A Monsoon Wedding

Pakistani Weddings ares such a riot of colour and music. We indulge in music and song, and plenty of eating. We love flowers and candles, and no matter what the season of the year or the strength and capacity of our electricity powerhouse, WAPDA, we dress up to our T's and dance in what can only be described as serious cardio exercise! This was a summer wedding, so the dressing up and the electrical strength had a lot to say! But did we listen? Not really!

Everyone got henna, or as well call it mendhi put on their hands. It's part of the festivities. This was the groom's mother. Oh and I was related to the groom on this wedding!

As is customary at all mendhi's, we had prepared a thaal, or platter in English, with the henna, a few eateries and flowers and candles. Nothing is complete without a sprinkling of petals and lots candles. No fire hazards here!

Oh and lots of bangles!

New Lens 50mm f/1.8

I got an online Shop and Ship account with Aramex and in, what can only be described as an insult to my gender, instead of shopping for shoe and bag goodies, I ordered me a true beauty - a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens. And in true worship, I have been snapping away pictures with it. As many as I can, when I can. Of course the initial focus blurring not withstanding, it delivers on quality!

Shahid rarely poses for pictures. In this one, taken late at night, post work, he seemed in a whimsical and therefore, indulgent mood. I do like it quite a bit, though he is critical of it! (Aren't they always)

This is a lovely restaurant called Olive Tree, overlooking the Dubai Mall fountains. We took Sana there for her 24th birthday, and while everyone was eating the sumptuously delicious food (memo to me, take pictures of food next time), I was marveling at the delightful symmetry of the over head lights!

There's lots more pictures from this trip out; pictures of the mighty Burj Khalifa and of the fountains dancing, but we'll keep this post slightly romantic and wistful (please ignore the BlackBerry up top!)

It casts such an enigmatic melancholic shadow, this black and white photography. It's rare to find colour meeting this profundity. I'm sure though, if you are a great photographer, you'll disagree.

I will try however and put up some pictures from Jamal's wedding that are a riot of colours. Perhaps, that may redeem colour photography!

Of course, like all photographers, when there is a dearth of subjects we revert to ourselves. 20/20 focus is debatable. But we soldier on. That's Daniyal and me early in the morning, pre anything caffeinated!

Europe Recall

I had pretty much decided that I would only put black and white and sepia pictures here, but that required a lot of photoshop work and I really didn't have that level of commitment ...as yet, so here it is,in the form they were taken. Raw and uncut. These are still from the Europe trip from last year. Yes, I do have a lot of catching up to do!

Till, I do, I thought I might as well randomly go through my pictures folder. Bear with me!

This is an shot of the street outside our hotel where we stayed overnight in Prague. It really was beautiful, with huge rooms. Unbelievably big rooms for Europe!

A view from Charles Bridge.
A Saint guards the walkers on Charles Bridge.

I do love this one! I don't know what it is but it's on my list of pictures I want to frame in a bedroom somewhere!

On a change of subject, it really is rather sad that on the universe that is the internet, there is such an ocean of information, that it is only right that one (any author) should suffer from complexes. I mean, there are better photographers than me out there, and for sure better writers. Then by what right, save sheer idiot tenacity, do I publish my work here?

So reader, who ever you are. Here's to championing idiocy!

Do forgive the the picture following the word 'idiot' above. That little one is my son, Daniyal in Nice. He's in two minds about concentrating his efforts to seducing the old ladies in the background or focusing all his forces on the birds in the courtyard. Here's him clapping on some achievement. This many months later, I do not remember, what it was.

That distinguished looking gentleman on the bench below is my brother in law. Like most subject photographed without them knowing, I am sure he wouldn't like this picture. But I do. It makes him look like he's contemplating the universe. And may be he is. He has three kids!