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.

Spot AF and great detailed images - 1st day out with Canon EOS 7D

Hats Off to Canon on producing such a responsive and accurate focusing system, these are my thoughts about Canon 7D after using it on my 1st trip out with it along with family. I tried shooting Indian Blue Peacock behind a fence, it had its feathers spread and i wanted to shoot it as such a colorful animal and such a detail in wings really look amazing, and who can resist from printing a very nice large print of dancing bird. 

So i used normal focus spot to take a clear photo of bird, no luck. Here is the image it looks like

Check out the sharp fence that was around 6 feet away from me and bird was another 2 feet away inside the cage.

And here is image shot with Spot focusing enabled, Sharp image with excellent details. Eyes are slight back focus, but i think it works, absolutely no camera error but user error, i was using one shot AF and bird was conterminously moving.

The image was shot at 1/200, f2.8, ISO 250, Handheld, Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro non IS version.



And here is the final Processed Image. You can order print upto 20X30 from the gallery (click image)

See how use of wide open aperture (f2.8) along with 100mm focal length blurred the fence. It is slightly visible but image looks perfect for printing.

By Awais Yaqub, Images © Awais Yaqub 2010
Website

Faisalabad was Foggy

Hello readers,
Some days back i was visiting Faisalabad, got chance of playing around in green fields and i was able to capture birds eye view of Clock Tower with almost 8 bazaars in it.

Streets were Lively and full of colors!

Link to more

Thanks for looking

Images © Awais Yaqub un Authorized use of pictures is prohibited 

New Fine art print added

Hello people i have added new classic black and white image to fine art gallery from where you can order the print of your preferred size. It is simple, easy and secure with money back guarantee. Thanks to SmugMug and their professionalism printed and shipped from USA

Click the link and click on "buy" button to order the print

Don't worry about watermark it don't appears on final print it is just to save picture from thieves. Write to me in case of difficulty awais[at]awaisyaqub.com

© Awais Yaqub click for more. www.awaisyaqub.com

Child Labor

Image © Awais Yaqub

Child labor is swear issue in Pakistan in every corner big or small city you will find kids of very young age working in workshops etc. I saw this kid with dirty cloths standing in front of a shop it was evident from his cloths that he works at some car workshop.

Image available for license

Contact

awaisyaqub@gmail.com

awais@awaisyaqub.com

92 0 345 5400315

Street Photography at Rawalpindi

I love to be in crowded place full of life. Rawalpindi is lively for its people and rich architecture of old times. Beautiful mensions havelis and mosques are gift of history to Rawalpindi. All i can say is that this beautiful architecture is in danger. Here are fraction of what actually is there.

Click Images to see full high resolution gallery

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.

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

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

Muree

Went to Muree to shoot some landscapes but came back with street photos of Muree. Muree is popular tourist spot of Pakistan nearly every Pakistani visit it once in a life it is near Islamabad and quite easy to reach there.









Click here to see complete gallery

Sights and Sounds of Pakistan

 

Here is small slide show of my photo collection with Rabab in

back which i recorded while played live in hill station in Islamabad

 

Fashion from Desert

A cholistani Performer at cultural show in Islamabad .

Cholistan is desert . The word Cholistan is derived from Cholna which

means "moving". The people of Cholistan lead a semi-nomadic life, moving

from one place to another in search of water and fodder for their animals.