Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS II

New Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS II

70-200 zoom range is considered a must have for any photographer, canon has 3 variants of this range: 70-200 f4, 70-200 f4 IS and the new 70-200 2.8 IS II. Since i moved to world of DSLR i greatly missed zoom lens of this range for landscapes, actions and portraits. After purchasing 100mm macro, i used it for macro and medium tele needs but fixed focal length and slow focus were main issues (still it is excellent lens for macro work!)

Shot through 5 feet away net and grill. Click for more and large images and exif

It was until launch of this new lens which grabbed attention of photographers, followed by excellent reviews. It is considered step ahead of discontinued 70-200 2.8 L IS mark1 in IQ and IS and price too (2400$)

I took it for a ride, and shot images at various settings, IQ and IS are awesome. I noticed sharp results at all focal lengths. IS saved a shot from being blur when shot at 1/20 at 160mm focal length, so i don't have to worry about keeping shutter speed as high as focal length to avoid hand shake blur.

1/20 at 168mm handheld. Click for more and large images and exif

If you have money and lust for flagship lens with excellent performance don't be afraid of spending extra $$$ on this lens. Buying a lens is long term investment. When i wanted to buy mark1 version (which is not as good as mark2) it was around 1500$ but slowly it ended up with 1800$ price tag in 3 years. Resale of canon L glass is great too.

To protect valuable glass i also purchased Hoya HD UV filter and had it on my lens all the time, and have not noticed any issue in picture quality, though i will test it properly later.

Pros:
Excellent Image quality
Range on crop sensor
Large aperture
4 stop Image Stabilization
Weather sealing
smooth rings
solid construction

Cons:
Weight
Price

Kenny Belaey in Pakistan!

Kenny Belaey aka Magician is in Pakistan these days. Today he performed at FAST university, Islamabad. I was fortunate to see him flying with bicycle. This is quite new thing in Pakistan, i guess. Anyways here are some photos i managed to take. I was restricted to move around as i was not official photographer.

The Legend! Image © Awais Yaqub | www.awaisyaqub.com

Kenny in mid air, cheerful crowd and brave girls. Image © Awais Yaqub | www.awaisyaqub.com

Bug's life

Life of Lady Bug at Sunflower fields. 12 image series uploaded to main gallery. Click to enter

Welcome me to Blogger

I just imported my old blog posts from wordpress to blogger. Right now i am getting familiar with controls and layout

Politician's Food

Image © Awais Yaqub Documentary Photography

As poor people struggle to get hold on piece of bread at Lahore's Datta Derbar Pakistani Politicians and Generals sacrificed whole Pakistan from Judiciary to human capital for sake of RULE violently and brutally.

Lets see what LONG MARCH brings to Pakistan....

License to use this image can be purchased

awais@awaisyaqub.com

Join my FaceBook Group !

Facebook is excellent website to stay connected ! now you can join my facebook group to stay updated about my photographic trips and new photos !
Come Jump In and invite your friends !

Here is link to the Group

Power Crises in Pakistan

Pakistan is facing swear power crises, industry to household everyone is facing huge problem! I hope politicians and Generals had managed and used this country properly. Situation is worse in small cities and villages in Pakistan. I live in Heart of Islamabad for the past 13 years power failures due to old and damaged wires are regular here and no one takes notice even after complains ! It seems like power crises are due to corruption and mismanagement....

image © Awais Yaqub

This picture is my property don't use it without paying me the fee of usage

Awais Yaqub

awais@awaisyaqub.com

92 0 345-5400315

Ruins of Murree Brewery Factory

On way to Murree hill station from Islamabad old road just before Lawerance Collage is located dead factory of Murree Brewery built in 1864 . It is just a ruined building now it came under attack in partition riots in 1947. It was build in Gothic style of architecture by British. It was established to meet beer requirement of British personnel during British Raj. The factory now operates in Rawalpindi.

It is excellent location for Photographers and Art lovers who want to enjoy something different from traditional landscapes of Pakistan. I enjoyed there here are some images from the visit. Do take great care when standing under the structure it can fall any time.

All images © Awais Yaqub

If you feel i am doing good job and should continue buy fine art from me to keep me running ! It's easy to order and they look beautiful on walls ! Click here.

I also provide professional photography services click here to view details.

Human Rights ?

Barbera Plett BBC image © Awais Yaqub

I was returning from my university in early 2007 and saw a small crowd guarded by police. It seemed like a protest what a unique protest it was far more quiet then ordinary political party protest with no shattered windows or broken street lights, bunch of kids holding charts and old women of young and old age looking so hopeless, they seemed to look like ordinary Pakistani women who were confused to face the media(cameras) they hardly know what to say and how to deliver the message.

These folks were protesting against kidnapping of their loved ones by government agencies ruled by Musharraf the dictator who destroyed democratic system of Pakistan. Since 2005 there is no clue of kidnapped people there is no trial in a court they have just disappeared, no one knows where they are dead or alive. Read about them at Wikipedia

I am not political, i don't support killing of innocent people regardless of color cast or creed. I hope those people were arrested rather kidnapped if they were guilty. Some people were kidnapped for personal differences such as property. I wonder when People of Pakistan will be more powerful then their corrupt leaders. I still wonder if USA's best friend has done anything good for his country men. Where are the human rights now ? i still wonder when people and countries who chant about human rights will stop abusing them

I had to say all that after watching the TV show about missing people

Click to see more images

Flower Exhibition in Islamabad

© Awais Yaqub

Beautiful Chrysantimum flower exhibition is going on at Islamabad's Fatima Jinnah Park. Sunday is last day. Spending a time with flower was great experience great treat for eyes.

Calendar Images For Sale ! Pakistan

If your company is looking for high resolution images to print on calendars you can choose from my large collection covering various theme. Or contact me to cover a specific theme

Visit my Website

Alternate link to Website

awaisyaqub@gmail.com

Call me at +92 (0) 345-5400315

Global Entrepreneurship Week at MAJU Islamabad

Got chance to attend seminar on entrepreneurship at MAJU in association with "global entrepreneurship week" celebration. Listening from CEOs of leading companies of Pakistan Micronet and Scrybe was an excellent experience.

And my class mate was wearing attractive shirt what an entrepreneurial Idea !

Phantom of the Opera is here

Ladies and gentlemen, world's best play has started at National Art Gallery Islamabad. Play is directed by Shah Sharahbeel one of the best Pakistani play director. Acting of some of the finest play actors is worth looking at.

Click on images for full gallery in high resolution.

Burj of Pakistan

Faisal Mosque Islamabad Image © Awais Yaqub

Shah Faisal Mosque one of the world's largest mosque with capacity of 300,000 worshipers. It is marvel of architecture that was designed by Turkish architect Mr Vedat Dalokay. The design signifies Arab desert tent. It's design and grandness make me feel like it is "Burj of Pakistan"

To purchase this image contact me at awaisyaqub@gmail.com

News

I was in Rawalpindi busy shooting streets and old architecture. Had to return home after hearing about horrible explosion in Marriott Hotel Islamabad.  People were stick to television screens in Rawalpindi for updates on bomb blast.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="People looking for explosion updates on television in small hotel in Rawalpindi"][/caption]

Scott Kelby's world wide Photo Walk Islamabad

Hello readers ! In order to celebrate launch of new Light Room book by Scott Kelby. He organized world wide photo walk on 23rd August 2008. I proudly led the walk in Islamabad. Me along with gang of Islamabadi photographers went to Said Pur Village to explore old village.

Here are few takes by me click photos for more

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Hey kiddie "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Gang busy in photography "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Ancient Hindu tomb at saidpur village"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Train model made of clay by local craftman about century ago"][/caption]

Pakistan independence the kids show

Singing and painting competetion was held at open air theater at Islamabad organized by Payaam foundation. It is a formed by youngster volunteers and work for spreading peace and happiness through its varity of work like free medical camps etc. Anyone can become a volunteer call +92-51-2539179 for donations etc.

It was charm to witness such activity in the city. With so many children with smiles on their faces. Best part was inclusion of orphans and special children who also took part in the competitions equally.

Here are few images click image to see few more in the gallery

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="201" caption="Work in progress"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="324" caption="Singing Auditions and little Iman sisters! "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Face Painting"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="3 sisters ;-)"][/caption]

Month to Celebrate Pakistan Independence !!

Well audience it was August and 14th was the date when Pakistan got independence from British rule.  Pakistanis saw light of independence due to devoted person who fought for free country for he was non other then Muhammad Ali Jinnah also known as Quaid-e-Azam ( Great leader)

To Celebrate Independence day i am giving away my fine art work on 25% discount for all orders placed in August and September 2008.

Images are printed and shipped from USA. Printing is handled by professionals assuring high Quality. Discount is on Standard sizes. 12 x 18 , 16 x 24 , 24x36 all sizes in Inches. Watermark which you can see accross the image is not printed on actual image it is just to keep thieves away to preserve uniqueness of the prints

If required image is not in Fine art prints gallery throw me an email i will place it there.

So hurry up own a piece of Pakistan in form of fine art print

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="View from Lahore Fort"][/caption]

Email me at awaisyaqub@gmail.com

talk to me : +92.345.5400315

Located in Islamabad Pakistan.

Pakistani customers email or call me 0345-5400315 for purchase info.

Purchasing method is simple as you purcahse other goods from internet and secure  SmugMug handles it all so don't worry

In case of confusion contact me

To all editors of news or advertising agencies and picture theives in case you stole my images and printed without permission you will face lawsuit and negative social marketing so becareful while taking such a stupid step

Solar Eclipse in Islamabad Pakistan

Solar Eclipse were witnessed in Pakistan on 1st August 2008 here is how they looked on a cloudy day in Islamabad.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="Solar Eclipse and Cloudy sky "][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="389" caption="Zoom view of solar eclipse "][/caption]

Sorry for low resolution version and watermarking, Newspaper thieves and advertsing agencies never show mercy stealing work of young growing artists. This is delimma of Pakistani creative market. Sorry once again i either don't like water marking but have to be on safer side.

Hail Storm in Islamabad like never before Pictures !

10th January 2008 Islamabad experienced hail storm like never before.

kids who went to School in morning unprepared rushing back home (All with canon Kit lens @f8 iso 400)

These kids who seems to be brothers were watching something that you can see in next images