Month: May 2008

Howto: Macro photography

(pic courtesy: http://www.macro-photo.org/)

All of us have seen those brilliantly taken close-up photographs (like the one above), or the one that Indrani had taken of the black swallowtail. But how does one do it. Check out this excellent, yet simple website on how to take macro-photographs.

Some neat tips that the website offers (using normal household materials):

  • Use a magnifying glass in front of your lens to get even closer to your subject. The results can be really unusual.
  • Capture water droplets on your flower images by spraying water on the petals right before the shot.
  • Diffuse harsh light by using tissue paper or a transparent, white plastic grocery bag between your light source and your subject.

Go to the Curbly website here.

Night photographs

Last night, we did not have power for about 2.5 hours. These are some (artsy?) pics that I clicked during that time. First is milk boiling on a gas stove – the brassy glow coming because of the candle nearby. The second pic is the candle itself. And the third is a surreal, star-trekky picture of my beetel phone, when the phone is active (someone speaking).

[click to enlarge]

Big bazaar and its contribution to police revenue

Well, I am not talking about any direct dealings between the big bazaar group and the police. It may happen, but I am not going to talk about it. It so happened, yesterday, I was waiting out the big bazaar on OMR (old Madras Road) to pick up my sister, who was coming by one of the KSRTC volvos. Well, the bus was running late, but I had preoccupied myself in watching the lonely police officer nearby, and his wonderful antics.
The big bazaar for those in the know is slightly on the wrong side of the road. Instead of proving my ineptitude in geographical descriptions, it is best to show a drawing.

As you can see by the thick red arrows, the easiest way to get to Big Bazaar is the wrong side way. The correct way is to continue down OMR for a little bit, and take a UTurn and come back to big bazaar. And this happened to be the vantage point for our friendly neighbourhood police officer. He would lurk in the shadows for a few minutes, and wait for his prey to come. When the offending motorist came near enough, the officer would pounce on him, and extract ‘his’ collection from him. In the 1 hour I was there, he caught about 11 two wheers, and 3 cars – his collection from each vehicle would have ranged from 50-150 bucks.

When his collection reached a threshold (I am assuming it would have been a round 1000 bucks), he went to this bike, put all his papers etc into the side box, started it, and went on his way …… in the wrong side way ofcourse !!

The ultimate lenovo ad

Lenovo go to the world spoofing the ultimate spoof-masters themselves. The apple ads are usually the best in imitating/spoofing/ridiculing competition. Lenovo has the guts to go and mock the air!. Actually, I agree with the ad. For once, the apple design team has flawed. It is just wrong for a company to give a bare minimum of features in the name of sleekness/thinness and charge more ; and make the customer buy more accessories if they need any (and apple accesories they must buy). It is just wrong. Check this lenovo ad out and laugh at apple. Go on!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnOCUkbix0&hl=en]

Dasavatharam trailer

The much awaited movie Dasavatharam from the ultimate actor, Padmashree Kamal Hassan. He has done 10 different roles in one film. Amazing. Here is what the Big B has to say about it:

Its Kamal Hassan’s film ‘Dasavataram’ and its music release and he has asked me over to attend the function to commemorate the occasion. There’s Jackie Chan, and the Chief Minister of TamilNadu and several colleagues of Kamal. Its a warm friendly event. The few minutes of the promo seen looks awesome. He has played 10 different roles in the film, and all seem so difficult t identify !! Marvelous !!

And here is the trailer for your viewing pleasure 🙂

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3McfGR64BfY&hl=en]