Live Webcast: http://www.panosmultimedia.org/

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day, and Panos South Asia will be organising a 2-day regional conference “Freedom of Press in South Asia: Old Challenges, New Media”.

The event is in collaboration with UNESCO and Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ).

The conference will be webcast live on http://www.panosmultimedia.org/ where, according to Panos, we can participate virtually, sending in comments and questions online. See the entire schedule on the Panos site.

This should be interesting.

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Created this “Slice of Life” 30sec video, on the trot, in less than 30 minutes. I’ve gone real low tech on this one, experimenting with a Nokia 5800 mobile phone camera and Movie Maker for sequence edits.

Sequences are a big part of this video. I’ve used an opening long shot and then several medium close-ups and close-ups. Also note the action (cleaning the shells) and reaction (child’s face) shots. And finally, I’ve used a reverse-angle shot to try and get the child’s perspective.

The video sequences were shot in about 3 minutes and then edited.

I think this proves we do not need “pro” equipment to get started with learning. Once the skills come, the 5DMkIIs will follow:-)

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Was invited to judge a photography competition at the Radio Mirchi office today. The theme was based on World Forest Day. That's RJ Silvano chatting with the winners, live on air, in the studio.

The winning entry in landscapes was shot on a mobile phone. That says a lot about the power of tech to level the playing field.

Goa, an ecologically blessed state is today staring at massive change in its landscape. It's cliched, but we are staring at a veritable concrete jungle, thanks to our politicians who can't seem to see beyond construction of resorts and massive appartment blocks, far removed from the natural landscape, when talking of development.

The images, taken by amateurs (whatever that means in today's level playing field), reminded me of another project years ago, responsible for preserving the landscapes of the American wild, notably the Yosemite landscape. Yes, it was Ansel Adams.

It would be a pity to lose what we have to unthinking politicians. And I believe images do have the power to effect change. Especially when tech has democratised the process of recording those visuals. Ansel Adams managed to highlight the wilds enough to bring about National Parks. Can Goa do likewise?

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Just got through our last wedding assignment of the season.

As a photojournalist, wedding pj has given me ample opportunity to sharpen my people skills. It's exciting and stressful at the same time. We get to meet so many folks from different parts of the world and experience their most intimate moments and conversations – it's exhilerating. And then to think we are there to document those precious moments, that is what gives me great joy. At the same time it can be a little intimidating as well.

And yes, it can get painful having to wait for the action to start. In this pic today, my partner sits it out at a starred hotel while we wait for the bride. This was one wedding where i did not shoot the bridal make-up part at the request of the mother. That was a bit of a let down at the season end. I love to capture the moments of transformation from 'girl' to 'bride'

Looking forward updating my wedding pj portfolio site and to the next assignment.

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This is my first attempt at PhotoSynth. Here you have a 3d walkthrough my living room. Check out the detailing on the century old grandfather clock on the wall and yes, try it in full-screen mode.

PhotoSynth from Microsoft is an amazing new tech I am currently dabbling with. It’s neither photos, nor video. Almost like a new medium. It’s great for showing a 3d walkthrough of a location or event. CNN used it first to capture “the Moment” during Barrak Obama’s inaugural.

I think it has tremendous potential in tourism. I have used it pretty sucessfully to do a 360-degree walkthrough of a commercial location I recently shot. This is, I think, the first time PhotoSynth is used for a resort in Goa. Will post that shortly.

[Note: to view the Photosynth you will need to download a small viewer software from the site. I have not experienced any issues with the software on a Windows Vista machine.]

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