in response to Suraj's macros at jjmehta.com...server cudn't upload.

Sigma DG macro is a good lens...I too ordered for APO, BUT DUE TO NON-AVAILABILITY, THE RETAILAR SENT THIS LENS AND SHOT at 300mm at f8 and f5 with good results.....u took good macros...The thing u have to maintain is use of tripod with such a heavy lens in low light conditions...and check when shoot, the focal lenth should match with the shutter speed u are using. For example, for a focal length of 300mm, select a shutter speed of 1/500 or 1/300 to take shake free pix handheld...if it is at 70mm, 1/100 or 1/125 will work well. rest u know small aperture for more DOF and wide aperture for shallow DOF

Self Portrait in jjmehta.com

good...first the light spot at corner of left of lips distracts, cud be cloned...second side lighting is good with two light set up, having good details in the shadows at left of the face...i wish u cud hve more straightened up ur spine, because of wrinkles affecting belly...u cud elaborate the lighting set up as the second light seems behind and more away from the camera...or of low density...the catchlights in the eyes tell the story....thnx....www.selfupp.blogspot.com

SUNSET AT 300mm

1) The stock agencies make a mention that do not upload sunset or flower photographs...My meaning to say this is that these two subjects are more photographed and agencies have plenty of them....Anyhow my concern here is to show u sunset in a different perspective, because most sunset photographs are shot keeping the sun direct in the camera, and if a lake is there, the reflection within it, beautifying otherwise the monotonous sunset. Here with the above picture in mind, my intention was to shoot the sun in confinement, with reflection in the lake. Moreover a good addition in sunset photographs are clouds, which were absent when I shot this. There were so many trees around and it was a joy to take as many sunsets as possible, which I did...Yes here I am...I was some 1 kilometer from the sun on a road with 300mm lens on my DCAM...I found good silhouettes of plants, trees when viewed through viewfinder. So here is one picture I caught when we started in the car and I was at rear seat, as the scene came around, I clicked a second beforehand in Aperture priority mode and luckily I got sun correctly placed with horizon too in good position. I liked the multiple of branches and leaves on the tree,making a good silhouette...so it was a good moment for me and may be for you too, when you go to shoot more of sunsets.

HIDE & SEEK-(2)

Yes guys may ask u 'in which paper this will be published'...Cautioned by many factors I carry a office bag 10" long with 3 pockets, one used to keep a prosumer and a p&s or a DSLR with 70-300 and p&s in my pocket. The cam bag,camera,lens all black, so less inhibitions,generally keeping distance, mixing when children are pleased...p&s, i use stucking to my chest,stomach and shooting just pointing not letting them know the shutter is pressed and taking many shots,so get few useful..For hiding, a car is best solution, where there is no rush, better if someone else driving and u at rear seat. If anybody finds shooting and annoyed, better leave the place....I do not get came-bag companies angry, since they are making wonderful/versatile bags, good for vacations, functions, weddings, but not for places like small hutments,walking on road,cautious with thieves, public buses,local trains, gardens, where u need not sit and open the gorgeous bag with costly equipments sitting before the standing people around or passers-by...making a show.

HIDE & SEEK

1) STRANGE TITLE....IS IT NOT...HAHAHA...yes practical photography that too outdoors is an hide and seek pleasure...or otherwise 'hide and seek run'. Both apply on the mood of the subjects u face, while hunting for photographs...It is photographer's hide and seek. Not to get enraged by the incumbent subject...IT is the photograph above of my g-son fixing a tripod for a shoot, not for local market but e.g.for going to some hilly area or in a night shoot, or having a big lens to shoot in low light...Then it is alright. But to bring good nostalgic pictures from the local temples, or other religious places or in the local market with full swing is rather difficult. WOULD U LIKE TO LOOK LIKE A PHOTOGRAPHER WITH BIG BAG, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN A DAMSEL, MORE HEAVY THAT U CANNOT HANDLE, AND GOING ON A SHOOTING SPREE, EXPECTING LOTS OF PHOTOGRAPHS. Here the hurdle comes in..and we have to think of taking photographs with a bag dirty enough, not like a photographers's bag...rather a school bag..(there are good bags around for schools, for executives, that may not pronounce the presence of a photographer...or A BUG on seeing ur profile DOES NOT ENTER THE LOCAL PEOPLE U R PHOTOGRAPHING....Contd.....

2) When I opened up my gear, there were surroundings with children,ladies,men asking 'what photo u want...here nobody will give u a photograph'....This is what i am narrating when i opened up my big shining camera bag (telling of a photographer is around)...The people became cautious,shouts at children to let them in and ladies too walked inside. TIME TAUGHT THEM THAT IF THEY ARE PHOTOGRAPHED, THE PHOTOGRAPHER WILL GET THEM PUBLISHED AND EARN FROM THEM..(they fear the exposure of their ladies).

TAMRON TREASURE

iT IS tamron's endeavour to break the ice. With prosumers stepping up the challenge with high-power zooms, DSLR lens mfrs have also started presenting superzoom lenses. The new Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD lens is compact and lighter and is claimed to be the world's lightest & smallest 15x zoom lens. Available in canon,nikon and sony mounts. the lens is made in 16 elements,13 groups. It features 'vibrant compensation'. In this lens Tamron improved their ultrasonic autofocus motor to a new featuring a Piezo Drive (PZD), AN ULTRASONIC AUTOFOCUS MOTOR THAT IS DRIVEN BY A PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL the enables faster,quieter AF compared to DC motors.

The lens has minimum aperture of f22 at 18mm and f40 at 270mm...minimum length 88mm & maximum length 96.4mm. weighs 450gm. lenshood-flower-shaped. The cost in India-- MRP Rs.45,950. (photo &^ detail courtsey,SP)

Water-proof camera from Kodak

Kodak is a pioneer company for photography products since its inception. Amongst the chain of digital cameras, Kodak has come out with the cheapest of water-proof camera, Easyshare Sport, which has 12 MP, 5x digital zoom and 2.4 in LCD screen. The camera shoots photographs underwater as deep as 10ft, featuring Company's smart capture technology. The camera is to launch in March 2011, & will cost $79.95 (Rs.3625)breaking the myth that only costly cameras can shoot underwater photography. By look, it is a compact P&S design camera. Lens aperture is yet to be announced, though it will not disappoint the user as there is sufficient reflective life during day time under the water. Hope many will enjoy and many may look skeptically because of cost and p&s factor. However enthusiasts can keep as a backup camera in underwater photography.....(photo courtsey BP Mag).