PhotoTalkies a monthly e-magazine and is all about celebrating photography, and telling stories through images. In a joint venture between ZEISS and Kunzum. Enjoy the February 2014 edition of the same. And keep coming back for more.

1. talkies
PHOTO
February 2014
Issue 01
A Joint Initiative of Kunzum and ZEISS
BUDDHIST
FESTIVALS
OF LADAKH
HORNBILL
FESTIVAL
NAGALAND
TIGER HUNT IN
RANTHAMBHORE, RAJASTHAN
GREAT
PHOTOGRAPHY
TIPS

2. LET THE PHOTOS TALK
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But photos can do a lot more - they can talk to us
in a million different ways.
And thus we have PhotoTalkies - a digital magazine designed to celebrate photography. And
curate for its readers stories told through imagery. Put together by those who are adept at
storytelling through such a medium. And brought to you in a unique partnership between
ZEISS and Kunzum.
ZEISS has an unmatched history of producing camera lenses of quality and design that no
competitor has been able to emulate. And Kunzum has been at the forefront of exploring this
world from behind the camera, narrating stories to a global audience. It was only natural for
these two brands to collaborate for PhotoTalkies.
PhotoTalkies is intended as a monthly magazine where we hope to revive the art of
photojournalism which has taken a hit due to realignment of media businesses and the ubiquity
of photography by all those sporting a camera phone and regular cameras. At the same time,
we talk about what goes behind taking great photos - so others can learn and improve their
skills and art.
In the spirit of the socially connected world we live in, the magazine will follow an all-inclusive
model. Readers, professionals and amateurs alike may contribute features and comment on
what has been published. The sole criteria for selection would be quality, uniqueness and
relevance.
The digital magazine is just a start. Our idea is to eventually build a community around it - of
those who enjoy taking photographs, and those who appreciate this art form. This will be
achieved through online and offline initiatives including Social Media interactions, meet-ups,
workshops, trips and more.
Welcome to the first issue of the first season of PhotoTalkies. Let’s click together.
AJAY JAIN

3. talkies
PHOTO
A Joint Initiative of Kunzum and ZEISS
CONTENTS
The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland
5
The Buddhist Festivals of Ladakh
PHOTOTALKIES IS A MONTHLY DIGITAL
MAGAZINE. AND IT’S FREE!! DOWNLOAD
AND READ ON YOUR IPAD, IPHONE OR
ANY OTHER TABLET, COMPUTER AND
SMARTPHONE.
17
When a Tiger Hunts a Turtle: In Ranthambhore in Rajasthan
30
The Camera Lens is Your Friend and Partner
38
7 Tips to Keep in Mind Before You Pick Your Camera
44
Disclaimer: All articles and photographs in this magazine are the opinions of the
respective contributors. It is understood that they own the copyright to the same, or
have the rights to offer the same under their bylines. ZEISS is not responsible for
the authenticity of any of the articles and photographs, nor will be held liable for any
disputes, claims and liabilities arising out of ownership or copyright issues of the content
in the magazine.
www.kunzum.com/phototalkies
mail@kunzum.com
Want to contribute
to PhotoTalkies?
Ping us at mail@kunzum.com

5. The
Hornbill
Festival
A riot of music, dance, colour, and traditional
at the annual tribal festival in Kohima, capital
of the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland
AJAY JAIN
05
PhotoTalkies by Kunzum and ZEISS

6. W
inters of the northern hemisphere are a time for
festivities, and few communities can ring in the
mood better than the Nagas. Known as the land of mist
and melody, the state of Nagaland in the north-eastern
region of India has managed to preserve its culture and
traditions over centuries. And it all comes together at
the annual Hornbill Festival in state capital Kohima.
06
PhotoTalkies by Kunzum and ZEISS

7. Kohima’s branding is too strongly linked to the annual weeklong Hornbill
Festival, that starts December 1 at Kisama heritage village a little outside
town. The event is a perfect primer into Nagaland’s cultural and social fabric made up of 16 recognized tribes; there are countless sub-tribes by the
way!
These tribes put up a colourful and animated display of their costumes,
dances and music. The tribes enact their stories, their heritage, and their
battles. You may want to stay a few steps away from the blasts, dust and
smoke generated from rifles going off pointing towards the ground - the
cartridges are blank though. Or so I assume. Each tribe has a representative morung (sleeping hut) with thatched roofs, bamboo furniture and
log drums; the last mentioned are still the communication tools in some
interior villages. Sample their foods and home-brewed rice beer, and meet
the tribals up close. Vegetarians may be disappointed though, and may
have to find themselves a sandwich or North Indian fare at other stalls. The
Bamboo Mall stocks Naga dresses, shawls, jewellery, bamboo artifacts, artworks and more - you will love shopping here.
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9. 09
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10. 10
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12. Sports like tug-of-war and Naga wrestling add to
the fun. Cultural performances from neighbouring
states like Mizoram and Meghalaya and nations
like Myanmar and Thailand add to the charm. The
modern face of the state’s youth shows up when
the sun goes down (around 4:00 p.m., thanks to
one country, one time zone; if India had more than
one time zone, as it should, the watch would show
a later time at sunset). Rock bands from across the
country put up gigs, culminating in a contest with
considerable prize money.
12
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13. 13
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15. Travel Tips
Kohima, at an altitude of 4,738 feet (1,444 m), serves as a gateway to
the rest of the state, offering a peek into the beauty and culture of
what lies beyond. It is also a moving repository of memories from the
past, reminding us of the price we will pay all over again lest we forget
our history. It is best approached by air, nearest airport being Dimapur.
Accommodation is limited, and average quality at best. Advance booking
is advised.
15
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17. LADAKH
THE BUDDHIST FESTIVALS
AJAY JAIN
Ladakh, locate d in the high
altitude Himalayas in
northern India, is the sacred
land of Bu ddhists. Staying
isolated from the rest of th
e
world for a go od part of th
e
year has enable d Ladakhis to
preser ve and practice their
relig ion like they have for
centuries. And it shows in th
e
Bu ddhist festivals, annual
events at mos t monas teries.
17
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19. The biggest and most popular is the one at the Hemis Monastery; it helps
that it falls in the peak tourist season of June - July. Crowds can be madding
here, and it is advisable one reaches very early to secure a spot. No such
problem at other monasteries though - not too many tourists go there as they
are either off their circuit, or the dates fall during the non-summers months
when it can get extremely cold.
These festivals are essentially different kinds of masked dances, each with
a theme or a prayer. The dances have evolved into vibrant events, with
costumes made of brocade and silk, in bright golds, reds, blues and
greens. Masks of a clay-cotton mix are painted in natural colours and
polished in gold and silver.
Trumpets, cymbals, drums, bells and flageolets provide the accompanying
music. Dancers flourish sacred items like daggers, spears, bells, vajras, skulls
and damrus. Decades or sometimes even centuries old, these are brought
out for special events only.
The origins of these dances go back to the 9th century when the rise of
Buddhism at the expense of the Bon religion provoked Langdarma, Tibet’s
Bon king, into persecuting Buddhists. Monks were disrobed and monasteries
dismantled. In frustration, the powerful monk Palji Dorge came dancing to
Lhasa, dressed in a wide-brimmed black hat, high boots and brocade
costume, and pierced the king’s heart with an arrow. This was the
prototypical cham, now popular as the Buddhist masked dance, though
some trace it back to the Sakyamuni (the historical Buddha) era. Cham
was patronised by Guru Padmasambhava, when he visited the court of
Tibetan king Trisong Deutsen in the 8th century.

20. s) of all
ddhis t monk
Lamas (Bu
ttend
all o ver to a
ro m
ages co me f
e in the
nd participat
fes tivals a
nies.
io us ceremo
relig

21. ances,
There cannot be any d
ones,
even relig io us masked
nks here
w itho ut music. The mo
ants on
are playing Bu ddhist ch
ments.
their trad itional instru
21
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22. 22
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23. Buddhist Nuns at the Hemis
Fes tival. They sure can laugh out
lou d, but what are some of them
smoking?

24. 24
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26. 26
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28. * Most festivals have no
restrictions on anyone attending
the same. Some may charge a
nominal fee. Certain prayer
sessions are open to monks and /
or nuns only.
* You are advised to dress
appropriately as monasteries
are places of worship.
* Pack some food and water - you
may not get options to your liking.
* Weather changes dramatically
in Ladakh at a short notice al
always carry extra warm clothing
and rain / snow protection.
28
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30. When a Tiger
Hunts a Turtle
Ranthambhore National Park
Rajasthan, India
AJAY JAIN
Would you ride in an open SUV in temperatures exceeding 50 degrees
Celsius? With the sun threatening to burn everything in sight, and the
desert sand piercing your skin like countless needles? You would, if
you were on the trail of the tiger in the Ranthambhore National Park in
Rajasthan, India.
30
PhotoTalkies by Kunzum and ZEISS

31. One of the few forests in India where tigers still prowl, you can be
almost assured of a sighting – but only if you venture out when
summer is at its harshest. This is when water sources dry up,
and animals come out in the open to water holes. And the dry
vegetation makes camouflaging difficult. The roll of dice can still
go against you, or you may be lucky like me – with seven sightings
over a single weekend.
31
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32. 32
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34. 34
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35. 35
PhotoTalkies by Kunzum and ZEISS

36. After a successful hunt and a hearty
meal, the tiger sleeps only as a lord
of the jungle would.

38. The
Camera
Lens
is Your
Friend
and Partner
SUNDEEP BALI
Lens-based Artist and ZEISS Lens Ambassador
Photographic lenses are not unlike people - none of
them are perfect. And those that do come close to
being so are extremely difficult to work with.
The position that a lens occupies in photographic
imaging is so central and basic that it is often
overlooked.
38
We all know that it is the lens that converges the image on the
photo-sensitive media (sensor or film) and ultimately determines the
quality of image that is captured by the camera. I like to think of my
digital camera as an instrument that impartially and objectively registers
the image that is thrown by the lens on the sensor. And my lens as the
agent that would distil and add character to the image that I have
visualized and decided to make through it.
I do believe that none of the lenses are perfect. In fact, the very process
of manufacturing camera lenses is defined and limited by the
considerations of weight and price before the designing of a lens starts.
And lenses that do come ‘close to being perfect’ can be quite demanding
on the photographers who use them. I admit that I have embarrassed
myself on occasions by making images on a wide-open aperture that are
not tack sharp on the chosen plane of focus, and high performance of
the lens just makes it look worse. Most of my shooting happens in
manual focus.
I figured it is best to treat lenses like people. All lenses have a personality
and they can become good friends with photographers who are able to
accept and utilize their strengths and foibles to realize their desired
images.
One piece of advice for all photographers: We don’t know what camera
we would be using five years from now. But if you have a good lens - a
lens that you know and treat like a friend - you could trust it for your
images and it would see you through good and not-so-good
photographic times.
PhotoTalkies by Kunzum and ZEISS

39. A study of Bhardwaj Lake at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, Delhi.
Image made with a ZEISS Distagon 2,8/25mm ZF on Nikon D200.

40. A Zebra Spider lurks behind a
butterfly that has just metamorphosed out from its pupa stage. The
butterfly needs time for its wings to
dry and exercise its flight muscles
before it can take to its maiden flight.
Image made with a ZEISS Distagon
2,8/25mm ZF on Nikon D200.

41. Kainat at Kinari Bazaar, Old Delhi
Image made with a ZEISS 2,8/25mm ZF on Nikon D700.

42. A View of a pipe-shop at Choodiwalan, Old Delhi
Image made with a Touit 1.8/32mm on Fuji X-Pro1.

43. Connect with ZEISS
https://www.facebook.com/carlzeisslenses
http://www.flickr.com/groups/carlzeisslenses
http://vimeo.com/groups/carlzeisslenses
https://twitter.com/carlzeisslenses
For more information on ZEISS Sports Optics
and Camera Lenses
www.zeiss.com/sportsoptics
www.zeiss.com/photo
www.zeiss.com/cine
For Customer Enquiries
sportsoptics-photo@zeiss.com
+91.11.45156000

44. The camera is the last piece in the photographic process. Seriously,
I mean it. If you want to be a good photographer, as an amateur or a
professional, I suggest you ponder over the following:
The camera does not matter: You do not need an expensive
camera to start taking good photos. Make do with what you
have - smartphones, point-and-shoots or basic DSLRs - and
master these first. In over 70 percent of the cases, your entry
level DSLR will give you results similar to a high end one.
Upgrade only after you have been shooting enough with what
you have first.
2.
Technology does most of the work for you - but only you can
compose: Today’s cameras are advanced enough to give you
great results even in the auto mode, or by just adjusting the
Shutter or Aperture settings. No need to fret about knowing
all camera functions initially - just understand the essentials.
But no camera can compose for you - the art if your own. And
that is what you need to work on most - what goes into your
frame. Learn to observe the world around you - can compose
images in your mind without your camera.
3.
Always be a student: Never stop learning. The Internet is a
great resource for blogs, magazines and other repositories of
knowledge. Go through this content regularly - understand
what the experts are saying. Look at a lot of photographs online and in galleries. Your senses will get more artistic subconsciously. Talk to other photographers - don’t hesitate to
ask questions. We have all learnt from each other. A simple tip
can do wonders for your photography. Learn from the Masters
but don’t imitate them - develop your own style.
© AJAY JAIN
1.
LOVE
PHOTOGRAPHY?
7
things to keep in mind before
you pick your camera
AJAY JAIN

45. 4.
5.
No substitute for hard work and odd hours: Photography is not for the
lazy. You have to be on your feet - and at times when your subject can
be shot best. If you want to shoot in the first light of the day, you have to
be up when the world is still asleep. Sunrise will not change its schedule
for you. Be willing to explore and wait for surprises to pop up - for example,
if you are a travel or street photographer, spend hours just walking around
and looking around you. You cannot always pre-plan what you are going
to shoot.
6.
Prepare yourself in advance for best results: Advance research is very
important. Research your subject before going out to shoot. For example,
if you are travelling, find out the best time of the year to shoot. Try to
coincide your trip with events. Browse the Internet to see what others
have shot - get ideas, but don’t just imitate. Come back with your own
unique shots. If you need permissions, have them in order. Carry back-up
batteries, memory and even cameras if going to remote locations. Go
fully prepared - but keep your mind and eyes open to shooting what
you have not visualised.
7.
© AJAY JAIN
The 20:80 rule of classroom learning: No matter how many lessons you
take, that is only 20 percent of the job done. The rest is what you do
with yourself. If you don’t practice regularly, and put in the hard work,
you might as well not waste your time and money attending classes.
The teacher can only teach you the vocabulary - you have to forms words
and stories yourself.
Travel light: Burdening yourself like a mule with equipment is not sexy.
Travel light. Carry only as much as you need. You don’t want to be
weighed down with gear - and also be worried about losing something.
You need to be free in the mind to shoot better.
Would you second the above? If yes, then you may take out your camera. Otherwise you might as
well go for other pursuits. Happy clicking.

46. ZEISS Camera Lens : Workshop Tour India
Meet Mr. Andreas Bogenschuetz
(Technical Expert, Camera Lens, Carl Zeiss AG)
March - April, 2014: Contact for Schedule & Registration
Bangalore
Fotocircle - Mr. Jayesh
+91.9845022654 / fotocirclenk@gmail.com
Chennai
Hansa Cine Equipments - Mr. Anil
+91.9444085508 / anil@hansagroup.in
ZEISS EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
JOIN US
DSLR Filmmaking by Filmmaker Mr. Saravanakumar
February 28 - March 2, 2014, Chennai
www.lenscape.in / www.saravanakumarco.in
kpkrishna@gmail.com / sujith@ zeiss.com / anil@hansagroup.in
Cochin
Fourtek Systems - Mr. Tom
+91.9447039709 / fourteksystems@gmail.com
Hyderabad
Srishti Digilife - Mr. Rajkumar
+91.9399973935 / rajkumar@srishtidigilife.co.in
Kolkata
Srishti Digilife Pvt.Ltd - Mr. Manoj
+91.8100001382 / manoj@srishtidigilife.co.in
New Delhi
Workshop on ZEISS Compact Prime and Zoom Lenses by Mr. Amarjeet
February 28, 2014, Mumbai
vsachdeva@sungroup.net
ZEISS Sports Optics
March 1 - 2, 2014, Inorbit Mall, Malad, Mumbai
Avit Digital - Mr. Rajesh
+91.9811017774 / rajesh@avitdigital.com
Shashi Enterprise - Mr. Manish
+91.9810119524 / shashienterprisesindia@gmail.com
West (Mumbai & Ahmedabad)
Sun Broadcast Equipments - Mr. Vikas
+91.9867530600 / vsachdeva@sungroup.net
Ria Enterprises - Mr. Hari
+91.9930155660 / haririaenterprises@gmail.com
Tinnu International - Mr. Amit
+91.9819046742 / amit@tinnuinternational.in

47. 
Want to be
a great
photographer?
Want to be
a travel writer?
www.
nzum.
ku
c om/
b
ediala
m
As a
professional
or a hobbyist?
Full time
or Part Time?
Kunzum Travel Cafe
T-49, GF, Hauz Khas Village
New Delhi 110016, India
Tel: +91.9650 702 777 / +91.11.2651 3949
mail@kunzum.com
Timings: 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Mondays Closed
Sign up for a workshop / course
at the Kunzum Media Lab. We
promise it will change your life.

48. T-49, GF, Hauz Khas Village
New Delhi 110016, India
Tel: +91.9650 702 777 / +91.11.2651 3949
mail@kunzum.com
Timings: 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Mondays Closed