Date:2nd Nov 08Venue:Bhabanipur Cemetry (Alipur)Members Present:1.Rangan2.Samir3.Dizzie4.Sumanta5.Sudip6.Subho7.Atanu8.Sumi9.Aparna10.Joyjeet11.Krishnendu12.Abhijit ( Chobiwala )13.Sudipta14.Saikat15.Rajarshi16.Subhamoy17.Kingshuk18.BireshGuest1.Debjani2.IndiraAll Souls day is a day when Christian remember their friends & relatives, who have passed away. This comes from an ancient belief that the souls of the dead will return, on this particular day, to have a meal with their family & friends. Candles are lit to guide the souls to their home for the meal.As schedule most of the members met infront of National Library main gate at 3:30pm. I arrived late and headed straight for the cemetry. The place was crowded not only by people paying homage to departed relatives & friends but also by hordes of photographers (not only KWS). Infact it seemed that the photographers out numbered the mourners.The graves were beautifully decorated with flowers and candles.As usual we divided into small groups and carried on with our shots. Looking for Candids, Potrtaits, Macros and even Landscapes. In the centre on the cemetry lies the War memorial. There were no one to pay homage to the departed foreign soldiers. This place was not crowded giving the photographers an differnt photographic opertunity.As usual the KWS members had there usual share of fun. Jojeet, Subhomay da and Atanu da climbed a ladder to increase the wideness of there wide angle lenses. Apran almost forced a lady to pray infront of a grave.As darkness desended the candles started glowing brightly and one by one tripods came out. With KWS members trying their skills in night shots.It was difficult arranging for the group shot, finally we had shot with out Saikat and Sumanta da, who was no where to be found.The shot was over by 6:30pm but KWS shots are never complete with out food. Most of the members left but 8 of us (Sudip, Indira, Sumanta, Joyjeet, Subhamoy, Dizze, Debjani & I) continued with the KWS tradition with samosa & Lassi at a shop (Don't know tha name!!) near the Bhabanipur Gurudwara.Members are requested to Tag there photos KWS021108ALLSOUL and post them to the group pool.The report is written by Rangan Dutta.

Venue: Kalakar Street MarketDate: 29/10/08Meeting Place : Girish Park Metro StationMembers Present:1. Sudip2. Diganto3. Aparna4. Ganesh5. Abhijit6. Amitabha7. Atanu8. SubhamoyA shoot at Kalakar Street Market was the agenda of this extended weekend shoot for Diwali. Though this was the middle of the week, we kept this date as the last shoot on 26th October got cancelled due to rain.This was first KWS outing for Ganesh.After walking down from Girish Park to Ganesh Talkies , there was a confusion as to which way is Kalakar Street. I thought it falls on the left side, some thought it was on the right. Finally Atanu came to our rescue and guided us through the serpentine lanes of north kolkata to the busy bazaar. Basically you have to walk from Ganesh talkies to Punte Kalitala ( 2 mins barely) and then turn left into a lane besides a park and then again turn right and walk a bit to reach the destined bazaar.Sudip was a bit confused about the road and somehow locating lots of woman who looked familiar. ‘Etake aamar chena chena lagche’ was his repetitive comment ( Hey Sudip, don’t get angry).The Bazaar was crowded but nothing like the day before Dhanteras. It was good for us as shooting in the Dhanteras crowd would be extremely difficult. We all got busy with different subjects. Abhijit targeted a Flute seller who soon became some type of celebrity in that area. Subhamoy went for some close up of Diwali decoratives , Dizzy & I tried for some kids as candids. Aparna joined us later. Ganesh was taking pictures silently. Later he confessed that he had taken around 170 odd pics ! Sudip was busy taking some candids ( maybe of some known faces… who knows ?)Light was getting low, and people in the market were getting curious about us. Maximum took us for journalist and many started yelling at us to take their photographs. The best way is to ignore these people and go on taking photographs. We did the same. In midst of a cigarette break, a lottery ticket seller approached us. I bought one and the guy checked my ticket number, thought something and then asked for my name and phone number, which he noted down in a makeshift. ‘Wow…’ I thought ‘Is that some kind of indication ?’Atanu left early and we left the market around 17:00 . We walked upto Girish Park, did not find Sharma’s an appropriate place for snacks break, and then again walked upto biriyani house at Vivekananda road. Before that there was a comedy in front of a temple near Ganesh talkies. We were thinking of a group photograph, and then Sudip went for searching for a road side photographer and finally caught up a timid looking guy. He took a photo right, but it was a very long shot and to make matter worse it was hazy. Finally we decided on taking photos ourselves and doing PP.We finished off our refreshments with tandoori roti, mutton rezala and firni, discussed about tyoes of firni, low light photography and brand new look of kolkata trams and then left after yet another successful weekend shoot of KWS.Kindly tag ur pictures KWS281008Diwali and post them to the grp poolThanks Amitabha da for writing this report.

Venue: Subhomoy da's flat (empty) Sibpur Howrah

Date: 19/10/08

Members Present:1.Sudip2.Shamim3.Aparna4.Chobiwala5.Aruni6.Dizzie7.Subhamoy8.Piyush9.Tamanash10.Rangan11.Apu Koustav(Guest)12.Paromita(Guest)13.Krish14.Sudipta15.Joyjeet16.Abhirup17.Amitabha18.Subhashis19.Ayan20.SumantaAt last the D Day came. We have been waiting for it since 18/09/08 (the actual birthday.) According to schedule we met at the Calcutta Port Trust Guest House. But some of the members opted to go straight to Subhomoy da's flat. We started a bit behind schedule. Joyjeet, Subhomuy da, Diganta, Aparna and I left for sibpur in Jojeet's car along with the cake & misthi. Sumanta da along with Apu & Paromita di followed us in his car. Sudip, Chobiwala, Tamanash, Sudipta, Abhirup, Amitabha and Subhasis followed in bike and taxi.The comlex along with the flat was beautiful. We were soon in a relaxed mood with Sudip, Sudipta and Chobiwala working on Laptops. Soon the other members started dropping in. Shamim, Krish, Piyus (Straight from Amsterdam) and Ayan joined in but as usual Aruni was late. Subhomoy da's parents also dropped in with mashima providing us with delicious narkol naru. We also had a round of snacks (Chicken Crossent & cold drinks)This was followed by a photo session with Aparna posing as makeshift model, but as the cake was unveiled the photographers left Aparna and started shooting the cake. Piyus, who had travelled the longest to attend the party, was given the honour to cut the cake. The black forest cake was so tasty that there was no incidence of cake throwing at each other. This was followed by a discussion, where every member and even the guest gave there opinion about KWS.Next we left for the lunch session at Sibpur BE college guest house. The menu consisted of bhat, dal, alu bhaja, mix-veg, rui mach, chicken, chatni, papad, misthi and icecream.The lunch was followed by another adda session at the guest house, where Ayan proposed the theory of normal marriage. (to be discused in details in Baba Uncle thread). Sumanta da (along with his guests) and Subhasis left soon after and Krish joined them for his second lunch with his wife (also to be discussed).We returned to the warmth of the flat where we had a great adda session along with bottels of beer and imported chocolates (Courtesy: Piyus)Anibran called up several times inspite of his shots for the details of the party and khabar'e lob debar jonyo!We ended the day with a presentation by Sudip on KWS looking back.

Protima Bisarjon(11-10-08)

Venue: Judges Ghat
Date : 11-10-08
Time : 3.00 p.m
Members:
01.Aparna
02.Rikh
03.Shamim
04.Sudip
05.Sumitava
06.Krishnendu

Guest
01.Indira
02.Swati

Today a new member,Rikh joined us with his wife Swati.Meeting place for the shoot was Judges Ghat,I reached to the location and found Shamim da, Sumitavo, Rikh & Swati are already there.After a long time Sudip da reached with Indira di(his wife) & We were lucky to get Krish. After a long period,Krish joined us.

We start our day.
Keeping Ganges to our left, from Judges Ghat, we started walking and shooting towards Babu Ghat, actually we plan to shoot "Protima Bisarjon" but unfortunately we din not found any bisarjon rituals & no other interesting activity on the ghat. so we decided to leave the place,to make a adda session.We took the group shot at Babu Ghat and walked towards our final destination "Scoop".But due to some personal reason Rikh, Swati & Sumitava leave just after the Ghat shoot.

We walked through the famous ice cream parlour of Kolkata 'Scoop", we had a very good & long time adda with French Fries & Ice Cream. After the usual long session of food, Weekend shooters as a matter of fact called it a day.
Members are requested to add TAG: KWS111008BISORJON to there pictures and post them to the group pool.

Bonus Shoot Dashami "Sindoor Khela"(09.10.08)

Date: 09:10:08
Place: Bagbazar Sarbojanin
Members present

01.Aparna
02.Sudip
03.Tanayesh
04.Suman
05.Vivek
06.Sumi
07.Atanu
08.Subhamoy
09.Saikat
10. Dibyendu
11.Miss Sreemoyee Roy Choudhury(Guest)
12.Mr. Rahul Reddy(Guest)
13.Angad(Guest)

Ok now, here I start off with my first report. After having almost forgotten about the shoot I got up at 7.45 am. Sleepy, gloomy and also hell worried that I will miss a few early shots I darted off instantly to meet my boss, Mr. Rahul Reddy, and my girlfriend, Miss Sreemoyee Roy Choudhury, as they were our guests for the shoot. Met them 10 minutes late and off we went in Rahul Sir's car and reached Bagbazar at around 9.20 am.

We met Aparna on the road and with her was our third guest, Angad. After having given the both of them a lift in the car we finally reached the place. Most members had also just arrived. And wow! the place was already a hub of activity. People hurrying about everywhere doing a host of things. Sudipda and a few others had already occupied a vantage point inside the pandal hoping to get a few better shots, but this was of no avail as all the action moved out of the pandal into the lawn. And then the moment of apocalpyse happened!

Swarms of photographers from maybe all the photograpy groups of Kolkata attacked the ever obliging ladies, all for their own bit ofphotographic eternalzation. Amidst this frenzy we were clicking away to our hearts content as well when Aparna caught the "ire" of the 'boudis'. The next thing we saw was with her face smeared with "sindoor' being a cute subject for the array of photographers.

I wasnt spared from being "red faced" either as I too was smeared with vermillion and also my girlfriend, but the spirit mattered and thats all that counts. Thus we went on clicking and got a few very good portraits. Some stunning ones really!! Bengali ladies do look best in sarees and their expression during this event is beyond compare.

But as good thing have to end, so ended ur shoot at around 11.30 am.
We headed off again for the days full of the monotonous glory of our daily lives but with the everlasting ray of hope of looking into the goddess' eyes next time around.

Members are requested t TAG there picture with KWS091008SINDUR and post them to the group pool.

Regards,
Vivek Mukherjee.

Bonus shoot on Maha Ashtami(07.10.08)

Report: Bonus Shoot on Ashtami. More of a get together and feeding frenzy!
Venue: Tero Parbon Restaurant and Maddox Square.
Date: 7th October, 2008
Time: 1:30 pm.

TAG: KWS07102008ASHTAMI
I had a real temptation to change the tag to KWF.... Kolkata Weekdays Food!! but then again, let's not malign the club.

Disclaimer: This report is not intended to hurt Anirban, our good friend, in anyway. Any such effects on Anirban's part is totally unintentional and does not reflect the reporters mind. This can also be concluded as a fault on Anirban's behalf. Thank You. [:)] [;)]

Member's Present (alphabetically):
1)Aruni
2)Aparna
3)Sudip da
4)Shamim da
5)Suman
6)Tanayesh
7)Sumi

Guests Present:
Indira di ( Sudip da's wife)
Angad (Aparna's friend)

On Ashtami afternoon we met in front of Rashbehari Crossing. I think everyone had FOOOOOD on their minds. So we quickly moved to an auto stand nearby, as so superlatively pointed out by Sudip da. But it turns out it was a wild guess. Which was caught brilliantly by Indira di. Then we boarded taxis to reach the restaurant. Which was Sudip da's master plan all along!
After reaching tero parbon we shared greetings. Aruni made the booking. We got our table after quite a bit of waiting. So we were a bit upset with the management of the restaurant. We had vowed to take revenge. How we took it comes in the later part. We took the buffet menu. I don't remember the full menu. But we had, koraishuti r kochuri, chola r daal, kosha maangsho, chingri maach er malai curry, sorshe bata iilish, kheer, kheer er sondesh, gulab jamun and aam paana sarbat. All of us went on a feeding frenzy, specially Aruni, Tanayesh and Me. The three of us had four pieces of Iilish, four of golda chingri, two pieces of mangsho, sufficient and more than sufficient bhaat, and four piecec of kochuri EACH! All the waiters were aghast and horrified to see the way we ate. It was like we came from a famine struck country. Uf! How great the food was. I just wish Anirban was here to acknowledge it. He is a very ardent fan of feasts. And this was the mother of all feasts. I will describe the feast in all details for him [:)]. The chingri was just great. It was succulent, the malai was there to be felt. The sorshe Iilish stood out. Each piece was the size of our palms and so was the chingri. The maangsho was great too. Cooked with utmost expertise and a joy to the pallet. Even remembering the feast gives me the pleasure. And we ate soooooo much. I was like every time one of us got up to get something the waiters went “aa gaya, phir se aaya' or “gelo re...abar kahli kore debe buffet table!!!!”. The table had to be replenished about four times if I am not mistaken. By the time we finished the sweets, they came running to take away the dishes. And the buffet was closed after we left. Aruni suggested that 7th october is going to “Saheed dibosh” for tero parbon every year!!!

After that Sudip da left with his wife. To get a nice nap we presume. Aparna left too, with Angad. We guess she could not walk anymore. May be she was having trouble breathing! So, Me, Aruni, Tanayesh and Sumi were left. We took a few shots of the nearby pujas, and moved to Maddox Square where Shamim da joined us.
At Maddox we tried a few shots. Got a few. Shamim da got the best of them all. Kudos to him for that. That is award winning shot. And a possible blackmailing candidate. I request Shamim da to upoald that photo ASAP! Then at 7 in the evening we left. Reflecting at the day it was. Shamim da went home with his little marvel of a shot preserved. We were down to the four of us. Little did we know that Tanayesh had reserved the best for the last! As we went through the metro ticket checking machines. Aruni who had got both Tanayesh and his ticket, took the ticket out of the machine. All of us checked in. Suddenly we saw Tanayesh fighting with a dhoti clad gentleman over a ticket. One end of a ticket was being tugged by Tanayesh, the other end by the unknown Gentleman. It was a tug of war, where they were saying to each other 'This is my ticket”. The Bharolok was literally holding his dhoti and fighting. May be he was afraid that Tanayesh would claim that to be his own too and take it off! After quite a bit of fun he realised his folly and ran out of the scene! Laughing our heads off to the matter we called it a day.

Your photos should be tagged with the aforesaid tag.

Regards,
Suman

Bonus Shoot:Maha Saptami "Kalabou Snan"(06.10.08)

Venue:Judges Ghat
Date:06.10.08
Time:6.a.m.

Members Present
1.Sudip
2.Shamim
3.Vivek
4.Akash(Guest)
5.Indira(Guest)

On Saptami morning as decided earlier Kolkata Weekend Shooters meet at the ghats of River Hoogly to cover the auspicious event of Kolabou Snan.As decided we met at Judges Ghat at around 6.30 a.m. Aparna and Suman was also supposed to come but they missed it as they were down with fever.So this was a day for Canion in KWS after a long time. The time we reached the activity has started and for me it was first time I was seeing this in such close and I enjoyed it thoroughly. We got some real good candids shots. We were there till 9.00 a.m. and as the ghats were deserted we called it a day.
It was a great day and we weekend shooters enjoyed it thoroughly.

Kolkata Weekend Shooters are requested to Tag there pics KWS061008KKOLABOU and post it to the group pool.