Here is the Taj Mahal in all its early morning beauty. It brought tears in my eyes.I was lucky to be able to make this sketch, my drawing stuff and Moleskine book were confiscated at the entry gate. I was told that I was not allowed to draw the palace! Fortunately Hugo, one of my fellow travellers took the drawing materials and talked himself through at another guard. So in the end I was able to make the drawing during the talk of the guide (but who trusts what they tell after the scene in the movie "slum dog millionaire"). The Taj Mahal is a magnificent building, but not very interesting to draw. It just plain white. But it is surrounded by other colourful buildings like this red granite mosque, overlooking the river in the back of the Taj Mahal. On the horizon you can see the red fort, that's where the monarch (who built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife) was imprisoned by his son. With only a view to the landmark he initiated. Next morning we took the train to Jhansi, drawn while waiting.

Iris van Herpen shoes and Jean Paul Paula's lovely legs. The shoe's are produced and on sale chez www.unitednude.com Jean Paul Paula Naomi's look. Robert & Candy and right photographer Marco van Rijt check his site www.marcovanrijt.com Ehm, a few...

Rain Laurent Dear Shaded Viewers, Very aware of how many days are left before the launch of ASVOFF 3. Seth Dager Later, Diane

Edited by Jerome Bloch Music by My Name is Claude

Travis Smith, Dan Winters' first assistant, emailed me last week to say that the website had been completely revamped. Where there were about 100 photos there are now around 500. Suffice to say this is probably more interesting than whatever you would have been working on in your cubicle for the next few minutes. It gets better. Winters also gave a very good interview on The F/stop, in case you want a little more in-depth inspiration.(Remember to look like you are working.)-30- New: Strobist Index

Kelly Mondora started out with FJ Westcott as a temp in data entry 12 years ago. Now she's VP of the entire photography industry division. Why? Because of stuff like what you see above.Our go-to umbrella, the Westcott Double-Fold, is now crush-proof on the business end of the telescoping staff. A little backstory, a DIY workaround and a cool coupon code, inside.__________In March of last year, I went to PMA as a speaker and to check out some of the new toys. That's where I met Kelly, who has that rare combo of really caring about her customers at a ground level and being high enough in the company to do something about it.We talked the near-perfect Westcott Double-Fold, and she quickly honed in on the "near" part. Small, light, cheap -- but crushable if you tighten down on the shaft with your umbrella swivel.There was even a DIY hack, as seen above, where we shove a pencil up the shaft (New! Graphite Shaft Edition!) to support it.She told me then and there that they could fix it, and now they have. Redesigned, solid-shaft tip versions are trickling up through the supply chain as we speak. Awesome.If you get an hollow version (or want to strengthen your current umbrellas) the pencil trick works great. But soon, you won't have to.And for those who say, "why not a solid shaft," please bite your tongue. For one, they are heavier. For two, they have to screw apart. And trust me, you do not want extra loose parts which love to drop and roll under your car when you take an umbrella out of your trunk. Been there.__________Coupon CodeThis weekend, Westcott is kicking off a "Top Pro Tour" roadshow. (If you haven't, heard about it, info is here.)Kelly sent us a coupon code (as if the solid shaft wasn't enough) in case anyone wants to head out. It's $89.90, but entering the code TPT4949 gets you $20 off. New: Strobist Index