A class trip on the Balu River in the northeast of Dhaka city... to study the eco-system.

Had accompanied the Brownies on the same river around a year ago.

   
   
As we got off the boat to take a walk through the villages, a storm began and we were able to get back to the boat just in time. The 2 storm photos were taken 3 minutes apart - you can see how fast the low clouds moved in. High winds and driving rain. Then lightning, a few strikes into the river and some on the land to our left....probably some of the closest lightning strikes I have witnessed. The ones that hit close, were reddish-yellow [is that possible?] and I could smell the electric discharge. The kids were all huddled into the cabin below, and Denise May read horror stories to them!
  

Oh, and after processing the images from this trip - the storm landscapes sparked a thought. A few evenings ago a friend had brought over a photography magazine, and it had a great tutorial on how to create Triptych images. So, I gave it a shot and a first attempt here it is. Thanks Stein!

For the past many weeks the WIP photo project for «The Jungle Book» production at AIS/D Elementary School had taken up all of my shooting time. Am not complaining! in case that is what it sounded like. It was a great experience, both photographically and to witness the progression of the learning process the kids went through... and to then finally watch the fantastic performance where each one of them shone like stars! The Work In Progress photo record/essay runs into 100's of [final] images and these are grouped in separate PDF files [full resolution JPG's] for each session. 5 sessions + 1 from the Dress Rehearsal + 1 lot of backstage photos + 1 lot of group photos of the cast + 1 lot from the final performance night. I probably shot around 2000 frames and culled these down to a manageable number. I might post some sample images from these sessions a bit later once the photo-CD is done and produced.  You can take a peek at The Jungle Book CD-Cover if you like. This image is a conversion from one of the photos.

I've not shot much in the last many days as the post-processing job took [a total] around 80 hours... and so those itchy fingers have been missing the familiar feel of the ridged focusing-ring and shutter-release button.

I've been observing the Starlings [Sturnus contra] and Crows starting to build their nests high in the Mahogany tress.... and this one particular crow is extremely alarmed every-time I take a peek out the window at the nest being built. The Starlings are building a nest much higher in the other tree but are very watchful and can notice me even if I am behind a window screen. Today I was able to get a few images before the Starlings flew off to watch me from another tree.
 

Updated [a few hours after posting the above]:

I decided to post a few assorted ones from the work-in-progress photos of The  Jungle Book rehearsals in no particular order.....

Images from the «Work-In-Progress» during rehearsals and also some images from the performance day of The  Jungle Book - by the AISD Elementary section. The main performances were on the 13th and 14th March 2008.

More to be added soon....

American International School, Dhaka.
1st Feb 2008 ~ Jazz Choir ~ Jazz Band ~ Selected Soloists and Ensembles.

The SIASA Music Festival 2008 was a treat! great music from very talented young people.
Participants are several schools -

American Intl School Chennai ~ American School Mumbai ~ American Embassy School New Delhi ~ Lincoln School Kathmandu ~ Karachi American School ~ Intl School of Islamabad ~ Murree Christian School ~ American Intl School Dhaka.

2nd Feb 2008, Grand Finale

Laila Plamondon sings her heart out at the IC at Dhaka on January 16th 2008...

Laila is a «local grown» Dhaka girl, graduating from AIS-Dhaka and then going on to a bachelor's degree at Smith College. Laila was named 'First Smith Superstar' in 2006.

Her younger sister, Zoya, sings beautifully as well...

Talent runs high in the family starting with [their mother] painter and fashion-designer Kuhu. [* see 1/25/08 update below].

Keep reading →

American International School - Dhaka
Grade 3M presented a parody play at assembly today - about witches, frogs and other yuckies. Ah, I am  reminded by Mannat that it is called «The Frog Prince» - hilarious stuff! The class will continue the entire day celebrating a «Fairy Tale Day» - another fun filled day at school!

The junior choir in harmony....
  

December 6th 2007