Gul Chotrani: Leica Talk

Photo © Gul Chotrani-All Rights Reserved

Gul Chotrani was just featured in an interview on The Leica Camera Blog, following his return from his July 2011 journey to Ethiopia's Omo Valley.

I met him when he joined my In Search of the Sufis of Gujarat Photo Expedition™ in 2011, and it was during it that he photographed using his M9, S2 and a Nikon D3.

Gul worked as an analyst/economist and later in investment banking in the UK, then spent several years in academia, teaching economics and finance in Singapore and South East Asia. He subsequently served as a consultant/advisor in trade, finance and development issues, and also participated in technical cooperation programs with several less developed countries in Asia, on behalf of the Singapore government, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

"When I’m on a serious photography trip, my total gear consists of three bodies (Leica M9, S2 and Nikon D3X) with perhaps two lenses for each, all meant to complement each other."

He echoes many Leica owners when admitting that using its cameras in the beginning was frustrating, and that he almost gave up on it. However, realizing the superlative optics of the Leica M lenses, and presumably the resultant image quality, is what kept him hooked to the Leica brand.

Interesting thoughts (a second installment of the interview is due to appear soon on the Leica blog) by an enthusiastic and unabashed Leica aficionado, which may influence some photographers to jump in the Leica universe.

For further photographs by Gul, drop by his website.

Russia By Rail via NPR

Photo © David Gilkey- Courtesy NPR

I rarely post on Russia!

On the map that shows where The Travel Photographer blog readership comes from, every continent is dotted with thousands of dots of where the daily hits originate...the least (after sub Saharan Africa) dotted  area is Russia. So perhaps this post will redress the situation.

"Six thousand miles. Seven time zones. And endless cups of hot tea."

National Public Radio's David Greene along with producer Laura Krantz and photographer David Gilkey boarded the Trans-Siberian Railway in Moscow and took two weeks to make their way to the Pacific Ocean port city of Vladivostok, and produced this impressive Russia By Rail series.

The NPR series tells us that it's one of the world's longest train trips, and passes through one of the world's largest forests and runs along the shoreline of the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal, which holds nearly 20 percent of the world's fresh water.

Interestingly, Gilkey says that their gear included all sorts of recorders, microphones, high-end digital cameras and an iPhone 4. It appears the iPhone was essential because it could be used more easily than regular cameras that are viewed with some suspicion by some Russians. Many of the images in the galleries were made with the iPhone.

Equally interestingly, Gilkey also used new instant film material for the classic Polaroid cameras; results of which can be viewed in the Freeze Frame section of the series. Very atmospheric old timey images.

Luxury Dhoni Island Resort - Maldives

Dhoni Island Resort gets its name as a result of the places where you keep are dhoni boats that are embellished luxuriously where the guest will fancy a singular keep in one in every of the foremost inventive, comfy and sumptuous places within the Maldives.

Move with ease and insouciance between your non-public sailboat, luxury villa and beautiful surroundings. Realise your desires—Dhoni Island

Luxury Dhoni Accomodation

 There are solely 5 luxuriously appointed absolutely air-conditioned Dhonis, every partnered with its own intimate Beach Bungalow with out of doors lavatory and waterfall showers.

These sixty five ft historically handcrafted Maldivian sailboats are the epitome of straightforward magnificence. The Dhonis have each the standard ivory sail and a motor; sail or cruise – the selection is yours. The bow of the Dhoni is inviting with its comfortable daybeds overflowing with cushions to laze on within the sunshine. at midnight your Thakuru can rework this space into a sensual setting for dining beneath the celebs while out perplexed. An inviting King Size bed with Frette Linen and goose down quilt graces the fantastically embellished cabins. They conjointly boast Smeg kitchen appliances, Philippe Starck lavatory fittings, plush rugs, and silk cushions in an array of natural tones.

In-cabin entertainment – 20” LCD screen with Bose DVD Surround Theatre – is discreetly enclosed behind a picket panel within the lounge . 

2 Island Lodges

With their rustic charm, these thatched bungalows set amongst luxuriant tropical foliage and facing the pristine lagoon, interact all of the senses. Natural materials are used for furnishings that are sourced throughout Asia and beyond. The Bungalows are absolutely air-conditioned, have an overhead fan, espresso machine, non-public bar, out of doors dining setting and sound system. the posh lavatory is graced with L’Occitane en Provence amenities. A deep tub ends up in a secluded, non-public walled courtyard with its own tropical shower open to the sun and stars. 

4  Island Lodges with Plunge Pool

While almost like the Beach Bungalows, and with a similar amenities, the four Beach Bungalows with Plunge Pool supply a far larger non-public courtyard along with your terribly own non-public freshwater Plunge Pool.

Facilities

Restaurant, bar and lounge (open 24hrs daily for guests to assist themselves to champagne, wine, spirits and imported beer). Dedicated Maldivian butler, native island exploration, plasma screen TV and DVD obtainable on request, DVD, CD and book library . 

Entertainment

Weekly entertainment performances of ancient singing and Bodu Beru drumming on the beach. 

Spa 

A quiet sanctuary of calm and wellness, the Dhoni Spa is hidden among the luxurious vegetation. Let the calming aromas of essential oils accompany you as you start your voyage. Surrender yourself to the last word expertise with exquisite packages that are particularly created to relax, invigorate, detoxify and heal body, mind and soul. loves massages, wraps, facials and scrubs to unwind, relax and slip into a whole state of tranquility. fancy the treatment within the quiet sanctuary of a spa suite or within the privacy of your own island lodge.

Sports

Scuba diving, complimentary kayaks, sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling, table tennis, pool, volleyball. 

 Children Facilities

Children are welcome, but there aren't any children’s facilities specified.

Activities

The Dhoni Island Resort offers a powerful dhoni diving college for all of these guests that would like to get the underwater marine ecosystem that surrounds the island.  There are dozens of spectacular diving sites and therefore the hotel instructor is aware of all therefore you'll expertise what it’s wish to swim with such creatures because the eagle rays, turtles and even whale sharks.

Other activities during which the guest will participate need to do with cruising the attractive waters of the Atolls, having romantic intimate picnics on deserted islands, fishing, swimming, and diving, enjoying some sunbathing in non-public and dinning on the deck beneath the celebs.

Kolkata: Book In Progress

Photos © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved

A few weeks ago, I featured a poll in which I asked my readers to choose which photograph I ought to use for my work-in-progress book on Kolkata.

Out of 270 votes, 78% (or 210) chose the wide-angled photograph of a rickshaw puller because it compositionally has more depth and is more "Kolkata" location-specific, while the close-up of another rickshaw puller was deemed more attractive...presumably because he's smiling.

I have listened to my readers, and have happily gone along with the results of the poll. However, I've made a few changes; I chose a different typography and location for the book's title, and decided that the portrait of the rickshaw puller would be horizontally flipped, and be the back cover of the book.

I am currently working (taking my time, I ought to admit) on the book, choosing from the tons of photographs I returned with from my Kolkata's Cult of Durga Photo Expedition/Workshop. I am hoping that the book will be approximately 80 pages.