Let there be light

Not a mosquito

2006-10-09T21:06:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed. Click comments for answer.

Unbelievable, b o o got it right. Again ! Lottery or not, you're on a roll here, b o o. The next one will be tough. Care to share your approach b o o ?

Identify this insect. Even if you are not an entomologist, there is a way to do this. That's the challenge. 3 guesses / person /day. The longer dimension is about 100 mm.

Broken arrows

2006-10-05T23:38:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed. b o o got both right. Again ! Click comments for answer.

This is a jigsaw of a complete image. Identify the subject and the location, 1 point each, total 2.

3 guesses / person / day.

Morse Code

2006-09-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed. b o o got it.

Identify. 3 guesses / person / day. Click image for more detail.

A new puzzle

2006-09-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed, winner: mahima, click comments for answer.

I'm back guys, apologies for the long absence .. and here's a new puzzle for ya. You know the rules .. identify the subject of the image, 3 guesses / person / day. Go for it !

Photoshop Scandal

2006-08-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

To the sincere followers of the great Lenscrafter:

Due to certain work-related travels to the far-east that could not be postponed, the great alchemist of digital photography, Herr Lenscrafter, has been unable to post a new puzzle for us. I'm aware that he has several under preparation and he will soon resume posting.

In the meantime, I have come across certain disturbing occurrences regarding Photoshopping. As educated followers of Lenscrafting, I thought you may have something to say about this. The best comments will be compiled into a new post for easier reading.

Adnan Hajj, a formerly well-respected Lebanese photo-journalist for Reuters, has been caught red-handed by 'shopping enthusiasts like you!

Link to Reuters article about withdrawal of Hajj's work. Check out the pictures inset.

Link to NYTimes article about Bloggers' detective work. Needs subscription.

Link to the LA-Based bloggomunity that started the detective work.

Link for the illiterate from BBC's Newsnight.

Peace,

Sisyphus

Not Rorschach's Work

2006-04-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

Vand gets it. Scroll down the comments for answer and down this page for the original.

This is not an ink blot test.

Identify. 3 guesses / person / day.

Polka

2006-04-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed. Bubs and Lavanya get it.

Identify. This is a composite using two subjects. You have to identify both subjects to earn the 1 point. No partial points.

3 guesses / person / day. You have to guess both subjects within your 3 guess limit per day.

Blue Curl

2006-04-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

Answer revealed.

Out of the blue there, Sreekrishna, and you got it right, first guess ! Scroll down for original and click comments for the answer.

Most creative answer: Bubs, of course: " Garden vareli pudavai flowing.. with that 'Kaadal Rojave' humming score in the background".

Identify.

Red and gold

2006-03-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: littlecow, click comments for answer. Scroll down for original.

A new puzzle. Identify.

My vacation was short, but great. Sorry for the long wait, folks. You can expect more frequent posts now.

UIO

2006-03-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: littlecow, click comments for answer.

This is not commonly known, but it is an internal part of something else that is commonly known, hence it is an unidentified internal object. Let's see if you can identify it. 3 guesses / person / day.

What do they do ?

2006-02-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Madsies & Lavanya click comments for answer.

New type of puzzle, inspiration: National Geographic. I will post an image clue if you guys find it too difficult.

Guess the occupations and locations of these two people, based on the information below. People who have read this month's National Geographic, please abstain. The occupation of both people are closely related. 0.5 for guessing the occupations, 0.5 each for the locations, total = 1.5.

Person 1:
Age: 20 yrs
Weight: 101 lb
Earnings/day: $2.65
Days worked / wk: 6
Hours worked / day: 10
Calories burned / day: 3292

Person 2:
Age: 49 yrs
Weight: 150 lb
Earnings/day: $90
Days worked / wk: 5
Hours worked / day: 12
Calories burned / day: 1824

Red eye

2006-02-14T23:32:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, puzzle unsolved, click comments for answer.

Identify. 3 guesses / person / day.

Something's not quite right

2006-02-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Vand, click comments for answer.

It's been a long wait for you guys, so I'll go easy.

Identify.

3 guesses / person / day.

If Lenscrafter wants an iPod ...

2006-02-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

By now, regular visitors of this blog - even the color-blind ones - are probably sensitized to the wonders of digital photography. Thanks Lenscrafter.

I'm sure you guys will enjoy this - a most interesting "win an ipod" contest, which I came across during a routine shirkwork session.

Check it out.

- Sisyphus

Strata

2006-01-31T00:04:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, puzzle unsolved. Click comments for answer. Scroll down this post for original image.

Identify.

3 guesses / person / day.

For the Republic

2006-01-26T20:39:00.000-08:00

In memory of the Republic Day of India, hope you guys had a good parade.

The second 'atom'

2006-01-23T22:17:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner (half point): Labdee, click comments for answer. Scroll down this post for original image.

Most creative answer: Catcharun: "hordes of people at Tirutanni saying 'Arogara'".

By now, you all must be used to all the manipulative tactics employed. Suffice it to say that this is a composite image. Identify the subject that is the 'atom' of this image, meaning the smallest indivisible unit of the image.

Criss cross

2006-01-22T20:31:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Labdee, click comments for answer. Scroll down this post for original image.

Most creative answer: Catcharun: "some dhobi kana from a satellite when all the dhobis were on strike. the lines are empty clothelines criss crossing the dhobi kana."

One photographic frame was repeated across the x and y directions to create this image. Identify what was photographed in that single frame ?

Original Image: (box shows repeated frame)

White hot

2006-01-19T22:51:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, puzzle unsolved, click comments and scroll down for answer. Scroll down this post for original image.

Update: I increased the image size. Combined with the clue, the puzzle should be rather easy now.

Identify the pale green object on top right corner.

Original image:

Barred

2006-01-19T00:09:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Balaks, click comments for answer.

Looks like a lot of you enjoyed the rapid fire puzzle. I'll work on another one. In the meantime, let's see if anyone can give Vand a run for his money (look at the scores) ...

Identify.

3 guesses / person / day.

Fire at will !

2006-01-15T00:04:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Catcharun, scroll down this post for answer.

The goal is to identify, within 24 hours, as many images as possible out of a total of 14 distinct images. Some images are half a point, some images are 1 point, some are 2 points.

Bonus 3 points for identifying what is unique about the arrangement.

Click the image for a larger version.

Answers: The 14 distinct images, descriptions of which are (with points)

- dome skylight (0.5)
- golden gate bridge (0.5)
- staircase (0.5)
- lightning (0.5)
- jewelry store (0.5)
- chandelier / hanging lights (0.5)
- twilight sky (was originally hot air balloons and 1 point, but I realised the balloons are not clear in the resized version) (0.5)
- apartment building, but i'm marking 'facade' as correct (0.5)

- amusement park ride (1)
- flamingo feathers (1)
- yacht (1)

- armchair (2)
- swan reflection (2)
- plane trails (2)

The arrangement is unique since each image overlaps with exactly 3 others. I realise that not all boundaries are clear, but it can be made out with a little thought and much joblessness.

Kudos to catcharun for winning this one with 4 points. Catcharun, Vand and Sai got most of the 0.5, but catcharun was the only one to get any of the tougher ones, in his case, the yacht.
For this post, the points are as follows:

catcharun 4.0
vand 3.5
sai 3.0
raju 1.5
sreekrishna 1.5
balaks 1.0
abhi 1.0

Vand is pulling away into the lead overall, but looks like he will have some stiff competition from catcharun ! Good contest, people, keep the guesses coming. The same email address will be used for future rapid fire rounds, but for now, it will be back to single puzzles and guesses posted as comments.

And finally, the image split, enjoy (click it for a larger version):

Trees

2006-01-10T00:58:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Vand, scroll down comments for answer.

Identify, fellow netizens. No clues except the title.

3 guesses / person / day.

Line of sight

2006-01-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Sisyphus, scroll down comments for answer. Most creative answer: Bubs: Blurred image of 5 columns of vidya mandir students standing in attention singing 'Shanta kaaram bujaga sayanam' during the school assembly. It would have to be some serious blurring for the above to work, though ;)

Identify. Use the detail in the image. The key to cracking photo puzzles is analysis of shades, shapes and sizes relative to each other. That's why I don't distort these images.

3 guesses / person / day.

It's a dog life

2006-01-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Vijay, scroll down comments for answer.

Identify the location. Generic, not specific.

Tied

2006-01-05T23:29:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, winner: Catcharun, scroll down comments for answer.

These images are tied to each other. Identify the two images and the connection.

Happy 2006 to everyone !

2005-12-30T23:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a great year ahead ! May the force be with you.

Nothing like circles and shadows

2005-12-27T22:27:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer. Most creative answer: Bubs is back: Indian kalai porul made out of waste material on Doordarshan programmes like Manaimaatchi.

My favorite theme, I suppose.

Identify. I'm looking for a very specific answer, and will not reveal the final answer or award points till that specific answer is given. As with previous posts, the subject is commonly known.

3 guesses / person / day.

Hint: The small black dots and black lines are holes.

Growing puzzle

2005-12-21T17:49:00.000-08:00

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Most creative answer: Sisyphus: The top-left quadrant of a butterfly's northwest-half-wing, viewed from the top as it flies north.

Identify. To make this more interesting ... the cropsize will be increased periodically.

The points are back on. 3 guesses / person / day.

Here's a few more square pixels.

Oh you can't give up so soon, guys ;)

Should be easy by now.

Some more information ...

Who eet ees ?

2005-12-21T00:09:00.000-08:00

Something different. Identify the dudes, you get 0.5. Identify the subject's location, you get 1 point extra.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Most creative answer: Bubs: location onga ooru note-u .. translation .. location US currency. Getting all the creativity points Bubs, care to share what u do for a living :)

Merry-go-round

2005-12-18T00:52:00.000-08:00

Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Most creative answer: from Bubby again: other side of nadasvaram.

Nothing like black and white

2005-12-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.
Most creative answer: from Bubby: giraffes ballroom dancing in a circle with one leg up.

Fringes of light

2005-12-13T00:57:00.000-08:00

No clues. Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

A shade of blue

2005-12-09T00:42:00.000-08:00

Identify.

Answer revealed, puzzle unsolved, scroll down comments for answer.

Coils

2005-12-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

Can you uncoil these coils ?

Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Blur

2005-12-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

Used gaussian blur to hide detail in this image. Not really sure if this is tough or easy, but the feedback will determine the level of images to come. Go for it, people !

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

And now, rectangles

2005-12-06T00:44:00.000-08:00

This is a rectangular puzzle. Well, almost.

Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Circles and shadows

2005-12-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Many circles, more shadows. What's this all about ?

Identify.

Answer revealed, scroll down comments for answer.

Seeing things in a new light

2005-12-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

Identify.

Based on inspiration from littlecow a.k.a balakumar, I have decided to revive my photoblog which went into life-support a few months back.

The idea is simple, I will post pictures which are either cropped, color adjusted, magnified or maligned in one of many digital ways so as to make them unidentifiable except to the keen eye. Suggestions welcome. To make it interesting, points shall be awarded for the first correct guess.

Oh, and please do visit the source of my inspiration: xyfactor.blogspot.com

Lusername

2005-01-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

That series of characters you fill in before you type in your passwords, that series which includes alphanumerics if you are not one of the lucky few, that's what I'm talking about. Commonly known as the username, a better term for it would be 'lusername', as Florist correctly points out below. If all the man hours used up in selecting a lusername were used towards something more constructive, such as building bridges, I'm sure all the worlds waterways would be covered by now.

So as I spend the better half of a day running out of patience selecting and registering a lusername for this website which provides quality news on the stock market, I can't help but wonder where all the winnernames went.

The red pill or the blue pill

2005-01-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

Should I dismiss my second post in an evening as the early enthusiasm of exploring an unknown terrain ? Time will tell.

I have an interesting theory about the matrix. Where have you heard that before ? The matrix is our life, holding us bound to the unreal as we seek to escape into the real and the true. One way to do this is to break our shackles and free ourselves into the ultimate truth .. easier said than done. The other way .. is to multiply ourselves with the inverse matrix, reaching the Identity, the perpetual bliss, the Ultimate Reality. So how does this translate into your life ? Dream on .. the dream is your inverse matrix by which you transcend the unreal.

Of course, this poses a problem for people who are singular, which is where the question of pills comes in. The red pill or the blue pill ? Take the red one, and you have an inverse. Take the blue one, and you have a dreamless sleep.

Shadow and Light

2005-01-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

Is there a reason why people call it "Light and Shadow" and not "Shadow and Light" ? I suppose the former sounds better. Well, I decided to call it the latter, it just evens out the playing field some.

Pardon the minor digression. This is my attempt at the recently made-popular phenomenon of blogging. Maybe not so recent, considering that people have been writing about their thoughts forever, but I find it quite amazing to be able to read about the musings of someone many miles away. I can visualize images of old, where as a child I was encouraged to keep a diary and it never happened. If only we had blogging then ...

I've decided, upon the suggestion of a good friend who also inspired me to create a blog (finding a username for which would be a story for a separate post), that I will focus - pun intended - on my photographic ventures. Hence my username and title. I might even post some photos of mine, if I can figure out the ins and outs of html.

Back to "shadow and light": it's as much of an anlogy as anything else. Shadow and light, yin and yang, good and bad, the dark side and the light side. Photography is all about balance, as all life is. One can make a slew of theological analogies, spritual analogies and so on. Personally, it helps me focus my mind (and my camera lens) on the subject, giving me that elusive clarity of thought. Hard light, soft light, shadow edges, lines, texture, shape, Energy .. so there it is - photography - it's all about light and the lack of it.