Siddharth Choudhary uncovers the secret of still photography surviving the tough competition with photo editing apps
The advent of technology in photography has blurred the thin line between its practice as a hobby and profession. It is not uncommon to find amateurs who cart their DSlRs to exotic places and then flaunt their work on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
However, leading photographers believe in restricted use of technology in their work. The Toronto-based Siva Haran, a leading Indian-origin photographer, believes that photography is all about people. “Filters and animation make the pictures lifeless and static,” he asserts. Haran, who is inspired by the likes of James Nachtwey, a world renowned photographer, says, “A photograph is like a canvas, you can print a scenery but you cannot compare it to the original painting. To infuse life in a picture requires originality which these modern day apps fail to supply.”
A group of photographers discussed whether art had lost its appeal to digital excess at PEP Asia. Now this is an effort by a group of dreamers, led by Joseph Radhik, to elevate learning in photography. For the first time in India, it brought together the world’s best photographers and creative entrepreneurs with one common goal — conquer the photography challenges unique to the Indian environment.
The dialogue is particularly pertinent at a time when instant apps have carried news stories that have an impact at the moment of occurrence. At the same time, the self as narrator has become a part of the historicity of the moment, often personalising it than making a detached statement. The clarity of perspective and a balanced reproduction of reality are what true blue photographers are working on aggressively. In a sense, the herd mentality is helping them sharpen their basics so that they can stand out.
But technology has certainly helped in some ways. The development of cameras like DSlR or GoPro helps photographers to frame the world in its true colours. Moreover, photography in today’s world is incomplete without the (in)famous tweaking.
Haran admits to using technology to enhance his work and so does the San-Fransisco based wedding photographer, Mauricio Arias. This seems to be the only common ground between these two photographers. While Siva’s focus in solely on people, Arias pushes the borders of his subjects farther.
Even though photo editing apps in the smart phones have decreased the demand for good old photography, it hasn’t dampened the photographer’s spirit. Arias takes every day as an inspiration. Says he, “Technology is no match for passion and the perfect shot. The apps have great use but they are good media of display rather than creation. Vision is about what you through the lens and that is still human.”
Wahid Baig, a freelance photographer, has an altogether different perspective on the use of technology in photography. Says he, “I believe that new technology such as editing apps and costly-equipped cameras have diluted the work of a professional photographer as it is available to everyone. Despite that there can be no great picture without hard work and perseverance. To create a masterpiece, there are many factors like timing, view, structure that cannot be achieved with technology but can only be learnt by passionately pursuing the art. Anyone can click a high definition photograph and edit it but what technology cannot buy is experience that comes with time.”
He seems to be inspired by the likes of Richie Schwartz, a New York-based photographer, who, during one of his interactions, had compared taking a photograph to creating a treasure chest. “I am happy to see young minds being inspired by new technology but I would want them to focus not on the aspect that can be bought but one that can be achieved. It is through one’s mind and not the camera that one can click a photo that is one a million.”
Ronit Singh, a professional wedding photographer, agrees. Singh says, “Although these apps have inspired people to take up photography as a hobby, it is still a far cry from documenting reality or weaving a contemporary story. People might have their own DSlRs but what they cannot buy is perspective. One needs to study and learn to appreciate the art as it is only with time that you can see the uniqueness of a landscape that no other piece of technology can provide.” He feels that platforms like Instagram are not hardcore photography platforms but are more of a leisure hobby space.
According to fashion photographer Tarun Khiwal, “The only difference that these digital apps have created is that we have moved from dark rooms to laptops but the basic work remains the same. The only difference between an amateur with a DSlR and a professional photographer is that an amateur will rely on these apps whereas a professional will create a frame and will use these tools only for enhancement.”
PepAsia showed that battling against the odds, the passion for photography has survived and is thriving among exceptionally talented lensmen who tell a real story through images.