PHOTOGRAPHY

                                                            PHOTOGRAPHY

 

       One of the fine arts of human efforts has been photography. As on date, people have come to a stage of technology–based imaging. The present concept of imaging is by a digital process that has eliminated the need for equipment like film, dark room, technique of processing and above all a rigorous training for capturing the situation. There is nothing wrong if things are made easy for the user. But, the revolution in digital electronics has wiped out a whole range of skills which were acquired through systematic training and incessant practice, leaving thousands jobless and redundant. Myself, being  one  trained on all these  intricacies and nuances , feel for all such persons who have been literally orphaned by technology. I realize that quite a few, making a livelihood through small investments have been dislodged too. A MAJOR LOSS FROM THIS REVOLUTION HAS BEEN THE VERY AUTHENTICITY OF A PICTURE. It may require some extensive survey of the steps involved to substantiate my concern for authenticity in a picture. The most basic feature of authenticity is, reproduction of an image in “as is where is” basis. The present day computer-aided digital technology provides enormous scope for modifying a picture. The modification can be in terms of facial features, eye lashes , additions or deletions of identification marks that are typical to an individual. These can be exploited by crime-lovers / criminals to escape detection. With such a facility, falsification becomes quite easy. What do I mean by this observation is, one can plant a totally new background and create an alibi.  On the positive side, one can “put on” rich garments/ ornaments that [s]he has never seen, can go under a different hair style without a slight change in personal appearance. The freedom to change and the non-availability of any “negative” version of the picture make a dangerous combination that can help cheating to a very high level. In critical investigations photo evidence may not stand the scrutiny of law since there is no reproducible image store other than at the origin.  In conventional photography, the “negative” of any picture is the master record and evidence seekers insist on the surrender of the negative to ensure authenticity of a picture. The digital system retains the primary image as an electronic “memory” and the camera may have to be surrendered for fool-proof analysis of a crime. Also, generating of  additional copies requires appropriately equipped printing facility. The camera has to be given to the printing unit for deriving the picture from the digital memory. Being under the control of electronic design , images like 24 x 20” can not be readily made unlike in the conventional mode by enlargement.

What were the earlier rigidities that were to user’s advantage?

The most significant advantage was that photo images were tamper-proof, in the sense that the image was faithfully reproduced as was “held” in the negative. Artificial manipulations of features or surroundings would “show off” as insertions. Legal battles could be won, using the negative as concrete evidence. With the negative in hand it was possible to command any number of copies of varying dimensions even as big as 30 x 24”. Being shot through high resolution lenses and with thorough bred skills, pictures were razor sharp and rich in details. Except if recorded using real high resolution optics, a major casualty of digital reproduction is sharpness itself and resolutions are not brilliant. Digital system has wiped out the need for conceptual perfection as the system works in low ambient illumination. Users’ inadequacies do not come to the fore and everyone passes for a photographer. In the conventional mode only the best workers could make the best pictures.                 

Enormous regulations could be exercised in film processing and printing in the old mode. The most avid workers chose to process their films themselves to ensure absolute quality control. Due care began right from choice of camera , film for the occasion, film speed , process of negatives and quality printing on ideal paper. At every stage care was bestowed as  in a labour ward of the hospital. Quality control was integral to every step especially in chemical formulations, adherence to temperature schedules and dark room protocols. Pictures were thus composed [but not “created”] rather faithfully to give the very best reproduction. Equipment had to obey the worker and now it is the other way round. With the technology in vogue people may seldom realize the worth of workers who had perfected the art so much painstakingly for the sheer pleasure of work. I sincerely wish one day the world turns to them for help, because the perfection that a genuine worker looks for is beyond the scope of gadget-based approach.                         

In conclusion, it is essential  to make it clear that, I am not a reactionary to criticize all that is modern. My lamentation is, a hard-earned skill and a whole lot of task force have been rendered redundant. Already quite a few of our skills especially those involving manual dexterity have been lost / given up in favour of  rapid mass production methods. All such methods have helped quantity in time but not in rugged quality. At least these habits may be nurtured for their value of human skills.       

Prof. K. Raman