Chiiz Volume 4

ONE EYE TWO WORLDS Ted Chin

The Master's Art DAN HECHO

Alexander Yakovlev

THE MIRAGES

The Birdwatcher's Game

Mahesh Reddy

THE ORCHID HUNTER

Dr. Naresh Swami

Deepti Asthana Women Of India

Dr. Serhat Demiroglu

STORY OF THE WILD FELINES

Tips & Tricks

Manipulation

Making travel accessible for people with disabilities, one trip at a time....

www.planetabled.com travel@planetabled.com | +91-9910 042 281

/PlanetAbled

THOSE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE

DISCLAIMER: ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED BY CHIIZ MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE RESPECTIVE ARTISTS AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE COPYRIGHT LAWS. IT IS FORBIDDEN TO COPY THE MATERIAL OR RESEND IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE ARTIST. ALL PRODUCT NAMES, LOGOS, BRANDS AND OTHER DATA PUBLISHED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT IN THE ADVERTISEMENTS. ALL THE TRADEMARKS ARE RESERVED WITH THE RESPECTIVE COMPANIES. FOR ANY FURTHER DETAILS VISIT US CHIIZ.COM OR WRITE TO MGAZINE@CHIIZ.COM. PRINTED BY POLYKAM OFFSET. PUBLISHED BY CHIIZ CREATIONS PVT. LTD.

EDITORIAL Editorial

Andrea Izzotti Prakhar Garg Design

Sheetal Mann Priyashi Negi

Technology

Sachin Arora Rishabh Jain Abhishek Sharma Akhil Jain Lee Nguyen Ashvin Gajbhiye Public Relations

Writer

Rahul Batra RB Vignesh S. Sana Singh Vishakha Jha Meenal Singh Prabhjot Kaur Karishma Rana Business Development

Aishwarya Bharthuar Rajesh Basu Neha Arora Insaf Khan Dipesh Kumar

Barkha Chandra Yasmeen Sheikh

Kanika Maurya Anurag Khaneja

Photographers Camilla Tombari and Natalie Bondarenko explore the world under the water and introduce us to the denizens of the seas and oceans. The majestic cats captured in Dr. Sehrat Demiroglu’s frame come alive in all their glory in ‘Story of the Wild Felines’. The Wat Thamkrabok Monastery in Thailand gives one ‘last chance’ to the victims of addiction and Communication offer them a chance to redeem themselves from their drug enslavement, which is all but a Ashita Aggarwal metaphor for all of us, the last chance to redeem ourselves, to give back whatever we can and Himanshu Diwakar however we can.

Anushree Soni Mayank Arora

Staff Photographer

Shivankar Kamboj Finance

Neelu Singh Anjali Chaudhary Apratim Saha Mansa Inc. Cover Photo

Neal Cooper Analysis

Prateek Kashyap Audrey White

In the last 40 years alone, we have lost half of our wildlife. This situation is only worsening and we can’t seem to stop harming these creatures of the wild. It’s high time that we realize their importance for they are not only a source of inspiration and nurture a sense of wonder but they are also vital to the balance of nature. When you get in touch with wild, just sit down and breath, contemplate the nature and learn.

Publicity

Consultant Marketing

In the words of William Shakespeare, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” Nature and humans exist symbiotically as kins and yet we are constantly exterminating it with what we call the progress of civilization. We face a great challenge today as most of our wildlife has vanished and what is left of it is on the edge of extinction. Is this the legacy we leave for our future generations? Is this the kind of world we want to live in, so selfishly at that?

Founder & CEO

Mukesh Kumar

Deepti Asthana divulge stories of women from across India in her photo-series, Women of India and brings out the dichotomy between the rural and urban areas in India. MasterChef Mom Uma Raghuraman set our mouths watering with the sumptuous treats she has prepared and captured in equally tempting photographs.

Ted Chin creates a world of fantasy in ‘One Eye Two Worlds’ and reveals a few tricks from up his sleeve about manipulated photography. With his expertise, he proves that you only need your imagination running to make art. The Puspa Mrga (flower hunter), Dr. Naresh Swami, in his expeditions in the mighty Himalayas, exhibit the rarest of the rare alpine plants and lead by example to preserve nature.

When we step out of our homes everyday, we might not be at our best, but there is also a little hope that we can do something better each day. All that matters now, is how we live by the perceptions of the changes we want in this world. This journey has been about the feral creatures of the jungle and also the little harmless ones and how capturing them in a frame is so much better than capturing them in cages and holding them as captives in their own home. In this issue, we celebrate the wild, the fierce, and the raw beauty of nature in all its varied hues. Nature is the best and the humblest artist, it’s up to us to try to pick up the endless differences of its proposals.

Andrea Izzotti

Contents

Women of India Deepti Asthana

8

The Last Chance

12

One Eye Two Worlds

16

For the Love of Food Uma Raghuraman

21

Ocean is the Love of my Life

26

The Orchid Hunter

34

Mystic Valley Alberto Del Hoyo

41

Story of the Wild Felines

45

Andreas Vassiliou

Manipulation Photography-Ted Chin

Camilla Tombari

Dr. Naresh Swami

Dr. Sehrat Demiroglu

App of the Month

Trell

Movie Review

64

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

65

Model of the Month

82

Richa Chaturvedi Darling Diaphanous

84

The Mirages

87

Abhilash Ramadass

Alexander Yakovlev

Serious Business Women Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/7.1 1/80s ISO2500

Women of India:

Deepti Asthana

A

n engineer by training, Deepti was introduced to photography in 2012. She developed her passion for photography and explored different facets of it along with her day job, as an IT engineer.

In 2016, she took the leap of faith and started to work as an independent photographer.

Deepti wants to tell her story through the stories of Indian women settled in small towns and villages to highlight the gender issues in those parts of India, which are largely differentiated from urban India and the western world. We get in talks with her about her project ‘Women Of India’ and below is an excerpt from her conversation with ANUSHREE SONI.

photography and got involved in it. Later when I moved to Mumbai, I got different jobs and got into travelling as I needed more time for photography. Soon after I started with my travel blog datravelography.com which helped me to make a name for myself. I started getting different assignments and invitations from the tourism sector through which I got to travel around 10 -15 countries. As a child, I have been through a lot and I used to see that in the stories wherever I travelled. I started working towards a project called ‘Women of India’. Now my travels are more about photography than travelling. I try to stay for longer time to talk to people,understand their issues, conduct their interviews and take pictures.

Let’s start with the obvious question, how did it all start?

I was inclined towards art from the very beginning. I was working in UK in an IT company, where my colleague, who is also a landscape photographer, introduced me to photography. This happened in 2012. When I came to Delhi, I saw a couple of people doing

Your project “Women Of India” has a very special and aesthetic feel connected to it.

What was the idea behind it?

The idea was to get a platform for the women and their stories.They are extraordinary stories of very ordinary people that endeavour to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas. I really want to cover places which are

more from rural India because I think those are the places which are untouched and less talked about.

Rights of Indian women are very unfairly distributed and there is a very slow development towards it. What are your views about it? And how can you bridge the gap between the two worlds through your project ‘Women of India’?

When we talk about the issues of rural India, the urban class seems to be unaware about these things. Even today, in certain villages, the girl child is struggling to go to school and get basic education. Child marriage is very common and in some areas, girls don't even have access to menstruation products. These are the things which urban class cannot relate to. For them, it used to happen 50 years ago.

But a large part of India still lives in such way and people are still centuries behind in these areas. The idea is to make them aware that this is not the India you know, there is much more to it. That is how I can bridge the gap, through my photo stories.

According to you, who is a modern woman?

There is as such no definition we can relate to because in metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi, there is a working class where women are independent and they have a freedom to make a choice about their career, and they are allowed to work and go outside. But there is yet another side in urban villages and slums where women are still not given that kind of freedom.

You said you wanted to tell your story, through the stories of Indian women and the dichotomy between the rural and urban population. Is there any particular story that influenced you on a higher note?

Since I have been talking to these women in person, there are a few stories that left a profound impact on me. These stories kind of pushed me to start with the project. There is a photo of this particular girl in pink, her name was Bharti, she was just 13. When I reached Mithapur, it was almost 6 in the morning, she wasn't working then and I thought that she has come along with her parents to

accompany them as they didn’t want to leave her behind. After some time, she started to work, lifting the heavy sand over her head.

And I was shocked to see such a young and thin girl lifting that heavy load on her head.

This is one story which really had me hooked.

After coming back, I realized that I should be doing something about it. Some of the stories I did about the farmers’ widows created an impact and got them help. Currently I am doing everything on my own and maybe later, I will extend this project, with a team of my own with people of different skills who can be of social service. For now, I collaborate with NGOs and give them pictures for free so that they can use them in their projects. This is a way for me to give back to the society, but I really hope to figure out something tangible very soon.

A message you would like to spread through this platform about the prevailing issues and differences in the society?

There are so many issues at the moment in India and there are very few photographers

Drops Of Heaven Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/7.1 1/100s ISO160

who are covering these issues. If I talk about women photographers, the number is so few that you can count it on fingers. There are so many issues and the only thing you need to do is to find out a better way to do what you actually care about. Look for one such issue and strive to work for it till the very end.

Things will fall into place, gradually.

Her work about ‘Farmer Widows of India’ has been published in Al Jazeera English and Hindu Business Line, and has been exhibited in Green Matheran Festival in 2016. Deepti is now working on the story of female drug users in Punjab. Her umbrella project ‘Women of India’ which focuses on visual stories of rural India and to bring a change in life of women, has been featured in various photography forums.

Anushree Soni anu@chiiz.com

Anushree is a sports freak, who loves to travel all around the world. Her main indulgences are music and meeting new people to know about their culture. She likes to shop and get dressed up in the most fabulous way.

Gandhian Theories Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/4.5 1/100s ISO500

Bharti, The Salt Worker Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/6.3 1/400s ISO100

Standing Over The Dead Ocean Panasonic DMC GX7 17mm F/8 1/100s ISO200

Farmer Widows-1 Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/4 1/80s ISO400

The Last Chance Drug Rehabilitation Centre,

Wat Thamkrabok Monastery, Thailand

L

ocated in the mountains around 150 Km from Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, the temple of Wat Thamkrabok Monastery offers a detoxification and rehabilitation program under the name of “The Last Chance” to those addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The monastery was founded in 1957 by Buddhist nun Mian Parnchand (generally known as Luang Poh Yaai) and her two nephews, Chamroon and Charoen Parnchand.

Only 2 years later, after its foundation in 1959, the detoxification and rehabilitation program began in the monastery with the prime objective to treat the Hmong, a hilltribe well-known for opium cultivation and supply. During the first 5 years, the program was a big success as thousands of Hmong cultivators left the hills to join the program, which ultimately led to the downfall in the opium supplies.

Since then, more than 100,000 drug addicts have been treated and rehabilitated with a success rate of 70%, making this program the most successful in the world.

The Thamkrabok rehabilitation program

commences by undertaking SAJJA - a sacred vow - never to touch drugs again.

Thamkrabok’s Sajja is not simply a vow to stop taking intoxicating substance, it is much more than that. It is a commitment to starting a new life, embracing truth, loyalty, purity and honesty. Sajja is taken by everybody and is not limited to any specific religion or belief system. Sajja is perhaps the most effective part of the treatment and also the most difficult one where the patient has to keep the vow for the rest of their life, else they will be back on the old path which will lead them to their end this time.

The Sajja is supported by Thamkrabok’s unique herbal medicine which is given to clients(every drug addict who enters the monastery is called a client) to induce massive "cleansing" fits of vomiting. This medicine is made by mixing more than 50 different kinds of herbs and plants that generate a very real and very rapid detoxification. The mixtures’ ingredients are kept secret to avoid possible market exploitation.

Each client has the right to enter the program only once hence taking the name “The Last Chance”. If they break their Sajja, they cannot

Andreas Vassiliou Photographer

undergo a second treatment. They must have a strong belief in their Sajja which is of the utmost importance. If the addict has no desire to beat his or her addiction they are not welcome at Thamkrabok.

The monk and director Chamroon Parnchant (now deceased) explains this tough decision which he had to take: “Before a client enters the program, he/she is obliged to vow full abstinence from any kind of drugs resulting in the dependence on the God he/she might believe in”.In 1975, the monk Chamroon (Abbot of Thamkrabok) was presented with the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his services towards the community which is equivalent to the Nobel Prize for the Asian countries.

Once a client enters the program, their rehabilitation may last from 40 days to as long as 6 months, depending on the will of the client. During the first five days, the clients stay in room No 5 and have to take the “the herbal medicine” twice a day. When the first period is passed, they move to room No. 4 where they stay until the rehabilitation finishes. During this period, the “medicine” is taken once a day and the clients have to

occupy themselves with different kinds of workouts. Though the stay and medicine are free as part of the goodwill of the monastery, one has to pay for their food, drink, etc. which costs anywhere around 90 USD for one month.

The monastery has also founded a follow-up organization in Bangkok for its Thai clients where they provide assistance in order to reenter society and to keep them away from drugs.

According to the abbot of Thamkrabok, ‘the physical detoxification is only tiny fraction

of the process here. The majority of the work, around 95%, happens in the mind and through the actions of the individual.’ Most of the Monks here were drug-addicts as well, so there’s a strong feeling of empathy and understanding among the monks towards the clients. Moreover, the environment here instils a kind of determination that makes it possible to succeed.

krabok after completing this radical course has been detoxified with none of the normal side effects. They stress that this course is a chance at a drug-free future but the longterm result lies in the will of the addict who are provided with an opportunity to have a second start in their life.

The Abbot and Monks operating the program have proven that no addict is beyond redemption. Every addict leaving Tham-

Rahul is a culture based writer who left his engineering job to pursue a career in writing. He wishes to write a psychological bestseller one day.

Rahul Batra RB rahul@chiiz.com

One Eye Two Worlds Ted Chin

Be free – The imagination of the uncommon dreams lies behind this photograph.

P

hotography is the best theory that allows diverse ways to look at things and capture them. Basically, it is the idea of a machine that can freeze a moment in time forever.

Well, there is an old saying, the better the click the more it speaks, photography has the capability of archiving the memories and experiences and rendering imagination in tangible form. A Photograph is framed and exposed as a memento that represents the best moment in a given atmosphere or situation. Two important things to keep in mind for photography are the accuracy and precision of image.

The concept of photography manipulation emerges with a perspective of ‘real isn’t enough’. It is the application of image editing techniques in order to enhance it, to apply artistic effects to it and providing a wonderful experience to the viewer.

“A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.”

—Diane Arbus One of the most renowned photograph manipulator, Ted Chin says that he feels that since he can't write well so he creates images instead. Being a talented photographer, digital artist and filmmaker, currently based in San Francisco, California, he talks about creating the most believable world of dreams and to have the ability to turn impossible thoughts into realistic photos.

He combines photography and modern technology to portray his imagination and beliefs. His work implies that everything is possible if we put effort into it. He can make a unicorn walk freely in the middle of the forest or show up at a sturdy house standing only on a single trunk. His thoughtful combination of

various components makes every picture look realistic and his area of expertise includes conventional photography and lighting and application of digital technology.

If the natural scenes he captures are a permanent canvas, the alterations he makes on them represent his ephemeral emotions; he says “I’m trying to push my images into the surreal.” One look at his photographs and it’s easy to see that mission is accomplished.

Ted is working towards a lifetime project“Ted's Little Dream” which is about a young man, whose fantasy to explore the world drives him. His works seems to be influenced by a fantasy world, dreams and adventures travelling to faraway lands. He has been successful in developing masterpieces through the combination of surreal scenes and imaginative worlds.

His photographs are crisp and have intensity in their framework, but his edits are resonant of 18th-century watercolours, blurring the line between a painting and a photograph.

His style and work inspiration come from animated movies, traditional art and whatever catches his attention in a museum.

He believes the idea, story and the message to be the required components for creating the perfect shot. His work has the essence of synergy and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Despite only being involved with photography for around five years, Chin’s style is distinctive and separates the hobby from a form of art.

Each of his shots has potential and he sets not to compromise on his vision when he doesn’t get an absolute idea for portraying his imagination; he is okay letting the ideas sit.

He says “Sometimes the project will be left behind there until I finally find the image I want, and then I will finish the piece.” This adds an extraordinary and intangible value to his work.

While talking about photography manipulation essentials, he focuses on the story of the image and photo composition.

He makes sure that the lighting of the image should match and concentrate on the background picture and its source of light. Then he looks for the image with similar potential and resolution to match the background light source. After getting an appropriate picture to merge, photo composition takes place. The composition is where his expertise lies that make his work appear more realistic and perfect. The blend of different subjects together possesses the ability to completely transform the vibe of each. After this, the only required step is to perform quick color correction so that everything combines well. His zeal towards his work makes it sound so simple and magical but he confesses that it needs a lot of practice to get it all correct.

With every photograph he shares a different story, some of his appreciated works along with their prospect have been mentioned below. But he wants people to question his work so as to explore it and seek for the hidden stories behind his work. He wants people to look at his work more than once so as to notice new things that they didn’t see before.

Throughout his success and achievement, from winning LG BestShotEver Photo Contest to Best of Photography Contest sponsored

by SIGMA to 32nd Annual Photographers Forum Magazine Contest and Spectrum Gallery Show in SUNY Oneonta with every breathtaking work he shares, Chin improves and aims to achieve perfection in his work.

He wants people to come together to discuss his work and its meaning through Instagram, to connect ideas and broader themes to his photos. He encourages interaction around his whimsical creations which makes his work more powerful and to possess a broader noticeable concept. You can always look at his photographs and recite your own story.

Talking about his work he says "If I'm at that place, this is how I see it".

Death and Rebirth - This photograph portrays the concept of death and rebirth, the skull represents death and the beautiful butterfly represent rebirth along with the magnificent background.

Vishakha Jha vishakha@chiiz.com

Vishakha, 3/4 engineer, a dedicated learner and believer in magic of words and power of pronoia. She is bibliophilic and an explorer to a new Utopian world.

Manipulation Photography Tips And Tricks

P

hotographs are blended with emotions, iconic moments, and can be seen as small pieces of a jigsaw that complete the wider picture of our thoughts.

If a picture expresses millions of thoughts, would manipulated photography enhance it or deteriorate it?

Well, some consider it to be an art form, as for others it may be a glorified fakery. But no one can deny that photo manipulation is a very useful and creative work, it is basically a collaboration between photography and graphic design.

To better understand the technique we talked to some of the experienced professionals, Ted Chin was one of them, a skilled photo manipulator who aims "to turn impossible thoughts into realistic photos". He retrieves spark from dream, nightmare and day-to-day

so that it blends well.

Tip 3: Light and Shadow One of the most important things about photo composition is that you have to figure out where the light falls from in the background image and make sure the lighting of your images matches. According to the lighting of background image figure out photos that could match the same light source so that we can use them together. Once you have figured out primary source of light make sure surface is shadowed from a light source. For creating shadow you need to duplicate your original image that you need for shadow, convert it to black and add some Gaussian blur and resize it. Manipulating the shadows and colors makes the picture look more real.

Tip 4: Grasp the correct Proportion The proportion is one of the most important thing a person has to understand to work on photo manipulation. To get a realistic proportion is an important factor.

Tip 5: Use appropriate Texture Adding a high level of texture provides required details and adds to the depth of your art. If you chose a photo that is dark you can use a rough ground surface as a background texture, you should texture depending on the aim of art. It helps you blend all your image together evenly.

Tip 6: Color Blending It is not necessary that every image would match your background so we opt for color blending which either gives a certain image boost or takes away the extra color making it a coherent work of art. You can use Photoshop Photo Filters or Gradient Maps to manipulate colors.

Photo Credits- Ted Chin

living and brings them to life that seems to stem from another world where everything is possible. We came up with the list of hacks for photography manipulation that could give a realistic view of an unreal scenario.

Tip 1: Working with Stock Images After you have finalised your idea, work with a pen and paper to sketch the design. Decide where the stock images will go and the kind of images you need, then work towards the composition. Pick a picture which is fine and sharp and the one which would provide you with all the angles.

Tip 2: Pick the right resolution Think of combining photos from several different sources and what if the final piece appears distorted or blurry? To avoid this it is very important to choose pictures of high resolution, as it makes the task easier and provides you with better results. Also, keep in mind that the images you choose for manipulation should have a similar resolution

Tip 7: Learn to Dodge and Burn It usually contributes to the fun and fantasy mood of photo manipulation. It styles your image with extra vibrant colors and providing highlights and deep shadow areas. One can use this technique to affect the shadows, midtones, or highlights. While doing this you can even-out skin tones, darken or lighten one part of image or dodge shadows to get even better effect.

Tip 8: Accentuate the details While portraying an idea remember the place where you want to draw viewer's attention, make it sharper and clearly approachable by emphasising on its colors and sharpness.

Tip 9: Consider your Actions Actions have the potential to induce very complex effect much more quickly than by manually creating the effect. Through some recording of filters and layers of operation, effects can be achieved. It is a very crucial part of your photograph as it has the ability to bring life to your photo.

Tip 10: Lights Camera Action!

Somebody rightly said – Practice makes a man perfect. Photo manipulation requires a lot of labor, practice and constant effort to build up superior skills. So keep yourself inspired and keep practising.

‘One of those night’ – The thought that lies behind this exquisite piece of work is acuteness of how just pointing your flashlight into the sky can turn out to be giant jellyfish floating around you!

This image has the tag of ‘Myth’, as the basic concept of this photograph came from the blend of boundless imagination along with mythology that the photographer read and perceived.

This picture titled 'Help Me' gives a powerful message about the climate change and global warming.

Garlic Soya Dosai iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO100

For the Love of Food Uma Raghuraman

M

asterchef Mom Uma Raghuraman is a doting mother and a passionate chef.

Her culinary journey began two decades ago culminating in her becoming one of the top food bloggers in the country, with her blog containing more than 700 recipes from cuisines across the world. To compliment her blog, she shares these recipes through her Instagram and Facebook handles too.

PRIYASHI NEGI from Chiiz in quick chat with Uma about her journey so far in the kingdom of food.

Where does your passion for cooking stem from?

I have a family that just loves to eat good food. Meal time is the best time that bonds the family and a great meal makes it even more happy and memorable. This challenges me to take extra interest and explore various cuisines.

How would you describe your cooking?

I cook with loads of enthusiasm. I enjoy cooking using fresh and local ingredients. I like to cook from scratch and use my heart to decide the menu for the day. I use my

creativity to give even the most regular dishes a twist that makes them interesting and unique.

Did you go to some culinary school or are you self taught?

I am a self taught cook and a baker. Practice over the last two decades has helped me to reach the place I am in today.

What is your favourite cuisine? What are the different cuisines that you can cook?

I specialise in cooking Indian Cuisine. But I am also fond of Italian, Mexican and Lebanese Cuisine.

How did you come to be known as ‘Masterchef Mom’?

The title ‘Masterchef Mom’ I got is not through any competition but bestowed to me by my children. I treasure it and feel so proud of it. Like many of you may agree with, it is really difficult and most challenging to get compliments from fussy eaters.

You are one of the top food bloggers. Does that put you under pressure of any kind?

Not at all. I enjoy cooking and sharing my experiences and recipes through my blog. It makes me more happy. It gives me a sense of satisfaction, not pressure.

Your message to all the food lovers and aspiring food bloggers.

If you have original content and the drive and passion, you can create your own identity.

Thanks to social media like blogs, facebook and instagram, you can share your ideas, creative work and thoughts with the world and inspire someone else. You can reach out to food lovers who can then try out recipes from different corners of the world from the comforts of their kitchen.

To know more about her and her delicious recipes, you may visit her blog, masterchefmom. blogspot.in.

Priyashi Negi

priyashi@chiiz.com

Trekking to the top of the hills through tiny little paths and between pines is nothing short of paradise for Priyashi. Books and poetry are her refuge. She is a foodie at heart and seems to be blessed a love for all things cheese (pun-intended).

Pori Urundai Tart iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO80

String Hoppers iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO160

Grilled Paneer Tikka iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO80

New Year Lunch iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO32

Gourmet Idlies iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO40

Adaios iPhone6 4mm F/2.2 1/33s ISO50

Mr. Harshit Walia Winner Of Chiiz Photography Contest "Let

1st Runner Up Mustafa Ozturk

Your Words Be Few & Your Exposures Many"

2nd Runner Up Donatella Nicolini

Ocean is the Love of my Life: Camilla Tombari

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net

of wonder forever."

-Jacques Yves Cousteau

Q

uoting Cousteau, our photographer of the month, Camilla Tombari, in an interview, discloses her relationship with the ocean. She recalls her early days and says she was brought up near the ocean. Ocean was where she wanted to be, where she needed to be.

To her, ocean was where she could find peace against all the chaos of everyday life.

Born and raised in Italy, she found her true love in the ocean. Her first dive -which she experienced at the age of ten- made her fall in love with the water molecules. She developed a taste for underwater photography after she took her first diving certificate at the age of eleven. Currently, she is studying photography at RMIT, Melbourne.

Finding her food for life in photography, she is deeply in love with the ocean and its beauty and here are a few pictures which show her immense love for nature.

Jew (Founder of Whales Underwater) true to his words when he told her that swimming with whales was addictive.

Swimming with those ‘gentle giants’, to her, felt like pure magic.

“Each encounter is unique and special in its own way, and depending on which time of the season you go you will get different interactions.

Sometimes you just get a brief sight of the whales while they are swimming past, sometimes mum and calf are resting on the surface and they let you stay with them for a while. Each time is different, each time will be better than the previous one,” says Camilla describing her journey underwater.

In October 2013, Whales Underwater gave Camilla a chance to travel to Vava’u, Tonga, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Vava’u is where whales come to lay their eggs every year, from July until October, travelling all the way from Antarctica. She found Darren

Meenal Singh meenal@chiiz.com

Meenal Singh is an undergraduate student of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She aspires to be a lecturer in English Literature. Meenal wishes to fight for the equality of women worldwide through the power of her words.

This snap is of an afternoon when the sun had started descending with thousands of its golden rays piercing through the water. This pair of mum and calf was resting peacefully when Camilla’s camera found them. She captured the purity of the mother-child relationship: the tenderness of the mum while touching the calf and the beautiful smile on the face if the baby.

Canon EOS 600D 15mm F/8 1/250s ISO320

Camilla took the third picture on the last day of her trip. This beautiful calf was probably the biggest one we saw. She recalls how his gaze had stopped her mid-breath. The calves are quite smart and are similar to us in very many ways. As per Camilla, one glance at them can flood us with lots of emotions at once.

Canon EOS 600D 14mm F/8 1/250s ISO2000

This picture shows us a bit of scale and how the calf leaves behind his mother to check out a group of humans- creatures unlike them- with cameras while the mother rests vertically. While shooting these ‘gentle giants’, Camilla realized how close these animals are to us in showing affection to their young ones and how important they are to us.

She realized what extraordinary creatures they are and that we too should respect their existence and should solemnly protect themfor they too have families, just like us.

Canon EOS 600D 13mm F/8 1/250s ISO4000

It was while taking the fourth picture did she feel scared for the first time. While photographing the calf, she did not realize the mother was coming up right under her. She became still and continued shooting. She was really close to both of them.

Canon EOS 600D 13mm F/8 1/250s ISO3200

This picture was taken on a cloudy day. The mother was resting while the calf swims up towards Camilla showing his white moon-like belly.

Canon EOS 600D 13mm F/8 1/250s ISO1250

Natalie Bondarenko Moscow, Russia

Cuttlefish. Lembeh, Indonesia Nikon D7000 60mm F/11 1/125s ISO400

Ribbon-eel. Lembeh, Indonesia.

Nikon D80 60mm F/14 1/125s ISO200

Giant Octopus's Eye and Shrimp. Anilao, Philippines.

Nikon D7000 60mm F/9 1/400s ISO400

Razor-shrimp. Dauin, Philippines.

Nikon D7000 60mm F/14 1/200s ISO400

Pigmy Yellow Goby. Dauin, Philippines.

Nikon D7000 60mm F/9 1/250s ISO400

Grouper on the hard coral surrounded by glass-fish.

Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Nikon D7000 11mm F/11 1/160s ISO400

Mandarin Fish. Lembeh, Indonesia.

Nikon D80 60mm F/22 1/125s ISO200

The Orchid Hunter

Dr. Naresh Swami

Pushing his endurance to the limits, Dr. Naresh Swami has done what no one has ever achieved before. He has managed to study and document in-situ around 1000 orchid species and more than 5000 other plant species from the region of eastern Himalaya, which included several hundred species which were never photographed or recorded before from the region. Like his discoveries, Dr. Swami's journey from being a priest to one of India's top botanists is equally fascinating. PRATEEK KASHYAP from Chiiz got a chance to talk to Mr. Naresh where he so vividy explained the grandeur of his Himalyan expeditions as The Orchid Hunter. Below is the interview as taken: Can you please share the story of how you started your journey?

I was born in a traditional, very conservative Hindu Brahmin family in the year 1980.

As destined, I was assigned with the responsibility of priesthood from my early years. My eagerness helped me excel in studies along with the hard and tedious priesthood responsibilities. While doing my post graduation (M.Sc.) in Zoology with Entomology as my main subject, a desire to perform more in the form of research gathered momentum in my thoughts. My real journey in life started with an opportunity to do a PhD. The journey which started years ago still continues, from the peninsular India to the class rooms of many great institutions

across continents and now in the lap of the mighty Himalaya.

What made you undertake such an enduring task as venturing in the Himalayas?

In my childhood, I was blessed with a huge collection of books, especially ancient scriptures which I read multiple times. Those scriptures narrated immense stories on Himalaya and its legends. As to many, the mountains always attracted me. However, the real chance to be there came with my work on butterflies for my first PhD.

Later on, like a divine intervention, I moved from the world of winged wonders to the floral beauties. With the blessings of my GuruMaharajShri, I was able to locate thousands of such plants and trees and study them in detail from their natural habitats, especially in the Himalaya. Thus, again I am back in the lap of the mountains since 2011, and enjoying my days there.

You have documented the rare Alpine plants, has it ever crossed your mind to document your travel experiences in the Himalayas?

Yes, I do collect information regarding the places I often visit in connection with my floral expeditions. Other than documenting its floral population, I study and document various aspects of religious and cultural diversities prevailing in different communities

in the Himalaya. I have also developed a passion for the lakes and water bodies in the hills, many of them are believed to be sacred.

May be, in the coming years I would be able to write many experiences and other social and cultural affairs of the people of Himalaya, as also my life with them.

You are called the “Orchid Hunter of India�.

Why this special interest in orchids?

With my studies on plants and trees mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas, which ended up as my second PhD, I was going through hundreds of literature in search of them. Of those in mention, some were orchids, which caught my special attention and I was successful in locating all of them from the wild. Those findings and its beauty triggered the passion for orchids in me. Then I was introduced to an iconic book, The Orchids of the Sikkim-Himalaya by Sir George King and Robert Pantling published in the year 1898. This book is a collection of 449 species of orchids with illustrations (line drawings) made from collected specimens. Even after more than 115 years, many of the species described in the book lack a photographic evidence. It is to be believed that many of those described species were never seen by anyone in recent memory.

From there started a journey of immense proportions, crisscrossing the region of Sikkim-Himalaya, the state of Sikkim and

Epipogium aphyllum Sw. - The Ghost orchid, famous for its appearances and disappearances. The peculiar characteristics of the species which makes it emerge above ground only to flower and also not to appear in its previous location of appearance, make this species one of the most elusive one.

Nikon D3 105mm F/14 1/60s ISO200

Rheum nobile J.D.Hooker & Thomson - this species can attain a height up to 6 ft and is often mentioned as the most striking plant in the Himalaya.

Nikon D3 16mm F/22 1/50s ISO200

habitat, altitude of occurrence, nature of growth etc., to locate each species. The irony of orchid research in India is that, there is plenty of information on known and common species. But, there is very little information or altogether no information available on rare species, not to mention the photographic evidence.

When I started working on orchids in the region, my priority was to locate rare and undocumented species. Interestingly, the list to document was longer than the list already documented. I have to mention the grueling research and pursuit I undertook, to locate each of these species in its natural habitats.

Yes, looking back to the resources available on orchids when I started working in the Himalaya back in 2011 and the contributions I made to update them, makes me a happy man. But, I am sure there are many more species to be documented from the vast expanse of the Himalaya.

Diplomeris hirsuta (Lindl.) Lindl. - A species with incomparable beauty and rarity. Many believed that the species is on the verge of extinction from the region of SikkimHimalaya because of habitat loss. However, I was able to locate 4 untouched habitats deep inside the virgin forests of the region, where the species is thriving in its full glory.

Nikon D4S 105mm F/32 1/60s ISO100

the district of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal for 4 years, traveling more than 45000 km on foot and documenting 562 species from the region. Currently, as an extension of my work on orchids, I am working in Arunachal Pradesh. Altogether the number of species I located and documented is nearing 1000. Probably no one on the Indian sub-continent, let alone anyone on Earth, has seen such a magnitude of orchid species in the wild. Hence, many address me as Orchid Hunter of India.

However, I love to be addressed as Puspa Mrga, which my GuruMaharajShri has bestowed upon me, literally meaning “the flower hunter”.

How was it- discovering the ghost orchid that was considered to be extinct?

The Ghost orchid, Epipogium aphylum Sw., found mention in the iconic books of Sir J.D. Hooker’s Flora of British India (Volume VI. 1894) and then in King and Pantling’s The Orchids of the Sikkim-Himalaya. After that, even though it was mentioned in many books and publications, there was not a single photographic evidence of the plant made available. This prompted the thought that the plant has remained elusive all these years and its description by other researchers are a mere copy and paste from the two books mentioned herein.

The rediscovery of the ghost orchid was made possible only after a massive research spanning more than 2 years spread across two continents and 7 countries. Even after all the grueling research and field-work, I never expected to locate it in the region of SikkimHimalaya. However, the find proved that “impossible is nothing”, even if it is in the case

of the rarest of the rare plant ever recorded on the planet.

Was there any place that you especially liked, where you lost yourself in the joy of being there?

Yes, there are many places in the Himalaya which I liked the most. However, two of them stand above all those beautiful places. They are Muguthang in North Sikkim and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh.

Muguthang is a high altitude and one of the remotest places in the Himalaya, very close to the International border, accessible only on foot traversing a snow covered 18000 ft high pass. However, the place is a paradise on Earth for adventure botanists. No other humans other than occasionally visiting nomads and security persons who guard the borders live there. I am blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime by living there for two continuous flowering seasons spanning almost five months each, documenting almost all its floral population.

Ziro is a place with an altitude range of 5400 to 7800 ft., famous for its cultural and ethical background and unending rice fields. In a span of 2 years, I have located and documented 184 species of orchids from there. No other region has such a concentration of orchids anywhere in India, thus proving that this small land mass is the capital of orchids in India.

How do you feel about the fact that most of the plant species documented in your book have never been photographed before?

Locating each species, whether it is rare or common is a result of studying the species in detail. One should have knowledge of its

What equipments do you use for documenting the rare plants in the Himalayas?

Equipments play a pivotal role in documentation. I am a Nikon user and an NPS member since 2013. Currently I am using Nikon D4s and D5, along with a range of Nikkor lenses - 10.5/2.8, 14-24/2.8, 60/2.8, 105/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 200/2, 400/2.8. Also, for the stunning flower close ups, I use R1C1 kit along with 7 to 12 SB-200 flashes.

You gave up priesthood for your PhD in Liverpool. How hard or easy was it for you to make that decision?

The most difficult decision I have had ever taken or rather would ever take. It was an emotional decision between my sewa (service) at the Lotus feet of the Lord and my eagerness to study further. It was a decision in which I left all those loved ones who cared me since I was a small child. However, looking back I have no regrets, rather I am happy that I contributed so much to the scientific world. I am sure the future generations will be benefitted greatly with my decision. I have to say the Lord has blessed and guided me immensely on this new journey.

He is the author of two books, Terrestrial Orchids (2016), a collection of 108 rare to extremely rare ground orchids from the region of eastern Himalaya and Hidden Treasures: Rare Plants of the Alpine Himalaya (2017), depicts 100 extremely rare species which can be found above 15000 ft in the Himalaya. He can be contacted at naresh@ naresh.org.in.

Prateek Kashyap prateek@chiiz.com

An adventure seeker by heart, his passion for photography was ignited in the Great Himalayas.

Clicking clear frames and solving the mysteries of life, he just wants to spend his time as a confused photographer.

International Exhibition for Photo, Video, Digital Imaging, Framing & Album Industry

7

J U LY

8

9 2017

D P K C C, Opp: Peenya Metro Station

T DAY

BENGALURU

INDIA

MEDIA PARTNERS

ORGANISERS

J U LY

21 22 23 2 0 1 7 Chennai Trade Centre

CHENNAI

SUPPORTING ASSOCIATIONS

APPVWA AKILA KARNATAKA VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSOCIATION (R)

KARNATAKA VIDEO & PHOTO ASSOCIATION

TAMILNADU DIGITAL PRINTING ASSOCIATION

PHOTO & VIDEO GRAPHERS CHARITABLE TRUST (R.)

KARNATAKA PH0TOGRAPHY EMPLOYEE’S ACTIVE COMMITTEE

BENGALURU DISTRICT PHOTO STUDIO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (R)

KARNATAKA CINE STILL PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSOCIATION (R)

IMAGE & MULTIMEDIA ACADEMY TRUST

ANDHRA PRADESH PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION

THE SOUTH INDIAN PHOTOGRAPHICAND ALLIED TRADERS ASSOCIATION

VIJAYAWADA GOA

Peddem Indoor Stadium

COLOMBO

BMICH

A Convention Centre

DREAM TEAM

TPVWA Telangana Photo & Videographers Welfare Associaton

PHOTOJOURNALIST ASSOCIATION OF BANGALORE

1 - 3 Sep 2017 22 - 24 Sep 2017 10 - 12 Nov 2017

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

Hop On For A Ride Nikon D90 90mm F/16 1/200s ISO250

Gotcha My Friend Nikon D90 90mm F/8 1/4000s ISO200

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

The Unusual Love Nikon D90 90mm F/8 1/250s ISO200

The Hide And Seek Spot Nikon D90 90mm F/9.5 1/350s ISO200

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

The Heart Of The Flower Nikon D90 90mm F/10 1/60s ISO100

Mustafa Ozturk Mersin, Türkiye

I Got My Eye On You Nikon D90 90mm F/10 1/1250s ISO200

A Lasting Frienship Nikon D90 90mm F/11 1/90s ISO200

Mystic Valley

By Alberto Del Hoyo

A Junka Boy With Blue Eyes Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 160mm F/4 1/125s ISO400

lberto del Hoyo is a spanish photographer based in the Canary Island. His own curiosity for different ways of living has brought him to unfamiliar tribal territories of Asia, South America and Africa searching for the distinctive beauty and variety of its people.

In 2015, he founded “Pics for Pills”, a modest fundraising initiative with the only aim of collecting medicines and medical supplies for the Omo Valley people in Ethiopia. He believes protagonists of the photographs must be the main beneficiaries.

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart” The Omo Valley encompases 69% of Ethiopia's 78 ethnic groups that make up a large outdoor ethnographic museum. An orthodox Christian country surrounded by an ocean of Islam; the only one ever to be colonized; one of the poorest in the world and proud warriors’ tribe that is full of tradition.

"The relocation of some tribes, such as the Konso or Mursi, which is already taking place, is a part of the Ethiopian Government's plan, supported by the World Bank, to resettle more than two million people. Agriculture is their main source of survival and ending the country's dependence on foreign food aid is what they(Govt) are looking at. But it disparages these tribes, who imagine themselves to be vagabonds, and want them to settle in fixed communities and 'join the modern world'", says Survival International, who denounces difficulties of survival of indigenous people throughout the world.

Curiously, they say, the plan condemns the tribes to food dependency and their disappearance. This is where the dissemination of cultural diversity of the Omo Valley tribes is critical. The more they are known in the international community, the more they will consider the need to respect them.

The series "Mystic Valley" tries to show its cultural richness, its enormous creativity and beautiful body art. Faces and bodies tanned by the sun and poverty; At dusk, as the sun faded and as the land cooled, the scent of the Omo River and air took on the smell of tannins.

Karo Watchers Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 70mm F/3.5 1/3000s ISO400

Is vast. Silent. Magical. Omo Valley territory.

Karo Chief Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 180mm F/4 1/350s ISO125

Mursi Earhole Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 200mm F/2.8 1/180s ISO400

Writings On The Wall Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 24mm F/4 1/125s ISO800

The Smoking Arbore Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 200mm F/5.6 1/350s ISO800

The Mursi Children Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 200mm F/6.7 1/90s ISO800

The Facials Of Karo Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II 200mm F/3.5 1/250s ISO400

Story of the Wild Felines -Dr. Sehrat Demiroglu

camera and started shooting with an angle not many people can have.

She stayed there for more than 20 minutes and then jumped to another vehicle. This was a memory forever engraved in my mind.

What kind of equipment do you use and what did you start with?

My camera is Canon 1Dx My lenses; EF400mm F/2.8L IS II USM, Canon 70-200 F/2.8, Canon 24-70 F/2.8, Canon 16-35 F/2.8. My first camera was Canon 350D.

Treading Stealthly Canon EOS 1Dx 400mm F/4.5 1/2500s ISO320

A

doctor by profession but a photographer by heart, Dr. Serhat Demiroglu left his career of a medical doctor to pursue his dream of becoming a wildlife photographer. Not many of us take such chances and his risk paid off very well as today he is a renowned wildlife photographer and his work has been recognized all over the world by some of the most prestigious awards like National Geographic, International Color Community and he also won 2nd place in International Photography Awards 2011 in wildlife category plus 3rd place in travel category. He is known for his vivid display of wildlife. Today we present to our readers an exciting interview with this well known wildlife photographer.

Dr. Serhat says, "For me photography is a passion. Having spent years working as a doctor with only enough time to make photography a hobby, l have now decided to fulfill my dream and focus full-time on photography." PRABHJOT KAUR from Chiiz got an opportunity to interview him over the emails due to his ever lasting excursions. Here is an excerpt: How did you get into wildlife photography?

My interest in wildlife photography began back in 2009 when I first visited Kenya. Maasai Mara amazed me. l used to love photography so much, but l was not sure which category l should concentrate on until that time. When l saw Mara, l was fascinated by its beauty, the place, the animals, nature. I found my way through photography by seeing this.

What made the wild cats so special to you, and please mention any special moment with them?

When you see their strength, their speed, their beauty, you just admire. l think they are the miracle of mother nature. l had one unforgettable day in Mara. l was taking photos of a cheetah and its cub when within a second she jumped on to the roof of the vehicle, which was completely open. l was alone at the backside and there was just 30 cm distance between the wild cat and us. l knew cheetah's behaviour as they want to teach their cubs to climb the highest place around to watch their prey and enemies, anyway it was a wild cat and l could even feel its breath on my face, i couldn't move for couple of minutes and continued to watch this beauty. She was so calm and then I remembered about my

What are the difficulties encountered by a wildlife photographer on a regular basis according to you? l can say it’s not easy to make a living out of wildlife photography.

Travelling cost, expensive equipment, etc are the issues faced by photographers. You are doing it not for money, but because you just love doing that.

Do you think wildlife photography may change people’s attitude towards endangered species?

Photographs can convey much more than words, I believe wildlife photography creates awareness and connects people to nature which is the reason of mankind existence.

Can you share some tips from your expertise for aspiring wildlife photographers? l am following the light, my priority is simple "no light, no photo". Most wild animals like sunrise, after chilly night, they enjoy to meet the first light of the day which is the perfect time for a photo as you know, and they take their place on the hills, on the trees, in the open fields, etc take your place before them. l think one of the most important thing in wildlife photography is to understand the animal behaviours, if you know them, you can get ready to shoot before their action.

Another thing, you need to know your gear inside out. At the moment of shooting your subject, your fingers shouldn't hesitate, sometimes even one second is important. It should be your second nature.

Planning a photo is also very important to me, most of my images are planned and were already taken in my mind.

We thank Dr. Serhat for providing us with an opportunity to interview him.The curious readers who want to know more may visit the official website of Dr. Serhat, www.serhatdemiroglu.com.

Prabhjot Kaur prabhjot@chiiz.com

Prabhjot Kaur is an Ambala based assistant professor who has a passion for writing and loves to explore new genres in creative writing. She wishes to write a biography one day.

It's All Mine Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 125mm F/4 1/1600s ISO100

The Leap Of Faith Canon EOS 1Dx 400mm F/3.5 1/5000s ISO400

The Ghost Hunter Canon EOS 1Dx 400mm F/2.8 1/2000s ISO200

Don't You Dare Canon EOS 1Dx 400mm F/4 1/2000s ISO1000

As Far As You Can See Canon EOS 1Dx Mark III 155mm F/5.6 1/800s ISO320

Neal Cooper Neal is a passionate nature photographer living in South Africa where the diversity of wildlife brings an abundance of photographic opportunities.

He has worked with the foremost specialist photographic company, CNP Safaris, for the last 5 years and is one of the photographic guides hosting clients from all over the world and with varying degrees of photographic skills. One of the highlights in his career came in 2015 when he won the Nature category in the Trierenberg Super Circuit Salon. Nature photography is about observation, anticipation and action and the aim is always to capture action and interactions. You may visit, www.coopernaturephotos.com to see his work.

The Game Changer Nikon D4 280mm F/9 1/6400s ISO800

Give It To Me Mom Nikon D800 600mm F/10 1/2000s ISO400

Siblings Nikon D810 1000mm F/9 1/3200s ISO800

The Duel Nikon D800 850mm F/8 1/2500s ISO800

Bathing Time Canon EOS 1Dx 700mm F/11 1/800s ISO800

Gonna Catch You My Friend Nikon D4 850mm F/5.6 1/6400s ISO1600

Jonathan Wightman Hoedspruit, SA

Tail Stories Canon EOS 1D Mark III 165mm F/2.8 1/320s ISO400

Mahesh Reddy- The Birdwatcher's Game An engineer by qualification and a wildlife photographer by passion, it's been a great journey for Mahesh. Nature is the art of God and photography is the handiwork of man. With a keen aesthetic sense he strives to achieve a balance between both and his work has been well appreciated. Using the medium of photography, he expresses his deep passion for nature through collection of wildlife photos that captures some incredible moments in wild, each of which reflect the beauty embedded in Mother Nature that is sure to leave behind footprints in your hearts that will certainly lure you make the trip into the forests of India where amidst tranquil surroundings resounding with the calls of life entwined in them.

You will find a peace that humbles your soul. Each image of his celebrates and exposes the mystery and beauty that is entwined in nature. Photography is an art which needs passion and with passion, there's learning. Enjoy the journey folks.

Bangalore, India

The Lesser Goldenback found widely distributed in the Indian Subcontinent.

It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has a characteristic rattling-whinnying call and an undulating flight. It is the only golden-backed woodpecker with a black throat and black rump.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 500mm F/8 1/1600s ISO800

The Brown Hooded Parrot is a small parrot which is a resident breeding species from southeastern Mexico to north-western Colombia. It is found in lowlands and foothills locally up to 1600m altitude in forest canopy and edges, and adjacent semi-open woodland and second growth.

Canon EOS 1Dx 500mm F/4 1/320s ISO1600

The Collared Aracari makes its home year-round in the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico and throughout Central America. The most distinctive physical characteristic of the Aracari is its amazing beak. Their beaks, about 4 inches long, are almost a quarter of the bird’s entire body.

Aracaris are highly sociable and usually found in small flocks. They roost communally in tree holes.

Young aracaris may be fed by a group of adults instead of just the parents, which is unusual for birds to do.

Canon EOS 1Dx 500mm F/5 1/800s ISO1000

The Malabar Grey Hornbill is a large bird, but midsized for a hornbill. These hornbill species are endemic to the Western Ghats and associated Eastern Ghats of southern India. These hornbill species are mostly frugivores, found mainly in dense forest habitats. The Malabar grey hornbill is a monotypic species.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 500mm F/4 1/500s ISO1000

The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is the most brightly colored and the smallest of all kingfisher species, measuring only between 5-5.5 inches(13-14 cm) in length -including bill and tail; and weighs about 0.5 oz or 14 g.

Canon EOS 1D Mark IV 700mm F/6.3 1/60s ISO1250

Keel-Billed T oucan has beautifully colored bill that is a combination of green, yellow, orange and red color, hence the nickname rainbow-billed toucan. Bill is usually 4.7 to 5.9 inches long (nearly 1/3 of body length). Even though it is very large, bill is not heavy. It is made of light-weight protein called keratin and its internal structure is spongy. Bill doesn't affect stability of the bird.

Canon EOS 1Dx 500mm F/4 1/2000s ISO1000

Sudhir Shivaraman Bangalore, India

Marabou Stork, Tanzania.

Canon EOS 1Dx Mark II 1120mm F/8 1/1600s ISO250

Sudhir Shivaraman Bangalore, India

Sudhir Shivaraman Bangalore, India

African Lions, Masai Mara, Kenya.

Canon EOS 1Dx Mark II 800mm F/5.6 1/1600s ISO400

Indian Striped Hyena, Velavadar, Gujarat, India.

Canon EOS 1 Dx 800mm F/5.6 1/320s ISO500

Anuroop Krishnan Bangalore, India

Anuroop Krishnan Bangalore, India

Let Me Have A Look

Canon EOS 6D 17mm F/22 1/100s ISO320

Hah, Nothing Here Canon EOS 7D 400mm F/8 1/640s ISO640

Anuroop Krishnan Bangalore, India

Anuroop Krishnan Bangalore, India

The Bat-Man Canon EOS 6D 17mm F/22 1s ISO100

Steady And Slow

Canon EOS 7D 17mm F/14 1/60s ISO100

Anuroop Krishnan Bangalore, India

Mr. Fox Canon EOS 6D 17mm F/16 1/160s ISO100

App of the Month

Ratings: 4.8/5 Platfroms: iOS and Android Price: Free

O

ne of the biggest online community of 250,000+ explorers, Trell launches its brand-new mobile app for sharing stories about places.

There are tons of stories packed in every street - there are these hidden gems in college campuses, some street food stalls, winning the hearts of locals for years, the local coffee shops where most entrepreneurs discuss their ideas, or the spots in parks where scriptwriters find their inspiration. But if you are not on walking tour with a history buff, or hogging up with a foodie or a even a knowledgeable cab driver, you might never discover such tidbits. Trell, an app that has been launched on both iOS & Android, brings these things out of oral conversations and into the digital world.

Trell is a new photo-blogging app where people create trails or collections of their explorations, food walks and travelogues. These trails can be shared on other social media platforms in the form of a beautiful video which gets curated automatically by the app.

On Trell, people talk about their interesting explorations and favourite places such as hangout spots, maggie hubs, ice-cream corners, historical places, stunning travel destinations etc. in an all new quirky and visual format. It’s a beautiful app that has already attracted a dedicated, tightknit community of users.

Trell brings places to life, whether it is somewhere you are or somewhere you hope to go. When users open the app, they are greeted with collections of trails trending in their city and surrounding areas, shared by the like-minded people.

Through Trell people can also share their jogging routes, favorite street food joints, magnificent architecture in the city, highway food stops, refreshing cutting tea stalls, early morning breakfast places, etc., and get to know what their friends have explored around. You can share personal anecdotes and fascinating tidbits related to a place, as well as local tips.

People can get an overview of an experience in less than 3 secs and show their intent to visit them later using a simple action button called ‘Tryout’. It saves places for later and creates a self-reminding bucketlist, ensuring that people never miss out on the experiences they want to try. Trell aims to make local discovery ultra personalised for people on the basis of their future intents and past explorations shared on the platform.

Abhishek Sharma abhishek@chiiz.com

An ardent coder, thinker and a tech enthusiast, Abhishek is always keen in learning new stuff. Currently he is rocking the Chiiz portal with his web development skills.

Movie Review

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Duration: 2hrs 5mins.

IMDB Rating: 7.3/10 Released: 2013

T

he Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a film released in 2013 starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Shirley MacLaine and Sean Penn. The film was directed by Ben Stiller. The screenplay was written

by Steve Conrad and its based on a short story of the same title by James Thurber.

The film, in a nutshell, is about daydreaming, love, courage and relationships. It starts off giving us, the viewers, a glimpse into the life of Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller), a negative assets manager at Life Magazine. Walter is depicted as a regular joe who shows up for work, does as he is told and keeps his opinions to himself; shy, introverted.

The story marginally focuses on the advent of the digital age of publication and the pretentiousness of business school-type managers.

This is very interestingly represented in the first few moments of the film itself. Announcing an imminent takeover the publishers of Life Magazine decide to roll out one final issue of the magazine and at cover would be a photograph, titled ‘Quintessence’, captured by the celebrated photographer Sean O’Connell (Sean Penn).

In a somewhat predictable turn of events Walter happens to have every other image on the negative handed to him except ‘Quintessence’.

Management pressurises him and Walter, lost for words osmotically finds himself drawing ideas to propel him to retrieve ‘Quintessence’. In a typical Hollywood storytelling move, Walter has a workplace crush,

to go on an adventure to find Sean and retrieve ‘Quintessence’. This is the first major plot point.

Walter sets off on this insane adventure by riding a personal helicopter whose driver was drunk (huh?). To calm himself, he transports himself into a world where Cheryl’s rendition of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ was the saving grace.

He finds himself in Greenland and goes through a live demo of what the dreams of his life might be like. But unfortunately, it was, gloomy, unproductive, and impersonal at best. He applies his Sherlockian logic again and discovers another clue pertaining to Sean’s location in a wrapper (yes, really). The wrapper points Walter to a nearby volcano and guess what ? The volcano erupts.

He had failed. He returns to New York, unsuccessful in retrieving the ‘Quintessence’. He is fired from his job at Life Magazine and it turns out Cheryl has moved back in with her once estranged husband.

Broken and marred, Walter goes and visits his mother. It turns out she did know about Sean’s whereabouts and he had visited her in the recent past. He tracks down Sean who is busy in the Himalayas capturing a photograph whose subject is a rare snow leopard.

It turns out ‘Quintessence’ had been with Walter all along. He just hadn’t looked at it yet. Walter returns to Life Magazine and submits the negative. He is berated but in a pretty obvious turn of events the business school educated manager takes Walter’s side and admonishes the acquisition manager for humiliating the manager. He and Cheryl, pretty randomly, get back together.

On the whole, the film was visually solid and well directed. The plot wasn’t so great, it could’ve been more solid and the character development, unfortunately, was sub-par. Kristen Wiig played her part wonderfully and so did Ben Stiller. Sean Penn got into the meat of the character as always and was as real as a real photographer gets. Adam Scott was a terribly designed character and his psuedo-intellectual beard was huge turnoff.

the charming and bubbly, Cheryl Melhoff (Kristen Wiig).

The thing is that the film is pretty predictable and by the end you might even be able to preempt in which way the story might move in.

The flow of the story and the lack of thought that went the character design were its weak spots. The acting, editing and direction were the hallmarks that made the film a worthwhile movie-watching experience.

Applying Sherlockian logic, Walter is apparently able to pinpoint the location of Sean (pretty far out stuff, but this is a film about imagination, so I let that bit slide). To balance his intensely boring life, Walter happens to have a highly developed sense of imagination.

The film will have factions who believe that as an experience it was great and ones who believe it was a terribly random film. At the end of the day its you who has to decide which end of the spectrum you belong. Watch it and take a stand.

Credit to Ben Stiller for managing to capture stunning visuals of a man who dreams alternate lives, events and abilities. These imaginings might have been very rapid and vivid, but all of us venture into this zone of daydreams (although not as intense), but its a direct result of the film really capturing a fundamental facet of the human experience.

Walter stalls Management’s frequent inquiry and decides that it is time

Vignesh Swaminathan vignesh@chiiz.com

Vignesh Swaminathan is a Product Designer by training. His interests include watching films, Artificial Intelligence, football and reading non-fiction books.

Vignesh supports Arsenal FC.

These photographs have a story. The story of the the artist within the play. Moments frozen in camera just before the performance. The player getting into the character. The transformation of an artist into a mythological being. The play yet to unfold.

Parts of Northern Tamil Nadu lights up at night bringing to life old tales of mythology, a beautiful blend of celebration of the rich and vibrant culture and acting out the stories of kings and clans, queens and princesses, war and misery, of love and losses. The heart of the villages around the temple stay awake to witness these "Therukoothu" (Theru-Street, Koothu-Folk Theater) performances. It's the time of the temple festival. The village prays for blessings, for rain, for prosperity, appeasing the Gods in every possible way! Painted faces, vibrant hues, sweaty frames of men that embody the kings, queens and princes from ancient folklore. The timeless classics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are performed with such vitality.

The artisans are mostly men, donning all the roles with a great passion for the folk theater handed over to them traditionally. While it is the "Therukoothu" here in Northern Tamilnadu, there are similar folk theater performances all over the southern parts of India. That comes to life around different times bringing together Gods and humans and festivals and prayers in a grand explosion of music theater, color and culture.

The enchanting 'Thirayattam' - an environmental theatre popular among the tribals and adhivasis who inhabit the interior forests of Kerala exhibit painted masks, rough beards, and vibrant costume accessories for the different mythological characters, made out bamboos and barks of Arecanut trees. Colorful ethnic dance performances are held in the sacred groves by the ancestral families of the Malabar region. The travel to these places to witness and to capture these surreal moments has been a real feast to not just my eyes. But my camera too!

-By Sarathi Thamodaran

Fantasies Of Childhood Fujifilm X30 9mm F/2.2 1/160s ISO200

Preparing For The Myths Fujifilm X30 7mm F/2.8 1/200s ISO320

The Man Behind The Faces SONY ILCE-6000 50mm F/2.8 1/200s ISO200

Shades Of Black Fujifilm X30 15mm F/2.5 1/800s ISO400

4.

Little Shiva Nikon D300S 35mm F/2.5 1/200s ISO250

Daydream Nikon D300S 35mm F/3.2 1/400s ISO320

Kartal Karagedik

1.

Blue Prayer Nikon D300S 35mm F/2.2 1/60s ISO250

The opera singer Kartal Karagedik was born in 1984 in Turkey. Now he lives and works in Germany. He regularly performs at major theaters. At the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, the Opera Leipzig, the Tokyo Metropolitan and the Puccini Festival in the Italian town of Torre del Lago. Since 2015, he has been an ensemble member at STAATSOPER HAMBURG. In addition to his work as a baritone, Kartal Karagedik published various articles in newspapers and worked as a photographic story-teller.

We Cook With Fire Nikon D300S 35mm F/2 1/200s ISO640

Libby Holmsen Perth, Australia

Libby Holmsen Perth, Australia

Floating Lady PENTAX K-5 21mm F/11 1/200s ISO200

Libby Holmsen Perth, Australia

Canopy Of Womanhood PENTAX K-5 70mm F/11 1/200s ISO100

The Numbat PENTAX K-3 II 50mm F/10 1/200s ISO200

Avinash Lodhi Jabalpur, India

Bharat Singh Rathod Kota, India

Pray To Praise Nikon D750 250mm F/5.6 1/250s ISO1250

Avinash Lodhi Jabalpur, India

Set Me Free O Lord Nikon D750 500mm F/5.6 1/250s ISO125

Ayan Villafuerte

The Medivial Rides Fujifilm X-T10 35mm F/5.6 1/80s ISO1250

Ayan Villafuerte is a lover of photography and the arts in general. A culinary arts graduate, certified cook & foodie, film & music junkie, he is a traveller at heart and an all-around photography enthusiast.

His affair with images and stills started some years ago. It went perfectly well with his love and thirst for travel and adventure. At first, he thought it would serve well as remembrances of places he visited; culture/traditions he experienced and people he encountered. Little did he know that it would turn to something bigger and completely alter his life plans.

Pooling Away Fujifilm X-T10 35mm F/4.5 1/500s ISO200

Salt Workers Fujifilm X-T10 35mm F/16 1/250s ISO250

A Difference Of Perspective Canon EOS 6D 17mm F/20 1/200s ISO500

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

Concrete Legos Canon EOS 6D 63mm F/2.8 1/200s ISO500

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

In The Rememberence Canon EOS 6D 35mm F/5.6 1/200s ISO2000

The House Of Fire Canon EOS 5D Mark III 70mm F/8 1/400s ISO100

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

Diving Together Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 70mm F/4.5 1/1000s ISO500

Stop No. 12 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 16mm F/16 1/250s ISO2000

Randy Haron(@2ndfloorguy) Fresno, CA, USA

Up And Up Canon EOS 6D 24mm F/2.8 1/200s ISO100

Nicholas Loo Singapore

Nicholas Loo Singapore

1.

Cast Aside DJI FC220 5mm F/2.2 1/1250s ISO100

Nicholas Loo Singapore

Love Me Or Scar Me Canon EOS 6D 85mm F/2 1/4000s ISO100

Nicholas Loo Singapore

Lost In Transition Canon EOS 6D 16mm F/2.8 44s ISO100

Supernatural Connection Canon EOS 6D 16mm F/10 10s ISO400

Himanshu Panchal Mumbai, India

Himanshu Panchal Mumbai, India

Model-Karina Buyanova Canon EOS 5D Mark III 135mm F/2.8 1/640s ISO100

Himanshu Panchal Mumbai, India

Model- Dugu Patel Canon EOS 5D Mark III 34mm F/16 2.5s ISO100

Model- Poplavskaya Evgeniya Canon EOS 5D Mark III 105mm F/8 1/200s ISO100

Himanshu Panchal Mumbai, India

Model- Ajla Etemovic Canon EOS 5D Mark III 40mm F/9 1/160s ISO100

Model of the Month

Richa Chaturvedi B

eing a science student and that too a brilliant one with high grades, it was awry for Richa to choose modelling. Richa Chaturvedi, an engineering graduate, recalls her first opportunity at the age of 18, when she got to walk for designer Raghavendra Rathore for his show for Vogue. It gave her the break she needed and started getting many opportunities. In 2014, she participated in Femina Miss India and was a semifinalist. After that she joined the IT firm Wipro, along with which she did some music videos under the label Sony and TV commercials like Dove, Bajaj etc. In 2016, she participated in Miss Diva(Miss India Universe) and was one of the finalist in top 16. Lots of movie offers are coming her way for now and we wish her very best for her future endeavors. Below is an excerpt from a conversation with her and our correspondent, HIMANSHU DIWAKAR. What is it for you to be in fashion industry, a little girl’s dream or a grown up's desire?

Well a little girl’s dream turned into a grown up's desire. As a little girl I used to admire Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, supermodels Alesia Raut and Tyra Banks and used to dream that one day I will live that life, work with designers and work in an industry which is burgeoning with creativity. Fashion, besides being an extension of personality, or a mood, or a way of expressing inner creativity, is also a kind of a mask.

I love the transformative quality, the effect that an item of clothing can have on the way people see you and even the way you see yourself.

We all know and have seen the glamorous side, how about you tell us something about the life behind the stage?

Yes. As appealing the glamorous side of the fashion looks, the backstage life is equally gruelling. Being the most competitive industry, you are always on the edge, eating right, working out hard, long working hours with no HR departments to police around. But it comes as a package and is a part of the job. So when you love your job and output, these things hardly matter.

What does fashion mean to you?

I think that fashion for me is something that represents a rhythm or a beat, but the way I dance to it, should be my own. We should dress freely and not be bound to the must-have-lists. Because seriously, nothing is as refreshing as seeing someone walk down the street in their own little world of awesomeness! So why be a slave to what the trend pages say when you were meant to stand out.

What role does fashion play in the current scenario of women empowerment in India, keeping in mind the fashion industry at

the moment?

Fashion is easily classified as superficial even though making even the simplest of fashion choices are met with severe judgement, ridicule and shaming. To address the issue, fashion apparel brands have made a resolution to give voice to the women of India. Moving away from frivolous concepts, bold and edgy ads, brands have offered their take on various aspects of women empowerment through their recent campaigns. Only recently, to contribute to social causes, IFFD (Indian Federation for Fashion Development) decided to celebrate the cause of women empowerment in March in their summit.

A message you would like to give to the masses out there for any specific cause?

Start taking care of our Mother Nature and save our planet. Live green.

Wear green.

Himanshu Diwakar himanshu@chiiz.com

Himanshu is our merry-go-round guy, making it alive as he goes along the corridors. A hard-core gym freak, he likes his body in a perfect shape. His motivation comes from the evergrowing business relations through Chiiz.

Darling Diaphanous...

E

ach day, she lost a little more of her mind, in hope of finding the heart. She began with some reckless running, all in vain. Slowly, illuminating the benevolence her heart holds, she gazed at the neverland of symphony; walking through, she recognizes the hopelessly graceful pain in the whispers of emptiness. What she bartered, was a face just fair and lovely, all of superficial beauty, for an irrevocable inner charm. A charm, which filled her up like nothing else ever had. There’s a reflection of herself at every step she takes. Just a piece of glass that shows the kindness that she is. She’d only seen how the rains made her smile and cry, at the same time. Now? She witnessed the affection of a warming sun, an unforgettable fragrance of the dried up land and the caring warmth of a grazing herd of lambs.

"I fell in love with the dry, yet vibrant shrubs of grass that sang to me. I embraced everything around me, everything within me. Darling, diaphanous & pure as the light, your eyes shall meet all things beautiful.”

Photography and Concept : Abhilash Ramadass Styling and Content : Nagasindhu MN Producer & Art Direction: Sid Naidu Makeup & Hair: Marianna Leo Francis

Don't Let Me Down Canon EOS 5D Mark II 24mm F/4 1/250s ISO100

Mirror O Mirror Canon EOS 5D Mark II 47mm F/4 1/250s ISO100

The Shepherd Tales Canon EOS 5D Mark II 35mm F/4 1/1250s ISO100

Summertime Sadness Canon EOS 5D Mark II 58mm F/4 1/640s ISO100

Darling Diaphanous Canon EOS 5D Mark II 70mm F/4.5 1/500s ISO100

Waiting For It To Happen Canon EOS 5D Mark II 93mm F/4 1/800s ISO100

The Mirages

By Alexander Yakovlev

L

iving in Moscow city in Russia, Alexander's series of 'The Mirages' is a great success. In his words, "We wanted to combine the dynamics of the dancers and flying powder. In the drawings of a flying clouds, thoughts and images of the mind are born. In two words - powerful, and thought provoking."

Model- Keyko Lee Canon EOS 5DS 85mm F/9 1/200s ISO100

Model- Olga Kuraeva Canon EOS 5DS 85mm F/6.3 1/100s ISO100

Model- Olga Kuraeva Canon EOS 5DS 85mm F/8 1/100s ISO100

Model- Yana Parienko Canon EOS 5DS R 85mm F/5.6 1/200s ISO100

Model- Anna Kanyuk Canon EOS 5DS 85mm F/8 1/160s ISO100

NOE LOZANO

N

Yindra Nikon D5200 50mm F/11 1/200s ISO100

Emily Nikon D70s 50mm F/8 1/160s ISO100

oe Lozano is a driven and a passionate photographer with a particular focus in portraiture and is currently based out of Largo, FL. Noe grew up within a family of artists; in his mid 20’s he developed an interest in the field of photography.

Noe Lozano is inspired by iconic masters such as Helmut Newton, Peter Lindbergh, and Paolo Roversi. Noe’s aesthetics are simple yet alluring, celebrating the subjects simply as they are; turning images into captivating narratives and significant moments.

Gabi Nikon D5200 50mm F/16 1/200s ISO100

Kiara Nikon D5200 50mm F/22 1/200s ISO100

Gio Nikon D5200 50mm F/2 1/500s ISO400

4. Kaitlin Canon 5D 50mm F/8 1/125s ISO100

T-age Canon 5D 50mm F/1.8 1/250s ISO400

THE MASTER'S ART D

an Hecho was born in Ukraine, where he received his art education. Since childhood, he was really interested in photography. He became a professional photographer in 2007 and since 2010, he has been actively engaged in teaching activities in the field of photography. He developed clear structured method of presenting information, aimed at maximum absorption of knowledge and the development of the creative component of each student in photography.

His own master classes, lectures and photo school was visited by several thousand people, and the disciples are now some of the best photographers in their genres and have successfully built the business by raising their skills to a new level. He has also developed a unique video course for distance learning. Dan has been awarded with several international awards all over the world.

Some of the links to his classes and workshops are given below: Master Classes and Workshops: http://academyhecho.com/ Online Courses: http://danhecho.pro/

Gone With The Wind PENTAX K-1 15mm F/2.8 1/1000s ISO320

Sleeping Beauty PENTAX 645Z 55mm F/2.8 1/500s ISO640

Shhh.. My Babe PENTAX 645Z 55mm F/2.8 1/250s ISO1600

Lie Down With Me PENTAX 645Z 150mm F/2.8 1/400s ISO100

Behind The Curtains PENTAX 645Z 55mm F/2.8 1/250s ISO1600

A Ladies' Attires PENTAX 645Z 55mm F/2.8 1/250s ISO1600

Abstract Sunshine Canon EOS 5D Mark III 16mm F/7.1 1/640s ISO100