Monday 21 October 2013

NIKON #ThroughTheLens Blogger Meet Delhi 19 Oct 2013

Hi Guys,

@NikonIndia is a very active handle on twitter and is always rich in contests and great photography tips. Saturday morning after my breakfast and tea, I saw a tweet mentioning various famous people inviting for something happening in Delhi. No idea about what that was all about but I too took my chances of promoting my blog and asking about the invite for myself. Soon after three tweets, I got the follow back and the invite to the event which was about to start in another one and half hour at b-bar Saket. I took Delhi metro from Iffco Chowk and reached Malviya Nagar and finally the destination by 145pm. Finally took the desired lift and this is what was there to welcome me.

b-bar is an awesome place and the location has zen like quality and perfection in everything from decor to placement of tables, chairs etc. I got welcomed by the Nikon team and handed over a goodies bag. While walking towards the stage set, I recognised a person whom I have never seen in live but always respected and loved his work. Mr. Raghu Rai was there and chatting with Nikon team. I felt inspired and thanked Nikon team instantly for the invite. I surely knew that this is going to be a knowledge of lifetime by listening to an ace photographer. Meanwhile, we waited for some time and met other fellow bloggers and photographers. Finally, the program started with Raghav Mandava taking the stage and doing his standup comdedy act. Everyone enjoyed his comic timing and jokes through out the event.

It was time to listen to the legend Mr. Raghu Rai, and I was all ears. He started with telling us about how photography has become a religion for him and he feels himself in meditation whenever he is out there in the streets with his well planned gear capturing people and moments. He loves Street photography much more than any other because it's an extended reflection of his own life. He feels that he is a common man himself and then captures the beauty of everyday changing streets across India and world. He said, if you want to take good snaps, empty your mind first and then set your foot on the street. It took him a lifetime to reach a place where he is now. 

I felt, he really had this Zen like calmness and humbleness imbibed into his personality and the perfect place chosen by Nikon India really made all the difference. I really learned a lot listening to him for ten minutes what I could have not learned reading thousand of books.

After this we were welcomed by Mr. Hiroshi Takashina, MD Nikon India to the event. He presented some unknown facts about the Nikon and his personal stint of traveling 92 cities across India. He is one of the most humble guys I have ever met. My love for Nikon brand became much more positive after this meet and meeting with the team behind Nikon India. 


Finally, it was time to take the stage by Nikon India technical team as they took us through various facts and aspects of DSLR photography and breaking myths every minute. 


 The team started presenting by taking us through DX vs FX cameras and the fact that F mount has not being changed ever since the inception of DSLR camera by Nikon. 80mn NIKKOR lenses have been manufactured by Nikon in 80 years of their opening the shop. Every lens is made with precision it demands and to the best of quality possible.
The difference between ED lenses and normal lenses. Some more diffraction differences between Nikkor lenses and those who are not using that technology.
They took us through various small presentations about DSLR cameras, range, types of photography, the events and Nikon School and some video's shot using DSLR cameras.

The team took us through various genre of photgraphy and I took these images of the slides for one of my friend Kuldeep Singh whose D600 camera got me invited to this event in the first place because I blogged about that camera and various shots I clicked using that camera on our Khajuraho trip.

Wildlife Photography - 1. Get the Range

Wildlife Photography - 2. Get the Sharpness

Wildlife Photography - 3. Get Closer to the Wild

Wildlife Photography - 4. Get the Speed

 I received some awesome goodies from the team as NIKON DSLR strap and a 4gb Lexar SD Card along with a tshirt. My DSLR has started coming to me in parts though but I felt very happy that finally it started it's journey towards my hands! :-)



Thanks a lot to Nikon India for the invite and looking forward to more such events happening in Delhi NCR. Oh forgot to tell you all that this event marked the launch of D5300 and D610 DSLR cameras in India. D5300 has some features added into the D5200 like GPS and Wifi built in capabilties.
More info on http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/products/categories/dslr.page?


A twitter competition to win a book by Mr. Raghu Rai was won by our @ArvindPassey with a perfect Street photograph he took in the recent @SoDelhi Tweasure hunt we participated last week. Heartiest Congratulations!

I really felt jealous as I too has that kind of snap but couldn't apply logic that Raghu Sir will like street snap much more than others showcased by everyone else. Meanwhile, I was able to click a snap of his signature on his book on Delhi.

Thanks once again and really felt great to be a part of this event. Looking forward to having Nikon DSLR camera in my hands sooner than ever!!!

Universe....Are you listening? I am sure, you are!

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com