PHOTOGRAPHY-28

   PHOTOGRAPHY-28

There are quite some notions and fear about handling a camera. Still, the very ‘looks’ of a camera holds fascination for many in that it presents the appearance of holding ‘life’ about it. To be clear, the lens of the equipment stands parallel to human eye as it keeps ‘looking at objects’ in front. Besides , a camera looks a tiny pet on the shoulders of the phtographer that readily draws attention –especially of children ; the varied control marks, the trigger, the lens hood and the self-timer togeher form a curious mixture –seemingly clear controls but actually not so. Given a chance every one tries a peep through the lens with just the desire to’see’ how things look through a camera . With fear gripping them of wrongly activating something , they invariably return the equipment with an assertion “sir, I have returned it”. 

An age-old notion has been that , persons opting to get photographed run the risk of shortening his/her life span . One of the reasons why people have stoutly been opposed to Aadhar card registration;, without AADHAR any way life span would be drastically truncated by no civil supplies , medicare , fuel subsidy and so on ; So people present themselves for Aadhar documentation with the excuse and mental relief from fear of lifespan editing- that the photo ‘hardly looks of me’ .

Another inhibition for beginners in trying to photograph objects or scene or persons in the family is the dominant prospect of “shake“ while capturing the image. Even if the photographer keeps steady stance , people around make him anxious saying ‘do not shake while ‘taking’. Unfortunately well-meant caution is always a bad omen. Just at the critical moment the photographer releases a huge sneeze rocking the town with a loud “Haesh chch” shaking every object around.

 Frustration is an enemy uninvited,  ready to descend on us while trying to make a picture of family members. Enough if a group of 5 has to be ‘brought together for a photograph’ say around 4.00 pm at a bright shady terrace . At no point of time we can find more than 3 persons BETWEEN 3.50 AND 4.25 PM . Only 3 is constant but not the same persons all the time. So, the 3 appear in rotation- the other 2 keep engaged in making themselves presentable. Wisdom dawns on them to get well-dressed after noticing others in un-recognizble attire. At last when all the  5 occur at a spot some elder one says “Why in shade ? let us stand facing the light –so that all look bright”. All of them facing the Sun keep their eyes shrunk much like Albinos and with a black shadow over the eye socket  from the slanting light rays descending at an angle. More agony is in store [for the photographer ] when photo prints are brought home. PEOPLE CLUTTER around the few photos –[the rest having already goofed up] and pass a judgement “ONLY STUDIO IS THE BEST FOR PHOTO” Home photos are not good.An old man would say “ In studio , they will touch up and make our face look neat’ [ Honestly, ‘touching up’ an image for feature improvement is an unethical practice of trying to falsify the image].

Another common utterance in domestic sessions trying to picturise a group of relatives, is the advice to the photographer “put it in Automatic” and you also join the group. There is nothing ‘automatic ‘ about a camera . There is a ‘Self Timer device’ that releases the shutter trigger after a time lapse of 10-12 seconds. Actually the photographer releases the shutter before aligning self in that group. After the due time the shutter opens for exposure, permitting the time for accommodating self.

A set of  terms in use were common though in trade parlance , they meant very different aspects . Domestic term “wash” the film = develop or process the film [technical usage]

‘           Domestic term     “develop” the picture= enlarge the picture size [techn. Use]

Though the trade had been viewed as an expensive activity, the society has had an intimate association with photos/ photography.

More to follow     K.Raman