Sid Gavandi

Bromance

2011-08-24T13:47:00.001-07:00

It's never easy to take pictures of kids and animals. When you get a good shot, it just feels special. My wife had been asking me to make a shot with Shayan (my toddler) and Romeo (my black lab) in it. I had tried several times and failed miserably until last week.

Kanishtha was out and so the 3 of us were playing in the backyard. The warm summer sun was diagonal and flattering in the evening and planned on staying there for a while. After tiring the boys out, I pulled out my Nikon D300s. Romeo had now settled down and was laying on the grass, while Shayan was busy jumping on the trampoline. After getting a few shots he got into the mood and I stuck a deal with him. I offered him Candy, but only if he gave his Bhaiya (Big Brother) a hug. For the first time ever he obliged. I had to be a quick draw and shoot really quick, as the moment wasn't going to last for more than a few seconds. In the excitement of getting some pics of the boys, I made an amateur mistake. I forgot to drop the ISO down. I was experimenting a couple of days ago and had cranked it up to 2500. After taking the pics, I realized my blunder and was fairly upset with myself, but thankfully there isn't much noise on the print.

Nevertheless, the result of the shoot is here for you to judge, but I love it as it has so many emotions. I did print it out and present in to K, who was and still stands in awe admiring the picture every time she passes it as it adorns my living room wall.

Wake up Sid!

2010-06-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

It’s around the corner (July 8th 2010) when I showcase my photographs at ARTifact, an exhibition featuring the work of 9 artists by Gensler in San Francisco.

Ever since I picked my first camera in Apr 2006 I have been dreaming. Now is my time to live it, so I better wake up.

I just can’t stop humming this bollywood track (http://new.saavn.com/CTwIex9VAQA)

SUNO TO ZARA HUM KO HAI YEH KEHNA
(Listen up a bit, I want to say this)

WAQT HAI KYA TUM KO PATA HAI NA
(What’s the time? you know it, don't you)

SO GAYI RAAT JAAKE DIN HAI AB JAAG UTHA
(Night has left and fallen asleep, the Day now wakes up)

AANKHE MASALATA HAI SAARA YEH SAMAA
(This whole world is rubbing its eyes)

AWAAZEIN BHI LETI HAI ANGDAIYAAN
(Even Stretches make their sound)

WAKE UP SID! SAARE PAL KAHE
(Wake up Sid! Every moment says…)

WAKE UP SID! CHAL KAHIN CHALE
(Wake up Sid, Let’s go somewhere…)

WAKE UP SID!
SAB DISHAON SE AA RAHI HAI SADA SUN SAKO AGAR SUNO
(Wake up Sid; it always comes from every direction, if you can hear, then listen)
WAKE UP!

YEH JO KAHE WOH JO KAHE SUN LO
(What he says, what she says, just listen once)

BAATE JO SAHI DIL KO LAGE CHUN LO
(You choose what seems right to your heart)

KARNA HAI KYA TUMHE YEH TUM HI KARO FAISLAA
(What you want to do, It’s up to you to decide)

YEH SOCH LO TUM KO JAANA HAI KAHAN
(Make up your mind, where do you want to go)

TUM HI MUSAFIR TUM HI TO HO CARVAAN
(You are the only traveler, you are the caravan!)

WAKE UP SID! SAARE PAL KAHE
(Wake up Sid! every moment says…)

WAKE UP SID! CHAL KAHIN CHALE
(Wake up Sid, Let’s go somewhere…)

WAKE UP SID!

Meet up: Photo Coterie

2010-01-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

Photo- Coterie: "An intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose."

I was instantly hooked onto this group after attending the studio lighting class at Lumenars Photo Studio. Neil Buckland and Ravi Sekhon run the show and are extremely knowledgeable about the art and science of taking pictures.
They not only breaks it down for novices to understand, but also provide an edge to the pros. Don't believe me...Join the meet up group photocoterie and take a class at Lumenars.

A follow up to the class was a shoot organized at the Studio with models, 2 types of light sets up with a limited number of photographers getting a chance to practise their art. 3 hrs of working with models at a minor price of $30. Just can't beat that!

The models knew their art, but were willing to be directed by the photographers. Ravi had done a great job in handpicking them in terms of ethinicity, body type, hair color et all.

The class filled up super fast. I missed the bus, but Neil and Ravi were super nice to all me to hang around and watch the shoot and even threw a little light on their interests in photography.I have found my new hang out spot- Lumenars Photo Studio at the OK Hotel in Seattle. Here are some candid shots I got out of the shoot while others interacted with the models.

The Trojan Horse

2009-07-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

She looked flamboyant, lurid, glitzy, extravagant and very proud!

Observing the cameras clicking from all directions, not once did she flinch or give an eye ball to the folks that pointed a lens at her in awe.

Absolutely stunning and she knew it! She had a poise that made her conspicuous amongst the thousands that had gathered at Key Arena for the Seattle Pride Festival 2009. Her rainbow mane glowed against the late afternoon golden rays. I watched her wide eyed, but my glass eye couldn’t stop blinking in an effort to embed this beauty in my digital memory.

She was there to battle the system and win rights for who she is and what she believed in. I christened her ‘The Trojan Horse.’

Warm up- Summer's arriving!

2009-05-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Is this what they call an artist’s sky?

I just love this time of the year when the evenings are getting longer and the sun is spending its own sweet time lounging in the sky, before taking a bow.

The water front in Kirkland, provides breath taking views of an artist painting the blue sky with the warmest color palette and all within an hour’s time frame- almost like a digital canvas with changing patterns.

New Life!

2009-05-19T22:59:00.000-07:00

The snow has finally melted and there is a bounce in one's step- and why not, it's Spring!
Fresh green leaves, early morning dew, warm sun and smell of wet mud after a light rain injects a dose of life into me- nature's red bull!

Last weekend the mercury soared into the 70's (deg F)and it was a perfect day to be outdoors. On returning from spending the day out at the waterfront, I saw some dandelions growing wild in my backyard and they made a perfect set up against the setting sun.

I also took some back indoors and spent the rest of my evening taking shots of this delicate beauty.

Snoqualmie Falls

2008-10-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington State's most popular scenic attractions. More than 1.5 million visitors come to this splendid 270 foot waterfall every year. I have visited it umpteen times and in all seasons, but there is something about it that brings me back each time wanting more.

As we are saying goodbye to summer and welcoming fall, the mornings have been quite cold and misty lately. I decided to take advantage to this and head to Snoqualmie Falls at 5:00 am on a Sunday morning to get some dreamy shots. The park was still closed and it was pitch dark with lots of fog which made it impossible to even seen the water drop. I had to wait till 7 am to see some water.
After taking a few shots from the viewing gallery, hiked down to the bottom of the falls.

It was like a wish come true to see someone actually fishing out there. I positioned myself on rock to include him in my frame and took a lot of shots before heading back.

In hindsight, after looking at the pictures, I know I made a lot of mistakes and plan to head there again to rectify them.

On National Geographic.... Once Again!!

2008-09-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/daily-dozen

It's a great feeling to see my picture on National Geographic once again (September Week 4- Daily Dozen). While the previous was picked from my photo gallery, this one had to be submitted as an entry(one per month). From the received submissions, Nat Geo's photo editor, Susan Welchman, then selects her daily dozen pictures to be displayed of which, some get printed in the monthly magazine.

Since this is my very first entry, it's extra special to see it been picked. I must admit that it's given me quite a high.

One item checked off my photography goals list.

Save The Wild!

2008-09-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

I love watching and shooting animals through my lens. I keep my camera handy to capture any chance encounter. In recent times I came across such a mythological character, comparable to the Unicorn.

He had a mane like a horse and the rest of his head had the lovely yellow spots of a leopard. He walked with the same stealth and confidence of a cat in it's domain. The spots, which usually work as a camouflage had only made him the center of attraction this time.

In my pursuit to become a wild life photographer, I was not going to leave any stone unturned. I grabbed my camera as he was walking away and took just one shot before he vanished. I stood there in awe of what I had just seen.

There is an animal deep down within all of us. Some just reveal it at all times.
My request to all... "Save The Wild- All Kinds!"

Perception

2008-09-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

What is Photography?

Interesting question isn't it? I have asked this question to photographers, enthusiasts, friends, family members and collegues and have received varied answers. Some defined the science behind it and some the emotion. To quote a few:

" Play of light"

" All about depth of field"

" Capturing moments"

" Drawing with light"

" Science of capturing light"

" Art of recording an image"

Sunil Shinde, my collegue, gave the most profound reply. He said,"Photography is moving people by stopping light''. He not only captured the emotion, but also the science behind taking a picture. Most importantly, in a few words.
Absolutely love it, Sunil!

Featured on National Geographic!

2008-09-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

What a cheerful start to the day.
The sun is out and beaming. My wife, Kanishtha complimented me on the way I am dressed. We laughed the entire way to work. I should have just picked on these signs that it is meant to be a happy day.

I switched on my laptop and was browsing through the National Geographic website reading articles when I stumbled upon the featured dog gallery. I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw a picture I had shot. Jazz (King Charles Spaniel), Shobha and Sunil Gowda's pup is featured here. It was picked from "My Shots" photo gallery. To see the picture, go to http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/dogs/gallery

I am quite kicked to see my name featured below it. My day is already made, and it's just starting.

Good Evening, Seattle!

2008-09-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

Watching Seattle change colors in twilight was a delight from a bridge on Beacon Hill, in the southeast neighborhood of Seattle. Downtown skyscrapers reflect the orange glow of the sun setting in the Sound. Head and tail lights of cars leave yellow and red trails as they zoom past the freeway.
These stunning views are soaked in by photography enthusiasts who line up closely on the bridge to capture them on their lens.

Shot for almost two hours before heading to Kerry Park, up on Queen Anne.
Every photographer, living in Seattle has shot views of downtown from here at some time. The view is stunning as the skyline poses Downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, the West Seattle peninsula, Bainbridge Island, and Mount Rainier.

Thank you, Raj (buddy and avid photographer) for introducing me to these locations and spending the evening shooting Seattle. We should do this again.

My Moment- Captured!

2008-09-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Through my college years I never took a photograph. Each capture was mental. I had made a choice to not settle for a point and shoot camera, but buy a SLR when I could afford one. In hindsight, this has proven to be a wise decision.

Ever since I bought my Nikon D50 in Apr 2006 I have found my calling. I vowed never to miss a frame again.

Through this blog I wish to share, reflect upon and re-live ‘moments’ captured through my lens over these past years.

First picture taken on Apr 24, 2006

Last picture taken on Sep 6, 2008