tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137164232024-03-07T14:05:07.900-08:00captin nod<a href="http://cow.mooh.org">Home</a> | <a href="http://blog.cow.mooh.org">Blog</a> | <a href="http://cow.mooh.org/research">Research</a> | <a href="http://cow.mooh.org/projects">Projects</a>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-51585856807603100662011-11-23T10:20:00.000-08:002011-11-23T10:20:19.347-08:00iPhone SLR lens adapters: doomed to fail?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The summary: I don't think that iPhone SLR lens adapters are ever going to work particularly well, based on experience I have building one myself and looking at the design of a commercial one (which, admittedly, I haven't tried working with myself).<br />
<br />
Late 2009, in a fit of madness, I built what I think was the first iPhone SLR adapter:<br />
<a href="http://blog.cow.mooh.org/2009/12/phone-o-scope-attaching-slr-lenses-to.html">http://blog.cow.mooh.org/2009/12/phone-o-scope-attaching-slr-lenses-to.html</a><br />
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Since then, there have been a couple of commercially available adapters, notably the one from Turtleback available at Photojojo: <br />
<a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-slr-mount/">http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/iphone-slr-mount/</a><br />
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The adapters have to get around two main problems - 1) fact that the iPhone sensor is tiny and the image that the SLR lens projects at the registration distance is large and 2) light loss.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4149861932/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2710/4149861932_e61c7a0862_z.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4149103025/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2761/4149103025_24ff84a249_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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For my own design, I got around 1) by using a magnifier out of a CD player in a similar fashion to the rear element on a set of binoculars to reduce the image size so that a real, but shrunken image is projected more-or-less straight on to the iPhone sensor. I got around 2) by only using one optical element.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4149103241/in/photostream/"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2691/4149103241_1aa707ef06_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It didn't really work. The problem mainly boiled down to having used a poor quality intermediate lens, which created a grainy image and chromatic aberration artifacts. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/zirkv7.jpg" /></div><br />
The commercial adapter (manufactured by Turtleback - see: http://turtleback.hk/) approaches the problem differently by projecting the image from the attached SLR lens on to a frosted screen, and having the iPhone focus on that instead. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/2gufehv.jpg" /></div><br />
This does work - but the light loss is massive (two stops, at least) and, apparently, the focusing screen gets dirty very easily (see the set of cleaning instructions from the manufacturer here: http://labo.turtleback.hk/archives/2036). Also, the frosted element adds a large amount of grain to the image. It is a better approach - but not by much (or so I think - at this point reiterate that I haven't tried it for myself, so please that that into account as you read this).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://labo.turtleback.hk/archives/2036/dof-dust3"><img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/hvs9qp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The adapter-based-approach is a cute idea, but it's essentially doomed by the fact that SLR lenses are complicated optical apparatus that are designed to work with very specific sensors - getting a <i>good quality</i> image out of <i>any</i> iPhone SLR adapter is nearly impossible. <br />
<br />
I should emphasise that these adapters do work, but only in a limited way - there has to be enough light, and there is an upper limit on the quality of the image that is achievable. If all you want to achieve is shallow depth-of-field, then there are other approaches that produce better results (see below).<br />
<br />
Without adapters, the fact that the iPhone sensor is super tiny, and it's physically impossible for it to have shallow depth-of-field for anything other than objects that are less than a couple of feet away. If you want to get shallow DOF out of the iPhone, there are a couple of synthetic aperture approaches that might get you most of the way there. For example, see <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/synthcam/id412992079?mt=8">synthcam</a>.</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-91401318543891940152011-05-16T06:42:00.000-07:002011-05-16T06:42:06.846-07:00Bay To Breakers 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Full set <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626731456614/">here</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5724980519/" title="Bay To Breakers 2011: neon by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Bay To Breakers 2011: neon" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5724980519_b4f2f785f0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5725536660/" title="Bay To Breakers 2011: elvis by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Bay To Breakers 2011: elvis" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5725536660_6a8e189366_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5725536546/" title="Bay To Breakers 2011: we believe in you! by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Bay To Breakers 2011: we believe in you!" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/5725536546_2330bdbcdf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-45527523450122120002011-05-02T12:02:00.000-07:002011-05-02T12:02:24.763-07:00The 2011 How Weird Street FaireFull set is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626502948235/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5679019278/" title="How Weird Street Faire 2011: saturation point by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5679019278_1431c901a5_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="How Weird Street Faire 2011: saturation point"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5678458625/" title="How Weird Street Faire 2011: doin' the robot by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5678458625_7dd509bdd5_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="How Weird Street Faire 2011: doin' the robot"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5679019034/" title="How Weird Street Faire 2011: bad to the bone by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5679019034_2b3357b2bb_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="How Weird Street Faire 2011: bad to the bone"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5678458353/" title="How Weird Street Faire 2011: dancer 00 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5678458353_a490243871_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="How Weird Street Faire 2011: dancer 00"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5678458159/" title="How Weird Street Faire 2011: punkalicious by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/5678458159_35a5263427_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="How Weird Street Faire 2011: punkalicious"></a><br />
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</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-73149155673514656532011-04-25T06:58:00.000-07:002011-04-25T07:00:09.208-07:00Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011I megapixeled the hell out of this event. Megapixeled it real good. Full photoset <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626449364749/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653058977/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5653058977_9f647cc877_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653058823/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5653058823_6dd6457325_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653058133/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/5653058133_66536b9620_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653628654/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5653628654_4993777b2b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653625282/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011: Bin Rider and Indiana Jones by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5653625282_99e7677ba3_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011: Bin Rider and Indiana Jones"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5653053955/" title="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5653053955_46cd041a26_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Bring Your Own Big Wheel 2011"></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-90159638072940775992011-04-07T09:36:00.000-07:002011-04-07T09:40:01.549-07:00+1 awesome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Get on the 10 this morning; going along and we pull up to a red light at 2nd & Folsom. The bus driver opens the doors to let people on and off, gets up out of her seat and announces to the bus "That's it, I quit!", and walks out. Stunned silence for a moment as she goes and drops some mail in a nearby postbox and gets back on chuckling and saying "..but I like a roof over my head better".<br />
<br />
Everyone laughs along and we all experience a +1 awesome start to the day. It might (allegedly) be the worst-dressed line on MUNI but it's definitely got some of the best drivers :)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4558085404/" title="ten by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="ten" height="640" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/4558085404_e827c2c94a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-52376362275893772612011-04-03T10:14:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:14:47.550-07:00Wondercon 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Full set is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626419201552/">here</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5585566032/" title="Wondercon 2011: batman and poison ivy by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Wondercon 2011: batman and poison ivy" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5585566032_df55e39ef6_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5585608770/" title="Wondercon 2011: pair by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Wondercon 2011: pair" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5585608770_6e0efd7de5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5585564360/" title="Wondercon 2011: mike wazowski by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Wondercon 2011: mike wazowski" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5585564360_c8d3977ca4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5585565908/" title="Wondercon 2011: walkway by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Wondercon 2011: walkway" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5585565908_c1cafd8ebe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5585565082/" title="Wondercon 2011: cartman and ? by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Wondercon 2011: cartman and ?" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5585565082_802e0eb6cd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-5895904580779376172011-03-21T10:01:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:09:15.663-07:00Sunday Streets March 2011Full set <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626312252002">here</a><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5545442588/" title="Sunday Streets SF March 2011: ape hangers by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday Streets SF March 2011: ape hangers" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5545442588_e6c0777a61_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5546229623/" title="no stopping any time by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="no stopping any time" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5546229623_9f43c2919c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5550118468/" title="STOP by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="STOP" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5550118468_60213a1071_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5544861395/" title="Sunday Streets SF March 2011: trolley, roller, tourists by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday Streets SF March 2011: trolley, roller, tourists" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5544861395_1fb5d13bc7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-24960315583585818972011-03-16T09:57:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:00:03.339-07:00tattoo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5525649173/" title="military tatoo by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="military tatoo" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5525649173_6503f93d41_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5529255286/" title="+Datonating Explosives+ by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="+Datonating Explosives+" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5529255286_4c5e23fb27_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5536723873/" title="Mr. Bling Bling & Reyes by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Mr. Bling Bling & Reyes" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5536723873_c60ec018b8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-41812847774728997622011-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-07T09:57:56.420-08:00Don't let the rain slow you down<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5506169308/" title="gimme shelter by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5506169308_35f4bf7649_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="gimme shelter" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5494394242/" title="musical commute by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5494394242_0c39c9e242_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="musical commute" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5464326987/" title="deluge by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5464326987_483dddb598_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="deluge" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5464962968/" title="paladin by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5464962968_cbf44fdbb6_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="paladin" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5491784620/" title="you wrote a bad song, petey by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="you wrote a bad song, petey" border="0/" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5491784620_64fae4d93a_z.jpg" width="640" border=0/></a><br />
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</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-51691480917859353572011-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:002011-03-07T09:50:44.367-08:00transport tribulations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5475836713/" title="electrifying read by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="electrifying read" border="0/" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5475836713_8b2af166b8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5470491527/" title="I'm board by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="I'm board" border="0/" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5470491527_c8f461d20e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5470525233/" title="one on r squared falloff by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="one on r squared falloff" border="0/" height="427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5011/5470525233_ecc2f377e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5496963900/" title="all aboard by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="all aboard" border="0/" height="214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5496963900_4c03d392be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-66469662268821705302011-02-15T00:21:00.000-08:002011-02-15T00:33:47.449-08:00Valentine's Day Pillow Fight, San Francisco, 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19964096" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/19964096">Valentine's Day Pillow Fight, San Francisco 2011</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bjoshi">Bhautik Joshi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></div><br />
San Francisco is full of madness. I love it :D<br />
<br />
Video is here: <a href="http://vimeo.com/19964096">http://vimeo.com/19964096</a>. Full set of photos is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157626054043624/">here</a>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5447637046/" title="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: windmill by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: windmill" border="0/" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5447637046_ff25e7ec7e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5447636970/" title="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: jump attack by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: jump attack" border="0/" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5447636970_32925cde5f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5447636892/" title="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: strobing pillow of doom by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: strobing pillow of doom" border="0/" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/5447636892_fbbda684ca_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5447636238/" title="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: lateral by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="Valentine's Day Pillow Fight 2011: lateral" border="0/" height="640" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5447636238_95857b3d5f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-31671227331356640222011-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:43:54.002-08:00the moon and mars-1San Francisco, CA.<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5384668848/" title="it's on like donkey kong by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5384668848_320c6c09f8_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="it's on like donkey kong" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5395650006/" title="That's no moon... by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5051/5395650006_29d46a14b5_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="That's no moon..." border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5417896009/" title="{8} by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5417896009_a6f344c8c3_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="{8}" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5415893594/" title="bromotrifluoromethane by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5415893594_5b87f04abb_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="bromotrifluoromethane" border=0/></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-19919764047145421652011-01-28T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:43:28.769-08:00flowSan Francisco, CA.<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5384577854/" title="timeout by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5384577854_0251524e1b_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="timeout" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5384623394/" title="convection current by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5384623394_b086f2b416_z.jpg" width="640" height="279" alt="convection current" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5386883425/" title="swish by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5386883425_2c8676f9a5_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="swish" border=0/></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-15205413077997872402011-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:43:05.105-08:00motor vaterSan Francisco, CA.<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5377912204/" title="indigo by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5377912204_e74ea9da60_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="indigo" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5377847382/" title="brown by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5377847382_e701dbe561_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="brown" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5377877764/" title="blue by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5377877764_cef9e08ed2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="blue" border=0/></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-75972956954302690842011-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:42:36.909-08:00great jorbSan Francisco, CA.<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5354545618/" title="Godzilla, ultraman and the Sutro Tower? by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5354545618_30129578ea_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Godzilla, ultraman and the Sutro Tower?" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5351366977/" title="great jorb by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5351366977_b3ec50ea11_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="great jorb" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5353900405/" title="A stands for Antipasto by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5353900405_eb8952146d_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="A stands for Antipasto" border=0/></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-70097854419188574852011-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T11:41:56.537-08:00Three heads, six arms, nine lives, twelve dozen, fifteen..., oh look, nevermind, just look at the pictures<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5346210568/" title="bringing the hammer down by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5346210568_55362df6ee_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="bringing the hammer down" border=0/></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5342309023/" title="hey! you! by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5245/5342309023_574764962b_z.jpg" width="640" height="214" alt="hey! you!" border=0/></a><br />
</div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-31394572934780902622011-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:002011-01-09T18:33:05.798-08:00No Pants Subway Ride SF2011 has kicked off and it didn't take long for the usual eccentricity of San Francisco to fully engage. Behold, the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156182521089838%22" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;">San Francisco No Pants Subway ride</a>, a satellite incarnation of the larger <a href="http://improveverywhere.com/missions/the-no-pants-subway-ride/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;">improv everywhere</a> event.<br />
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I was impressed that everyone kept in character for the whole event. Notable reactions I overheard - one confused tourist runs back and forth between different No Pants participants asking what is going on. She returns to her companions, hands up in the air and a look of confusion on her face, saying "I guess they just forgot their pants". Another was the look of horror on one well dressed gentleman as he walked out into the plaza, loudly declaring in a long southern drawl "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with all this".<br />
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Check out the full set <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/sets/72157625662762687/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;">here</a>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5341560498/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: I'm not sure what's going on by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: I'm not sure what's going on" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5341560498_311d900f97.jpg" width="500" border=0/></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5340948041/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: lost in a sea of pantslessness by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: lost in a sea of pantslessness" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5340948041_fb7cd8102b.jpg" width="333" border=0/></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5340948537/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: arrival 00 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: arrival 00" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5340948537_67eccff89b.jpg" width="333" border=0/></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5341559866/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: arrival 01 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: arrival 01" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5341559866_c272a2e76e.jpg" width="500" border=0/></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5340948935/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: heading out 00 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="No Pants Subway Ride, SF 2011: heading out 00" height="500" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5340948935_691ff13e54.jpg" width="333" border=0/></a></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-37707732038382537702010-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-05T08:32:43.564-08:00India 2010: part 5 - the road to Ahmedabad<span style="font-size: small;">At the end of my trip, my uncle booked us a car to take us from Rajkot to Ahmedabad, the state capital. It was a four-hour journey by car on one of the new state highways, and while the road was new, the characters on it were not.</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778587/" title="IMG_8123 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8123" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5044/5218778587_bb57c6c997_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219368286/" title="IMG_8536 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8536" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5219368286_99c84253a5_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The highway passes through rural areas. Aside from the intrusion of the road, life here seems largely like it has been for hundreds of years previously - manual labour to plant and gather crops (especially cotton). The road itself provides a convenient path for transport even by foot, and we saw quite a few people walking along the highway from one town to the next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218776055/" title="IMG_8129 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8129" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5218776055_b2bb83e3a0_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218776461/" title="IMG_8289 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8289" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5218776461_2f33488ca9_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219365764/" title="IMG_7982 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7982" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5219365764_74d9e59712_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218776255/" title="IMG_8155 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8155" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5218776255_c3095fe824_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218776363/" title="IMG_8192 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8192" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5218776363_bf8ee10e04_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219365400/" title="IMG_8018_comp by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8018_comp" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5219365400_6f470c9995_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Although the road is improved, the old hazards of Indian roads are omnipresent. Anticlockwise from top-left: Herds of cattle wander where they like - if they block the road, they are to be driven around. You're expected to sound the horn when you pass a truck so that they know you're there (mirrors - who needs 'em anyway?). There also isn't any such thing as unsafely loading a truck :P Not shown - oncoming traffic in the same lane as you, dust clouds and the many, many crashed trucks and buses by the side of the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219365464/" title="IMG_8020 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8020" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5219365464_c83accf70d_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Waiting for a ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219365604/" title="IMG_8107 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8107" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5219365604_4de345dbe5_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">At frequent intervals along the road there are these collections of shacks that roughly resemble a truck stop. Enormous crowds of travelers stop here to refuel and eat. In the foreground we have two individuals - one making thepla (flat bread, delicious) and the other one making sev (sort of a deep-fried snack made from chickpea flour).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219269384/" title="IMG_8085 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8085" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5219269384_ffbc418480_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As mentioned before, this is a dealer in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paan" rel="nofollow">paan</a>, a slightly carcinogenic but nevertheless delicious mix of spices and chewy bits wrapped up in betel nut leaves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218779009/" title="IMG_7820 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7820" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5218779009_153445d9ea_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Even more frequently seen than the roadside walkers were these three-wheeled tricycle arrangements. They'd have a motorcycle front-end with some sort of tray and axle arrangement at the back, and there didn't seem to be any upper limit on what they could carry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778171/" title="IMG_7851 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7851" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5218778171_40e1189809_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I <i>think</i> there are sixteen people on this one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219367342/" title="IMG_8635_comp by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8635_comp" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5288/5219367342_9f57ef9035_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219366732/" title="IMG_8319_comp by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8319_comp" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5219366732_307198d591_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778925/" title="IMG_7958 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7958" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5218778925_88c53aa568_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Vibrant colour :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778313/" title="IMG_8175 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8175" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5218778313_37b623d338_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'd shoot out of the window of the van as we overtook vehicles; the best moments came when I'd get what can be best termed a 'look' from the occupants when they realised what I was up to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778055/" title="IMG_8246 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8246" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5218778055_ec2f226975_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The bloke in blue, however, didn't mind having his picture taken at all - he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219367426/" title="IMG_8136 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8136" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5219367426_9186cd8fa0_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Livestock? Tricycle? Transport? No problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778379/" title="IMG_8427 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8427" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/5218778379_3221824a5d_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As we got towards Ahmedabad we also saw many camels transporting stuff on the road. Note the patterns painted on to its flank and its face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778813/" title="IMG_8546 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8546" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5218778813_d70e581afc_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Massively overloaded rickshaws were also pretty frequently seen. I'm not sure what the lady in the back was frowning at - probably me :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218778479/" title="IMG_8677 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8677" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5218778479_112758c695_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Open air transport. There were 6-7 people in the tractor cab as well; all together, I think there were about 28-30 people on this arrangement.</span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-90840873767657520662010-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-04T10:30:14.883-08:00India 2010: part 4 - on the go<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218765511/" title="IMG_5180 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_5180" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5218765511_d62001a101_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Rickshaws in Gujarat have been largely upgraded since I last visited - the engines run quietly and cleanly on compressed natural gas. However, a few of the old-style rickshaws remain - they scoot along making a distressing smell (it's like they run on kerosene) and an odd putt-putt noise as they move along.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219354186/" title="IMG_7393 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7393" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5219354186_2445971f40_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218764889/" title="IMG_7022 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7022" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5218764889_3c6346ec4e_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If it has wheels, it's used to move goods. This old rickshaw has been converted for use as a truck to deliver bread.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219354364/" title="IMG_6955 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_6955" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5219354364_44743b4ee3_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219354022/" title="IMG_7058 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7058" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5219354022_21c5e9380e_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Bicycles are also a common mode of transporting goods - I saw quite a few of these bicycles with a large tray and axle on the back. Note the complete lack of gears - I saw quite a few riders sweating and pedaling with difficult strokes on uneven, bumpy roads with a huge load of cargo on the back.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219353922/" title="IMG_7138 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7138" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5219353922_40fa5115db_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218765463/" title="IMG_7259 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7259" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5218765463_c83f928d5f_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Complex, beautiful modes of dress were no obstacle for determined bicycle riders in Rajkot.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218764575/" title="IMG_7278 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7278" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5218764575_3cfb45ca6b_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219353734/" title="IMG_5214 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_5214" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5219353734_913862be5a_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Scooters and motorbikes seemed to be, by far, the most common mode of transport on Rajkot. You'd see as many scooters with two or more riders as you did with one rider; again, they seemed to be yet another way of getting people and goods around. The sheer volume of them and their sooty exhausts let me to wonder if they were a big part of the pollution problem in the area.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218764429/" title="IMG_5735 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_5735" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5218764429_02bdcc5487_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Honda Heroes were the most common type of motorbike that I saw over there. The roads were chaotic (traffic driving in both directions on a one-way road, general multi-way chaos when it came to roundabouts) but, in the end, accidents were few and there was a bizarre sort of logic to it. The driving algorithm went like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1. Start the vehicle, honk your horn.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. Head in the direction of where you want to go (doesn't matter if you're moving against the direction of traffic). If there is someone where you want to be, honk your horn.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. If there is someone bigger than you, give way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's completely insane, but it seemed to work even with the insane combination of pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws, cars, trucks and cows on the road.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219354250/" title="IMG_6332 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_6332" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5203/5219354250_26f4330c5f_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218764465/" title="IMG_6754 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_6754" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5218764465_8c905ce617_o.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218764267/" title="IMG_7921 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7921" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5218764267_8c3dea9782_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There are plenty of family-carrying motorbikes out on the highways.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219353552/" title="IMG_7994 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_7994" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5219353552_29c9ea7e72_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218765271/" title="IMG_8253 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;"><img alt="IMG_8253" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5218765271_2b2c8bf86a_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Family transport.</span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-29237811391024763102010-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:30:53.388-08:00India 2010: part 3 - architecture and Ahmedabad<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219341464/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6126 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6126" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5219341464_71a69ca203_o.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752329/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6288 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6288" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5218752329_6626421152_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As I mentioned previously, cows are an extremely common sight in Rajkot. They're an ancient part of the system here, and aside from blocking traffic they really are used to produce milk. Secondarily they also consume refuse, which frequently seems to be liberally thrown out into the street.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752851/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6329 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6329" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5218752851_26834b6ac3_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The brightly coloured house opposite my grandmothers place.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219341728/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6951 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6951" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5282/5219341728_03610f5634_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752401/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7169 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7169" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5218752401_8ee4fed42e_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752683/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7183 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7183" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5218752683_27326dd856_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219341928/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7308 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7308" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5008/5219341928_877e36db58_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There are occasions where, wandering around, you can almost imagine that you've stepped back a hundred years in time.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752461/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7780 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7780" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5218752461_4dd8c37805_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752611/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7789 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7789" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5218752611_89ddd852b2_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218751589/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7327 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7327" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5218751589_b86b3a2f7f_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I'd occasionally stumble across temples - some stood on their own, some nestled in laneways. Of these, some were lavishly decorated - sparkling clean and strewn with flowers amongst the surrounding grime. I'm not sure, however, how to feel about this - overseas, many of organisations will ask for donations to build temples, and while they are beautiful I'm reliably informed that they don't really give back to the surrounding community. I could chalk it down to just another example of the gap between rich and poor in India but there's something insipid about using religion as a front for accumulating wealth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219341394/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6192 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6192" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5219341394_88432a07b8_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is the interior of my grandmothers place - it's a small, square courtyard that's open to the air that's surrounded on three sides by rooms. It has three levels; the top one is the roof and the water tank. The middle floor became unsafe for living in after the earthquake in 2003; you might also note the yellow stripes painted on the step edges - my uncle, who visits often, is a safety engineer in New York.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218752031/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_9052 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9052" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5218752031_97063bc07a_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This is the exterior of my uncles place in Ahmedabad, the state capital of Gujarat, which we visited in the couple of days of the trip. The small houses like my grandmothers place are long gone, replaced by high rises and tall apartment blocks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218751931/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_8699 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8699" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5218751931_c28772a19d_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219341006/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_8769 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8769" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5219341006_487b234e0a_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There are parts of Ahmedabad that are quite wealthy - investment and just general economic development means that it's a fast-growing part of the world. There are shopping malls there that, when inside, are indistinguishable from malls in the rest of the world. The only giveaway to indicate that you're not in the western world are the shop assistants that constantly hover inches away from wherever you are. While the wealth is great for those who have it, there's also a certain blandness to it - local flavour is gradually being replaced by what seems to me to be a generic sameness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218751703/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_8776 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8776" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5218751703_dbb729b164_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218751633/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_9031 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9031" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5218751633_a365095afc_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-597948514729247832010-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:30:32.996-08:00India 2010: part 2 - water and the markets<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218743129/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6643 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6643" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/5218743129_f890e63a02_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One way to pass the time in Rajkot was to levitate objects using telekenisis. It's not as easy as it looks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218742281/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_5294 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5294" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5218742281_af711940d3_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Rajkot is a city of 1.5 million people, having rapidly expanded in the recent past. I remember lying on the rooftop of my grandmothers place and sleeping out under a blanket of stars; nowadays, it's difficult to see more than a few points of light on a clear night due to the haze and pollution that covers the city. The city is one of the world leaders in manufacturing diesel pumps, but the success has come at a high environmental price.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218742235/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_5318 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5318" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5218742235_a6e148905f_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The Aji dam collects water from the river and supplies Rajkot; poor planning, however, means that some parts of the city (notably the large quarter where my grandmothers place is) sits above the level of the dam. As such, after industry has taken its (fairly hefty) share of the water, there isn't much left for residents in these areas. The dam is about as full as it's ever been - the drought has been broken here for several years and heavy rains means that the dam is nearly overflowing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218742171/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6453 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6453" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5218742171_7d5f39409a_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In this part of town, water runs for 20 minutes a day. When the water is running an electric pump runs the water up to a storage tank on the roof - a fixed amount that is carefully used during the course of the day. If the pump is out or if the water runs at another time of day, the water is lifted out using buckets from the small well in the house where it collects for pumping. This picture shows my awesome cousin, Jagrut, doing just that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219331932/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6715_comp by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6715_comp" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5219331932_e32df3ca6f_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Rajkot is an industrial town; near my grandmothers place, there are a few motorcycle repair shops just like this one. Often it's too hot to work during the day, so a good chunk of the work gets done after the sun has set.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218742889/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_6729 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6729" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/5218742889_7c118ae4d4_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Stray dogs are sometimes looked after by local shopkeepers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218742783/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7197 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7197" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5218742783_d65e9ccd83_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The local bazaar sells fresh produce; it's a rickety old building with high ceilings and it stays cool during the day. My mum went along to get a few vegetables and I snuck about unsuccessfully, noticed at every turn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Gujarat state is one of the world's centres for textiles - a lot of cotton is grown here, and much of the chemical industry needed to dye the fabrics is also well established. Bright, vibrant textiles are a staple here, and are easily and cheaply available.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This guy: rolling tobacco in his palms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The market district in Rajkot seem to consist entirely of narrow laneways, light filtering down between three-story buildings and the rats nest of wiring that seems to accumulate on every street corner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Archways and ancient doors hint at the remains of the old city, which is being (very gradually) replaced by neon shop fronts.</span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-38558922480977423972010-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:30:02.821-08:00India 2010: part 1b - more faces<span style="font-size: small;">I stayed in a poor part of Rajkot, far removed from the spectacular success and riches of other part of the country. There are impressive stories of runaway success and prosperity in India, but this isn't one of them. Here in the industrial heart of Rajkot, water runs for twenty minutes a day, and there are parts of town where closed sewers have only been recently introduced. It's polluted, its noisy and at times overwhelmingly difficult to comprehend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Despite the obvious difficulties, there's this relentless sense of pride and dignity. Across the road from my grandmothers place, every day I'd see a group of kids playing outside in the street. Their hands and feet would end up covered in grime, but setting out they'd always be neat, hair combed, faces washed and clothes pressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is all far removed from the reality that I'm used to. When dinnertime comes around, parents weren't asking kids to peel themselves away from the television - they had to be recalled from wherever it was they were playing outside to come in and eat; a sort of fifty year old inversion on the way of life I'm used to. There was a simple joy to the way they interaced that I sometimes think is missing from the world I commonly live in.</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218715435/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7739 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7739" height="683" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5287/5218715435_480e816ef4_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5218715277/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7620 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7620" height="1024" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5218715277_1a788e068d_b.jpg" width="683" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Kite-flying is a common activity for kids; from the rooftops you can often see kites hovering over the city or tangled up in power lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219304590/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7644 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7644" height="1024" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/5219304590_51c69070e5_b.jpg" width="683" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I didn't think it would still be the case, but a camera seemed to be a cause for genuine excitement for some kids. At one point I was just watching general goings on in front of my grandmothers place when the group of kids playing outside spotted the camera, and there was a mad scramble to get in front of it. Whenever I'd be able to get one framed on their own, they'd sometimes have an awesome, rigid camera pose - not unlike this fellow just here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cows are still a common sight in towns in India. They're considered still sacred; if cow decides to park itself in the middle of the road, traffic will cheerfully route itself around it. They're also the garbage disposal for parts of the city; often they'll cheerfully eat up rubbish thrown out of windows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In Rajkot it wasn't unusual to see kids working during the day. Here a young chai-wallah is bringing tea to shopkeepers.</span><br />
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</span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-45142372050122466602010-11-30T05:00:00.000-08:002010-12-03T13:29:29.304-08:00India 2010: part 1a - the language of faces<span style="font-size: small;">Every seven years or so, I make a trip back to my family hometown of Rajkot, India. Every trip, I'm struck by how much and how quickly it changes. My family originates from this place, but we're far from it - we're into the third generation that has lived outside of Gujarat, our home state, and coming back is invariably a culture shock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">One of the most striking differences between India and the countries I've lived in the western world is how people carry themselves. There's a striking difference in the demeanour they have - right down to how people walk and the expressions they wear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I spent a lot of my time just wandering around with my camera. One of the most striking places I spent time in was the commercial and shopping district of Rajkot; it's an old part of town and here life continues on in part how it may have been doing so for at least decades, if not longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'd made the foolish assumption that since I was on holiday, I wouldn't need to pay much attention to my appearance. I left my shaving kit at home, and quickly sprouted a stubbly, ugly beard. While most Indian men sprout an impressive mustache under the nose (my cousin assures me that it's a sign of manliness), few men in Rajkot under retirement age have a full beard. Along with my awkward demeanour, the beard in particular made my stand out from other Indian guys, and I was the subject of many a stare as I walked around. However, since everyone was looking at my face, they weren't seeing what I did with my hands. In them, I kept my camera and I shot almost exclusively from the hip. Each time I saw something I'd fire off five or six quick shots in the rough direction of what I saw while my subject was still working out where I was from, and moved on before they worked out what was going on. I'd never really shot from the hip before, and it was a glorious experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's common to see guys on corners and shopfronts just watching the world go by. I've got no idea what they're doing - are they between jobs, taking a break, or just hanging out? - but there are an awful lot of them. The thing that stands out for me, though, are the strong expressions they wear as they watch the world go by - a sort of focused scrutiny the minute a new satellite enters their orbit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Note the bloke on the far left - he's sipping on some chai from a saucer before the start of the working day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219270542/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7248 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7248" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5219270542_2ebf2a2f1d_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saris and Punjabi dresses are the dominant mode of dress for ladies in India; the country is a centre for textiles and bright, vivid materials are cheap, accessible and still enormously popular after hundreds (thousands?) of years. They're also worn with some flair - ladies around here don't just walk, they <i>sashay</i> from one place to the next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's not uncommon to see ladies carry loads on their heads. It looks enormously difficult; most impressive is that some seem to be able to do it without using their hands at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wandering around the streets, I saw a lot of gentlemen who appeared to be praying as they were walking. They'd stride purposefully along, looking at the skies, hands clasped together. After seeing a few individuals doing this, I asked my cousin what was going on and he informed me that they were actually rolling tobacco.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The gentleman in the foreground is a chai-wallah; in his right hand you can see the saucer and cups, and in his right he's got a pot of tea. Working neighborhoods seemed to each have their own chai-wallah (sometimes there were pairs of them) and shopkeepers would call on them to get their caffeine fix at the start of the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219270454/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_7166 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7166" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5219270454_3cacbdb98b_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Same as the chai-wallahs, there were also people who delivered milk and cream. This was often carried by hand, or, sometimes by bicycle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">At the Rajkot bus terminal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5219269384/" onclick="window.open(this.href,'newwin'); return false;" title="IMG_8085 by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8085" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/5219269384_ffbc418480_b.jpg" width="700" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just to be clear here: this isn't a dark-skinned Terry Jones. He's dealing in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paan" rel="nofollow">paan</a>, a slightly carcinogenic but nevertheless delicious mix of spices and chewy bits wrapped up in betel nut leaves.</span></div>Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-26215614017234714152010-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:002010-10-20T17:51:20.764-07:00taken with the [adjective] bendycamI've become rather fond of shooting with my latest <a href="http://cow.mooh.org/projects/tiltshift">DIY lens creation</a>, the indefatigable bendycam 19:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4935678405/" title="two new bendycams by bhautik joshi, on Flickr"><img alt="two new bendycams" border="0/" height="333" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4935678405_e3c2a8fd12.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It's the one on the far left.</span></div><br />
I've fixed it's inherent <a href="http://calibersf.com/2010/09/07/use-protection/">need to escape</a> and it's become a constant companion on many of my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=bendycam+19&w=50847591%40N00&s=int&z=e">photo wanders</a> around San Francisco. I've recently discovered, however, it's not the pictures it takes that people have grown to like - it's the adjectives used to describe it. To keep up, I've started to take some liberties describing the Bendycam 19.<br />
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It started out as simply <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4808112012/">indefatigable</a>, but it's moved on to being <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5029116766/">seasick</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5041248857/">combustible</a> and even <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5029562187/">ficticious</a>. Bendycam is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5054186385/">comesitble</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5078261195/">discombobulate</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/5075274479/in/photostream/">reticulated</a>. Bendycam is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4990091791/">unstoppable</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/captin_nod/4954321240/">immutable</a>, but, despite it's near magical powers, I have a problem. I'm starting to exhaust even my reserve supplies of adjectives :( If you have any spare to describe this nearly omnipotent device please <a href="mailto:bjoshi%28at%29gmail.com">let me know</a> :)Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13716423.post-69608664900683781812010-09-07T12:00:00.000-07:002010-09-07T12:01:48.508-07:00i heard it on the intertubesA few weeks ago at the <a href="http://blog.cow.mooh.org/2010/07/caliber-sf-soma-photowalk-2010.html">caliber SF</a> photowalk I was approached by the always awesome <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=13716423">Julie Michelle</a> to participate in a couple of bits of online fun.<br />
Going up online today was my photo-writeup-thingy about living in SF on <a href="http://iliveheresf.com/?p=1520">iLiveHereSF.com</a>:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/4946856195/" title="The tiny door strikes again. by tangobaby, on Flickr"><img alt="The tiny door strikes again." border="0/" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4946856195_9cf8f8e013.jpg" width="333" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iliveheresf.com/?p=1520">http://iliveheresf.com/?p=1520</a></div><br />
During the shoot, using my deft lens handling skills, I managed to totally destroy a lens filter: <a href="http://calibersf.com/2010/09/07/use-protection/">http://calibersf.com/2010/09/07/use-protection/</a><br />
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I also was interviewed by Julie earlier on about some of my odd photo hackery - you can find the interview here: <a href="http://calibersf.com/2010/08/11/through-their-lens-bhautik-joshi/">http://calibersf.com/2010/08/11/through-their-lens-bhautik-joshi/</a><br />
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Much thanks to CaliberSF and Julie for all this!Bhautik Joshihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263645802616996095noreply@blogger.com0