Siby Koshy - Photographer Capturing Moments in Monochrome

CB Photography

Greetings and a warm welcome to my website! I'm Siby Koshy, a photographer who finds joy in capturing moments. Through this platform, I aim to share my passion for photography and take you on a journey through my lens. Digital photography nowadays has an affinity towards colour and I embrace it when the colours add value to the photograph. Having grown up seeing a lot of black and white photo albums and my early childhood photos shot exclusively B&W I have always had a fondness for monochrome photography which still continues in the current era of predominantly color photography. My interests in photography listed below reemphasizes my love towards B&W as these are more emphasized in monochrome.

• Pattern

• Texture

• Light and Shade

• Documentary style

• Street Photography

Background

My photography journey began with a borrowed Yashica SLR 35mm film camera from my uncle. Later, I used other film point-and-shoot cameras from Konica Minolta and Kodak, also courtesy of my uncle. My first digital camera was an Intel pocket PC camera, again courtesy of my uncle, followed by point-and-shoot cameras with zoom lenses from Minolta and Fuji.

Finally, in 2011, I upgraded to my first DSLR. After much research, I narrowed my choice down to the Nikon D7000 and the Nikon 50mm F1.8 prime lens. Over time, I acquired additional lenses such as the Tokina 11-16 F2.8, the Nikon 24-70 F2.8, and the Tamron 70-200 F2.8.

I used to be an active member of a photography group, but due to work and family commitments had to step back. Despite this, I continued to shoot occasionally. However, the COVID pandemic almost brought my photography to a standstill as I had to work from home and work took up most of my time. At the end of 2022, I finally decided to rekindle my passion for photography.

I found that my DSLR was not conducive to street photography as its size and bulk made it difficult to carry around all the time. After researching light but photography-centric cameras, I discovered Fujifilm. I finally decided to buy the Fujifilm X-T3 when I found a good deal. I'm now shooting with it along with the kit lens 18-55mm F2.8-4 and TTartisan 27mm F2.8.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I'm excited to share my passion for photography with you and I hope you'll enjoy following me.

My gear

ALLO BOSS2 Player with Nirvana SMPS
Cambridge Audio Azur Amplifier
JBL Studio Series Floor Standing Speakers
Onkyo TX-SR608 7.2 Amp
JAMO 606 5.1 speakers
Allo Volt+D amp
FX-AUDIO TUBE-03 Mini HiFi Audio Preamplifier
Audio-Technica Ath-M50X Studio Monitor
COLORFLY C3 DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER
Ibasso DC04 Pro
CHifi IEMs
7hz Salnotes Zero 2
Truthear Zero Red
KZ x HBB PR2
KZ-AS16 PRO
KZ-ZS10 PRO X

SK Audio

Music has been an integral part of my life since childhood, beginning with the single deck Sony tape recorder through which my dad played Kishore Kumar songs and radio tunes when I was just a toddler. My exposure broadened with my mother's fondness for bands like ABBA, Boney M, and The Carpenters.

As I matured, Hindi, Malayalam, and English music continued to hold significance, peaking during my high school and college years. Bollywood tracks and ghazals, along with the sounds of Michael Jackson, MLTR, Backstreet Boys, and Westlife, dominated my playlists.

Stereo imaging always fascinated me, prompting experiments with optimizing the stereo separation of my gear. Starting with relocating speakers in my school days to achieve better separation, I later upgraded to JBL bookshelf speakers during college.

In the era of MP3 music, I sought higher resolution files, often opting for a minimum of 256kbps. Upon entering the workforce, my interest shifted towards 5.1 surround sound, initially settling for a basic AVR setup due to financial constraints. However, dissatisfaction led me to upgrade to a 7.2 Onkyo AVR with Jamo floor-standing tower speakers and bookshelf surrounds, significantly enhancing my music experience.

A pivotal moment occurred when I encountered a standalone stereo setup at a specialty audio store, igniting my quest for superior audio quality. Despite the prohibitive cost, I delved into researching DACs, AMPs, and stereo speakers for years. Eventually, with limited financial means, I assembled my standalone stereo setup, featuring the ALLO BOSS2 Player with Nirvana SMPS, a Cambridge Audio Azur Amplifier, and JBL Studio series Floor Standing speakers. Working with a friend, we optimized room acoustics using REW and a parametric equalizer, elevating my music and movie experience further.

Although content with my current setup, I recognize the point of diminishing returns regarding further enhancements due to financial constraints. Nevertheless, I advocate for the value of CHifi IEMs, believing them to offer unparalleled value for music enthusiasts, particularly considering their current affordability.

Greetings and a warm welcome to my website! I'm Siby Koshy, and here, I aim to chronicle my passions outside of my professional endeavors. Through this platform, I endeavor to document my experiences in photography, audio equipment, and tech gadgets.

Navigating these realms often entails the temptation to indulge in spending sprees on gear. However, with my resources constrained, prioritizing value for money remains paramount. Here, I endeavor to document my journey, detailing the decisions I've made in acquiring the gear I utilize, and providing comprehensive reviews of these items. Along the way, I also strive to furnish information that can assist like-minded individuals in making informed choices.

It is my hope that I can impart the lessons learned and knowledge acquired over the years, thereby aiding others on their respective journeys.

My gear

Camera bodies: Nikon D7000 & Fujifilm X-T3
Wide-angle lens: Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8
Medium-range lens: 24-70mm F/2.8
Telezoom lens: 70-200mm F/2.8
Prime: 50mm F/1.8 & 27mm F/2.8
Kit Lens: 18-55mm F/2.8-4
Tripod: Vanguard Alta Pro
Tripod Head: VANGUARD GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head
Camera backpack: Vanguard - Up-Rise 45 & Timbuk2 Snoop