INDIA TODAY SUPPLEMENTS Aspire Story- The wide angle -July 29, 2010

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Issue:October 25



SUPPLEMENTS
India Today SUPPLEMENTS Aspire Story
The wide angle

Deepshikha Punj
July 29, 2010
Updated 12:20 IST


Paramjit Chawla with his thriving automobile business was successful and wealthy. His life was perfect and almost envious. But in search of more creative pursuits he closed down his company and took up an unconventional profession - photography.

Chawla says, "I did not have the required knowledge, but soon realised this was my calling." He is now a successful Delhi-based advertising photographer. Although he faced many hardships even to the point of losing his constant source of income, it did not deter him. "Passion and hard work are the mantras of becoming a successful photographer," he says.

A few years back thinking photography as a steady profession was difficult. But today different creative doors have opened for photographers. They may choose to take up wildlife, commercial, events, underwater, fine art, nude, sports, astrophotography or portfolio, to name a few.

One of the most dependable professions in terms of income is photojournalism. Pictures are said to multiply news content and emotion of a story four-fold. A photojournalistic image must have the impact that will make the reader want to know more about the story being reported. "It is a field-based profession and requires a lot of creativity. More importantly, photographers need to be on their toes and produce captivating images," says Sucheta Das, a Kolkatabased photojournalist.

Photojournalists with a keen sense of intuition and flair for photography are in great demand. According to Das, the last six years have witnessed immense change in people's mindset towards them. "A photojournalist can easily earn up to Rs 30,000 per month," she says.

Aside from photojournalism, fashion photography is fast picking up as the coolest bite in town. With its huge audience, high paychecks and glamourous international lifestyle, it can be viewed as one of the world's most sought after professions.

"To be a fashion photographer one needs to learn to experiment. But more importantly one needs to study and comprehend photography. Most aspiring photographers choose their genre of specialisation even before they have studied or practiced it thoroughly. It is important to first learn and then enjoy the medium," says Tarun Khiwal, a renowned fashion photographer.

But for every fashion photographer who makes it through the doors of a top magazine, many others find their niche in art photography, celebrity portraits or fashion and advertising. Hardesh Dhingra, a noted advertising photographer, started out over 20 years back. "At that time cameras were unaffordable and processing the film used to cost a fortune," he recalls. But now all of this has become a thing of the past. Computers have replaced the darkroom and initial investment is only limited to the cost of a camera. "The combination of digital photography and computer graphic imaging has lessened workload," he says.

Three-dimensional softwares have almost replaced what initially had to be photographed. The technique uses one photographed image, which is treated with image management softwares and recreated for exposition purposes. This technique is in use for almost every subject, from automobiles to beverage and cosmetics.

This perhaps is the reason why there is an increased demand for photography schools in India. "We teach our students various image management and editing softwares along with audio-visual techniques to create images. They are also taught post production work such as resizing and digital image creation," says Farhat Basir Khan, professor, A J Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

With backing of such techniques one must also have the basic understanding of photography. AJ Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre conducts a one-year post graduate diploma in still photography. Students with a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 50 per cent marks are eligible for admission.

Another unconventional variant of professional photography is wildlife. As it is almost impossible to shoot a lion in a well-lit studio with five horses encircling it without the chances of you becoming the meal, the only option is to be in the wild and be ready to capture perfect moments. "Basic comprehension of the subject and its environment is extremely important in wildlife photography," says Rathika Ramasamy, a wildlife photographer.

She feels it is a tough job but if one knows the chemistry of photography and studies the environment carefully, one can easily excel. "The equipment itself is around 8-9 kilos and travelling is an essential component. So photographers must have patience and endurance," informs Ramasamy.

Survival is difficult and requires a lot of effort. Rajesh Bedi, a renowned wildlife photographer says, "Selling such photographs was a tedious task. Not many periodicals were interested in paying large amounts. But today it has its own market." The starting range of photographs can be anything between Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

A nature photographer may also enjoy luxurious resorts while working as a tour guide. "Many travel companies need photographers for their catalogues and magazines. While on the job they can also adorn the cap of a tour guide. It pays well and one gets to stay in opulent resorts," says Ramasamy.

Students can study subjects such as botany or wildlife management and conservation to make the fieldwork easier. Wildlife Institute of India, Uttarakhand, offers a master in wildlife science and postgraduate diploma in wildlife management.

Marketing and talent guarantee steady money but it all depends on how well the pictures are presented. Salaries can range from anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month. Photography has witnessed a boom and with the advent of digital technology, it has become relatively easier. All you need is zest.

Hardesh Dhingra, Commercial photographer


I started photography as a hobby, but in 1988 developed serious inclination towards it. During that time possessing a camera was a luxury and film processing required a lot of money. But today, with the advent of computer graphic imaging it has become quite easy. I got into the field because I had a passion for photography, and to keep myself updated with latest technology I attended a few workshops abroad.

I was soon able to combine the best of both photography and digital world. I have never been trained but learning photography is the prerogative of a student. If you are interested in studying photography before entering, you can enroll yourself in various courses.

But you need to have the basic knowledge of the camera and the art of photography. Although a lot of this is instinctive, today photography is not just about clicking pictures; it is also about post production and making it look skillful.



Rathika Ramasamy, Wildlife photographer


Rathika Ramasamy, a computer engineer by profession, has now turned into a full-time wildlife photographer. Her love for nature and passion for photography pushed her to join the field. "It is no office job and requires a lot of endurance. But with true love for nature and basics of the subject, photography becomes much easier," says Ramasamy.

The equipment she carries usually weighs 8-9 kilos and so it becomes imperative to be quick and capture reactions in split seconds. She started her career in photography in 2004 and has never looked back. "There is no fixed income in this profession; it depends entirely on your work. With three to four years of good work one can easily earn anything between Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month," she says. Understanding the elements of nature is the key attribute of a photographer.

Career options: Photographers may choose to specialise in a range of fields such as wildlife, commercial, events, underwater, fine art nude, sports, astrophotography, portfolio, adventure or photojournalism

Starting salary: Rs 30,000-Rs 1.2 lakh per month

Institutes:

Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia Delhi


www.ajkmcrc.org Film & Television Institute of India Pune


www.ftiindia.com Xavier Institute of Communications www.xaviercomm.org