2017: A Photogenic Journey

2017 has been the year, when I finally started with photography. I bought my first camera in February 2017. It is a Nikon Coolpix B500, an amazing 16 MP point-and-shoot camera. Since then I have gone crazy with it; clicking new pictures and recording new videos with it all the time. 2017 has clearly been a year full of photography, videos, and fun!

Here are my 10 best and super special photographs of 2017:

1. Boulenger’s Indian Gecko

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When you name an animal, it becomes your friend. I have playfully named this Boulenger’s Indian Gecko, I met in Amboli, Lizzie. When I arrived in Amboli for a macro photography tour, I found myself surrounded by bugs and insects everywhere. Soon I was wondering, ‘What in the world was I thinking! Coming for a macro photo tour when I can’t stand the sight of bugs.’

During a night trail, we found Lizzie. There it lay elegantly on a rock as my peers were photographing it. My mentor asked me to go forward, but I was too scared to go near it. Then it looked at me and I imagined it saying, “Why aren’t you clicking my picture? Don’t be scared; we can be friends!” I advanced towards it with my camera and, since then Lizzie and I have been very good friends! 😊

2. Striped Tiger Butterfly

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Never have I seen so many butterflies in my life, the way I did at a photo walk to Godrej Mangroves in Mumbai. It was the first time I met and photographed so many butterflies at one place. Out of all the pictures, this one of the Striped Tiger Butterfly is my favourite.

3. Brahminy Starling

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Since my trip to Bhigwan last year, I have embarked upon bird photography. Bhigwan is a haven for more than 230 migratory birds. I saw hundreds of flamingos at once in Bhigwan. This is the picture of Brahminy Starlings, I found sitting on a tree top.

4. YouTube Space Mumbai

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2017 marked the year I gained access to YouTube Space Mumbai for events, workshops, and shoots. I have had a lot of fun shooting videos, vlogging, photographing, meeting new friends, attending workshops, and feasting, at the Space. It has kinda become my second home! 😀

5. Ballard Estate

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Ballard Estate is a European style business district located in south Mumbai. Each building at Ballard Estate has so much of heritage and history attached to it.

6. Malabar Gliding Frog

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I found many Malabar Gliding Frogs on my trip to Amboli last year. It looks super cute jumping from one tree to another with its slimy webbed feet.

7. Mahalaxmi Temple, Dahanu

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I visited to the Mahalaxmi Temple in Dahanu twice in 2017. Since my second visit was on a weekday, the temple was not very crowded. So I managed to click a few pictures of the idol outside the main temple. It was the first time I could click a picture of the deity; normally, I have to rush because of the huge crowd.

8. Forest Calotes

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I love this photograph of the Forest Calotes. Again, I found it in Amboli. This garden lizard bit my mentor. But, it is not venomous, so it was nothing to worry about.

9. My 1st Solo Flight

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2016 gave me my first flight experience. In 2017, I went on my first solo flight from Mumbai to Chennai. It was an absolute delight to photograph the clouds, buildings, roads, etc., from the window seat of the airplane.

10. Pond Heron

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At my photo walk to Vashi Creek, I completely messed up my camera’s settings. All my pictures were noisy, blurry, and useless; except for this picture of the Indian Pond Heron.

Photography is all about experimenting with new ideas, visiting new places, and having a lot of fun. I also appreciate how photography made me face my fears in a cool way. I hope 2018 brings amazing travel and photography opportunities with it. I’m counting on you, 2018! 😀

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20 thoughts on “2017: A Photogenic Journey”

  2. Heidi Medina says:
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    Your photos are beautiful. I can see why these are some of your favorites. Photographing wildlife is always so much fun and your shots are colorful and show off the personality of the little creatures well.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Ruth says:
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    I am glad you got your first camera last year! I enjoy taking photos too. I do not go out without my camera. I do not want to miss the opportunity to capture something great. I see you enjoy taking photos of wildlife. I like that too and have a camera with a good zoom to take photos without getting too close to the animal.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Nafisa Habib says:
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    Nikon is one of my fave photography gear to capture a lot during any trip. Loving your all macro shots 🙂 Yes, I agree photography is all about experimenting with new things, it is more than fun to capture your every loving moments in a frame.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Amanda Ulmer says:
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    Congrats on getting into photography! I bought my first real camera in October, 2016 and have fallen in love with photography. There is always something new to learn! These shots are really great, thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Shibu S. says:
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    Wow, I like your pictures, I can imagine the excitement of a new camera, which I’m yet to buy for myself. I am also afraid of bugs, how did you manage at the macro photo tour? Commendable.

    Liked by 1 person

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