Art linked to improved health

I have wondered about reason of photography and other arts, dance and singing may sound most tempting forms of art, what so good about a fine art print hanging on empty space? is it all about filling the space or it  has an affect on health or any other positive aspects.

Here is interesting article i read on BBC, i would like to share with you. My experience says, i remain away from depression or work tension just because of my passion, the photography which allows me to explore nature and human wonders, keeps me satisfied.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13501294

PS: i am not able to shoot much these days!

cheers

All gone

Back to work after Eid al-adha.

Image © Awais Yaqub 2007  www.awaisyaqub.com

Whats inside my Camera Bag!

Lots of admirers ask me what kind of equipment i am using to take photographs. To be honest my gallery contains images shot with low end to high end cameras Sony point and shoot to Canon DSLR.

Following is the list of gear inside my bag (year 2010)
Canon EOS 7D 18 MP DSLR + extra battery
Canon 17-40 f4L lens
Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro Lens
Canon 580 Ex II Flash light
Wireless flash trgger and receiver set
Hoya Pro1 Polarizor 77mm
Feisol 3401 carbon fiber tripod
Cullmann 30nm Magnasite Ballhead
Lumiquest mini flash diffuser

Gear on Wish List
Lenses
Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS II
Canon 24-105 f4L IS
Camera body on wish list
5D mark II

Other stuff which i always carry with my camera gear
Rubber bands
Shopping bags large enough to put my bag into it incase of rain or dust storm
Head band to absorb sweat and keeps sweat out of camera viewfinder ( a must have and works wonders for sweaty people)

Bags: Lowepro Rezo 190AW Soulder and Crumpler 3800L Pretty boy, both require upgradation as they are my companions of old days when i had fewer and smaller stuff. Looking for camera backpack, if you know anything appropriate or looking to sponsor backpack throw me an email!

When i started photography in 2004
Sony DSC-W1 point and shoot camera which i still use.
2006
Moved to Sony DSC-H5 which i don't use anymore, it was excellent camera for macros, i covered my 1st professional assignment with this camera.
2007
Got Canon 400D DSLR with 50mm 1.8 lens and 18-55 kit lens, now Retired.

Call of Prayers

One of my passion is to document images depicting religion. Religions really add beauty to the world. Talk about any religion, followers have beautiful religious monuments. Pakistan is Muslim country with beautiful Mughal architecture all around. Beauty and immense size of mosques simply shows trend of people for there religion.

Here is my recent picture shot early in the morning at marvel of Mughal period "Badshahi Mosque" or King's mosque. It is now 5th largest mosque in the world. Built with red rock known for it's magical glow.

Click on image to check out more photos.

For Love of Cricket

Here is the ball !

Cricket is most popular sport in Pakistan. Unfortunatly these days are hard on cricket but i hope we are out of bad times soon.

© Awais Yaqub click to buy

Fine art dedicated to Palestine

"Isolated" dedicated to people living under occupation. Buy fine art by clicking the image and follow procedure.

© Awais Yaqub

Chrysanthemum Flower Show Islamabad

Chrysanthemum flower show is going to be held at Islamabad's Fatimah Jinnah Park on 28th to 30th of November 2008. Don't miss the chance and do pay a visit.

For photographers it is great opportunity to play with colors especially in the morning time when flowers are fresh and covered with dew drops !

Here is picture from 2006 show



If you miss it by any chance keep visting my website and blog i will post all photos from the show.

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.

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]

Here come the Post Cards !

Greetings everyone. What about beautiful post cards or a mouse pad with lovely, inspirational, motivational quotation ? If you are serious about them enter here place your order and wait for arrival at your door or send a gift to someone!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="18 post cards to choose from "][/caption]

Hit a print this photo button and follow instruction simple steps

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]

The moment finally captured !

I love the way of nature and capturing special moments. Well i was after the moment when one ant transfers food to other. Due to extremely small size and very high magnification and difficult technique of reverse lens chances of getting sharp picture are very mild. After hundreds of wasted tries since past season and hours of observation i was lucky to get these pictures.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="384" caption="Ant transfering Wax obtained from mealy bugs"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="280" caption="Ants transfering was obtained from mealy bugs"][/caption]

So what is happening there ?

Well these ants obtain some wax produced by mealy bug (those white things in picture) in exchange ants provide security to the bugs. This happens in monsoon season.

Philosophy

I was surprised to observe this whole system of ants society. And i was amazed to see many things which i missed to shoot. It was amazing demonstration of management !

How i got them ?

I used historic 50mm Yashica lens in reverse on my sony cybershot H5 camera. Focus was set to infinity and focus was acheived by moving back and forth. Lens was tapped infront of the camera. Do not be surprised this technique is been around for quite some time.

Write to me awaisyaqub@gmail.com

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

Capturing flow of water

It has been always in my wish list to shoot flowing water ! Well visit to northern areas of Pakistan this summer gave me chance to fulfill my desire. I shot a lot flowing water scape there, i shot a lot of images. This is daring Kunhar river that flows through Kaghan Valley. It is known as killer river that will take everything in its way. Crashing water on rocks create horrifying sound that can lead to river phobia ! Rocks ah what a beautiful piece of art full of textures and perfect in shape. I decided to make them part of scene.

Click images to see full galleries

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Canon 18-55 f/3.2-5.6 lens at f/8 at 18mm"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="EF-s 17-85 mm at f32 "][/caption]

The Technique

Before any body asks here is what i did to sucessfully capture these images.

To capture flowing water you got to have set your camera for slow shutter settings. I used canon Kit Lens 18-55 at f/8 and f/11. I had 58mm ND 8 Sony filter on it to stop down the light.  Keep shutter speed lower then 1/8, 1/6 sec. The last one was shot at 13 sec with kit lens. If you don't have an ND filter wait till sun goes down and very little light of day is left, this may give focusing tough time so becareful with focusing.

Fine Art Prints at your door !!!

Hello

To order fine art prints for your beautiful interiors  visit my Website

High Quality printing done by professionals and guaranteed. Incase you don't like your print you can send it back for full refund

Pakistani Interested people contact me on cell phone 03455400315 and email AwaisYaqub@gmail.com

Also offering photographic Services such as Commercial, Documentary, Fine Art Prints, stock Images details in my website www.AwaisYaqub.com

Interested in Interview ?

Click to read some of my experiences ;-) hard to believe that my interview is on Photography Corner !

Lahore the City of Kings

Hi i was in lahore the most vibrant and most lively city of Pakistan full of culture and characters. Unfortunately my stay was for only few hours and it was grey light day so missed a lot.



Click image to go to gallery

In Rohi

Was traveling around Rohi. Bahwalpur Darawar Fort in cholistan and Multan.

Click photo to view Bahwalpur gallery and details

Darwar Fort click the picture to view complete and large photos of Darawar Fort

Multan still to come