15th July at 10:30 PM, the show started with host Rajeev Khandelwal. Best thing was the first participant was non celebrity. Thumbs up for the channel who think in this way and do not bother to bring celeb for publicity though in 16th July episode a tv artist is coming.

The patern of the show is entirely same. There were 50 questions which were asked during the poly graphic test. Out of these 50, 21 questions were randomly selected in the game. The first level had 6 questions and with every level the number of questions decreed and the questions became more personal.

The name of the participant was Smita who was a research associate and also runs a tiffin service in Mumbai. She managed to go to a certain level and answered 10 questions and missed the last one loosing all her money. The worst questions were “If she ever wanted to kill her husband”, “If she would make physical relations with someone else if she is sure her husband will never come to know about”, “If she thinks her mom loves her brother’s children more than her” and some other.

Too good episode, though it is going to create controversies but overall a very good tweeting experiance

The promotional videos have shown Vinod Kambli, Bobby Darling and many other famous personalities playing the game and litterally crying during the show. One question which I remember that was shown during promo was “Kya aap zoru ke gulam hain”? (Are you slave of your wife?”)

Promotional Videos:

#1

Click here to view the embedded video.

#2

Click here to view the embedded video.

#3

Click here to view the embedded video.

Wildlife photography entices even those who hang cameras around their neck, merely to flaunt. And with the advent of digital cameras, they have grown multi folds in last few years. Almost every photographer’s dream is to do wildlife photography, even if his primary profession is other branches of photography or a completely different profession. Why not? For it has glamour of its own! It surely has steep challenges, which many people love negotiating in life and that is what earns it all that glamour. Those who do not participate, they become ardent admirers of those who perform and achieve. This makes people drone all the time around wildlife photography. Also, nature has always been enticing most of us into its lap, where it has many wonders to unfold to those who dare. This breed of photographers, unfolds the sensational mysteries of natural history as well, in fact makes wildlife photographers as ambassadors of wildlife conservation in true sense. Wildlife photography is like wooing a beautiful woman! Not all will be lucky to get her, in spite of the best chase.

My purpose of writing here is, that most of us do not realize what makes a good wildlife photographer and that’s why very few are on top of the pyramid of wildlife photography. The first and foremost thing is one has to assess one’s own potential first i.e. one has to have access to wildlife, natural history knowledge, minimum average physical fitness, not to mention suitable camera equipment, etc. In spite of all this all are not lucky to make good wildlife photographs. Many get stuck with the compulsions of life (jobs and family). Then some are born with an eye of a good artist and have good discipline, are in the habit of getting up early, the ones who don’t love sleep much. So, that is how one makes it to one’s own niche. And have admirers too. Who doesn’t like?

Most of us, at infancy stage, think wildlife photography can only be done if one goes inside national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Though, I do not deny this fact that most of the wildlife today is there only in the parks and sanctuaries, but one has to know what all it involves to do wildlife photography of high quality. First of all, plenty of time and patience. Then comes good money to buy you a good set of camera equipment i.e. two camera bodies with high speed of `fps’ and higher mega pixels, professional lenses which are in the range of US$ 10,000 each, the best tripods (legs only will cost US$ 1000 and above) ball heads (US$ 1000 and above), not to mention numerous expensive accessories one need all the time. Next comes, expensive traveling by train or road to reach (long distances) the well protected wildlife areas having good wildlife to photograph. One needs advance bookings to check into a good lodge on arrival, which is safe for your equipment and looks after you well to ensure your comfort (you need that after hard work), costing Rs 2500 and above per day. While you start unpacking your camera boxes, someone has to check your vehicle for the jungle safari, which will cost you Rs 2000 per day only for the morning and evening jungle safaris. If you are serious about wildlife photography and have suitable camera gear, then there should be only one person in one vehicle, with one assistant. O, I forgot to mention the entry fees for the vehicle, yourself, driver, camera equipment (this can vary park to park), hire a guide for each trip, etc. All this adds up to minimum Rs 5000 plus, to do wildlife photography per day in any Indian parks and sanctuaries, including your lodge. Not to forget all the `red-tape’ and local skirmishes of the staff and locals, you will face in the field.

I am sure, you all will ask one question that if wildlife photography is so tough and then rewards are meager and that too not many, then why there are still some wildlife photographers who invest so much of money and efforts for this. You must see what all has gone into making them as big wildlife photographers of name, things `behind curtains’. Some of them are lucky to have their well paying businesses and having time too, some have been lucky to be around wildlife areas, some own lodges, some are paid to become one. Nothing has come into being overnight and so easily we all think, they all have worked very hard to their way up the ladder. Always, one must do that first which is within one’s reach, which means select a subject that is not far from your base (this way you cut cost of logistics, travel and no leave required from your job), your basic equipment can deliver good photos, etc. Everyone, makes a humble start and makes it way up as per its own capabilities and efforts.

Some are lucky to be working in and around the jungle lodges and resorts, next to national parks and wildlife areas, easy access to wildlife areas; most costs are reduced this way. Others have climbed the ladder slowly, through the standard grind of this profession. They all have worked very hard to reach where you see them shining like a star or sun.  Not realizing, what made them shine, trying to emulate aimlessly. One of the important things, one must have knowledge of natural history, most important assets one needs to have, to make a significant dent in this field.

Now, if you are a basic photographer like me (with limited resources), then turn around and peep into your backyard, balconies, city gardens, bushes, agricultural fields, there is plenty of wildlife, i.e. birds, insects, lizards, vegetation, etc. Let me remind you, this way, you will need equipment, which will cost you only one twentieth of that which is mentioned in the above paragraphs; even if you buy pro equipment (professional macro lens, 300mm lens with 2X, suitable tripod with ballhead, a flash, two camera bodies, etc.). If you are worth your salt, which all can not be, you will crawl up and the speed will commensurate to the size of your sincere efforts only.

At the end of the day, we all love to be rewarded which could be in terms of money (to support your expensive equipment and on-going upgradation all the time), publications for name, stock photo sales, etc. In case of wildlife photography, I find that the sale is too less when we compare it to other branches of photography i.e. life style, travel, fashion, etc. The demand is less and supply is more.

My aim here is not to discourage you, its to throw some light on the path which most of wish to tread in the years to come. You need an external support to sustain, if you wish to start working as wildlife photographer right from the beginning and nothing else. There are numerous examples, whose `first love’ is wildlife photography, but are fashion photographers which is so paying that it can buy them good equipment and can afford access to wildlife areas and can afford to take time off their primary profession. They do get rewarded well, as they have all that which helps them get good wildlife photos.

Life is too short to do experiments, but some love experimenting like me. But then I am very clear what I want in life, happiness, not by achieving big goals, but by doing what I like doing the most. I drifted into travel photography, as its so easy, take one wide angle lens and walk in the streets or a fair or cultural event, go around a monument, etc. I do nature photography which you can see as cactus photography, flower photography, snake photography, etc. on my website.

One very important thing for your all:  learn how to respect animals, they too have right to live peaceful  life.  Just like we humans, animals value their privacy too, we have no right to intrude their homes, with cameras and making noises.

You are most welcome to write to me and I will try to answer your questions, if I am at my base and sitting `online’ then it happens very quick.

HAPPY CLICKING !

Spam mails not only consume space of your mail box but also waste time and bandwidth. Although many service providers like Yahoo (Unlimited storage), Gmail (7 GB at the moment) are providing good amount of mail space but een then sorting out and deleting unwanted mails is a mess.

Those who have selfhosted websites and using emails created on them, they are the most attacked section of internet users. Practically there is no way out to check if the service provider you are looking for, gives proper spam protection or not. There are handsome bunch of people who claim to do so but in real world they just fail to provide an appropriate antispam protection to their clients.

In true ways there are only a few service providers which provide atleast 95% spam protection 99.9% uptime (Verified by Admin)  and saves a lot of time and bandwidth for you. They will also guide you on how to manage your mail accounts and keep them clean.

You should keep in mind while going for web hosting that you should always check their portfolio and reviews online. This will help you to check if any client of that particular company is facing any issues or not. This will help you in choosing the best solution available over the internet.

Orkut, Facebook, Myspace are some names which we can not just forget about. No matter you want to search for old friends or you want to make new friends. You want to do some ethical publicity for your business or you want to promote someone/your own blog. These websites are always on their feet to help you out and that totally free of cost.

I remember I found my school mate, to whom I was not in contact form last 7 years, on orkut. If you are not using these/any of them, try them out and you will just love them. You can share photos, feeds, news, status, videos and much more with your friends over these social networks.

Some points to keep in mind:
1. Do not YELL. It is very important to use proper language over the Internet. At home or in a group only a few people will be watching you but on the Internet, you are exposed to whole world. So whenever you are saying anything think twice or it may ruin your reputation. Do not use all CAPITAL because in language if Internet it is YELLING.
2. Be good. Comment good, no harsh language, no abusive language and no useless tricks.
3. Try to be safe. Although giving out business information is important but when it comes to personal information try to avoid as much as you can.

Rest is fun. Enjoy being social and promote yourself as a brand over the internet.