For those of us who have been to Hesarghatta lake in Bangalore, it is a well known fact that the lake and its surroundings are not what we could term as a landscape hot spot. It is in fact a birders hotspot. Its not uncommon to hear the Bangalore birders say 'Damn, I missed sighting the STSE in Hesarghatta' or even 'I thought I could bag a keeper of that Marsh Harrier, I can't believe that bird is so shy'. However, it's very rare to hear 'wow, what amazing light over the horizon ..' or 'the drama unfolding as the mist lifts up is just too good'.
Yesterday, in the wee hours of dawn as we drove to the lake bed, these were the thoughts that came to my mind. I cursed myself for not carrying the right equipment. Hoping to catch a few good shots of some birds, I had taken only my telephoto lens. I had not taken the tripod. I didn't have a remote release. I mean, I didn't have any equipment that a traditional landscape photograph requires. Yet, the light was so tempting that I just hauled my 10 lb manual focus lens and clicked a few shots. The result was something like this ..
This place, at any other time looks absolutely hopeless. But for this early dawn light and the lifting mist, the shot would've been absolutely pathetic. I mean, whats there .. just a few trees and a few birds in the left corner (that too if you really notice). To top it all, this was shot hand held with a 400 mm manual focus 10 lb lens. Agreed that this is not such a great landscape shot, but it's not a bad shot either. What I really want to convey is this - Even such a boring landscape as Hesarghatta lake bed can offer some amazing photo opportunities provided you are there at the right time, preferably before sunrise. Rest does not matter - equipment, tripod, filters - nothing matters. You have a point and shoot, get up before the sun rises, get to the lake before sunrise and in all likelihood you'll get a good shot. Later, as a consolation you might also get a shot of this kestrel which literally lets you touch it.
Yesterday, in the wee hours of dawn as we drove to the lake bed, these were the thoughts that came to my mind. I cursed myself for not carrying the right equipment. Hoping to catch a few good shots of some birds, I had taken only my telephoto lens. I had not taken the tripod. I didn't have a remote release. I mean, I didn't have any equipment that a traditional landscape photograph requires. Yet, the light was so tempting that I just hauled my 10 lb manual focus lens and clicked a few shots. The result was something like this ..
This place, at any other time looks absolutely hopeless. But for this early dawn light and the lifting mist, the shot would've been absolutely pathetic. I mean, whats there .. just a few trees and a few birds in the left corner (that too if you really notice). To top it all, this was shot hand held with a 400 mm manual focus 10 lb lens. Agreed that this is not such a great landscape shot, but it's not a bad shot either. What I really want to convey is this - Even such a boring landscape as Hesarghatta lake bed can offer some amazing photo opportunities provided you are there at the right time, preferably before sunrise. Rest does not matter - equipment, tripod, filters - nothing matters. You have a point and shoot, get up before the sun rises, get to the lake before sunrise and in all likelihood you'll get a good shot. Later, as a consolation you might also get a shot of this kestrel which literally lets you touch it.
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