My Favorite photos from 2013

December 31, 2013 • Photography & Travel

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Many of you know that I love photography. This year I did not photograph as much as I have in previous years. I actually made an effort not to take my camera with me on some of my excursions and trips. But on the few trips that I went out there looking to take photos, here are my collection of favorite ones – ancient temples, volcanoes, world’s largest human gathering, North Pole and a few more….

Leave a comment and let me know which one you like best and why. Thanks!

A view of the North Pole from a flight that I took from New York to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific. Probably the best views I have ever seen from a commercial aircraft.

Well before dawn, hundreds of thousands of people make their way into the cold waters of the Ganges river at the Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, on the 10th of February at the world’s largest human gathering with 30 million people.

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I won’t deny how challenging it got at times in the middle of 30 million people with no where to go and being pushed from all sides. I could barely hold my camera steady to get a shot but I clicked away at this screaming boy as his father lovingly carried him on his back while patiently and forcefully making his way through the crowd. Kumbh Mela festival, Allahabad, India.

These women are drying their saris by holding them up in the wind after having taken a dip in the holy Ganges river in the town of Varanasi, North India. I waited patiently in a boat nearby for over 20 minutes for this one shot.

These women are drying their saris by holding them up in the wind after having taken a dip in the holy Ganges river in the town of Varanasi, North India. I waited patiently in a boat nearby for over 20 minutes for this one shot.

A full moon sets behind the gorgeous Borobudur temple creating a spectacular start to the morning. En route to Bali I stopped in Central Java for 2 nights to photograph this spectacular Buddhist citadel. This photo required me getting up about 3:30am and making my way to the temple and patiently waiting for the moon to drop between a couple of the domes. Central Java, Indonesia.

The full moon about to set on the horizon over a landscape of jungles and mist. And on the opposite horizon the sun rises. The timing of having both of these happen at the same time is not frequent. It led to same amazing lighting for photography and not mention a visual feast for the eyes. Central Java, Indonesia.

Flying over volcanoes in eastern Java as the sun rises was another spectacular experience this year.

Flying over volcanoes in eastern Java as the sun rises was another spectacular experience this year.

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This year I started experimenting with taking long exposure photographs during the day. This was taken at 9:30am at 1.0 second exposure without a tripod. I’m happy to finally have gotten it right after many attempts. Another blog post on how to do this later.

One of the highlights of India for sure is visiting the Kolkata flower market. I've visited twice before this and each time failed at getting good shots. This time I prepared mentally well in advance and was able to leave with a few photos that I was happy with. This is one of them. Yellow and orange marigolds stacked a few feet high filled the entire street.

One of the highlights of India for sure is visiting the Kolkata flower market. I’ve visited twice before this and each time failed at getting good shots. This time I prepared mentally well in advance and was able to leave with a few photos that I was happy with. This is one of them. Yellow and orange marigolds stacked a few feet high filled the entire street.

Leave a comment and let me know which one you like best and why. And please feel free to share this. Thanks!


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