Dynamic landscapes of Lavasa - valley, mountains and river

I had absolutely fallen in love with the landscapes of Lavasa. The main reason being the various vantage points while getting to and moving around Lavasa. 

So the series continues with a few more shots of the valley and mountains. The flowing river and dramatic clouds add to the dynamism of the landscape, to which, I hope I've done some justice.

Now, let's try create a bit of drama through HDR.

And here's the original for reference.

Worth hearing your comments and feedback for the HDR effort. 


 

Aerial view of Lavasa - hills, valley, civilisation and river

There is little doubt in Lavasa being a serene and picturesque hill station with a lot of it natural beauty still intact. Here are a few aerial views depicting the hills, the valley, civilisation and and the river along with the dam.

An HDR aerial shot of the main town and waterfront

 

 

The Golden Jubilee Footbridge at Night, London

The Golden Jubilee Footbridge at Night, London

Participating for: Weekend Reflections, Sunday Bridges and Watery Wednesday       

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Along the Thames, London

Along the River Thames, near the London Eye is a path that leads to the Golden Jubilee Footbridge. This is a very fun-filled path on weekends where plenty of street artists do some fantastic stuff. Some of them even pose as statues and that's quite unthinkable over the stretch on an entire day. 

Well, that's how I always saw it to be and sadly don't have any photos to share from then. But one windy weekday evening I stepped out to London Eye and caught a sight that gives a completely different picture. I felt that time had turned, and that's why this one's in black and white.

Participating for: Monochrome Maniacs, Highlight Sunday, Tones on Tuesday, Wordless Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday  

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Big Ben from London Eye, London

Continuing with my obsession with the London Eye and Big Ben, here are, probably the signing off shots, shots of the Big Ben as seen from the London Eye. This was a challenge in one sense that for some weird reasons, tripods weren't allowed near the London Eye. Two security men came up to me and marked out the region that was like - no tripod zone!

So this and the previous London Eye shots were all via as possibly stable hands, boundary walls and railings, small dividing pillars and ground. 


These ones have come off the boundary wall and railings. 

The Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and River Thames seen from London Eye

The Big Ben Framed! In Blue...with the London Eye and Pier. Also seen amidst the clouds is a flash of the moon

Participating for: This or That Thursday, SOOC Sunday, Piece of Heaven,  Weekend Reflections and Blue Monday      

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Big Ben and the Moon, London

Big Ben and the Moon, London 

Seen here is the Big Ben under the moonlight along River Thames and a golden eagle at the well lit Embankment Pier at night. Also seen are the river cruises and reflections on a quite Thames. 

Participating for: Mellow Yellow Monday, Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Friday SkyWatch, Mosaic Monday, Weekend Reflections         

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London Eye lit in blue at Night, London

London Eye lit in blue at Night

The London Eye Ferris Wheel offers great panoramic views of London. The Wheel doesn't stop during operating hours and yet visitors can easily hop on and off the Wheel; that's the comfortable speed it always moves at giving you about 30 minutes in the gondola (capsule). 


During the day you can easily spot various landmarks, which appear to glow in gold along with all of London City at night. Die hard romantics can even book a gondola for an hour or so for a special day :)

The London Eye seen with the London Country Hall and Westminster Bridge in the background

The London Eye Ferris Wheel appearing to spin in slow speed as it always does, with the London Country Hall well lit in the background

The illusion of the London Eye Ferris Wheel appearing to spin in high speed

Participating for: SOOC Sunday, The Simple Things, Scenic Sunday, Live, Love, Travel and Blue Monday               

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London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge at Night

Once again, three of London's iconic structures by the River Thames, London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge, this time at Night and under the moonlight. Another thing I'll like to bring to your attention, which may not be too prominent, is a faint white streak across the London Eye. That was created by an aircraft passing by...

Participating for: Weekend Reflections, The Creative Exchange, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Watery Wednesday, Scenic Sunday, Live, Love, Travel and Sunday Bridges   

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Golden Jubilee Bridge over River Thames, London

Golden Jubilee Bridge over River Thames connects Embankment Pier and London Eye

Participating for: Sunday Bridges and SkyWatch Friday      

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Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and River Thames, London

Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and River Thames seen at Twilight, London

Participating for: Tina's PicStory, Friday SkyWatch, Best Post this Week, Fabulous Friday, Tones on Tuesday and Piece of Heaven           

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River Thames Cruise, London

River Thames Cruise - Across London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge London

Participating for: Watery Wednesday, Monochrome Maniacs and Simple Things    

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Westminster Bridge at Twilight, London

The Westminster Bridge over River Thames at Twilight, London

Participating for: Outdoor Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday    

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The Best of 2011 - Part 5

It's here!

Counting down to your favourite photograph of 2011 from My Third Eye, we've gone through the posts on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Before getting there, I must mention something that also turned out to be quite a success. There is a great weekly challenge that I came upon with Scavenger Hunt by Ashley Sisk. Five photos on five different topics and your interpretation. Not only does it challenge one as a photographer but its an excellent place to learn from others; after all interpretations will vary. My posts on Scavenger Hunt were quite popular and also very satisfying to me. I went by the comment-to-view ratio to get the 'Best of 2011'; and going by that 4 out of the 5 posts would have made it through, which is why the special mention. This is one challenge I'll continue to look forward to (and even excel) in the year to come.

Now, Saru got this one right so 'clap clap'. Here's numero uno!

1. The Hammersmith Bridge over the River Thames - Night, Lights and Reflections

A hands-down winner, a hands-down personal favourite of what I've posted so far; though a couple of London Eye shots are in close contention. But I guess the late posting will probably qualify them over to next year. 

Testimony to London's great architecture, this old bridge is simply fantastic at night when its lit up. I sincerely feel on having done justice on this one though I did kinda bore my colleague off who accompanied me. Nonetheless, he too got a great shot of himself with the bridge in the background so it made up. The Hammersmith Bridge, Along the Banks of the Thames at Hammersmith and The Spider and its Web on Hammersmith Bridge were supremely popular, even though I hoped to have got a better shot of the spider. After seeing these shots, I so regret on having missing out on Tower Bridge.

 That completes the series on The Best of 2011; well almost. Tomorrow, is the last day of 2011. As we bid adieu to 2011, I'm going to share some of my personal favourites that didn't make it into the viewers list. 

Also, if you do have a favourite that hasn't made it here already, but feel it should be featured in the Best of 2011, please do write to me and let me know.

Until then, have a great time preparing to bring in 2012. 

Participating for: SOOC Monday and The Creative Exchange       

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London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge at Twilight

London Eye, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge at Twilight

Three of London's Iconic structures along the River Thames, just about being lit up at Twilight. In the background is an aircraft appearing to approach the moon.

Participating for: SOOC Sunday, Scenic Sunday, SOOC Monday, Our World Tuesday, Sunday Bridges, Orange Tuesdays, Ruby Tuesdays, SkyWatch Friday, Best Post of the Week, Shoot.Edit.Submit  and Highlight Sunday       

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London Eye at Twilight

London Eye at Twilight

Situated along the banks of the River Thames, The London Eye is one of the biggest Ferris Wheels in the world.

Also seen in the background is the London Country Hall that also houses the London Aquarium.

Participating for: Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday and Scenic Sunday      

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