Nikon F3 - Film Photography

The first impressions of photography for me, like for most of us, were by way of film cameras. My father had a manual SLR, a USSR made Zenit camera, which as we gradually moved to automatic and then digital cameras, lost out on its ease of use. However, film photography and film development always held a certain mystique for me.

Fortunately, some 4 months back, a friend gave me a lead of a friend of his who was looking to sell his Nikon F3. After doing some research (youtube and online reviews), I discovered that F3 is a fantastic manual camera, and was one of the longest production cameras by Nikon. It remained in production for over two decades (1980 - 2001). Think about how often camera models get outdated today.

So with Nikon F3 and some cheap, old and expired NOVA GOLD B&W rolls in my arsenal, I bravely ventured into the realm of film photography.

Over the intervening months as I shot film, I was overwhelmed by the mechanical precision and simplicity of this camera. The beautiful sound made by the film winder can lead almost anyone into a transcendental state.

And recently, when I finally received the digital scans of the developed rolls, the results were beyond my imagination. It is said that film has a certain way of capturing the soul of the moment. I could not agree more.

Portrait of a beautiful young lady, Delhi, 2013

National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi, 2013

Indian Ocean performing at NH7 Weekender in Pune, 2013

Camel trading, Pushkar, 2013

Man and his camel, Pushkar, 2013

Local entertainer, Pushkar, 2013

Special thanks to Yashwant Mahajan for letting me borrow his Nikon 135mm f/2.8 lens, and to Pat.

City of Pushkar

Three years in the waiting, but finally when it happened, the journey was worth every moment of it.

The arid landscape belies the vibrancy and zest for life of its people. Welcome to the city of Pushkar.

Pushkar Lake with Lord Brahma's Temple at the opposite end

A small town based around a lake at its heart. Its compactness makes it apt for being explored on foot. You can walk from one end of the city to the other, through the bazaar and back again without ever getting tired. Faces are friendly, and there is always a tune being played just around the corner, from a local string instrument called ravanhatta.

Blocks used in making patterns on cloth. Instructions on right are in Hebrew

Yoga centres are very popular among tourists

                              

  

Local Vendor

Ravanhatta player

Just outside the town and up the sand dunes, there is another magic unfolding. Thousands of camels, stretching over miles, have been gathered together for trading, in one of the world's largest camel fairs.

Decorations

Pushkar Mela - largest camel fair in the world

Delhi Streets - Preparing for winters

You know how some times a city has a certain ethereal but undeniable charm to itself. Some say, you always feel that way towards the city you were born in, grew up and spent the longest years of your life. I don't fully believe that myself. I don't think default is the way for any sort of love.

I was born in Delhi, and have spent larger part of my life here, but I don's always find this city charming. Far from it, most of the time.. Well, until the winter sets in, that is..

Come winter and I am a fool for Delhi.. She is an enchantress whose glory peaks with the winter fog. Memories old and forgone, hang as if by an invisible thread in the heaviness of the midnight air.

Come winter and Delhi streets turn themselves into a portal of time..

It was through one such streets of the famed Kamla Nagar, when I chanced upon these workers preparing quilts...