cold box.... that brought our energies up to a level when we could spread out in search of some cool portraiture.....

I started to reconnoiter the place for some suitable settings, and found some..... there was no shortage of models among us; so it was just a matter of time to make some images..... it was a "studiowalk" on a grand scale!!

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: dipa
D700 + Sigma APO 150mm f2.8 EX DG HSM Macro
f5, 1/30sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 on left with warm gel, TTL mode (on human tripod) triggered by SU-800

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f6.3, 1/400sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 on left, TTL mode, shooting through white shoot-through umbrella (on human tripod) triggered by SU-800

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f6.3, 1/640sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2 on left, TTL mode, (on human tripod) triggered by SU-800



we went on shooting until around 3:30-3:40PM, when our energies reached the minimum..... Tinku Bhai and Kamal ensured that we did not get dehydrated by arranging the lunch quickly.... its wasn't the usual lunch... this lunch was Tinku Bhai's specialty..... we enjoyed this simple, but great meal under the shadows of the palace arches.... it was a lunch with some historic touch!!

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: nurur
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f6.3, 1/400sec, hand-held, ISO 200
with reflector on left as fill light (on human tripod)

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: sadia
D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f6.3, 1/100sec, hand-held, ISO 200

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: juthy
D700 + Nikkor AF 50mm f1.4D
f6.3, 1/80sec, hand-held, ISO 200


anyway, beefed up, we started to roll once again..... light was falling fast; so, we had to move quickly.... my aim was to stay outdoors and do all the shooting in the wide open spaces in the back of the palace.... the palace is huge.... there are just too many bends and spaces here and there.... if someone's not focused, it can cause a whole lot of walking without any substantial achievement in shooting....

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f5.6, 1/1000sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2 on left, TTL mode, (on tripod) triggered by SU-800

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f5.6, 1/1000sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2 on left, TTL mode, (on tripod) triggered by SU-800

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju & kamal
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f3.5, 1/1,250sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2; one on left and one on right, TTL mode, (on tripod) triggered by SU-800

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

model: biju & kamal
D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f5, 1/800sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2 one on left and one on right, TTL mode, (on tripod) triggered by SU-800



the day ended with some real excitement with high-speed shooting.... Biju, later joined by Kamal, kept us motivated with all the cool moves, even in such sapping heat... it was a learning for all of us, as we made them do the moves many times over just to get the perfect one.....

From Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

The Koba Squad!!

D700 + Nikkor AF 20mm f2.8D
f7.1, 1/80sec, hand-held, ISO 200
Strobist info: SB-900 x 2 and SB-800+SB-600; two on left and two on right (all on tripod), SB-600 on ground resting on 4'x4' white diffuser right on camera; TTL mode, triggered by SU-800



the last shot of the day was a group portrait.... my plan was to illuminate the groups separately from the background...... it took some tweaking with the light settings and also, setup of the group to come up with an acceptable shot.... it was a tough one and a big learning........ it wasn't perfect, but was enough to make us grin......... we were off for Dhaka... it was almost 7:00PM when our engines started...

the return journey wasn't an exciting one, but wasn't too boring either.... we had a nice time even after a tough day.... we were able to reach Dhaka in just over a couple of hours' time....

it was another cool outing at a cool place.... this place doesn't cease to produce excitement for us.... I'm sure we have too much to explore there even after a couple of visits....... the next planned outing there is on 1st of May.... I'm sure there would be more than just a few to attend the event....

for more pics from the same venture, please visit the following link:
Baliati Portraiture, April 2010

Have we forgot their sacrifices already?

27 March 2010
Martyred Intellectuals Monument, Rayerbazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

me and Gazi Bhai went to Martyred Intellectuals Monument at Rayerbazar the day after Independence Day.... it was a morning photowalk sort of visit....... early morning face of the Monument is always very interesting and totally different from afternoon.... this is one of several times I went there with a camera.... and every time I was able to take some different photos.....

we spent some time there gossiping and also clicked a few.... the thing that really shook me there was the attitude of visitors.... it was a real pity that most of the visitors there didn't have any idea about the main purpose of the Monument..... people were walking or resting on the altar where wreaths are usually placed....

I asked myself if this is the situation of our national pride less than 40 years since independence, what would we see another 50 years down the road??..... if the population becomes forgetful of their own origin, who takes the blame for letting it happen??....... someone has to take the responsibility for this mess!!..... but I'm sure that the kind of incompetent leadership that we have become used to seeing since our independence, is incapable of taking the blame on their own shoulders....


under whose provided freedom do you relax??

the spirit of liberation has to live on throughout generations...... generations that haven't seen blood; generations that have enjoyed the freedom without earning it.... its a tough challenge for the leadership; but its the difference between having an identity and not having one.......

for more from the same shooting, please visit the following link:
Martyred Intellectuals Monument, March 2010

Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

A Heaven for Quiet Portraiture
Baliati Palace, Baliati, Manikganj, Bangladesh
17 March 2010


I was just thinking.... why I haven't written something about this short, but unusual tour...... I was just going through the blogging activities of Joe McNally and thought what do I do that keeps me from writing?....... well, busy schedules aren't gonna be an excuse for myself 10 years later..... thats the time I would ruin it for not managing the time to write this.... if the old man McNally can still do blogging even maintaining his busy schedules, may be I can too....... hats off for McNally!!..... you brought me back to writing!!

the tour was again organised by the hard-working Shudipto.... who can do it better?.... any TTL tour always means it has to be Shudipto...... this was the first time to Baliati for a lot of us..... the place is a bit away from the Dhaka-Aricha highway.... though within the district Manikganj, it is not really adjacent to the Manikganj town..... Manikganj usually takes less than 3 hours to reach, and it was supposed to be something like that for Baliati as well....

our journey was delayed a little because of the late arrival of some of the members....... we had a reserved bus, which probably gave too much comfort to some...... the main journey started from Farm Gate area, though I got picked from near Shyamoli....... it was around 8:30AM.....

the journey was smooth until we reached an intersection before Manikganj and took a right turn from the highway...... we were expecting to take the turn from the Manikganj town, but the driver was confident that he was taking a shortcut, which should cut the overall travel time...... major bummer!!....... we realised quite quickly that these people, the driver and the helper, had little idea about the way..... we soon discovered that the road there was inaccessible because of the breakdown of a small bridge just a day back..... these people were somehow not updated about this accident.... we had to take a detour......... and the detour ultimately ended up nowhere.... we were on a road that was more like a one-way path..... there was no way a vehicle like ours could take a U-turn..... there was a big truck in front of us and we had to step down...... after a lot of quarreling, we ultimately decided to walk....... the locals told us that the palace would be no more than 20 minutes' walking distance....... it was very warm.... but we were energetic and desperate enough to walk..... it was around 10:30AM when we began to trust our feet.....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

through the green carpet of Nature....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

betel-tunnel!!

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

oh ho..... I left my money in my other pocket!!

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

looking back to future?


the walk was pleasant actually..... we mostly walked through paved village roads shaded by greenery..... vast farmlands, rows of betel-nut trees and bamboo orchards provided us enough entertainment...... we walked slow, enjoying every bit of it....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

enter the glorious past.......

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

pillar of evidence.......

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

don't cry for what you've lost.......

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

this is no time to forget your past.....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

under the veil of tradition........


we all reached Baliati Palace between 11:00AM and 11:30PM...... the first time I stepped through the gates there, I got amazed.... I saw the pictures of the palace and imagined it to be big..... but seeing with own eyes makes a big difference.... the palace is divided into several distinctly separate sections.... as if the sections were made in separate times..... its quite obvious actually.... the designs are similar, but they do follow a pattern of similar choice.....

anyway, I spent some time on front of the palace...... most others were exploring the back of the palace...... till then I had little idea of what was behind the palace.... so, I kept looking for opportunities to have some interesting frames.... the light was bad to say the least..... it was harsh like anything..... I had a hard time keeping my eyes open..... after around 15 minutes, I slowly moved to find my friends at the back of the palace....

once I was there at the back, I found peace!!...... well, the place was in the shadows and the shadows were cool enough to make us feel all the comfort!!... after a hectic journey and walk, this shade provided us with a great relief!!.... and did the shade on provide us relief?..... definitely not!!...... the front side of the building was bathed in mid-day sunlight, whereas, the shadows at the back revealed all the marks of time....... all the designs and textures exposed themselves to make us crazy to do some photography!!....... and guess what, we all started portrait photography!!...... we went there to shoot archaeology and architecture, but we ended up making ourselves models!!...... we started to have all the fun!!

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

textures........01

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

textures........02

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

tunnel-vision......

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

stairs of darkness.....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

its been long since they left.......

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

the lonely window......

we moved around and discovered different sections of the palace.... each section had its own beauty in design, texture and play of light and shadow.... we went crazy and a great photofest began!!...... as far as I can remember, this was the first time we really concentrated on shooting portraits of our own forgetting most other things.... it quickly became one of the most interesting photowalks ever arranged.....

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

intruders!!


we continued to shoot to our heart's content until we began to feel our empty stomach.... we took some great group shots and started to move out..... lunch was not too far from the palace..... though not very exotic, it sufficed to fulfill our stomach.....

we moved right after we finished our lunch..... the whole journey took us through enough hurdles to convince us that we should move early.... our bus took a circuitous route to arrive at the palace from another direction; the direction that we thought we would follow in the first place..... so, the route confirmed, we boarded our bus just before 4:00PM........ the return journey did take us that long.... we were at Dhaka by around 6:30PM.....

as said, this was one of the most interesting photowalks ever..... the place had all the surprises there to make us think differently!!...... I just can't wait to go there again!!

here are some of the portraiture from the tour..... all were available light shots...

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

model: biju

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

model: shudipto

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

model: shudipto

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

model: saud a faisal

From Baliati Palace, Manikganj, March 2010

model: muntasir