BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY 16th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL • LEARN FROM thE PROS: 40 tIPS ON PORtRAItURE • EXCLUSIVE tESt: FUJIFILM X100S VOL. 17 • NO. 1 • JUNE 2013
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Founder & Editor, Network18 Group CEO, Network18 GET PUBLISHED IN BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Raghav Bahl B Sai Kumar Share your best images, tips and techniques President & Editorial Director, TV18 CEO-Network18 Publishing with us and get your work noticed. Follow these Senthil Chengalvarayan Sandeep Khosla simple guidelines: Editor-in-chief, Web & Publishing, Network18 EVP-Human Reasources For PhotoCritique and Your Pictures: R. Jagannathan Sanjeev Kumar Singh Digital files should be a minimum of 1800 x 2700 pixels at 300dpi and prints should be of 6 x 9-inches EDITORIAL NEWSSTAND & SUBSCRIPTION Include a 100-word note on how and why you shot Chief Editor Distribution Head the image with the following information: K Madhavan Pillai Sunil Nair Your name, address, and contact details. Executive Editor Dy General Manager Title of the Image. Gurjender Singh Virdi Manoj Palsay Name of the section for which you are sending the image Deputy Editor - Technical Managers Details: camera, lens, aperture & shutterspeed used. Shridhar Kunte Surendra Desai (Mumbai) Send in a synopsis, with low-resolution images Kripanand S (South) Features Editor for viewing, to contribute articles to the following sections: Raj Lalwani Subscriptions Manager On Assignment, Step-by-Step, Photofeature, Tips & Tricks, Rajeev Mani Senior Features Writers Shooting Technique, History, Story Behind the Picture Ambarin Afsar, Supriya Joshi Senior Manager Subscriptions Get in Touch with us: Features Writers Sheetal Kotawdekar To have your images reviewed by our panel of experts: Chandni Gajria, Priyanka Chharia, Coordinators [email protected] Ketan Kundargi, Conchita Fernandes To showcase your best photographs: Sarita Quadros, Chaitali Parkar, Kamlesh Mathakar, [email protected] DESIGN & PRODUCTION Vaibhav Ghavale, Meena Katta, Kiran Jadhav, To contribute articles and for questions Assistant Art Director Madhavi Naik on photography: [email protected] Santosh D Kamble For your suggestions, appreciation and criticism Logistics Team on the magazine: [email protected] Percy Palkhiwala, Anant Shirke Senior Designer To send any of the above by post, send us a CD or Bhavna Bastav PRINTING prints to our Head Office in Mumbai. Designer Assistant General Manager - PPC 11 Uttam Kumar Shekhar Khot Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Network18 Media & Investments Chief Photographer Production Team Mexy Xavier Ltd (Network18)*, its publisher and/or editors. We at Dnyaneshwar Goythale, Network18 do our best to verify the information published Photographers Ravikumar Potdar, Ravi Salian but do not take any responsibility for the absolute Joshua Navalkar, Nachiket Gujar accuracy of the information. No part of this magazine NEWSSTAND & SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES can be reproduced without prior written permission of For newsstand and trade queries, please write to MARKETING & SALES the publisher. Printed by Mohan Gajria and published by Manoj at [email protected] Senior Vice President-Sales Lakshmi Narasimhan on behalf of Infomedia18 Limited Siddhartha Chatterjee For any subscription queries, please write to Sheetal and printed at Network18 Media & Investments Ltd National Sales Head at [email protected] Plot No. 3, Sector No. 7, Off Sion Panvel Road, Nerul, Badri Narayan Mumbai - 400 706, and published at Network18 Limited, To subscribe to Better Photography online, visit Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W),
West Mehul Bajaj http://eshop.infomedia18.in Mumbai - 400 028. Readers are recommended to make Bengaluru Md. Azmath Ulla appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring ADVERTISING SERVICES expenses or entering into commitments in relation to Hyderabad Rocky Joseph For advertising and sales queries, please write to any advertisment appearing in this publication. Better Chennai Madhivaanan R [email protected] Photography does not vouch for any claims made by advertisers, products or services. The printer, New Delhi Harshvardhan Verma, Rajat Chauhan HEAD OFFICE publisher, editor or members of the publication shall not Head - Marketing Network18 Media & Investments Ltd, be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. Amit Seth ‘A’ Wing, Ruby House, J K Sawant Marg, Editor K Madhavan Pillai Dadar (W), Mumbai – 400 028, Senior Manager Marketing Published by Network18 Media & Investments Ltd Garima Bajpai Maharashtra, India. Senior Sales Support Executive Tel: 022 3003 4515 Fax: 022 3003 4499 *Ownership of this magazine stands transferred from Infomedia18 Ltd (Infomedia18) to Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (Network18) Umesh Desai in pursuance of the scheme of arrangement between Network18 and Infomedia18 and their respective shareholders and creditors, as approved by the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi and the necessary approval of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is being obtained.
JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORIAL Eternally Sixteen “Sell your We bring in this sixteenth anniversary special issue with so many skill, not your mixed feelings. Joy for turning sixteen, pride for being the best photography magazine in India, and sorrow for the passing of yet convictions. another legendary photographer, Jagdish Mali, who was very dear Make your to BP and to me personally. There is some solace in knowing that money but live Jagdish lived a life full of passion and zeal. Those who knew him for the art.” will remember him as being wonderfully friendly, approachable, open minded, ever giving and forever young at heart. When we had contacted him some time ago, for being a judge for POY 2012, and for being a part of this issue, he had politely declined, citing commitments beyond his control. At the moment, I cannot help feeling a twinge of selfish regret that I had not interacted with Jagdish more. I keep thinking of a piece of advice that he had given me a long time ago, which I took to heart. “Never lose yourself to being a commercial photographer,” he had said. “Sell your skill, not your convictions. Make your money but live for the art. Otherwise, it will suck up your soul and leave you empty. There is no existence worse than being a hollowed out photographer with nothing inside.” Somehow, despite his passing, I also cannot help but think his quintessential youth sprung from his being a photographer, a characteristic that all photographers seem to share. In that sense, I have never met an old photographer. I am writing this editorial from the Rift Valley in Kenya, where the BP team, along with the category winners of POY 2012, are in the middle of a superb, adventurous face-off, travelling to Africa’s deepest 12 gorge and to a pristine lake island little known to tourists. The contestants come from all backgrounds and ages, and from all over India. And yet, they are all wonderfully young in spirit and at heart. The common thread that binds them is photography. Photography is beautiful because it always keeps you learning and yearning to see something new, makes you fall in love over and over… keeps you eternally sixteen.
K Madhavan Pillai [email protected]
Untitled, from the series Circus Girl by Saibal Das What does it take to make an exultant photo project? Why should we walk that extra mile? Why must we keep looking through the viewfinder? And why should we continue making magic? Saibal believes, “Making a project is not a hit-and- run thing. You learn to work as a photographer, a creator, a visionary, all at the same time.”
To read more about Saibal Das’ fascinating images from the circus — Turn to page 110
BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 June 2013
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Book Review TEST TEST 30 ‘Te Tirthanche Maher’ by 48 Fujifilm X100S 70 Sony Xperia Z Shirish Shete Perfecting the X factor Is speed everything?
Look Who’s Shooting Nokia Lumia 620 44 Helena Schätzle 72 Impressive camera in a compact, sturdy body
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>I<8KD8JK 110 128 BetterPictures ShowCase PhotoFinish ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL PROFILE MARKET SENSE 84 The Makeover 110 Saibal Das 218 eBook Publishing Cheat Sheet Documenting the Made Easy for 5 pro photographers give whimsical Indian circus Photographers 40 easy tips on portraiture GREAT MASTERS STORY BEHIND THE PICTURE ON ASSIGNMENT 116 Dario Mitidieri 220 The Most Viewed 96 Scribbled Walls And his sensitive visuals Image Ever Taking over spaces and of war and street life making them your own SPECIAL FEATURE 122 WPOY 2012 Nominees TIPS & TRICKS SPECIAL FEATURE 104 Make scanographs, shoot 128 POY 2012 Nominees Regulars macros & blooming fields FEEDBACK ...... 18 PHOTOFEATURE PHOTOCRITIQUE ...... 100 Samsul Alam Helal 138 Q & A ...... 108 Portraying the hopes of 1000 WORDS ...... 136 the industrial workers in YOUR PICTURES ...... 144 Bangladesh, in a studio K MADHAVAN PILLAI MEET THE BP TEAM This is Us! For the longest time, we were unable to decide how to pose for this year’s team photo, how to say hello to you. Finally, we decided to get back to the basics, and ask ourselves what photography means to us. Sixteen years of Better Photography, sixteen years with you, and photography is all this... and some more. PRIYANKA CHHARIA KETAN KUNDARGI CONCHITA FERNANDES RAJ LALWANI AMBARIN AFSAR SHRIDHAR KUNTE CHANDNI GAJRIA SANTOSH D KAMBLE SUPRIYA JOSHI GURJENDER SINGH VIRDI BHAVNA BASTAV UTTAM KUMAR All photographs by Ambarin Afsar Ambarin by All photographs th 16Anniversary Feedback SPECIAL of printing. Many a times, I have received copies where the B&W photos look decolored and unappealing. I wish that the magazine changes the quality of its printing in the years to come. Rupesh Dabhi, Ahmedabad, via email Photographing Family & Friends I picked up a copy of Better Photography at the airport, after a friend recommended it to me. As a hobbyist photographer, I am always looking for ways to learn. I find it redundant to join a photography school or organisation, since I have a regular job to do. I remember reading the article ‘From Better Cellphone a Family Album’ in BP’s December 2013 Photography was issue. I liked the story a lot as it taught me introduced in BP’s May the value of my old family album. 2013 issue. I have been wanting to photograph my Changing Perceptions family for a while now. However, I could I was pleasantly surprised to find not figure out if these images would Better Cellphone Photography in the last categorise as ‘art’, or would they simply edition. From photo editing apps and be for fun. I could not visualise the 18 photographers to follow on Instagram, eventual outcome. Then, in the May 2013 to taking care of the cellphone issue, I came across K Madhavan Pillai’s camera...I learnt a lot simply by reading story ‘20 Simple Secrets For Fun Holiday this magazine. Photos’. The 20 tips helped me to think of The advent of advanced cellphone photographing my family vacations in an cameras has changed the way I photograph. entirely new way! In fact, I have discarded my DSLR as In this issue, I also found the answers I find it easier to shoot with my cellphone. to a whole lot of personal questions However, most of my friends still consider pertaining to photography. cellphones to be incapable of shooting Anna Karthika, Mangalore, via Facebook good pictures. Thus, when I shared the stories from here with my friends, they A Keeper of Images were pleasantly surprised to find out just ‘20 Simple Secrets Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be For Fun Holiday how much a cellphone camera can do. a photographer. My father and uncle used Photos’ article spoke Gaurav Bhola, New Delhi, via email about photographing to own a Nikon film camera, and would family holidays. constantly keep shooting in the house. A Look Into the Future I subscribed to Better Photography magazine more than a decade ago. I am a professional photographer and a regular reader of the magazine. Every month, I eagerly await the arrival of my copy. “Through the Out of all the sections, I have always magazine, preferred to read Shooting Technique the most, as it provides a combination of I found the technical as well as the idea based stories. answers to some This is what working photographers like me of my personal often look for in a photography magazine. questions about Additionally, I find Q&A very informative. One section in which however, I feel that photography.” BP can considerably improve is its quality BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Twitter: twitter.com/betterphoto FEEDBACK Facebook: facebook.com/betterphotography FIND US ONLINE! Youtube: youtube.com/betterphotoindia Website: betterphotography.in Educating One and All... I started reading Better Photography 16 years ago, on photography considerably. For instance, since the launch of its very first edition! In fact, I learnt how to use blurs aesthetically after Write in to I have carefully collected each and every BP issue. discovering Prabuddha Dasgupta’s work. Better Photography I came to know about this magazine when I was Additionally, I found great inspiration in the with your feedback, and reading The Times of India, which carried an article colourful portraits of Steve McCurry. if your letter wins the on Better Photography then. I am affected by polio, and unable to Letter of the Month, I have an old film camera that was gifted physically move independently. Thus in to me by my father. Additionally, I own a few many ways, BP has been my only teacher you will get a Envie digital cameras as well. I am an avid reader of and guide. In its 16th year, BP has made Speedster charger! photobooks, and discovered the works of Raghu considerable impact on Indian photography. Rai, Pablo Bartholomew and Hari Mahidhar only It has made it possible for laymen like me to after reading Better Photography. pursue and access photography with rigour. Over the years, I have learnt many aspects I thank the magazine for encouragement, and about photography from this magazine. The works wish the team all the best for the future! of great masters have changed my perspectives Umesh Singh, Ahmedabad, via email “The internet I spent most of my childhood making work simply by calling it ‘art’. I feel that savy generation pictures. It was the only hobby that its more important to create a single great of today should I really cultivated. photograph, than to produce a bunch of cultivate a According to me, even though things have average ones. vastly shifted to digital photography, the Sultana Raza Khan, Kolkata, via email habit of reading chance to see a printed photograph is a real and learning blessing. Thus, I make it a point to keep the Read, Read, Read! through books.” photographs that I like and save them in a For me, photography has always been a 20 scrapbook. Till today, I have a collection of very personal practice that I have shaped more than a 1000 stunning images! Some of over the years. I spend a considerable my favourite photographs are by Raghu Rai, amount of time every day reading Steve McCurry, Ansel Adams and Umrao photobooks. I like buying old photobooks Singh Sher-Gil. and magazines at book sales. In fact, I have Dayanand Kamble, Mumbai, via email found several amazing editions of National Geographic at throw away prices! I hope that Celebrating the Single Image today’s internet savvy generation cultivates I am a housewife, and I initially started a healthy habit of reading and learning A collection of some taking photographs to pass time. Over the old and new issues of through books. years, I came to fall in love with the Better Photography. Ramanan Srinivas, Chennai, via email camera, and turned into a compulsive image maker. I travel regularly and shoot a lot at home as well. I particularly like making portraits of my two children. However, I noticed that I tend to make more of stand alone images than a comprehensive photo series. I feel that most contemporary photographers today are obsessed with the idea of ‘the project’. While I am not against the idea of photoessays, I feel that we could do without forced bodies of work. Photographers can not pass shoddy Corrigendum The Special Feature on National Photo Awards in the May 2013 issue incorrectly mentioned Anil Risal Singh as a winner of the Green India: Environmental Stories category. He was the winner of the Professional Open category. We apologise for the error. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 WHAT’S NEW Ace Lensman and Renowned Bollywood Samsung NX2000 This latest interchangeable lens mirrorless camera Photographer Jagdish Mali Passes Away fits in right between the recently launched NX1100 and NX300. The NX2000 features a large 20.3MP to make films that leave an impact on the APS-C CMOS viewer in just five minutes.” While some of sensor, 3.7-inch touchscreen LCD, 8fps his dreams may have been left unfulfilled, continuous shooting, it is his photographs that launched a WiFi connectivity, thousand dreams. Samsung’s NFC From portraits of a young Sachin technology and Full HD video recording. Like the NX1100, this camera too, comes bundled with Tendulkar to one of a photogenic Rekha... Adobe Lightroom. NX2000 is priced at USD 649.99 here have been several portraitists, but (approx. Rs. 35,600) Jagdish’s work was unusually spontaneous, reflecting the man and his happy-go-lucky 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 nature towards life itself. Jaggi, as he is often This mid-telephoto prime lens from Nikon is built for the Nikon 1 System mirroless cameras and is ideal called, not only brought about a refreshing for photographing portraits. This fast lens offers a visual change in Bollywood magazines focal length equivalent to 86mm in 35mm parlance. in the nineties, but also created a legacy It is also the first lens in the Nikon 1 System line up to use a Silent Wave that will stay strong, even though he is Motor for focusing not around. and incorporates 22 the company’s hotographer Jagdish Mali passed To read our special tribute to the man and his proprietary ‘Nano work, turn to page no. 46 Crystal Coat’ that Paway on the morning of 13 May 2013 will reduce effects of at a hospital in Mumbai. Mali had been ghosting and flare in admitted for a hip-bone fracture a few days the images. ago but doctors were unable to operate on Fotopedia Reporter App him, due to several complications. At the Well known website Fotopedia Reporter has now same time, Jagdish’s old liver conditions launched an iPad app to make it easier to publish showed up, eventually resulting in a photo essays on the go. You can create a photo multiple organ failure. He was 59. story with the photos from your iPad. All you need to do is add a title, cover photo and description Mali had started his photography career or hot link text from Wikipedia. One can even in the 80s. Within a short span of time, browse through various stories posted by other he went on to become one of the most contributors through this app. respected photographers in Bollywood. Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Flash In his long career, he has had a wide and Metz has brought this flash gun illustrious portfolio, photographing to India after three years of its superstars across generations. launch. This affordable flash gun When Better Photography had interviewed for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Jagdish in 2009 (log on to www. Four Thirds cameras is equipped Jagdish Mali with high end features. betterphotography.in/2013/05/13/jagdish-mali This image for Filmfare brought together two of the for the article), he had said, “It is my dream biggest superstars of that era in front of his camera. I want my photographs to be a long string of images, held together with grace. PRABUDDHA DASGUPTA (1956–2012) Prabuddha Dasgupta was a noted fashion and fine-art photographer. Known for his iconic black and white imagery, he had a career spanning three years primarily as a fashion photographer. The 2013 edition of Delhi Photo Festival is themed Grace as a tribute to him. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 EDITORIAL Eternally Sixteen “Sell your We bring in this sixteenth anniversary special issue with so many skill, not your mixed feelings. Joy for turning sixteen, pride for being the best photography magazine in India, and sorrow for the passing of yet convictions. another legendary photographer, Jagdish Mali, who was very dear Make your to BP and to me personally. There is some solace in knowing that money but live Jagdish lived a life full of passion and zeal. Those who knew him for the art.” will remember him as being wonderfully friendly, approachable, open minded, ever giving and forever young at heart. When we had contacted him some time ago, for being a judge for POY 2012, and for being a part of this issue, he had politely declined, citing commitments beyond his control. At the moment, I cannot help feeling a twinge of selfish regret that I had not interacted with Jagdish more. I keep thinking of a piece of advice that he had given me a long time ago, which I took to heart. “Never lose yourself to being a commercial photographer,” he had said. “Sell your skill, not your convictions. Make your money but live for the art. Otherwise, it will suck up your soul and leave you empty. There is no existence worse than being a hollowed out photographer with nothing inside.” Somehow, despite his passing, I also cannot help but think his quintessential youth sprung from his being a photographer, a characteristic that all photographers seem to share. In that sense, I have never met an old photographer. I am writing this editorial from the Rift Valley in Kenya, where the BP team, along with the category winners of POY 2012, are in the middle of a superb, adventurous face-off, travelling to Africa’s deepest 12 gorge and to a pristine lake island little known to tourists. The contestants come from all backgrounds and ages, and from all over India. And yet, they are all wonderfully young in spirit and at heart. The common thread that binds them is photography. Photography is beautiful because it always keeps you learning and yearning to see something new, makes you fall in love over and over… keeps you eternally sixteen. K Madhavan Pillai [email protected] Untitled, from the series Circus Girl by Saibal Das What does it take to make an exultant photo project? Why should we walk that extra mile? Why must we keep looking through the viewfinder? And why should we continue making magic? Saibal believes, “Making a project is not a hit-and- run thing. You learn to work as a photographer, a creator, a visionary, all at the same time.” To read more about Saibal Das’ fascinating images from the circus — Turn to page 110 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 EVENTS 18 May–1 June Something About Hair Alliance Francaise De Delhi, New Delhi Kabul-based French photographer Oriane PRO TALK Zerah was attracted to Controversy Hits World Press Photo of The Year the hair of inidan Blowup is an mmediately after the 2013 World original image published in the newspaper. women upon her travel enlargement of to various cities in India. an image beyond IPress Photo awards were announced, While those allegations died down soon Her work explores the its orignal size for the winning photograph by Swedish enough, a new one has emerged recently. different associations of print or digital use. photographer Paul Hansen came under On the ExtremeTech website, Neal Krawetz, a woman’s hair in different cultures. scrutiny for digital manipulation. a forensic image analyst, claimed that the The colours of the picture submitted for the winning image was a composite of three award were more cinematic compared to the photographs. So strong were the allegations that both the photographer and World Press Photo Foundation were forced to look into it and respond. World Press Photo conducted Oriane Zerah an immediate forensic test to 23 May–2 June confirm the integrity of the photo. Exhibit On Indian However, it later admitted that the Railways image had been digitally altered for IGNCA, New Delhi Entering its 160th year, colour and tone. While the image the exhibit highlights might have been accepted by the the role of the Indian standards of World Press Photo, Railways in socio- economic and political Paul Hansen one wonders if a news photograph growth of the nations. Paul Hansen’s photograph, Gaza Burial, shows a procession of weeping can be enhanced without men carrying the bodies of deceased Palestinian children in sheets. distorting the truth. 26 10 June–4 July Japanese Graphic Posters Exhibition The Japan Foundation, New Delhi CALL FOR ENTRIES Around 15 renowned Japanese graphic Categories: Open, Amateur and VR/360 awards designers will showcase Prizes: Cash Prize for category winners: USD 1000 a remarkable collection (Approx. Rs. 55,000). Winners will also be given a photo printer from Epson Website: www.thepanoawards.com Entry Fee: USD 22 (Approx. Rs. 1200 ) Deadline: 14 July 2013 Asian Environmental Journalism Awards The competition: The Singapore Environment Council’s awards aim to recognise and reward excellence in Kasumasa Nagai Kasumasa environmental journalism. From passionate citizen of graphic posters journalists to outstanding professional journalists, the dating back to 80’s and AEJA highlights exceptional work and encourages high- 90’s. These posters Love shooting quality coverage of environmental issues in Asia. depict the economic panaromas? Then the Reminders Photography Stronghold Grants Prizes: Cash Prize for category winners: changes in Japan. Epson Pano Awards are The competition: Photographers, curators, publishers 3000 Singapore Dollars (Approx. Rs. 1,31,030) and and organisations can apply for a grant to use a trophy. 16 June a great opportunity for you. Reminder Photography Stronghold’s gallery space. Website: www.sec.org.sg/aeja The Last Lecture Deadline: 4 August 2013 Series Category: Any alternative proposal on photography The Big Bang Bar and Cafe, for the best use for this gallery space is welcome Mumbai Prizes: Winners get to exhibit their work for upto Travel Photographer of the Year Every third Sunday 30 days at no cost. They will also get world wide The competition: The Travel Photographer of the Year of the month, Better publicity through the gallery’s global network. (TPOTY) photo contest is run by photographers for Photography will Selected winners will also get to attend talks photographers. It is open to photographers across conduct an interactive and seminars along with a free stay at the RPS the world. talk session with two residency. Categories: Monochrome, Vanishing & Emerging photographers or visual Website: www.reminders-project.org/rps/grants Cultures, Wild Stories, First Shot, One Shot and artists. The artists will Deadline: 15 June 2013 New Talent category. share their thoughts, Website: www.tpoty.com/awards opinions and speak on Epson International Pano Awards Entry Fee: 20 Pounds (Approx. Rs. 1700), Free for any topic related to the The competition: The Epson International Pano Awards New Talent category. art of photography. invites entries for panoramic photographs worldwide. Deadline: 1 October 2013 JUNE 2013 EVENTS June 22 Post Processing Workshop with Phillip Ross Toehold Seminar Hall, Bengaluru Amateurs who have PRO TALK no idea about post Photographs of Syria Sweep Pulitzer Prizes processing can XMP file stands attend this workshop. for Extensible oth winning photographs of the 2013 Javier Manzano, a freelance photographer Participants however Metadata Platform Pulitzer Prize for photojournalism working with Agence France-Presse won should understand B which lets you the basic concepts are from Syria. A five-member team from the Pulitzer for Feature Photography. store metadata of photography. the Associated Press won the Breaking His dramatic image shows two Syrian rebel information across Charges are Rs. 3,900. multiple image News category for their coverage of soldiers holding their positions as light To register, visit www. file formats. Syria’s civil war. The winning team streams through bullet holes in a tin wall. toehold.in/ included Rodrigo Abd, Manu Brabo, The Pulitzer Prize is one of the 22–23 June Workshop by Narciso Contreras, Khalil Hamra and most prestigious award in the world Sachin Rai Muhammed Muheisen. The work of these of journalism. Every year, the award is Hotel Forte, Chennai photographers captured the manner presented to deserving photojournalists Toehold organises in which the conflict has affected the for their distinguished bodies of work another workshop civilian population. from around the world. for amateur photographers. Sachin Rai will be conducting this workshop. Charges are 6,200. To register, visit www.toehold.in/ Javier Manzano Manu Brabo 28 Light streams through the multiple holes in a tin wall Displaced Syrian men wait for food near an NGO kitchen in a refugee camp near Azaz, Syria. 13–14 July 2013 made by bullets and shrapnel as rebel soldiers take aim. Workshop with Rahul Sachdev E-Mall, Kolkata For beginners, this photography workshop Between The Lines: Identity, Place Enchanted by India will aim to improve your and Power On the 50th death anniversary of Hungarian art skills as a phtographer. National Gallery of Modern Art and Ministry of Culture, historian, Ervin Baktay, the Hungarian Information There is no age-limit. Government of India held a Printmaking exhibition from and Cultural Centre (HICC) and the India International Just bring your DSLR 27 April–28 May in Bengaluru. The exhibit was curated Centre organised an exhibition from 7–17 May. At the or point and shoot by Lina Vincent Sunish and showcased collections from opening, Prof Geza Bethlenfalvy and Dr Margit Koves compact and a few the Waswo X. Waswo Collection of Indian Printmaking. presented a lecture which was followed by an exhibition pictures on a pen drive. Programmes like curator’s talk, film screening, gallery opening and a film screening on the life of Ervin Baktay. Charges are Rs. 4,900. walk were also organised as a part of the exhibition. Workshop Young Photographers 5–14 July A children photography workshop for three age groups Magnum Ke Carpe Diem The Shaurya Foundation presented 45 artwors photos of 4 to 7 years, 8 to 11 years and 12 to 18 years took Tasveer place in Kolkata. Organised by the Council For Cultural NID, Ahmedabad of Ishaan Suri. The exhibit curated by Sakshi Mahajan Relations (ICCR) from 20–27 May, the workshop taught Magnum Photos and was held from 1–31 May at Select Cityw alk mall, New children aspects of composition and lighting techniques. Tasveer will highlight Delhi. Moreover, the photographs displayed were from Selected pictures from the workshop were also put up some of the best Ishaan’s travel expeditions to central Europe and Asia. in an exhibition. photographs of India To transform the image into an abstract art, Ishaan photographed by eight used digital post processing. Magnum photographers. Homelands British Council presented Homelands: A 21st Century Raghu Rai, Werner Story of Home, Away, and All the Places In Between. Bischof, Olivia Arthur The exhibit curated by Latika Gupta took place from are some of the 28 April–9 June at Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Magnum photographers Museum, Mumbai. The artworks were culled from the whose work will be Through the ‘The British Council collection and focussed on transforming displayed at the exhibit. Homeless’ series, identities, belonging, alienation and varied geographies. Angus Boulton shows Over 80 works by 28 artists like David Hockney, Tim the plight of homeless Hetherington, Martin Parr were displayed. As a part of through their things. the exhibit, a talk by Mona Hatoum, Anthony Haughey, This was a part of the Zineb Sedira and Suki Dhanda was held on 29 April. Angus Boulton, From The Homeless London 1995-2000. Homelands exhibit. The show will travel to Bengaluru by June. Olivia Arthur/ Magnum Photos JUNE 2013 SNAPSHOTS INDUSTRY VOICE Camera Technology Helps Locate Boston Bomber “We are excited by the immense nlike ever before, camera technology to analyse the events of that day and pin potential that Creative Cloud holds for a country like India.” Uwas used extensively in the Boston down the two suspects. Marathon investigations in the US. When Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the younger Since Adobe’s official US release of Creative Right from identifying the suspects to of the two Boston bombing suspects, was Cloud in April 2012, hunting down the second bomber, cameras discovered, the cops enlisted the help of the creative sector played a key role in the investigations. an infrared aerial camera to confirm his has responded quite Two pressure cooker bombs exploded location before the police got him out. enthusiastically. We have seen an incredible in Boston, USA, on April uptake, with more than 15, 190 metres away from one million individuals the finish line of the Boston Umang Bedi in the US and around Managing Director - South Marathon, killing three Asia, Adobe the world, joining Adobe Creative Cloud. Our goal people and injuring 264. is to now make Creative Cloud the ultimate hub In the immediate aftermath, for professionals in India, where they can access investigators turned to the world’s best tools; store and collaborate crowd-sourced photographs across their workplace and ultimately showcase their creations. We are excited by the immense and surveillance video potential this holds for a country like India. to put a face to the two With the easy availability of our products Boston marathon bombers. through the Creative Cloud and the attractive price points, we do see a significant impact Images from countless cameras and cellphones on the piracy rate of the products. The Cloud This infrared photo taken from a police helicopter shows Boston bombing suspect brings with it great promises for the Indian were used by investigators Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the white figure in the centre, hiding in a boat. market, where the product has traditionally been 30 positioned as a premium offering. With its subscription-based pricing model, the Cloud brings down the total cost of ownership for professionals and organisations. It also takes Samsung Faces Copyright Controversy, Apologises away the headache from organisations who want amsung Singapore was in the middle of Samsung’s Facebook page with the text, to stay updated to current versions of tools. It helps them leverage product innovation as and Sa copyright infringement controversy as “Crisp. Cinematic. This street shot is taken when they are introduced. Both these factors it published a photographer’s work without by one of our Samsung photographers!”. will likely change the dynamics in favour of Adobe permission as an advertisement on its His protest saw several comments and the India in the the times to come, as it positions the Facebook page. To make it worse, the image shares began making the rounds of the web. offering for a mass adoption. was not even shot with a Samsung camera However, Samsung quickly took notice —As told to Ambarin Afsar as the post claimed. Photographer Danny about the issue and publicly apologised to Santos II noticed his image shared on the photographer about the mistake. BOOK REVIEW Title: Te Tirthanche Maher Honouring Pilgrimage Author: Shirish Shete ISBN: 978-9-3805-4947-7 Te Tirthanche Maher is one of the rare regional photo books out in the market. It showcases the three-week Publisher: Maitrey Prakashan long pilgrimage that the Warkaris of Maharashtra undertake from Dehu to Pandharpur in Maharashtra. Price: Rs 500 But more than simply being a photo book, it takes you on a chapter-by-chapter visual tour of the entire journey in 188 exhaustive pages. Publishing a book catering to regional readers often comes with a lot more challenges than usual. It needs to be affordable and at the same time, needs to make a strong connect with the readers. This book does exactly that. It is well compiled, with equal importance given to the text as well as the images. As you flip through the pages of the book, you come across the story behind every ritual and the relevance of important locations along the journey. What is truly captivating about this book is the intermittent prayers and scriptures in an interesting, traditional typography. While the hardbound cover is impressive at this price, the print quality leaves a lot more to be desired. A rather amusing thing that one notices in the book is a double-page advertisement spread in the first few pages of the book. It is probably the first time you will see this in a photobook. The Warkari pilgrimage is a very divine event and one of the most significant traditions in Maharashtrian culture. The book does justice to this and puts the experience on paper to treasure the memories. This is a good enough reason to buy this book. — written by Ketan Kundargi BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Click to the World of Photography with A TRIBUTE TO ICONIC P 5 OMINEES ASK YOUR NEWSPAPER VENDOR BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY %"/2!/450 FOR THE HINDI EDITION www.betterphotography.in Better Technique. Better Insight. Better Pictures EXCLUSIVE TESTS Canon PowerShot S100 Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Sony 30mm f/2.8 Macro HOW TO USE ON-CAMERA Photograph by: Atish Sen by: Atish Photograph FLASHFire the flash to add magic to your macro, wildlife, portrait, action & even landscape photographs 0c n esss, 9ts,ttss tectechnitechniquttechtectechn 190191of tes PagesPagesgesgeg softsoftessof oof ttetestests,t tes vicevvitechniques,cee PPLUSPL asasandad andandanndn a adad e ideasiiddeasdedeas andand ad adadaadvicerrehee e s ivivevev Shoot in the dark using high ISOs a comprehenscomprehecompcomprehcomprehenscomprehensivemprehemprehensmprehmprehensppreh e Buyer’sBuyerBuyeBuyeuyuyey GuidGuide while keeping noise to a minimum Shooting stunning pictures is now so simple. Everything you ever ONO ASSIGNMEASSIGNMASSIGNMENTSSIGNMSSIGNMESSISSIGNSSSIIGNMENMNMEENNT GREAT MASTERS VISUAL MUSINGS MARKET SENSE CapturingCaptCapturCapturiCapturinCaptuCapturapapturptututtiuuringuriurrinnngg mememoriesmories of leletterstttterstteters Craftsman O P Sharma on Magnum legenlegendd Martin Parr Using Creative Commons to wanted to know about photography is here. Tips, tricks, techniques, wwrittenritten by one'sone's grandfathergrandfafaatther his love for the darkroom talks of photographic clichés share your images safely news, views, reviews, assignments, brilliant pictures... and more! 46#4$3*15*0/0''&3 :&"3 :&"34 1SUBSCRIPTION 3 SUBSCRIPTION Cover Price: ` 1,800 Cover Price: ` 5,400 YOU PAY: ` 1,450 YOU PAY: ` 4,100 GIFT GIFT OFFER YOU SAVE: ` 350 YOU SAVE: ` 1,300 Check YOU GET: 4-*/($".&3"#"( YOU GET: -"1501$".&3"#"( Page no 68 #&/3053*10% for More Exciting Offers! :&"3 YOU GET :&"34 YOU GET 1SUBSCRIPTION 33% 3 SUBSCRIPTION 43% %*4$06/5 %*4$06/5 YOU PAY: ` 1,200 ON COVER PRICE YOU PAY: ` 3,100 ON COVER PRICE OFFER YOU SAVE: ` 600 YOU SAVE: ` 2,300 DISCOUNT DISCOUNT .1 · ! 100 20122012 `6060 ’ 100 ‘ `60 20112011 · .1 www.betterphotography.inwww.betterphotography.in Better PhotoPhotographygrg apphyy Hindi SubscriSubscriptionptp ion Offer y.in www.betterphotography.inwww.betterphotograph Better Technique. Better Insight. 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SNAPSHOTS Google+ Now Selects New Smartphone To Take Snaps Underwater fter launching the water-resistant So, one can jump into a pool with the And Edits Your Images AXperia Z, Sony has taken a Xperia ZR instead of buying a separate step further and announced a new tough waterproof camera or underwater oogle is rolling out a new update dust-resistant and completely waterproof housing. The Android phone has a 13MP Gthat will makes Google+ a strong smartphone. The new Sony Xperia Exmor RS sensor, a 4.6-inch display contender among photographers’ ZR can be used up to a depth of five screen, 1.5GHz quad-core processor and social networks. It includes four new feet for up to 30 minutes at a stretch. 2GB RAM. It will also have a dedicated features, all of which are completely camera button which should be a great addition when using the cameraphone underwater. The smartphone will be launched by Sony in the market sometime during the second half of this year. With underwater cameras already costing a bomb, having waterproofing built into a smartphone is bound to automatic. They are customised to be popular. The threat posed backup your pictures, select your best by smartphone cameras to the photos, postprocess them and create fun compact camera market only GIFs out of your images. If they are as seems to increase each day. 36 effective as Google claims they are, it will be a great platform for photographers to store, organise and edit their photographs with ease. P51: Latest Mobile from Panasonic in India Auto Highlight uses a complex apanese camera manufacturer Panasonic to face tough competition from Samsung algorithm to highlight the best photos Jhas entered the smartphone market with Galaxy SIII and LG Nexus 4. from your image dump. It also throws out its first Android smartphone. The P51 runs The company has also launched two any blurs or duplicate images, making on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, boasts of dual- 7-inch tablets, the Toughpad FZ-G1 which a selection of just the good images. SIM capabilities and has a 720p HD 5inch runs on Windows 8 and the Toughpad JT-B1 Auto Enhance then picks up these IPS display. It packs a 1.2GHz quad-core which runs on Android. Since this has been photos to apply automatic corrections. processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal an untapped market for Panasonic, we are Brightness, contrast, noise and other memory. For Rs. 26,900, the phone is set curious to see how they perform. aspects are tweaked for best results. New Lumia Phones With Improved Camera Ability Tamron Launches he past month has seen two new lens and optical image stabilisation just like Tback-to-back Nokia Lumia launches. the flagship Lumia 920. However, it comes Indian Subsidiary With this, it is clear that Nokia is with an improved lens design featuring amron has opened a subsidiary concentrating on improving its imaging six elements and the capability to shoot Tcompany, Tamron India Pvt Ltd, abilities in a bid to increase its popularity. at ISO 3200. Nokia also claims that image in a bid to expand its operations in Yet, disappointingly processing in the Lumia India. This will enable Tamron to have a enough, neither of 925 has been significantly better understanding of the market and the two Windows improved and that it now design products to cater to the needs of Phone 8 smartphones offers better low light quality. Indian photographers. have technology like The Lumia 928, on the Morio Ono, President & CEO of the Nokia 808-like other hand, is only a minor Tamron, Japan would be inaugurating PureView. upgrade of the Lumia 920. the new office on 5 June 2013. We look The Nokia Lumia The LED flash on the 920 is forward to see how this will affect Tamron 925 features a 8.7 MP replaced by a Xenon flash on operations in India. CMOS sensor, an f/2 the 928. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 SNAPSHOTS WEBSITE REVIEW www.photography-now.net With a name like Photography Now, you would expect the website to be a resource for the latest events, launches and news about photography. However, it is everything but that. Instead, the website showcases the work of the great masters of photography and a few contemporary photographers. Rather than simply publishing the work as a slide show of the images, Photography Now shows them off in a classy and unique photobook style layout. The website has drop-down menus with links to several magazines, a few blogs and book publishers. Some of the best resources on the internet are listed amongst these links. However, disappointingly, none of these links work. With 73 photographers exhibiting their work, you can spend hours going through the images for inspiration. The website stays true to its claim and is indeed an excellent one-stop place to connect with your creative vision. — Ketan Kundargi SOFTWARE OF THE MONTH Photoshop CC: Only Available On Subscription 38 dobe has announced the latest version it. Users will have have to pay a monthly Aof Photoshop CC, the Creative Cloud charge of USD 30 (approx. Rs. 1620) to version of its most popular photo editing continue using it. software. The updated version packs some While Adobe has made this move in a new powerful features making Adobe bid to curb piracy, it is the photographers Photoshop CC, a very interesting launch. who have to pay the price. One will end up Adobe has finally brought out the new spending more money in the long run than Camera Shake Reduction tool which they would on a one-time purchase charge. promises miraculous fixes Ketan Kundargi Ketan for your blurry shots. It also Funny Photo Maker includes an updated RAW Want to have a phot of yourself with George engine and a very effect Smart Bush? Or a snapshot of the time you landed on Sharpen tool. the moon even if you have never been there? If yes, then this free app is perfect for you. But here is the catch! Funny Photo Maker is a photo editor that lets This new version of the software you select an image and then crop faces to will only be available through fit fun frames, movie posters and hilarious the Creative Cloud subscription backgrounds. It also allows you to add animation effects to your photos or make GIFs. plan. This means that while the Pick a photo you want to use, choose the software is installed on your effect you want and instantly view the results. computer, you will still not own But beware! Some of the results might result in you falling off the chair laughing! The ease of using the software ensures that anyone can create fun pictures with a single click of the button. One of the shortcomings of this software is the Adobe Launches Public Beta Version of Lightroom 5 inability to control the exposure of your image so he announcement of Adobe Lightroom features. However, this version is no longer that it blends with the background frame. While this software will not deliver images that are perfectly T5 public beta has taken everyone compatible with Windows XP, which is still alligned, rest assured that it will provide enough by surprise. The beta launch comes 13 used by many Indian photographers. fun for you to be entertained for hours. months after Lightroom 4 was launched. As the next version of Adobe Photoshop This launch features the introduction of an is being shifted to Creative Cloud, most — Ketan Kundargi advanced Healing Brush along with a new photographers might turn to Lightroom as Radial Gradient, Smart Previews and other an affordable photo editing solution. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY SNAPSHOTS Finally! Freeware to Three New Cameras From Panasonic anasonic launched three new cameras Lumix GF6 and Lumix G6 as well as an Tether Nikon Cameras Pfor Asia-Pacific during an event enthusiast point-and-shoot Lumix LF1. held in Bali, Indonesia on 13 May 2013. Panasonic aims to capture 25% nlike Canon, Nikon camera users The event saw the company introducing of the mirrorless camera segment, and Uhave had very few options when it two new mirrorless cameras, the the Lumix GF6 and Lumix G6 are a step came to controlling their cameras from in this direction. Less than a year after releasing the G5, Panasonic has already launched the updated G6. The mid-range interchangeable lens MFT camera is expected to give entry- level DSLRs a run for their money. The GF6, on the other hand, is a more compact mirrorless camera. The LF1 is an upgrade of the LX1. It is one of the first cameras in Shridhar Kunte Panasonic’s upcoming lineup of of From L to R: Hiroyoshi Suga, Ichiro Kito and Junichiro WiFi enabled RAW shooting advanced Kitagawa from Panasonic pose with the latest cameras. compact cameras. a PC. A newly launched free software called digiCam Control lets you access Live View, focus, expose and trigger your shutter remotely. It also has features for Retro Styling Comes to Olympus with the E-P5 40 sequences, bracketing, time-lapse and he new Olympus PEN E-P5 is the share images and use a remote shutter. focus stacking in addition to shooting Tcompany’s new flagship Micro Four The camera has been priced at USD 1000 single frames. Once a picture is taken, you Thirds PEN mirrorless camera. It features (approx. Rs. 54,720 ) for body only. can also control the image transfer, naming a pleasing retro styling on the outside and storing the file to your computer from and powerful specs on the inside. The inside the program. camera is modeled after the old Olympus PEN F SLR and was launched on the 50th anniversary of the same. The E-P5 packs the same core as the Sigma Announces Olympus OM-D EM-5. Also, with the E-P5, WiFi makes its first appearance in an Fastest Zoom Lens Yet Olympus camera. It can be used with the hird-party lens manufacturer Sigma company’s smartphone app to instantly Thas been making a name for itself by launching some excellent lenses in the past few months. Their latest lens announcement, the18–35mm f/1.8, breaks Hasselblad V System Cameras Come To An End new ground in the industry. It is the world’s asselblad has killed off its popular see a camera that is as easy to hold as a Leica, first lens that offers a fixed f/1.8 aperture H503CW medium format cameras. but which shot medium format film. throughout its zoom range. It has a new AF/ This means that its V System line of cameras The 503CW was one of the most MF switch, a hypersonic motor for speedy is officially coming popular medium and stealthy autofocusing, full time manual to an end. This marks format cameras focus override, a brass mount and rugged the end of over a half among professional build quality. century of evolution and amateur for the company’s photographers since original camera line. it was launched The Hasselblad V 17 years ago. System was first However, dropping introduced in 1948 number of sales led to as founder Victor Hasselblad reluctantly Hasselblad wished to scrapping the camera. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 SNAPSHOTS 23rd TIPA Awards Recognise the Best of Photo Industry he Technical Image Press Association has Tannounced the 23rd edition of the renowned TIPA Awards. These awards highlight the best photo and imaging products introduced in the market during the previous 12 months. Selected by an esteemed jury of 27 member magazines across 14 countries around the world, TIPA editors take into account innovation, the use of cutting edge technology, design and ergonomics, ease-of-use, as well as price/performance ratio before any product is awarded a prize. As a result, these awards are highly coveted in the industry. Some of the prominent award categories are listed below: Best DSLR Entry Level Best Rugged Compact Best CSC Professional Best Pro Camcorder Best Photo Accessory Canon EOS 100D Panasonic Lumix DMC- Panasonic Lumix DMC- Sony NEX-VG900 Metabones Speed FT5 (DMC-TS5) GH3 Booster Best Digital SLR Advanced Best Expert Photo Printer Nikon D7100 Best Superzoom Best CSC Expert Canon PIXMA PRO-10 Best Portable Lighting Nikon COOLPIX P520 Fujifilm X-E1 System Best DSLR Expert Best Inkjet Photo Paper Nissin MG8000 Extreme 42 Canon EOS 6D Best Expert Compact Best CSC Entry- ILFORD GALERIE Fujifilm X20 Level Lens Prestige Mono Silk Best Imaging Storage Best Video DSLR Nikon 1 NIKKOR Media Canon EOS-1D C Best Pro Camera 11–27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 Best Photo Software Panasonic SDHC Gold, Leica M (Typ 240) DxO Optics Pro 8 Silver and Blue, series Best Entry-Level DSLR Best CSC Expert Lens Lens Best Professional Lens Sony 10–18mm f/4 OSS Best Multifunction Best Tripod Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Canon EF 24–70mm Photo Printer Vanguard ABEO PRO Kit DC MACRO OS HSM f/2.8L II USM Best CSC Prime Lens Epson Expression XP 283 CGH and GH300T Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R Best Expert DSLR Lens Best CSC Entry Level Best Mobile Photo App Best Photo Bag Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG Olympus PEN E-PL5 Best Premium Camera Tiffen Photo fx Ultra Vanguard Quovio 41 HSM Sony DSC-RX1 Best CSC Advanced Best Photo Monitor Best ActionCam Best Easy Compact Camera Samsung Smart Camera Best Mobile Device LG IPS ColorPrime GoPro Hero 3 Nikon COOLPIX S01 NX300 Samsung Galaxy Camera 27EA83 Better Photography Now a Member of TIPA he next time you log on to the Technical being a Europe-based organisation, to TImage Press Association (TIPA) website, being a worldwide organisation that do not be surprised to see us there! That is works in partnership with its members because Better Photography magazine is now across borders and cultures. a member of the elite organisation. BP was TIPA now has a membership of 28 accepted as the newest member of TIPA photo and imaging magazines from during its General Assembly in April 2013. 15 countries, across five continents. TIPA’s association with BP shows the TIPA has continuously strengthened organisation’s aim to transform into a and grown to increase its readership global organisation.Its globalisation and reach out to more and more strategy represents a shift from simply photographers and enthusiasts. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 SNAPSHOTS Indian Photographer in FotoVisura Grant Photographers Banned oulomi Basu is one of the top finalists from Beyoncé Concert Pof the FotoVisura Grant 2013 for Outstanding Personal Photography arlier last month, unflattering project. Her series, To Conquer Her Ephotos snapped by photographers Land, was placed second from over 800 during a Beyoncé concert left the artist submissions from across the world. fuming. These images soon became viral This series documents the lives of women and turned into humorous memes on in the Indian Armed forces. She says, the internet. “The Indian woman in the forces is not So, in a bid to make sure that it does not only battling against the enemy, but also happen again, Beyonce has completely against a largely patriarchal society.” banned pro photographers from Poulomi’s work focuses on projects her concerts. Newspapers and magazines in India that explores the role of looking to publish pictures of the star will marginalised rural women. She is Poulomi Basu have to register to receive a selection pre- currently working on a project that Shabbo Kumari at the border Indo-Pak of Attari, approved photographs. explores the world of Naxal women. Punjab. October 2011. LOOK WHO’S SHOOTING Helena Schätzle Documenting Stories of Women Subjected to Violence Helena Schätzle, a German photographer, first visited amongst the women, she found insights into their 44 India when she came to photograph the country in lives. “I interacted with several women, both strong 2006. On her second visit to India, she started to and interesting. And yet, only a few of them could travel with photographer Sudharak Olwe. He was resist the violence they were faced with.” then teaching photography at an organisation called Over the past few years, Helena has made several Vanangana, which worked with women who were trips to India to continue her work. Every time she got subject to violent domestic abuse, in Uttar Pradesh. to know another woman who had a story to violence It is here that she first started working on her series to tell, I would make her portrait and capture her Circle of Everyday Violence. The first images were story in words and pictures. She says, “I don’t know “Often, parents made during her days with Vanangana. This eventually whether a single photographer can bring societal who had sparked her project on documenting the hardships change, but the more people draw attention to faced by Indian women. violence against women, the more likely it is, that themselves In the beginning, being a Western woman, she change will happen.” experienced found it difficult to find access into the world of —Written by Ketan Kundargi the distress the Indian women. Gradually, as she started living of childhood marriage, still subjected their children to the same practice.” Driven to desperation by her husband, Girija poured kerosene on herself and Helena Schätzle set herself on fire. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 VISUAL MUSINGS The Single Photograph: Thoughts on the Project Windmill Jörg Colberg sk any photographer what they’re working on, and they’re that most of them are invisible. They’re created in the viewers’ sure to tell you about their project. It’s almost as if these minds, from the skeleton provided by the 20 pictures. This often Adays photographers don’t take pictures any longer, they (always?) is where things get really interesting. And it is here where take projects. This being the internet, it would be tempting to we can witness the strength of the contemporary photobook. simply find someone to blame. Pretend you’re raising a question, The project ‘problem’ thus changes once you consider the and you’d be ready to go: “Have art schools (alternatively: galleries, various nuances that are involved. But there is more still. As it bloggers, photographers, photobooks, everybody’s grandmothers, turns out, there are quite a few photographers who essentially whoever else you can think of) killed photography by insisting produce single, individual images. Those photographs might exist on projects?” But it’s easy to see how little would be gained from in some sort of project (or photobook), but they are only loosely that approach. Instead, it might be worthwhile to try to probe a connected to each other. Loosely, but not so loosely that there isn’t little deeper. something that holds them together. At the very least, there always I started thinking about single photographs—as opposed to photo is something that holds photographs together: the photographer. projects - when I was walking around with my Fuji Instax camera Of course, if you cast your net very wide, every photo lives in a while teaching photography earlier this month. There I was, talking project. I wouldn’t want to necessarily go into that direction, but mostly about projects, even asking photographers what kind of it’s important to keep this in mind. project they’d like to work on; and at the same time, I was looking And even if none of this convinced you, if you are the for photographs that had nothing to do with a project. photographer who only produces single photographs that have Teaching (the non-technical aspects of) photography is hard. nothing to do with each other—isolated little beauties—why 45 How do you teach someone to express themselves in a creative wouldn’t have you a place in this world? Why or how would what way? Without going too much into the details of how I believe this the rest of the world does affect you? I have a funny feeling that the can be done, it’s almost too obvious to point out that starting from answer might come across the lines of: “I will not be as accepted something that is not a photo can be—and usually is—a wonderful because I am supposed to do projects.” Which is simply not true. set of training wheels: “What are you interested in?” That which As convenient as the idea of the art world being dominated by a a student might be interested in can then, often with all kinds of small cabal of people might be, a cabal that dictates what is allowed modifications and usually with all kinds of clarifications, turned and what is not allowed, the reality is that that cabal does not exist. into a project. If you’re a single-photo photographer, it might be time to stop It’s important to keep in mind what ‘project’ here can mean: fighting the ‘project’ windmill. A project can literally be anything, whether it’s an artful almost- reportage on a community of like-minded people in some very specific location, or a set of photographs that were created under similar conditions and that reflect the photographer’s mindset reacting to those conditions. I noticed that when talking about projects many people love to assume that a project always is something that is very obvious, very clear. But often, it isn’t. A typology of portable toilets in all likelihood is. But many projects are only clear in the sense that when you see them you feel that all these photographs belong together and convey something that feels whole. People love talking about art schools as focusing on the former, whereas in reality that’s absolutely not the case. Add to that the fact that we have become very literate in terms of what photographs can do, how they can work. Put two photographs next to each other, and we start finding something else, “the third photograph,” to use a phrase by Michael Schmidt. This is where photography gets especially juicy: a project with, say, 20 photographs in reality often has many more images in it. It’s just Lisa Gidley Colberg is the founder and editor of the Conscientous blog, which led him to be included in American Photo’s list of ‘Photography Innovators of 2006’. This article was first published on Conscientous Extended (www.jmcolberg.com/weblog/extended), where he publishes longer articles and interviews. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TRIBUTE Jagdish Mali (1954–2013) “I wanted to be someone worth looking up to.” 46 The Man, His Memories Better Photography remembers the person behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic photographs, who brought fame to several celebrities. His first camera was a Mamiya I will remember him the most, as being a which I had suggested. Some of humble and nice person. his early enigmatic photos of Rekha — Dr P K M Pillai, founder of the first photography were shot using this. school in India, Pillai School of Photography. Jagdish was a student of mine at the Pillai School of Photography. His father and His photographs have always I were good friends. I remember his dad struck me as being fresh and being anxious about him enrolling in the innovative, considering the times that courses offered at my school. they were shot in. Although he came from a vernacular It was only 10–15 years ago when I met background, he overcame all him for the first time. I remember Jagdish communication barriers and performed being the person who always stood out really well. In fact, he shot to fame just from the crowd. After all, you would not a few years later, and yet, this never see anyone else donning a cap and a pair changed him as a person. of shorts, the way he did. As a person, However, we did lose touch over the he was friendly and exuded warmth. years. But as I recall, our last interaction Our last interaction was a Facebook was roughly around three years ago. message he left me, “What’s up in the We spoke about meeting and catching up. photography world?” He even insisted on coming himself and — Ian Pereira, advertising and seeing me. But it never happened. I think industrial photographer. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TRIBUTE I have always known him to be a simple and honest man. How do I summarise Jaggi? Where do I begin? Our friendship goes way back to the 1980s and I used to wonder how a man of his nature would cope with the complicated egos of the film industry. But Jaggi was an uncomplicated man, which is why he rose to great heights. He loved cats and everything from clothes to fashion accessories like headgear and belts. He loved to look different, a characteristic that his photos had. — Ashok Salian, fashion and art photographer. He willingly welcomed everyone. I met Jagdish Mali very early in my career through a few mutual friends. Jagdish Mali He came across as a warm and friendly person. We did not interact much but I have about life, our beliefs... while we walked, heard people comment that he is one of the he spontaneously clicked away... I didn’t easiest photographers to work with. even realise when the pictures got made! — Dabboo Ratnani, advertising, fashion and Man, nostalgia has kicked in while I say celebrity photographer. this. Everyone will miss him. Quite simply, the coolest dude I have ever known. 47 His photographic process was — Jackie Shroff, actor free-spirited and organic... there was nothing pseudo about him. Born to a middle class family in Mumbai, He was another Jaggu, just like me. Jagdish Mali’s gift for photography was A complete hippie he was—bohemian, apparent at a very young age. He was rebellious, crazy, exactly the way I feel the most sought after photographer in about life, which is why we were such Bollywood. However, due to deteriorating good friends. My first outdoor shoot was health, he passed away on 13 May. Better done by Jaggu. This was just after Hero had Photography will fondly remember this released. We just went for a walk, chatted legendary portraitist. Jagdish Mali Jagdish Mali Ishaan Dixit JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TESTTEST GearGuide HOW WE TEST Product Categorisation We first segregate products into categories for the purpose of equitability in testing. The DSLR is divided into entry-level, semi-professional and professional categories. For compacts, we distinguish between advanced and basic compact cameras. Similarly, we also test consumer and pro lenses, flashguns, printers, and other photographic accessories and gear. The Process We primarily test for features, performance, build, ergonomics, warranty and support. While this remains constant, the weightage we give to these parameter differs from category to category, because different types of consumers have diverse expectations from products. Final Ratings Under each main parameter, 4848 we list out hundreds of individual variables (for eg. colour accuracy for individual colours in different Fujifilm X100S lighting, individual features, dynamic range, center-to-edge definition, light falloff, etc) against which we either give points or simply mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Thus, we arrive at a score for that parameter, and then, the final score, denoted as a percentage. Additionally, based on the current A Sense of Wonder pricing of a product, a star ... is what Raj Lalwani feels, as he rediscovers the gaze of love, while rating for ‘Value for Money’ is considered. Value for Money does peering through the viewfinder of the Fujifilm X100S. not affect the final percentage, because prices for products trange things happen when you was, to the earlier X cameras. The original change constantly. travel. I was in Delhi last month, X100 was the camera that set the ball rolling, Our Seals of Approval and a few hours into the trip, but though it had its share of admirers, they Any product that scores 80% I was suddenly hit by a sense of seemed to share a complicated relationship or higher in individual tests gets WEIGHTAGE OF longing. Visuals tend to do that to with it. Focusing was slow, write times poor, ‘BP Recommended’—a seal PARAMETERS S of approval from our team. me, they spur off memories of a long time there were an insane number of bugs and In comparison tests, we also tag ago. I pressed the shutter and sighed. manual focus was downright unusable. products as ‘BP Best Performer’ 5% The X100S has a 16.3MP X-Trans sensor, and ‘BP Best Value for Money’. 20% 20% Features similar to the one used in the X-Pro 1 and BP Excellence Awards This is like an affair revisited. I tested the the X-E1. Though it is not full frame, it is 15% At the end of the calendar year, 40% X-Pro 1 exactly a year ago, and the X-E1, one of the most special digital chips in the the highest rated products in soon after. They both had their share of photographic world right now. each category automatically flaws, but there is nothing better than a It does not have an AA filter, which win the Better Photography Features Excellence Award. This is Performance camera that makes you want to shoot more, significantly improves sharpness. Better Photography’s recognition Build Quality alters your way of seeing and shows you a But unlike other cameras that have taken of the very best products Ergonomics this decision (Nikon D7100, COOLPIX launched in the course of the different side to your own self. Warranty & As I sprung out of my nostalgia, I looked A), there is no visible moiré, due to an year, and the companies that Support made them. at the X100S, and realised how similar she innovative colour filter which simulates BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST TEST TEST Nikon A Olympus VG-190 Micro Test TESTTEST Cooler than other Basic P&S with Think Tank bag, COOLPIX cameras not-so-great quality Peak Design Capture 54 64 66 film emulsion rather than a conventional the menu of the camera, if ever at all. digital sensor pattern. I sometimes wonder why certain camera The 35mm field of view offered by the manufacturers cannot understand that such fixed lens remains unchanged from the simplicity is all that one needs. X100. Easily my favourite focal length, it is It is the simplicity and constraints that relatively normal, considering that it does actually set you free, without too much of not give a dramatic perspective. It also gadgetry to come between the pictures you forces you to be closer to your subject, see and the ones you end up making. than you would with a standard 50mm The X100 was filled with several other lens. Based on how close you get and how ‘constraints’ (read that as ‘flaws’ in this case), you play with foreground-background but Fujifilm seems to have listened to all relationships, there is a lot that can be done the complaints. The X100S gains on-sensor with a lens like this. phase detection autofocus, which has The camera shoots Full HD video at 60fps, largely improved the AF performance. but the lack of image stabilisation really Manual focus lovers, rejoice! The X100S hurts video capture. One can use Advanced allows you to use focus peaking to gauge the WHAT’S IN THE BOX Filters like Pop Colour and Toy Photo, some area that is in focus. If you are zone focusing, of which I enjoyed using with the flash the camera remembers the distance setting =la`ÔcdO(''JYf[p All the speed 9Xkk\ipZ_Xi^\i problems that plagued capabilities of this camera. even after being switched off. LJ9:XYc\ the older X cameras Most importantly, the X100S has a Jk\i\f8MZXYc\ are now gone. The S Handling splitscreen viewfinder display, identical :Xd\iXjkiXg in the X100S probably C`$`feYXkk\ip stands for speed!. Analogue-style dials for aperture, to the one used in fully manual cameras Jf]knXi\:;$IFD Exposure: 1/200sec at f/8 shutterspeed and Exposure Compensation of yore. The display does this by using the @ejkilZk`fedXelXc (ISO 400) ensure that you rarely need to get into phase-detect data from the sensor. It is 49 All photographs by Raj Lalwani by All photographs JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TEST Test Shots =XekXjk`ZDXelXc=fZlj to Fujifilm’s credit that they have been capacity, shot-to-shot lag and write ALSO LOOK FOR the first camera company to implement speed have been significantly improved. E`bfe8 something so simple, yet so practical. Unlike the X100 and X-Pro 1 that forced JfepIO( The optical viewfinder is a joy to use in you to slow down, the X100S matches the daytime and as light fades, it is best to your urgency, step for step. switch to the EVF, which now has a higher The X100S has a leaf shutter, which resolution of 2.35 million dots. allows you to sync flash at the fastest The minimum shooting distance in the of shutterspeeds! Combined with the PLUS 50 regular, non-Macro shooting mode has in-built ND filter, I could overpower Front Top Rear Intuitive AF-point Viewfinder Drive mode selection button toggle switch Stereo mic Shutterspeed dial dial Customisable Fn button AF mode switch Threading for Hybrid VF with Mid resolution Irritating data- AF-assist lamp Aperture ring mechanical Hot shoe dioptre adjustment LCD screen writing indicator shutter release The AF mode switch, to the left of the camera, The manual focus ring is far more responsive Since I’m a left-eyed shooter, the data-writing has been redesigned. AF-C, which one would now and works well with the focusing aids. signal bulb kept flashing in my eye after each rarely (or I would say never) use on this kind of a Unfortunately, there is no lens hood included and image—best to cover it up with duct tape! camera, is now rightly in the middle, and the two the proprietary one is very expensive! Make your The LCD has a resolution of 460k dots, which is a extreme positions swap between AF and MF. own hood to avoid lens flare. little disappointing. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST Noise Test SPECIFICATIONS ENDED RECOMMENDED Very few cameras allow you this extensive a control over the final look, both in RAW and JPEG. Most importantly, the ones that allow you to do so ISO 6400 (Olympus OM-D, for instance), do not have a sensor which is so good, and so, the Model name Fujifilm X100S file quality starts crumbling if you try to MRP Rs. 74,999 open up the shadows too much. Sensor size, type APS-C, X-Trans CMOS II Battery life is very good. Unless you are an Resolution 16.3MP, 4896 x 3264 pixels obsessive shooter, you can manage a full day LCD 2.8-inch, 460k dots of shooting on a single charge. Compared to Focal range 35mm (35mm equivalent) competing cameras like the Sony RX1, this ISO range Auto, 200–6400 (expandable up is remarkable. to ISO 25,600 in JPEG) ISO 12,800 (Hi 1) Aperture range f/2–16 Conclusion Shutterspeed 30–1/4000sec The X100 and the X-Pro 1 were endearing Metering modes Multi, Average, Spot because of their flaws. They were useful File formats Still: JPEG, RAW; Movie: H.264 tools, but with a lot of constraints that Hot shoe Yes one needed to keep in mind. The X-E1 Battery Li-ion showed improvement, but the X100S is a Storage SD, SDHC, SDXC generation leap from each of these cameras. ISO 25,600 (Hi 2) Constraints are now freedom. Endearment is Dimensions, weight 127 x 74 x 54mm, 445g This is the best APS-C sensor in terms of noise now allure. performance, and even better than some full frame Just a caution—this camera is not for 52 sensors. ISO 6400, shot in RAW, opened up by more everyone. It makes you think, wonder, than two stops, is remarkably detailed! wander. It makes you feel. If you cannot wait for the magic to happen, you may be better a Film Simulation mode, you can also off with a conventional DSLR. If you enjoy determine the tonal curve of the final file. technology more than you crave simplicity, So, do you want really soft highlights in you may want to look at other mirrorless an overexposed photo, but dark shadows? options. But if you long for a camera that Or would you rather underexpose but get makes you fall in love every time you look FINALRATINGS detail in the shadows? through it, maybe this is the one. Features 18/20 Excellent Hybrid AF, leaf shutter, no IS Performance 39/40 Class-leading noise performance, excellent dynamic range, improved AF Build Quality 13/15 Extremely sturdy metal body that can easily withstand a bit of rough use Ergonomics 18/20 Fabulous manual focusing experience, no lens hood provided with the camera Warranty & Support 3/5 Two-year warranty, limited service facilities OVERALL 91% Who should buy it? Street and travel photographers, those who love to use external flashguns The flash balances Why? The X100S comes close to the full frame RX1’s with ambient light quality, while being almost one third its price. The leaf beautifully, and one can shutter allows you to sync flash at any shutterspeed! fine tune the tonal curve to a large degree. Value for Money BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST Nikon COOLPIX A 54 Nikon, Eh? Raj Lalwani finds that the name of the Nikon COOLPIX A is not only a little amusing, but also indicative of the experience of using this mixed bag. hy has Nikon called their Sony RX100. This is a similar sensor to latest COOLPIX camera A? the one we had seen in the superb D7000, No, that is not a grammatical which produced such brilliant dynamic error on my part. That is range and noise performance. Wreally the name. A. Just ‘A’ could also stand for Acuity. Unlike the WEIGHTAGE OF that. When I first read the announcement, older D7000, this camera does not have PARAMETERS I couldn’t really get over the name. an optical low-pass filter. This increases So while all its on-paper specifications chances of moiré, but while producing suggested that it would be way cooler better detail, sharpness and acuity. To make 5% 20% 20% than other COOLPIX cameras, I kept best use of the sensor’s capabilities, wondering whether there are any hidden the camera allows you to shoot 14-bit 15% 40% implications of the name. uncompressed NEF files as well. Or maybe ‘A’ = Adult. Or Advanced. Features This is not a camera for the beginner. Features Performance At first glance, ‘A’ seemed to stand for being After all, there is no zoom. With a fixed Build Quality an A-lister. Or maybe APS-C. After all, the lens that gives a field of view similar to Ergonomics company has managed to fit in a 16.2MP a 28mm, the COOLPIX A is only for Warranty & DX sensor inside a camera body that is those who appreciate that kind of wide Support only around 10% larger than the pocketable focal length and know how to make BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST best use of it. Landscape photography, Video is a bit of a disappointment. It is WHAT’S IN THE BOX check. Street photography, check. hidden away in the Drive modes, much Environmental portraits, check. The Nikon like the Fuji X100S, but the A does not E`bfe:FFCG@O8 A is perfect for intimate shots, where you even have a direct shortcut to access these 9Xkk\ipZ_Xi^\i are not only a part of the action, but at its modes. There is nothing wrong with 9Xkk\ipgXZb LJ9ZXYc\ very heart. making a camera purely targetted at stills, J_flc[\iJkiXg All of this sounds great, but here is but then one cannot accept compromises where the camera’s name starts to sound like the viewfinder and flash. like a cruel joke. The camera does not have Flash, did I say? The flash itself a viewfinder. So if you are a traditionalist produces excellent results, but it who loves the experience of holding does not have a Commander mode. the camera to your eye, you might just The first serious APS-C compact disapprove and say, “Nikon, eh?” Of course, from the company that has a fabulous the company is selling an optional Optical Creative Lighting System does not Viewfinder for the A, at Rs. 25,250. No, that have a Commander mode. Nikon, eh? Unlike most lenses, is not a misprint. Nikon, eh, really? This, despite the fact that the much the Nikon A’s optics do Of course, if you do not want to spend cheaper COOLPIX P7700 has the same not suffer much from half the cost of the camera on a viewfinder, mode? Again, eh? diffraction, giving sharp I was disappointed to see that the images even at f/16. you can go to an ordinary store, buy a Exposure: 1/1000sec at keyhole for Rs. 250 and figure out a rig to camera does not have image stabilisation. f/16 (ISO 3200) attach that to the hot shoe. Sure, some of its competitors are not 55 All photographs by Raj Lalwani Raj by photographs All JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TEST Test Shots PLUS stabilised either, but they have faster lenses under the lens, but accessing the button and superior high ISO performance. sometimes becomes a little difficult. J_Xigfgk`Zj Manual focus is facilitated by a large >ff[hlXc`kpXk_`^_ @JFj\kk`e^j Handling ring around the lens, but has one fatal These missing features do rob the flaw. While there is a distance scale MINUS COOLPIX A of a lot of its excitement value, displayed on the LCD, there is no DOF Mode dial Hot shoe Pop-up Stereo flash switch microphone Drive mode Rear control dial wheel On/Off switch Customisable Fn1 button PC Sync socket Focusing ring Small textured Primary ISO/Customisable rubber grip Mode dial High-resolution control dial Fn2 button LCD screen Lens In several ways, the COOLPIX A is like an oversized The hot shoe can mount a flash or the optional OVF. I The layout of buttons at the back is simple, yet intuitive. P320, with a larger sensor and body. Even the personally liked the On/Off switch mechanism. It was The ISO and Exposure Compensation buttons fall menu and interface is similar to the P320, and is unusual, but very intuitive. The Lens Control Ring can perfectly at one’s fingertips. The pop-up flash needs to reminiscent of the company’s entry-level DSLRs. only be used for manual focusing. be raised manually to be active. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST Noise Test SPECIFICATIONS ISO is superb—one can easily open up an underexposed photo by three stops, without causing too much noise. At high ISO 6400 ISO settings, the quality does not suffer too much, but it is nowhere near as good as Model name Nikon COOLPIX A the Fujifilm X100S. DIG Rs. 54,950 The optics are stunning. There is some Sensor size, type APS-C, CMOS light falloff at the widest aperture, but <]]\Zk`m\g`o\cj# 16.2 megapixels, no flaring and fringing that one could dXo%`dX^\j`q\ 4000 x 3000 pixels observe. Sharpness is excellent, even at the C:; 3-inch, 921k dots extreme ends of the aperture. Focal range 28mm (35mm equivalent) @JFiXe^\ Auto, 100–6400 (expandable ISO 12,800 (Hi 1) Conclusion up to 25,600) I really wanted to like the Nikon A. 8g\ikli\iXe^\ f/2.8–22 It is incredibly compact and the image J_lkk\ijg\\[ 30–1/2000sec quality is nothing short of stunning, Metering modes Multi, Center-weighted, Spot due to a good sensor and fantastic File formats Still: JPEG, RAW; optics. But there were so many things in Movie: H.264, MPEG-4 practice that made me go, “Huh? What? ?fkj_f\ Yes Eh?” that the camera seemed like a bit of Battery Li-ion a compromise. ISO 25,600 (Hi 2) Storage SDHC, SDXC Slow AF and problematic MF were ;`d\ej`fej No?o; #111 x 64 x 40 mm, The camera produces barely any noise up to ISO quirks that plagued even cameras like the n\`^_k 299g 1600. After this, luminance noise increases rapidly, older Fujifilm X100. But then, the X100 57 but it remains very film like. ISO 3200 looks great and was unique for its time, while the Nikon ISO 6400 is usable, in an emergency. ISO 12,800 is avoidable, unless you are shooting in B&W. A is surrounded by several large-sensor fixed-lens compact cameras from Sony, I also wish the manual focus ring Fujifilm, Sigma, Leica and Ricoh. was used a little more intelligently. Can you live without a viewfinder? Other cameras like the Canon PowerShot If so, the Sony RX100, at Rs. 20,000 S105 and Sony RX100 allow you to lesser, provides much better value. customise this ring to access other At 28mm, the RX100 has a maximum camera functions. aperture of f/1.8. This makes up for its FINALRATINGS There is no shortcut to jump to a 100% slightly smaller sensor size. Also, the Features 9/15 view. This is a small, but vital feature that RX100 has 4-stops of stabilisation, as 28mm lens, no image stabilisation, no Commander flash mode, no ND filter makes a big difference while shooting in compared to the A, which has none! the real world. The RX100 has it, as do most And well, of course, the RX100 costs only Performance 40/45 Slow AF, very good sensor, excellent optics smartphones, funnily enough. Eh? a little more than the cost of one Nikon A Build Quality 13/15 viewfinder! Uh-oh-eh! All-weather design, magnesium alloy body Performance If you add the viewfinder’s cost to Ergonomics 13/20 The camera uses a small battery, identical the camera’s, the COOLPIX A package MF resets itself after power off, other quirks to the one used in the 1 J1. In spite of this, becomes more expensive than the Warranty & Support 4/5 the battery life is quite commendable, and Fujifilm X100S! The Fuji sensor is Two-year warranty, good service network I could easily shoot around 400 to 500 significantly better and the camera has photos—a little more if I conserved power a Hybrid viewfinder, as opposed to the while shooting. A’s optical option. OVERALL 79% I can tell you what ‘A’ does not stand Of course, the bigger problem is that for—action. The autofocus of this camera Ricoh, more recently, announced a camera Who should buy it? Nikon loyalists who do not mind is substandard. It never happened that called the GR, which on paper, is almost compromising on AF speed to get excellent image quality. I could not lock focus, but the speed at identical to the A. As of now, we do not Why? If you do not mind looking at other brands, there are which it happens is poor. know when the GR will be available in several options that can compete with the A and win, either Thankfully, the A scores an A+ in the India, but abroad, the Ricoh costs USD 300 based on price, value for money or functionality. other aspects of performance. The latent (approx. Rs. 16,500) lesser than the Nikon! Value for Money detail that is present in the shadows at base Seriously Nikon, eh? JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY K Nikon COOLPIX S6500 60 Click & Share Instantly Ketan Kundargi finds out what happens when Nikon comes out with the WiFi enabled COOLPIX S6500. ikon’s COOLPIX Style series of optical image stabilisation. The high-speed digital compact cameras has a Continuous mode shoots at an impressive curvaceous new addition. And if speed of 10fps at full resolution. you have watched the latest The camera comes packed with as many NPriyanka Chopra advertisement, as 18 Scene mode options. These come you know exactly what I am talking about. handy as they help to make up for the The S6500 is Nikon’s latest affordable absence of any manual control while superzoom compact camera targeted for still being useful for a beginner. You can beginners. It is similar to the S6400, but also choose from an extensive list of filter with additional WiFi. Yet, it is priced lesser effects such as Toy Camera, High Contrast WEIGHTAGE OF than its predecessor. Does it pack enough Monochrome, Cross Process and many PARAMETERS features and deliver a performance to make more. Nikon has also bundled in five new it as good as Nikon claims it to be? beauty effects to its proprietary Glamour , Retouch option. Now shooting portraits (, *' Features and group shots will be a lot more fun and (, CES 2013 was all about WiFi connectivity the right postprocessing can deliver some WHAT’S IN THE BOX *, in compact cameras with Nikon showing great results. off the COOLPIX S6500. While the Last but not the least is the all-new WiFi J-,''ZXd\iX company has launched a bundle of feature. You can now connect the camera LJ9ZXYc\ =\Xkli\j 8:X[Xgk\i G\i]fidXeZ\ WiFi compact cameras since, the S6500 to your Android or iOS smartphone or 8l[`f&M`[\fZXYc\ 9l`c[HlXc`kp continues to be one of their best offerings. tablet. This means you can now click a JkiXg BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST instant sharing. Effective up to a range of 30 1sec and still get a sharp image. This makes SPECIFICATIONS feet, the Wireless Mobile Utility app from the camera a great option even in low light. Nikon also lets you use your smartphone The lens is a bit disappointing as it as a remote shutter release. tends to flare badly. There is visible ENDED purple fringing in high contrast RECOMMENDED Handling situations. It delivers similar quality at In spite of a 12x optical zoom, the camera both ends of the focal length range and body is impressively compact in size. tends to be soft towards the corners The camera is lightweight, pocketable and throughout. According to Nikon, the the metal build makes it a sturdy compact. camera is rated for 150 shots on a single Df[\ceXd\ Nikon COOLPIX S6500 battery life. This was a complete let down A 3-inch LCD display with a decent, but DIG Rs. 11,950 not class-leading resolution of 460k dots. until, surprisingly, the camera performed J\ejfij`q\#kpg\ 1/2.3 inch, CMOS Nikon has taken out the touchscreen much better in the test and took almost <]]\Zk`m\g`o\cj#dXo% 16 million, 4608 x 3456 pixels from the COOLPIX S6400 and gone 250 images before the battery ran out C:; 3inch, 460,000 dots back to traditional buttons. The layout is of power. =fZXciXe^\ 25–300mm standard except for an additional dedicated @JFiXe^\ 125–1600, Auto video record button. Several Scene modes Conclusion 8g\ikli\iXe^\ f/3.1–6.5 and one touch filters can now be accessed Nikon COOLPIX S6500 packs in a wide 1/2000–1sec by a single click with a dedicated Scene zoom range, interesting scene modes and a J_lkk\ijg\\[ Matrix, Center-weighted, Spot mode button when shooting. A completely excellent performance in a compact body. D\k\i`e^df[\j JPEG, MPO, MOV, WAV revamped Menu system makes navigation But what really makes it stand out is the WiFi =`c\]fidXkj through the multiple settings a breeze. connectivity. If you are not someone who 9Xkk\ip Rechargeable Li-ion Battery wants this feature, you will easily find other JkfiX^\ Built-in Memory, SD/SDHC/SDXC Performance affordable and specialised cameras with ;`d\ej`fej#n\`^_k 95.4 x 58.3 x 26.3mm, 153g Nikon’s latest BSI CMOS image sensor better features. 61 makes the camera faster and better in Nikon could not have brought out PLUS low light. The Nikon S6500 can produce the camera at a better time. In this age of N`=`Zfee\Zk`m`kp usable images even at ISO 800. This is good instant sharing, this WiFi connectivity >ff[g\i]fidXeZ\ performance for a compact camera. Even at is the icing on the cake and is bound to ISO 1600, there is a slight loss of detail but silence competing smartphones. And with MINUS can be fixed in postprocessing. Add to that the holiday season around the corner, EfdXelXcZfekifc the effective lens-shift VR. You can shoot this makes for a great buy to take along for KffdlZ_ÕXi`e^ photographs at a shutterspeed as low as your vacation. FINALRATINGS Features 25/30 Several Scene modes, 12x zoom, WiFi Performance 28/35 Good low-light performance, poor lens Build Quality 12/15 Metal body, compact Ergonomics 12/15 Dedicated Video and Scene mode buttons Warranty & Support 4/5 Two-years warranty, wide service network OVERALL 81% Who should buy it? Someone wants a pocketable camera with a decent zoom range and instant sharing. In spite of a slow Why? While you will get a camera with more zoom, shutterspeed, the optical cheaper price or better image quality, this camera packs IS makes sure that multiple features in a single afordable package, with WiFi. camera shake is limited. Ketan Kundargi Exposure: 1sec at f/3.1 (ISO 900) Value for Money JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY K Olympus STYLUS VG-190 64 Lags Behind the Rest Shridhar Kunte tests the Olympus STYLUS VG-190 to see if it can withstand the competition from other compacts and smartphone cameras. he compact camera market cameras. One can choose from multiple is shrinking day by day. aspect ratios—the default 4:3 ratio, along This is mainly because of with 16:9, 3:2 or 1:1. The Super Macro the improvement in quality mode is a misnomer. Unlike other compact Tof cameraphones, and the cameras that focus as close as 1cm, this simultaneous popularity of social networks Olympus has a minimum focusing like Facebook and Instagram. To combat distance of 5cm. this, it has become mandatory for every Unlike some of the competiton, you manufacturer to give something extra. cannot shoot Full HD video. The footage With the VG-190, Olympus has decided to is captured at 720p. One fun addition is WEIGHTAGE OF offer a Long Flash capabilities and a Digital that you can use the Magic Filters while PARAMETERS Image Stabilisation mechanism. shooting video too. Zoom is locked during video, but AF is fast. The footage is sharp, 5% Features but shows some noise in the shadows 15% 30% Before we get into what these highlight while shooting in low light. 15% features mean, let’s get into the basics. The two ‘standout’ features do not really 35% The VG-190 is a slim 16MP camera that has stand out. The Digital Image Stabilisation WHAT’S IN THE BOX a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor. It has a 5x zoom, mechanism is not very useful. It only which spans from moderate 26mm wide increases the ISO and leads to soft, smudgy LJ9:XYc\ =\Xkli\j 8:8[Xgk\i G\i]fidXeZ\ angle to a 130mm medium telephoto. images—unlike real optical or sensor-shift 8l[`f&M`[\f:XYc\ 9l`c[HlXc`kp Besides 14 Scene modes, the camera has stabilisation that allows one to shoot at JkiXg BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST The Long Flash works well. The flash that the default metering overexposes SPECIFICATIONS tube of the VG-190 is more powerful photos to a large degree. I needed to dial in than other compact cameras in this class, an Exposure Compensation of - 1EV to get and this helps to increase the throw of decent exposures. Even then, the dynamic the illumination. range is poor and it is very difficult to avoid blown out highlights. Handling At low ISOs, there is hardly any noise but The grip on the front is small making the JPEG images are a little too compressed. it difficult to hold the camera but the At ISO 400 the noise is noticeable and the rubberised texture helps improve the grip. image loses detail. This is poor quality, Df[\ceXd\ Olympus STYLUS VG-190 considering the level of advancement we The exterior of the camera is made of tough DIG Rs. 8490 plastic and has a matt finish. have otherwise seen in 2013. J\ejfij`q\#kpg\ 1/2.3-inch, CCD On the top, the power switch is recessed to I\jfclk`fe 16MP, 4608 x 3456 pixels avoid switching on the camera accidentally. Conclusion C:; 3-inch, 4,60,000 dots The entire cluster of switches can be easily If you are a casual user, what would =fZXciXe^\ 26–130mm reached with the thumb without any twinge. convince you to buy a camera instead of @JFiXe^\ 100–1600, Auto The 3-inch LCD screen was difficult merely using your phone? A lot of zoom, 8g\ikli\iXe^\ f/2.8–f/6.5 to use outdoors as it produced a lot of more control or probably, better image 1/2000–1/2sec glare. You can not overcome this problem quality. With the VG-190, Olympus J_lkk\ijg\\[ Digital ESP Metering as there is limited scope to control the has missed some key features like Full D\k\i`e^df[\j JPEG, MPEG brightness of the screen. There is USB HD video, optical (or even sensor shift) =`c\]fidXkj charging, but I am not a big fan of the stabilisation and control over Metering. 9Xkk\ip Li-ion battery being charged inside the camera, There are many other cameras in this JkfiX^\ SD, SDHC as it is slower and does not allow you to price range that offer more zoom and IS. ;`d\ej`fej#n\`^_k 103.7 x 62.2 x 22.5mm, 151g use a backup battery while charging the The CCD sensor does not match up to 65 first one. modern-day CMOS sensors and the lack PLUS of metering options make it very difficult >ff[ÕXj_Zfm\iX^\ Performance to shoot in contrasty light. Sadly, one can =leDX^`Z=`ck\ij I struggled to calculate a balanced exposure even say that some flagship smartphones while using the VG-190. There is no option already produce better image quality than MINUS for Metering, which is a serious omission, this, and the day is not far when even a EfjkXY`c`jXk`fe even though this may be a budget camera! majority of budget phones too, would GffihlXc`kp The omission is compounded by the fact reach this level of quality. FINALRATINGS Features 22/30 Magic Filters, no IS, only 720p video Performance 22/35 Decent AF, blown out highlights Build Quality 11/15 Polycarbonate body Ergonomics 12/15 Easy to handle, dedicated video button Warranty & Support 2/5 Limited number of service centres OVERALL 69% Who should buy it? We would not recommend this camera to anyone who is serious about quality. The quality of the lens is Why? At a similar price, you will find other compact poor and and the dynamic cameras that have more zoom and other features too. range, disappointing. The image quality, also, is below average. Exposure: 1/30sec at f/2.8 Shridhar Kunte (ISO 250) Value for Money JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY MICRO TEST Think Tank CityWalker 10 Peak Design Capture Clip System Worth the Extra Price? Camera Goes Strap-free This small walkaround bag may be Well-engineered, innovative and extremely expensive, but as Raj Lalwani finds out, secure, but Ketan Kundargi is still not sure it gets almost everything right. about a camera hanging off his waist. he more I practise photography, very few months, the photography SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS the smaller my camera kit has industry comes up with an become. The Think Tank City Gif[lZkeXd\1 accessory that changes the way Gif[lZkEXd\1 Walker, by the looks of it, seemed K_`ebKXeb you use the camera completely. G\Xb;\j`^e perfect for someone who does not :`kpNXcb\i(' The Capture Clip system is one :Xgkli\:c`g T DIG1Ij%.,'' E DIG1Ij%-''' want to carry much. But the more I used N\`^_k1/''^ such thing. It secures your camera to any N\`^_k1(+/^ this bag, the more I decided to take along ;`d\ej`fej1()%+o strap or belt, while still keeping it safe and ;`d\ej`fej1 with me...! Appearances are deceptive and 0o-%.`eZ_\j accessible. It eliminates the need for any +o)`eZ_\j NXiiXekp1C`]\k`d\ the Think Tank helps you pack in a lot, additional strap or holster. within its small size, due to some fabulous Capture Clip is designed to carry design and great attention to detail. your camera handsfree. This makes it I fitted a D700 with a 24–70mm f/2.8 a great option when you are travelling, lens inside the bag. Even after this, I had whether walking, hiking or riding a bike. enough space to put in 2 small prime Professional photographers who lug around lenses, a compact camera and a flashgun. multiple camera bodies 66 Alternatively, I could have packed in an can use the Capture Clip to extra, mirrorless body as well. carry and juggle between All this is in addition to the other non- them with ease. photographic gear that the bag can carry. Capture Camera Clip There is a dedicated compartment for an system has an aluminum iPad or a small laptop (the CityWalker 20 construction that is and 30 allow you to fit in larger laptops) and compact and lightweight abundant number of while at the same time zippered pockets for being completely chargers, card readers weatherproof. The clamp and other accessories. bolts at each side make sure The City Walker is that you can customise it to a perfect walkaround adjust to different straps. bag for a street Grooved jaws ensure that or travel shooter. it grips any strap firmly That said, even when it in place. The quick- is packed with a lot of release plate is the deal equipment, it balances clincher. Once attached the weight perfectly to the camera, you need and keeps everything very secure. to simply slide it into place to lock it on the The shoulder strap is cushioned. The bag device securely. I thought that a humongous itself has a premium look, justifying its Nikon D700 with a 28–70mm f/2.8 lens price. I was concerned to see that the top would be overkill but was amazed by the compartment does not have a zipper, but ease with which the clip could balance it. Product source: Product source: there is a rain cover that one can use when I tried the 80–200mm and that worked just Photo Vision, Photo Vision, the weather plays havoc. New Delhi as well. New Delhi Are there lesser expensive bags for Tel: +91-8588816155 The Peak Design Capture Clip system is Tel: +91-8588816155 minimalist photographers? Sure there no doubt well engineered, secure and easy are, but they neither feel so premium, nor RATING to use. However, comfort is still a problem RATING do they allow you to carry the amount of and your gear is prone to damage due to accessories that this Think Tank packs in. wear and tear. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Editorial “Was it a The Photograph that I Never Made conscious act of making What drives us to create an image? What is that thought, that emotion, a memory? that feeling of stimulus that triggers our photographic reflex? Every time I look at a picture I have made in the past, I try to recall Or something my exact state of mind as I pressed the shutter. Was it a conscious act unspoken that of making a memory? Or something unspoken that just called out? just called out.” Viewing old photographs is an act of nostalgia, longing maybe. It is something that I do to reconstruct the joys I have lived, the sorrows I have lived through, and the moments that make me, today. But then, why is it that my memory is vivid with instances that I just didn’t photograph? Why do we, at times, see the picture of our lives and yet not shoot it? Sometimes, the best photographs are the ones that we do not make. The other side of the coin, of course, is that forty million photographs are uploaded to Instagram every day. Forty million fractions of seconds that we, as a people, try to hold on to. From this issue onwards, photographer Dinesh Khanna will allow us a peek into his cellphone diaries as a regular, monthly column. Documenting, note-taking, commemorating—the cameraphone allows us to indulge in all these visual musings, and some more. But then, sometimes, memories are best left to our imagination. Raj Lalwani [email protected] 69 Lovers, Separated by Raj Lalwani There are photographs that we make spontaneously, out of sheer intuition, or let’s admit it, plain boredom. Months down the line, or as in this case, years later, we find the image and wonder how we saw what we saw. A month after this picture was made, my camera was stolen. This is Raj Lalwani my last memory of her. There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are. ERNST HAAS One of the pioneers of colour photography, Haas bridged several worlds through his photos. Besides his iconic photojournalistic work, he adopted several visual techniques to use photography as a medium of personal expression. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TEST Sony Xperia Z 70 Creating a Splash The Xperia Z set the trend for most of the technological advancements we have seen in 2013’s smartphones. How good is its camera? Raj Lalwani checks. INTERESTING FACTS rom a technological perspective, the We Used it for our Team Photograph! Before Philippe Kahn Xperia Z leads the way. Not only is The quality of the sensor is a bit of a mixed rigged up the first it water resistant, it also fires away bag. Colour reproduction is excellent and cameraphone in 1997, at up to 14fps, and can also shoot does not suffer, even in mixed or low light. Olympus had released a camera called the an unlimited number of high-res In fact, we used the Xperia Z for our team Deltis VC-1100, which F images at 10fps. 13MP may be the new photograph (published on page 16) because allowed one to upload digital photos over industry standard, but I wish Sony would of how beautifully it renders colours. cellular lines. This was have been more conservative in this aspect, Dynamic range is great, and files look very way back in 1994! as the sensor size is just 1/3.06 inches. similar to those from Sony compact cameras. Some Photographs Made by the Xperia Z and What we Found The Benefit of 13MP Good Tonality Autofocus is a Mixed Bag While the extra resolution is probably the reason The Xperia Z produces lovely colours, which are From Multi AF, Centre AF, Face Detection, Touch AF, why Sony made the noise reduction so aggressive, it pleasing, but not overdone. There is a subtlety to the Tracking and others, the options are brilliant! I did helps when cropping a small part of the frame. tones in the shadows that one rarely sees in phones. find Multi AF a little inconsistent though. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 TEST All photographs by Raj Lalwani 71 All photographs The files lookby Raj great Lalwani Something with that Processor cellphone the way one would grip a regular at small sizes, but at SELF ASSIGNMENT While the Xperia seems to have a good compact. Battery life is terrible. You will be a per-pixel level, noise quality lens (minimal flaring, but nothing lucky to get anything more than six hours of reduction reduces Make endless number texture detail. of pictures at a party. to worry about), its processing leaves a lot shooting—lesser if you use the Burst mode, Try to concentrate to be desired, if you inspect the files closely. Sweep Panorama or 3G. on moment and The pictures are overcooked, with a lot of The Xperia Z is a very good phone, but expression. Do not forget to use the noise reduction and sharpening that can be now faces tough competition in the form of cellphone’s flash! seen even in images shot in good light. the Galaxy S4 and HTC One. The Xperia Z’s Use the connectivity of your cellphone camera is not the best around, but it has The sensor to playback these Just Like a Cyber-shot some special qualities (frame rates, water produces good pictures at the end of But then, with cellphones, one should resistant, compact camera interface) the party. colours, and the rarely pixel peep, I think. The photographic that make it unique. The only thing that experience is what matters. This is where the stops me from recommending it to a video quality Xperia shines, but with two fatal flaws. photographer, is its abysmal battery life. is stunning. On the bright side, the interface is remarkably detailed. There is quick access AT A GLANCE to every possible setting on the main SPECIFICATIONS 13MP, 1/3.06-inch sensor, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, 1.5GHz quad core, touchscreen. So even if the metering is 2330mAh battery, Rs. 37,990 not perfect (it isn’t), one can easily fine WHAT WE LIKE Great screen, good colours, excellent video, excellent camera interface tune the exposure quickly—unlike phones WHAT WE DISLIKE Too much noise reduction, poor battery life, awkward shape to handhold like the Lumia 920 which make this a WHY BUY IT? If you can live with its poor battery life, it is a decent cameraphone, which offers exciting possibilities because of its water-resistant nature. cumbersome process. There is an excellent HDR mode, a Sweep FINAL RATINGS 80% Panorama mode, nine filters, 17 Scene CAMERA FEATURES Extremely fast Burst mode, several Scene modes 12/15 modes. The screen itself is gorgeous—a IMAGE QUALITY Excellent colours, aggressive noise reduction 28/35 5-inch Full HD screen. But the size of the VIDEO QUALITY Smooth footage, good sound, great in low light 18/20 phone, along with its square dimensions, HANDLING Awkward body, poor battery life, all camera functions accessible 10/15 make it very difficult to hold steadily, if you are a traditionalist like me who grips the SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Speedy interface, average AF 12/15 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY TEST Nokia Lumia 620 Camera? Yes Smart? No Ketan Kundargi finds out if the reasonably priced Nokia Lumia 620 match up to competing high-spec Android devices. mongst the multiple phones The smaller size launched by Nokia, the Lumia and sturdy build 620 is an interesting offering. It is of the Lumia 620 placed in a category populated give a solid grip Awith many competing budget smartphones. It packs a dual-core 1GHz while shooting. processor, 512MB RAM and 8GB of internal memory. And of course, the Windows 72 Phone 8 experience. The 3.8-inch display is a not-so- impressive 480 x 800 pixels in resolution. But the ClearBlack technology ensures it is Ketan Kundargi legible in bright outdoor conditions. But one wonders why the screen is not only smaller and reproduces the colour as is. It also offers Even at ISO 800, noise than the Lumia 720 but also smaller than the Cinemagraph and Smart Shoot features is not very obtrusive and the colour and contrast cheaper and lower-end Lumia 520. borrowed from the high-end Lumia 920. in the image is admirable If all you want is a camera on you, the by cellphone standards. Good Ergonomics… But Poor Functionality Nokia Lumia 620 is a great option at a price The build of the Lumia 620 makes it of Rs. 14,515. You can even consider the a pleasant cameraphone. The slightly Lumia 520 (Rs. 10,000) which has the same thicker body along with the matte back camera without flash. But just remember, if cover, ensures solid grip and stability. you are buying a cameraphone to make use The dedicated two-press camera button on of several photo apps, you would be better the side is a great addition. It is a one-click off with an Android smartphone. shortcut to the camera app. But once you have switched on the AT A GLANCE camera app, the problems spring up. SPECIFICATIONS 5MP, LED Flash, Windows Phone 8, 3.8-inch TFT screen, 1 GHz dual-core Just one flash mode, absence of continous processor, 8GB storage (expandable), 1300mAh battery, Rs. 14,515 shooting mode and no metering options WHAT WE LIKE Excellent image quality, dedicated camera button are a disappointment. No shortcuts for WHAT WE DISLIKE Lack of camera features, very few apps, a bit slow APPS YOU MUST TRY basic controls like ISO, Exposure and White WHY BUY IT? It might not be a great a smartphone, but is definitely a great cameraphone at this price. Lomogram is a Balance means going to the settings panel Windows Phone 8 every time you want change any setting. FINAL RATINGS 82% cousin of Instagram. CAMERA FEATURES Cinemagraph, no spot metering, no burst mode It comes equipped 10/15 with 42 filters, 72 Admirable Performance IMAGE QUALITY Great colours and contrast, good low light performance 32/35 lighting effects, 49 The Lumia 620 comes with a much superior borders and the ability VIDEO QUALITY Excellent quality 720p video for a cameraphone 17/20 to adjust brightness, lens than a lot of its competitiors. It performs HANDLING One click button for camera, matte body ensures solid grip 13/15 contrast, saturation well in a wide variety of light conditions and and exposure. delivers excellent contrast, good sharpness SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Takes time to open apps, tends to switch off often 10/15 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY MAY 2013 TEST Adobe Photoshop Touch Just Touch And Go! Aditya Nair Layers allow you to Aditya Nair reviews Adobe Photoshop make image composites, Touch to see if it lives up to the like this one that was edited within the phone! Photoshop name. aving always been a Photoshop as compared to the competition. On a Photoshop Touch fan ever since I first used the low-end Android phone, Touch would be is an awesome software, I was really looking a little slower. app if you want forward to the release of this app. complete control HPhotoshop Touch does a But It’s Not Free remarkable job optimising a small cellphone Photoshop Touch is an excellent app, but and the use of screen for more complex editing. unlike the competition, it is not free. If you Layers. If not, don’t need Layers and Blending Modes, then there are other Non-Destructive Editing on the Phone! you can manage quite easily with something 73 free options. The inclusion of Layers and Blending like Snapseed or even the more basic Modes makes this software a no brainer Aviary. Of course, the question is... if you do for me to recommend. The image quality need these features, shouldn’t you just use produced by Touch is easily the best as Photoshop on your computer instead? But far as cellphone apps go. It has most of I personally believe that the whole idea of the basic image adjustment tools and cellphone photography is in shooting and some advanced features like Shadow/ fine tuning the picture within the phone Highlights, Clone Stamp, Levels and itself, and that is where Photoshop Touch Curves. One feature it lacked was an easy takes the crown. way to straighten an image. Also, the Noise Reduction option is poor. There is No Layer Masking, But Here’s a Simple Hack Select the layer you want to mask then use the Fade tool to remove the parts you Against the Competition would mask out normally. It takes a little getting used to but works great for basic Photoshop Touch beats competing masking. For more complex masking, you can apply the same procedure multiple apps like Snapseed, in terms of image times but is quite time consuming. Also keep in mind that unlike layer masking which is non-destructive, Fade is a destructive tool. So once you use it you may quality. Snapseed does have a lot more won’t be able to recover those pixels later. features and fun effects though, which cellphone enthusiasts may enjoy a little ON BEING INSPIRED more, considering the casual nature of AT A GLANCE most images that one shoots through SPECIFICATIONS Android: Needs Android 4..0 Ice Cream Sandwich or higher; Iconic magazine iOS: iOS 5 or higher, iPhone 4S or higher, National Geographic the phone. On the other hand, Adobe has several apps you Photoshop Touch offers a whole range WHAT WE LIKE Layers, Blending Modes, Advanced Editing and Selection Tools should explore, but WHAT WE DISLIKE Lack of Layer Masks, Poor Noise Reduction their most interesting of features for making selections. free option is Nat It also allows you to save up to 12MP WHY BUY IT? Best possible image quality as of now, Pro Features Geo Today (iOS). As photographs, which is more than the name suggests, FINAL RATINGS 88% Snapseed’s limit. there is new, striking FEATURES Separate tablet version too, high-res editing, no masking, no effects 21/25 content with editorial Additionally, Photoshop is processor notes everyday. From PERFORMANCE Excellent image quality, poor noise reduction 28/30 a photography point intensive. On a high-end phone like the EASE OF USE Intuitive interface of view, this one is a HTC One X, it works like a charm, but it 32/35 visual goldmine. still takes longer to save the final JPEG, SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Processor intensive, not as fast as competition 7/10 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE 74 Windshields of cars and taxis create interesting reflections, especially if the headlights of the car ahead are visible, or if it has just rained. Shot with: Nokia 808 PureView PROBLEM SOLVING Smartphones often On the Road Again suffer from poor battery life, especially Have you thought about keeping a visual diary of all your travels? while using 3G and Priyanka Chharia keeping the phone’s tells you how to do that, using the humble cellphone. brightness to maximum he last time I journeyed across Always On Us (which is something you need to do while cities, I had been travelling for The obvious advantage of a cameraphone shooting in broad almost 24 hours! Luckily, I had for travel is that it is small, portable and daylight). Invest in a portable battery a smartphone for company. always on us. It is far easier to switch on the charger, if you are an Most people underestimate the cellphone’s camera and get the shot rather avid phone shooter! T BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY value of a cameraphone while travelling. than removing the camera from one’s bag. JUNE 2013 CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE codes if you are a photography enthusiast. INSTAFOLLOW NOW Also, some phones let you configure a button as a direct-access shortcut. New York-based photojournalist Benjamin Lowy Frame Within a Frame (@benlowy) is Buses, taxis, trains and cars and so on offer one of the first photographers to the perfect opportunity to create frames document conflict within a frame. An added outline or frame issues using a mere in the photograph is not a distraction. It is a cellphone camera. compositional device and also conveys the fact that you are inside that particular mode of transport. It’s All a Blur You may encounter motion blur while shooting from a moving vehicle, especially around early morning or dusk. Instead of considering this a limitation, ask yourself how can you make this blur look aesthetic. Choose the moment carefully. Instead of any random blur, consider what subject would work best—it could be a crowd waiting at the platform, or foliage outside the window . Steady Yourself 75 Press your cellphone close to the window for better stability. This is important whether you intend to shoot a sharp photo or even otherwise. A motion blur shot Embrace blur. It is the looks good if the blur is caused due to the best way of conveying the whole idea of being vehicle’s forward movement, and not due in transit. to any inadvertent camera shake. Shot with: HTC One X Raj Lalwani Grab the Hot Seat First things first, get a seat with a view! If you are travelling by train, bus, car or even by air…you need to aim for the window seat. Public transport is always swarmed with people and the chances of making a cluttered frame are more. Create a Shortcut When you are in a moving vehicle, you have no time to waste. Assign a camera Considering that the shortcut on your homescreen. Unlike a Taj is most famous for DSLR or a compact, shooting with a its white marble, a smartphone involves a multi-step process silhouette that is Aditya Nair to access the camera. Avoid using lock JUN 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE SEEING IN SQUARES If you find it difficult to crop your image to a sqaure, you can use apps like Squareready (iOS) and SquareIt (Android). These apps allow you to put a blank strip of any colour around the edges of the picture, while still maintaining the orignal framing of the picture. Cellphones are less obtrusive and can thus, make your fellow commuters feel at ease. Shot with: Samsung Galaxy S Shridhar Kunte 76 How to Preempt the Frame like Fast Camera (iOS) and Burst Mode Most phones have shutter lag, which is why Camera (Android) can be used. timing is tricky. If you are in a car, observe Since you are in a moving vehicle, there the windshield from the corner of your eye, Through the Window may be a tendency of so that you know what is coming up. One potential problem with cellphone being careless about cameras is that the DOF is extensive. A dirty During a long distance framing. Watch that journey, make one Shoot Several Frames window and the outside scene may be horizon carefully! picture at every halt for Shot with: Samsung To get the timing right, use the Burst mode. equally sharp. Use this to your advantage a fabulous essay! Galaxy Nexus If your cellphone does not have one, apps and let the obscured view create mood. Shot with: HTC Wildfire Raj Lalwani Raj Lalwani BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE How Can You Shoot Abstracts from Inside a Moving Vehicle? Raj Lalwani Raj Lalwani Priyanka Chharia Look For Colour! Turn Your Gaze Upwards Experiment With Fun Filters and Apps Its not tough to spot colour on the streets of India. Cellphones are sleak and allow you to photograph The greatest advanatge of shooting with a cellphone From buses, trains and cars to the black and yellow discreetly. You can shoot the interiors of a vehicle is the wide range of editing filters and apps at taxis...there is a lot you can shoot while on the go! without being noticed or bothered. disposal, which help you make interesting abstracts. Alternatively, stick the cellphone really close Share with Your Friends! to the window while focusing. Tap focus (if Wouldn’t it be fun to share these images with possible) on a clean part of the window so friends and family? Uploading a day-by-day that the scene outside gets focused. travelogue to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram is way more convenient with a smartphone, As You Halt than it is with a regular camera. If the light is really low and your Alternatively, you can create small prints cameraphone is struggling to get good of your photographs and gift it to your fellow pictures, wait for halts. The stations where travellers. At the end of the day, a journey is a bus or a train stops are always interesting as much about creating images, as it is about locations for ambience and portrait shots. creating memories. Safe travels! 77 FUN TRICKS TO TRY Cellphone cameras tend to deteriorate due to scratches and fingerprints. So keep your gadget safe in To create pictures a cellphone cover. Additionally, use a on the go, you need not microfibre cloth to travel far and wide. clean the lens. In case Even the daily commute you do not have from home to work one, make do with can give you plenty of any soft cloth, such photo opportunities. as the one used to Shot with: Samsung clean spectacles. Raj Lawani Galaxy Nexus JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE READY STEADY Your cellphone manual comes with a list of several things. But the one thing no make your images dramatically better just by holding your phone the right way he moment you pick up a camera, in hardly any weight to anchor the phone DO NOT DO THIS! a compact or a DSLR, you know for stability. To make up for this, hold the how to hold it. The buttons, display phone like a camera! Use both your hands to Setting your phone to automatically screen and the grip are designed grip the device and the thumb on the right backup data to a to use it in a single defined way. to focus and release the shutter. Always hold cloud service results T Switch to phones who have no such design. the camera close to your body to minimise in considerably slow performance. This is a challenge, but also where the any camera shake. Better grip and reduced Change it to a manual fun begins. shake means sharper pictures. backup and use a WiFi connection or your personal computer. Better Grip for Sharper Images Stability Versus Convenience Every new phone in the market is sleeker and While using two hands results in better lighter than the existing phones. This results stability, using a single one is simply a more 78 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 when you clicked apicture? one talks about ishowto holdthephone.What ifyou could ... SHOOT! ... JUNE 2013 you useit orientation inthevertical at are cellphones. Unlike anything before, ahorizontalbeen device. Andthen,there image. Almost everycamera tilldate has Everything around you isahorizontal Is There aSingle Correct Orientation? faster. more convenientandconsiderably then photographing with asingle hand is crowd andhave just taken outyour phone, what isyour priority? Ifyou are amidst a convenient option.When taking apicture, Ketan Kundargi tells you how. does justicedoes to your vision! freedom andusethephone such that it framing fun.Make themost ofthis fast rule, and maybe that’s what makes phone horizontally, there isnohard and videos, when you shouldalways hold hold thecamera differently. Except for Different situations demandyou to orientation that orworks iscorrect best. the way wesee. most times.This isacomplete shiftfrom Thankfully, there isno single make thatgreat candidimage. internet. Butinreality, usethecamera to Hold thephoneasifyou are browsing the Take Photographs Discreetly Else, allyou willcapture isadarkunlitpatch. fingers donot cover theflashorlens. When you gripthephone,make sure your Avoid Covering theLens ortheFlash and jumpwhilestilltakingapicture. single handletsyou twistandturn,stretch Photograph from multiplepositions.Usinga Angles Getting Crazy out. Always keep your handsclean! holding itby theedgesoritmightjust slip Use thephoneasacamera, yes.Butavoid Balance ThePhoneRight easier to getpanning shots thisway. Exception, ifyou are shooting video—itis Avoid holdingoutthephonefrom your body. How DoYou HoldOutYour Hands? ETR PHOTOGRAPHY BETTER CELLPHONE TECHNIQUE All photographs by Raj Lalwani 79 READERS’ GALLERY Want to see your cellphone photos here? Send us your best shots to [email protected], or give us a shoutout on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ READERS’ GALLERY betterphotography) or Twitter (@betterphoto). The Girl Outside the Window Ronny Sen, Kolkatta 80 What made me shoot this: I was out with a friend when it started pouring suddenly. While I ran for cover and entered a police booth, my friend stood in the rain, having a great time. What I learnt: I use the cameraphone as a visual diary... a sort of calendar where each photo fits inside those little boxes and serve as a memory for each day. Shot with: Apple iPhone 5 Midnight Visuals Sharad Bansode, Mumbai What made me shoot this: I loved the way the cables and the lamppost broke the monotony of the endless black sky. What I learnt: This was an impromptu image made when I was travelling back home. It made me realise how convenient it is to use a cellphone over a bulky DSLR in such situations. Shot with: Apple iPhone 5 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 READERS’ GALLERY Morning Cleanup Nishad Sen, Mumbai What made me shoot this: I was intrigued by the effect that the smoke was creating. I took multiple photographs of the scene, but loved this best. What I learnt: Filters can be a great way to add colour and contrast to what would otherwise be a dull image of a great moment. Shot with: Apple iTouch 4 81 Stairway to the Past Shrutee Choudhary, Mumbai What made me shoot this: The old-world charm of the windows and the contrast of the bright red spiral staircase next to it. What I learnt: It is very important to pay attention to composition when cropping for the square format. Shot with: Apple iPhone 4S JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY CELLPHONE DIARIES Notes from Mussoorie: On a Desire to Engage with Life Dinesh Khanna 82 Dinesh Khanna Dinesh Khanna hotographs are recorded with devices, but good influences how I engage with it. But as with all good things, photographs are made with a photographer’s mind. there are always some external triggers which stimulate a new PThey are a product of observation. Of reaction to things direction. In the coming months, I will talk about and share with and issues. Of a desire to engage with, or comment on, or just to you how just note-taking became sharing and has now become record one’s feelings for what one sees. a few serious long-term projects. All with the trusted, ever This is as true for photos taken with a mobile phone camera, a available cellphone camera. point and shoot or a DSLR. However, the power of a cellphone The images, accompanying this column, were taken during camera lies in its constant availability with a person. And that, a trip to Mussoorie a couple of weeks ago. I was there on a to a large extent, dictates what and how we photograph with it. commercial assignment but did get a few hours off to stroll For me this started as a means of ‘note-taking’, moved on to a around the Mall road where I saw these loaders waiting for means of sharing quickly and has now evolved into a medium their next assignment. It struck me that they are freelancers of comment and expression. Actually, I would say it is all three too. They work when they get an assignment but laze around of these bundled together. Eventually, it is the subject that between jobs. Much as I do too :-) Dinesh Khanna’s career path veered from being a calculator salesman, a garment quality checker, a busboy in a New York bar and a client servicing executive, after which, he finally gave in to his desire to make images. He cofounded the Delhi Photo Festival and regularly conducts ‘addas’ in Delhi to encourage discussions on the medium. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 .1 www.overdrive.in 2011 5 50 1 ` 75 ` 1 5 2011 - - , 20, 650R - XC60 Q5 R350 4 TDI A8 3.0 458 S60 R350 A8 3.0 TDI - SX - 4 650R `4.57 BetterPictures 84 Shantanu Sheorey Rafique Sayed Amit Ashar Ashok Salian Vikram Bawa has been doing believes that after two has an amazingly started shooting turned pro much commercial work for decades of shooting, his light-hearted way commercially in1987 later than most 30 years. For him, the canvas is still empty of looking at things, and believes that photographers. people he photographs and he needs people to which reflects in his you can do good He loves people, and are important, as he help him fill it up with commercial as well as photography only if you believes in pushing believes they make him. creativity and meaning. personal work. feel good about yourself. boundaries. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ON ASSIGNMENT PHOTOCRITIQUE TIPS & TRICKS Scribbled Walls Our panel of Making close-ups, Exploring one’s experts review scanographs and personal space your photographs photographing flowers 96 100 104 The Makeover 85 Cheat Sheet Ambarin Afsar shoots with five of the biggest names in commercial photography and learns that making good portraits is quite easy! hat comes to your mind on five photographers. Styling was when you think of a purely dependent on the advice of the traditional portrait? photographer and whatever the models Emotive eyes, great could manage. Wcomposition and a The photographers had the freedom striking expression. But many of us fall to choose any location, whether indoors prey to the simplest of mistakes—we end or outdoors. They could use extensive or up making portraits that lack soul. minimalist equipment and take as long Portraiture is not about stylists, as they wished. make-up artists or even the clothes. We chose BP team members as models It is simply about the person you because we wanted to limit the choice of are portraying. So, to illustrate this subject. After all, we are as ordinary as it point, we imposed certain limitations gets. Let’s see what happened! Nachiket Gujar JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Amit Ashar photographs Raj Lalwani 86 Amit chose to photograph Raj because he enjoys “photographing someone I have interacted with in the past.” As I look back at my own thought process during the shoot, I realise that I can now identify with a subject’s thought process, which in itself, is a great lesson in portraiture. Amit ensured that the shoot was collaborative... we were throwing ideas, experimenting and just having fun. — Raj Lalwani TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 Meet Them Beforehand Note Their Expressions Collaborate with Them Work Backwards This allows you to get a hang Observe their demeanour It is not about a photographer Why are you shooting? For a of what kind of a person your during your initial conversation making portraits of Facebook profile photo? Or for subject is. This also helps you and see what they are like someone. It is about that a magazine? Or a portfolio? give last-minute instructions when they are relaxed and person giving themselves to Choose your gear, clothes and like a haircut. have their guard down. the photographer as well. location based on that. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gear Used For This Shoot Amit: “I am Always Looking for the On the first day, Amit shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II with a 70–200mm f/2.8 Magic to Happen While Shooting.” lens, mostly shooting at 105mm. The next day, he used a Nikon ince you guys told me that you and that the look would be complete with a D800 with an 85mm would be doing a makeover story, golf cap. So, we reshot a few days later, once f/1.8 lens. Since the I wanted this shoot to be very I sourced different kinds of caps. shutterspeeds were stylised. This is why I asked Raj We were planning to repeat the same often slow, he also used a tripod. Sto wear an outfit that he usually attire, but I saw that Raj was wearing a does not, such as a polo neck t-shirt and a quirky Homer Simpson t-shirt. So, before leather jacket. We were intially very happy we started on our main shot, we just had a with one photograph, but while looking at bit of fun. This unplanned, candid image it, I thought that something was missing, actually ended up being the final photo! Amit Setting Up His Shot and the Final Image from Day One 87 I used one key light and allowed the rest of his face to be in shadow for added drama. The background light helped create a separation. A light meter is invaluable as it tells you where the light is falling on your subject and also where it is falling off. If you are photographing a guy, you can ask them to grow their stubble for a few days. A shave halfway through the shoot will ensure two different looks. TIP 5 TIP 6 TIP 7 TIP 8 Respect Comfort Levels Use Continuous Lights Categorise Your Subjects Use Home Fixes Sometimes, the pose that There are no recurring beep Do you like literature or music? Make use of tungsten lamps, looks best may not be the most sounds to make first-timers Slot the people you meet and a crisscross of fabric or a comfortable for your subject. conscious. Also, there are figure out if you want to make a bunch of straws instead of You need to arrive at something lesser chances of catching portrait inspired by Morrison, a honeycomb grid and foil that is agreeable to both. them blinking. Elvis or someone else. instead of a high-end reflector. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs by Supriya Joshi Supriya by All photographs ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Ashok Salian photographs Priyanka Chharia 88 Initially, Salian felt that Priyanka was a little conscious of herself, but slowly she warmed up and “posed like a professional.” It was the first time I actually posed in a studio environment, and I must say, it was quite an experience! While I loved being in front of the camera for a change, Salian taught me a lot about how to just be myself and how to direct a subject as well. — Priyanka Chharia TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 Direct the Gaze Give it Some Time Be a Stylist Move Around Usually, people tend to stare Great expressions do not come If there is a certain part of Settle on one portraiture at a camera like deer stuck in immediately. It takes some their clothing or their hairdo approach and move around headlights. Put them at ease time for the model to thaw and that requires some touching the subject. Go close, step and help them gaze into the gradually allow the camera to up, do not hesitate to ask back, and try making slight camera instead of staring. witness their personality. them to fix it. modifications to your setup. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gear Used for This Shoot Ashok: “I Always Make My Portraits Salian used the Canon EOS 5D Mark II along with an 85mm lens. on the Spur of the Moment.” He also used a grey background, a Broncolor strobe riyanka has a nice, pretty face I like women with broad foreheads, and set to tungsten and a and I chose her out of all the one of the things that kept happening silver reflector. photographs because I saw with Priyanka was that her hair kept potential in her for a great falling over the forehead, making her Pportrait. Since she has a round face seem rounder. So, we worked face, I thought I would sidelight it and let around that and I asked her to brush the other half gradually fall into darkness. her hair backwards, away from the face. For the same reason, I used the modelling Ultimately, I think we ended up making a lamp of one strobe. great classic portrait! Salian’s Spontaneous Manner of Working 89 I asked her to wear black because I tried a few options with a silver it draws attention to just the face. reflector to bounce some of the The chunky neckpiece provided a n warmth back on to her hair. But ded.in good element of interest. Since the shoot stretched to over 20 the end, I felt that it was not needed. I placed a stool for her to rest her minutes, we had to keep spraying and arm, as it gave the pose some brushing her hair. Also, this gave her stability. It also took care of where some respite from the light. she had to place her hands. TIP 5 TIP 6 TIP 7 TIP 8 Give Them Some Respite Toothy Grins Vs Smiles The Eyes Have it Laugh a Lot! Keep a few tissues at hand Some people look good with a Tell your subject to smile Make a lot of conversation as and allow your subject to full toothy grin or a laugh, while with their eyes. If the smile is it will help you gain insights cool down when it gets too some others look nice with a genuine, the geniality and good into the subject’s personality. hot while shooting for a long hint of a smile. It all depends on humouredness in their eyes Speaking to them will also duration, under the strobes. the look you are gunning for. will draw the viewer. elicit a variety of expressions! JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs by Supriya Joshi Supriya by All photographs ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Rafique Sayed photographs Chandni Gajria 90 For Rafique, the mood is everything. Ultimately, what aspect of someone’s personality is one conveying? Usually, I am a jumpy sort of a person and most portraits of mine show my fun side. Rafique’s personal work, however, reflects a subdued style. So, I was expecting a portrait that would bring out my quieter side, which is what happened. — Chandni Gajria TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 Iron the Outfits Stack Outfits on a Rack Consider the Medium Know What Gear Can Do Make sure that the clothes Place all the clothes for the The outfit and the makeup The quirks of equipment can being worn by your subject shoot on a coat rack or spread largely depend on whether you help you. Tilt-and-shift lenses are ironed and crease-free, them out on a table in front of are shooting in colour or B&W. offer wonderful DOF effects. unless you are going for the you. This will help you decide Envision how the final colours However, keep the background unkempt, scraggly look. which ones to use first. will eventually be rendered. close to the subject! BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gear Used for This Shoot Rafique: “What is Important is the Rafique used a Nikon D3x and a Zeiss 80mm tilt-and-shift lens. He usually does Personality of the Subject.” portraiture with tilt- and-shift lenses as he likes the transition ormally, I shoot in black and Since we were shooting in B&W, I asked into shallow DOF that white because that is how I see Chandni to carry black or grey items of these lenses provide. the world. I am personally very clothing. Any other colour would have drawn to the medium—it is my been unnecessary. She wore her hair as she Nlanguage of choice. The idea was does normally. I did not want to change to make a simple, yet striking image. I shot anything about her, so much so that I did in ambient daylight offered by a large not even direct her pose. It was important window in my studio. It was around 1pm for me to capture her essence, exactly as when we started shooting. she is in everyday life. Rafique and His Assistants Executing the Preplanned Shot 91 I asked her to apply foundation in order to even out her skin tone. The cowl-necked dress would have Besides that, she did not wear any hidden her neck. This idea did not zer makeup or eyeliner. This cowl-necked dress was one seem too appealing to me. The blazer of the options for the shoot, but looked formal and elegant. While reviewing the images on the I decided to go ahead with a blazer computer, I realised that I liked and singlet look instead. those shots the best where her hands could be seen. TIP 5 TIP 6 TIP 7 TIP 8 Look for Quiet Moments Use Ambient Light Make a Fluid Edit Postprocess with Care While directing the pose, While tungsten light and strobes Don’t just stick to choosing If the portrait needs to be sometimes, your subject may are good for portraiture, there the initial portrait that you had corrected for even looking lose themselves in thought. is a magic in plain old daylight planned. Keep the candids and skin, ensure that your subject Keep an eye out for such that none can match. Use it to the ‘lucky’ shots in mind while is comfortable with such private moments. your advantage! making the final selection. cleanups and enhancements. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs by Supriya Joshi Supriya by All photographs ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Shantanu Sheorey photographs Ambarin Afsar 92 “I like to cut down on as many irritating shades in the dark areas as I can.” So, he makes Selective Color adjustments. When facing the camera, I try to avoid thinking of it as a device. It is not the lens I am staring at, but at the person behind it. This helps me establish a connect. It was easy to relate to Sheorey as he knew what he wanted and it conformed to my self image. — Ambarin Afsar TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 The Power of Black Modify Natural Light Use Long Lenses Change the Situation Black is neutral, and the If daylight is too harsh, If someone’s got a prominent If the location is not working face jumps up at the viewer. wait for the light to change. nose, then any lens beyond out, or if you have come Coupled with the hair, it Alternatively, use a cutter to 80mm can help flatten the across a better background, envelops the face. Any other darken the background or use image and make the person use it! Go with the flow and colour can distract. a reflector to fill in light. look glamorous. use your instinct. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gear Used For This Shoot Shantanu: “Everyone Has One Good Shantanu’s favourite lenses to shoot used to range between 85mm and 180mm. Angle, You Just Need to Find it.” Now he often uses an iPhone. But for this shoot, he used ne has shot all sorts of Initially, I thought of shooting on the the Canon EOS 5D face structures, if that terrace, but while waiting for the light to Mark II along with a is what you want to call become softer, I realised that the balcony standard 24–105mm it. Ambarin has a good offered better light. The setting sun was lens. He shot mostly at the telephoto end complexion and so streaming in nicely through the trees and of the lens. OI chose her because it meant that I would offered dappled light. This made me think, have lesser retouching to do. Since I was wow, let’s use this instead of flat lighting. in Goa, I asked your team to come here. We had to work really fast as the light was I wanted to shoot in natural light. fading quite rapidly. Shantanu’s Instinctive Reaction to Changing Situations 93 Here, I tried cutting the light by making use of a towel. But as I was shooting, the light Initially, I had planned on shooting gradually changed and became better. So, I either in this balcony with the TowardsTow the end of the shoot, the or did not use it eventually. background of green palm trees or I asked Ambarin to remove the light was almost like a spotlight and out on the terrace. heavy kohl that she usually wears. the backgroundb was thrown into But, I asked for the liner to be keptrs. darkness,dark which worked for me. intact on the upper eyelid. TIP 5 TIP 6 TIP 7 TIP 8 Do a Few Test Shots Understand the Face Bring Out Texture Try a Grainy Look While doing test shots, pay This will help you discover Use a sharpness mask in Digital images are inherently attention to the outline of the a good angle—whether you postprocessing to further too sharp, not just in terms of face. See whether you want to have to shoot dead-on, make bring out the textures and detail, but also colour. Adding make a semi-profile or even a a front-facing portrait or use details of the face. It is these some grain gives the image a complete profile. only three-fourths of the face. that characterise a person. soft, film-like feel. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs by Supriya Joshi Supriya by All photographs ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Vikram Bawa photographs Conchita Fernandes 94 “The point is to make good portraits even on a budget.” And so, Vikram used fairly simple lighting. I was quite nervous about shooting with a famous fashion photographer, but Vikram, with his easygoing personality put me completely at ease. The shoot was surprisingly quick and lots of fun! — Conchita Fernandes TIP 1 TIP 2 TIP 3 TIP 4 Be Mindful of Skin Tones Everyone is Photogenic Play Good Music... Appreciate Your Subject Dusky people look good You must start with this ...depending on the mood Encourage them when they in orange, emerald green basic thought in mind. All that you wish to create in the strike an interesting pose and and aquamarine blue. matters, then, is finding the photograph. A funky hip hop appreciate them when they do These colours also suit fair right light and a good enough beat is good to get your something right. This will make subjects, so choose wisely. colour scheme. subject grooving. them more confident. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL Gear Used for This Shoot Vikram: “Confidence! Confidence! Vikram used the Sony Alpha 99 coupled with an inexpensive Sunpak macro ring Confidence! That’s All You Need.” flash for this shoot. Normally, the flash is used by jewellery ersonally, I am a fan of dark very different and something that no one photographers to skin and so, I chose Conchita. would have thought of. shoot diamonds She has lovely eyes, great I already knew that I would be using a and other gems. bone structure, a sleek face bright colour scheme. So, I wanted her This accessory can be made at home and great hair. All in all, to wear a colour that would contrast with quite easily. Pshe is easy to shoot. My concept for the the backdrop, and that would pop. I also shoot was fairly simple. I could have shot at a relatively wide focal length so used a softbox but I thought, why not do as to get the circle of the ring flash in the something that’s fashion, something that’s frame. The shot worked out! Vikram’s Quick Way of Doing the Shoot 95 We tried a few variants with her spectacles on as well. I did not ask for specifics in terms of However, the shots without her the makeup she did. She used some glasses worked better. concealer, a liner to define her eyes My workflow involves transferring the and some lip gloss. I asked her to scream, shout, make images immediately and seeing what works. faces and basically do anything thatke she I did some colour adjustments and arrived wanted to do. This was just another at my final shot. way of letting her shake loose. TIP 5 TIP 6 TIP 7 TIP 8 Keep a Mirror Fine Tune Their Posture Play With Colours Show Them the Photo A full-length mirror in the room If you want their hand to be You do not always have to During the shoot, let them you are shooting allows your placed in a certain way, or them choose sombre, moody know what they look like on subject to see what they look to turn their shoulder towards colour schemes. Try making the camera. This will help like. This will reassure them and the camera, do not hesitate to pop-artsy photos with vivid, them understand how to help them pose better. enact what you have in mind. bright colours! improve what they are doing. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY All photographs by Supriya Joshi Supriya by All photographs ON ASSIGNMENT 96 Scribbled Walls Deepak John Mathew’s series explores his own personal space and how it is slowly being scribbled over by his children. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY MAY 2013 ON ASSIGNMENT My Assignment Description To portray the idea of marking territory. Duration This series was done over a period of four years. Notes Every project leaves something permanent in my heart. This series helped me learn that any simple object can be a great subject for photography. 97 I have tried to look at the changes in my personal space as a transition from a bachelor’s life to the life of a family man. MAY 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY ON ASSIGNMENT 98 his series is titled Missing Interiors by my daughter. This led me to start a project Each inch of my house and it started as an accidental about losing one’s personal space. has been reinscribed by the children’s presence. picture. Then I made a conscious What my daughter did, is the exact decision to continue shooting for same thing that we do with the borders of Tit over the years. I documented any countries as well. We just declare that certain Through this series, change that took place in my house. territory belongs to us. And we fight for it, I have moved from though any place on the entire planet does the mundane and the My Perspective not belong to anybody. generic to the larger implications of invasion I was actually shooting something else, and displacement. when I saw some scribbles made on the wall The Process This is a personal project that requires a lot of time. I do not simulate the situation, everything has to happen naturally, and hence the long wait. Since I live in the same space, the one problem that comes up is that I get used Tips on Creating a Series of Photos at Home GXp8kk\ek`fekfPfli@dd\[`Xk\Jliifle[`e^j1 Great subjects aren’t necessarily found far away. I could be right next to you, and be the perfect subject for you. So, all you are tasked with, is finding me. GcXePfli:fdgfj`k`fe1 When shooting disorder and chaos, realise that your frame cannot afford to look sloppy or untidy. Crop within the camera itself, while composing the frame. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY MAY 2013 ON ASSIGNMENT My Equipment to seeing the same things on a daily basis. I used a Hasselblad Sometimes, creating a new frame becomes with 28mm and impossible. But then, the drawings on the 80mm lenses for wall change almost every day. So, deciding most of the pictures. I also used a Nikon when exactly to shoot becomes a problem. D3x with 50mm Each incident and situation forms a and 24mm lenses. special place in my heart. I remember, once Since I use available I had gone to my room, and I found a sign light, some of these exposures last that said, “Do not enter... Aastha’s room,” and several seconds. that triggered the idea of territories. It was the same room that I used to consider my own as all my equipment is kept there! Though I shoot the pictures at home, I am RAW and process the files for sharpness and My children place consciously looking for symbols. Many a contrast in Phocus and Photoshop. Since their books, toys and other things where times, the elements in the photographs my frames are well calculated, extensive I used to keep my books work as metaphors. At other times, I chose postprocessing is never a requirement. and equipment. the frames in such a way that there is some Normally, I don’t even crop my frames. element of fun in the photograph. For me, I make the decision to shoot whenever this means that there should be some I see disorder and chaos. So, the images are I do not know when contrast in the way the elements in the frame composed quite consciously. my children started, but interact with each other. now that they are here, they have completely I shoot using a grey card, and correct the To view more of Mathew’s work, you can visit occupied all spaces. White Balance on the computer. I shoot in www.djmphotography.in Maintaining a static 99 shadow throughout the series helped me create a distant, aloof atmosphere. MAY 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Want your photographs reviewed? Send your photographs to The Editor, Better Photography, Network18 Publishing, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W) Mumbai - 400 028, India PhotoCritique E-mail: [email protected] 100 Tilting the camera to the This branch provides a A close crop, with The strange structure of The out-of-focus sun By Maitreya top would have gotten nice balance to the one the subject off-centre the leaves has ultimately in the background Maitreyan, more of the branches in on the right, which may would have made the provided the frame looks like a giant ball of Melbourne the frame. have looked too empty. frame effective. with character. mesmerising light! Camera: Nikon D80 Lens: Nikkor AF-S DX 70–300mm f/4.5-f/5.6 VR Aperture: f/5.6 Shutterspeed: 1/2000sec ISO: 100 The Smiling Twig Vineeta Muni: The only thing I liked Amrita Ganguly-Salian: I see potential in about this image are the silhouetted this approach but the final image does not leaves that look great against the bright feel complete. Let me first recount the pluses sun in the background. Was this done of the frame. The sun thrown out of focus on purpose or was it accidental, I cannot creates a bokeh effect, the colour palette is make out. This is because the sun is in good and using the silhouette as a tool has the absolute centre of the composition worked for a subject like this as well. and not in focus, so the image has a Now the elements that didn’t come distracting feel. together for me are trifold. Firstly, if you The branch on the left seems like an place the subject in the middle of the frame, intruding element in the photograph, you need to go lot closer to create impact. disturbing the balance in the frame. Secondly, there is a lot of negative space in If you had kept the leaf in the centre, the frame which does not add any value close to the foreground, it would have in terms of detail, colour or ambience. become the main focus of the image. Thirdly, the equipment you have access to Moreover, if the setting sun was seen as will allow you to create sharp, detailed and big as possible, you would have been able memorable images. You could have used it to create quite an interesting frame. to your advantage. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 The Panelists The Long Walk Vineeta Muni: The Rule of Thirds finds Supriya Joshi: The thing I liked about good application in the photograph. the image is the presence of geometry, The silhouette of the two figures is which probably stands out the most in this captured well. However, the picture lacks photograph. The silhouettes are also quite punch. The hay that is being carried strong, which adds a certain character to by both the figures is merging with the the frame. Apart from these points, I find Vineeta Muni treetops that are at the horizon. Also, the the image to be quite bland. The colour of is a commercial nearly central position of the sun and the sky looks too drab, if you had made this artist and nature the power lines take one’s attention shot a little earlier in the day, you might photographer. She is away, resulting in an image that is not have found a good colour gradation in the also an accomplished and trained very interesting. sky. Moreover, it is too empty—perhaps you mountaineer, and The grey triangle caused by two blades could have waited for a stray cloud or a bird has participated in of grass between the two figures in the in flight. 21 expeditions to the foreground is also disturbing. A careful The low angle you have employed shows Himalayas. She is one of the first women to selection and study of the back ground and that you certainly have taken the effort to have trekked the entire foreground would have helped achieved a frame the image, but a little more patience length of the Himalayas. much better image. could have yielded fantastic results! By Parthajit Datta, 101 This stray piece of hay The frame breaks The tree in the The leaf adds a nice Agartala is touching the edge of away from traditional background is merging dimension to the the frame. A bit more landscape imagery, with the bale of hay. photograph, almost Camera: Nikon D40 Amrita Ganguly- Aperture: f/7.10 breathing space on the yet remains a unique A different vantage point leading the viewer into Shutterspeed: 1/1000sec Salian left could have helped. example of the same. would have helped. the sunset. ISO: 400 befriended the camera 22 years ago, and continues to inspire many students of photography. Her critique is rooted in classical theories and balances the photographer’s opportunity with the use of technique. Supriya Joshi makes photographs which are much like her—unusual and quirky, with a fascination for the extraordinary in the mundane. She is not fussy about gear—it could be a DSLR or even a cellphone—as long as what she is shooting, makes her smile. JUNE 2013 PHOTOCRITIQUE 102 Experimenting with The green hill looks The billowing clouds A 16:9 frame could Waiting for a little By Arup White Balance presets distracting, and could help give the frame have worked better while more would have Bhattacharjee, could have resulted in have been eliminated a wonderfully in the case of allowed the sky to turn Guwahati unique results. from the image. dreamy effect. this particular image. more dramatic. Camera: Canon PowerShot S3 IS Aperture: f/6.3 Shutterspeed: 1/15sec ISO: Not Available First Light On Kanchanjunga Vineeta Muni: This image beautifully Supriya Joshi: At first sight, this image is depicts the gradation of the lower truly breathtaking. Moreover, I appreciate foothills to the high Himalayan peak. the fact that you woke up really early to Unfortunately, the colour of the sky looks capture the sunrise! However, more than too unnatural. the photograph itself, I would attribute The evenness of the sky was probably the moment to the wonder of Mother caused by the wrong use of a filter to Nature. Having said that, I would like to enhance the first rays of light on the appreciate the fact that the composition peak. This, in turn, made the image very is effective and shows the richness of the dull. This is a very common mistake mountain. The orange light on the white in landscape photography. Using a UV snow also looks spectacular. filter and a circular polariser would have Despite the shortcomings of the image, helped with more natural picture with I will give you credit for the fact that you accurate colours. made the photo with a compact camera. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 PHOTOCRITIQUE Critics’ Choice Award My India Vineeta Muni: What I really liked Amrita Ganguly-Salian: This starts off as a Send your pictures to about this image is the unique way happy image of a child playing in the field us, to be featured in thee in which the photographer has and there is sunny play of light. It is a safe PhotoCritique section. If our judges select yoursurs represented his idea of India. and simple enough frame. It effectively as the best photograph,h, Apart from showcasing agriculture used Rule of Third for subject placement you can win the Critics’’ as a big part of the Indian economy, and creates momentum by having the Choice Award—a Sony the image also puts across the orange child leave the frame. The fabric’s motion USB Portable Power of the sky, the green of the fields is lyrical too. While the movement creates Supply of 4000mAh! and the white cloth to symbolise dynamism, it falls short of technical the tricolour beautifully and quite perfection. simply. This simplicity is what works in Critical focus is missing and the motion the image. blur hasn’t been effectively implemented The wind flowing through the either. Last but not the least, I find the crops and the child in motion depict tricolour imagery somewhat forced. rapid growth, youth and vitality Whether this frame was created in an of the nation. The photographer incidental manner or if everything has executed his idea well, and has was deliberately induced, the image managed to capture a nice moment. seems unnatural. By Soumya Sankar, 103 Kolkata The girl against the The white cloth looks like it The Indian tricolour The various hues of The choice of location Camera: Nikon D3000 direction of the wind is emerging from the girl’s imagery is an the sky present in the has worked, due to Aperture: f/8 makes the frame head. Her hand should interesting touch, albeit frame makes it dramatic the different kind of Shutterspeed: 1/125sec dynamic. have been a little higher. unnatural looking. in nature. foliage visible. ISO: 200 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Want to share your ideas and tips? Write to The Editor, Better Photography Network18 Publishing Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W) Mumbai-400 028, India Email: [email protected] Anonymous 104 BLOOMING FIELDS Wider apertures like capturing them running amongst fields f/2.8 will throw the of flowers. background out of focus, All About Focus You can also carry your pet’s favourite thus emphasising on Fields of flowers make for beautiful your pet and the flowers toys like rubber chew toys or balls and let photography subjects. You can make an in the foreground. them play with them. Just make sure you effective frame by keeping a small section do not cause any harm to the flowers while of the flowers in focus, and throwing you are shooting. everything else out of focus. Where there are Go Silly Add your Pets flowers, there will be Recreate your favourite Bollywood butterflies. Include them Pets love taking a walk and just being in your frame to movie sequences, which were made outdoors, in general. You can add a dash capture a part of the popular in flowery fields. Get your of interest to this everyday activity by field’s beauty. friends to dress up and pose in a cheesy manner. Such silly photographs work in the long run, because they serve as great memories. In fact, if you have a tripod, turn the camera to yourself and make humorous faces as you run through the flowers. Looking Upwards Lie down on the ground, point your camera upwards, compose a frame and shoot. From that angle, flowers look really big. You can wait for a while for a bird to swoop through the sky and add it to your frame for an effective photograph. From that angle, you may even be able to find small insects which inhabit the stems Alfred Borchard of flowers. JUNE 2013 SCAN YOUR IMAGES QUICK TIP If you do not have a A New Approach to Macro macro lens, switch on Who needs a macro lens when you can your camera’s Macro use a scanner to create stunning close-ups mode for ideal settings of flowers? The optical resolution of most to capture flowers in close up. flatbed scanners can exceed 5000 pixels per inch. The depth-of-field of a scanner is about 12mm, and the subject closest to the glass bed is captured sharp, which can give a whole new spin to close-ups of flowers. Work in Darkness The reach of the scanner’s light is not strong enough to capture anything beyond the subject. However, even the slightest amount of external light can disturb the frame. If you want the background to be black, you need to work in a darkened room. Black acts as a neat, clean background and draws attention to the flowers, giving them more emphasis. Alternatively, you can use any background you want like chart paper or coloured fabric. Sometimes, even B&W Dry or Fresh? images of flowers can be just as effective as 105 Since you are scanning them, you Adriana Glackin their colour versions. can choose to scan any kind of flower you want to. You can use dry flowers, Colour Gradient fresh flowers... the ideas are endless! The part of the subject closest to the Composition matters even in scanographs. Scanographs can also serve as a plate appears brighter than the area that Scanographs truly And the best part is, you record of all the various flowers you allow your subject to be is farther away. So, if you place a bunch can modify your frame have encountered. the centre of attention. of flowers on the scanner’s glass plate, any way you want! Brian Haslam Brian Haslam JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Anonymous 106 those parts of the flower which are not in These hollow tubes fit between the lens Tiny insects often contact with the plate, will look like they and camera body and allow you to make frequent a flower’s core. If you wait enough, are fading away to blackness. macro photographs. However, you may you will be able to have to compromise on your camera’s photograph them. Approach with Caution metering system. Before you begin making scanographs, gently wipe the surface of the glass plate Keeping it Steady with a lint-free cloth, so that there are Even the slightest movement can ruin a no smudges, dust or spots visible in the macro photograph. Therefore, keeping final photograph. Be careful with the thorns of some flowers, as they can potentially harm the glass plate of the scanner and leave scratches. Also when you are done scanning, gently wipe the surface again with a cloth. YOUR MACRO KIT Up Close and Personal You can still practise macro photography without the lenses... Invest in close-up lens filters. They work identically to reading glasses, allowing lenses to focus more closely. They are available at various strengths, the higher the strength, the closer you can get to your subject. Reaching Out Different parts of the Another budget-friendly option for flowers lend themselves macro photography is extension tubes. to abstract frames. DipakRajR j ShelareLalwaniLalwalwwanini BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 your frame steady is a must. Invest in a sturdy tripod to make sure you don’t miss the moment. Other alternates include monopods, gorillapods or even steady surfaces. Watch the Background Sometimes, isolating one flower from a bunch can make for a more effective composition. You can use a coloured card paper or bright fabrics as makeshift backgrounds for your photographs. If you know which flower you will be photographing, you can choose a background with a complementary colour. Anonymous For example, a red rose will stand out against a yellow background. Under the Hood Extreme close-ups Buy a hood for your lens. These drastically of flowers allow you to showcase a world that Lighting Matters reduce lens flare, which can sometimes many may never have If you are shooting indoors, use ruin the frame. seen before. off-camera flash units to illuminate the frame. You could also couple your camera’s Reflect! on-board flash with a diffuser to give your A reflector can greatly enhance a flower’s photograph a soft, dreamy effect. macro photograph, adding a whole new dimension to the image. Portable reflectors 107 Going in Reverse can be used in order to reflect available If you do not have a macro lens, worry not. QUICK TIP light to the subject. Do you know that you can reverse your When shooting flowers An economical alternative is a mirror! normal lens and make it a macro lens? on a windy day, use a Mirrors can dramatically modify the light All you need is a reversal ring, and you are slow shutterspeed to and can even work as the main light source capture movement. good to go! to illuminate the frame. READER’S TIP Isolate for Effect I made this image while traveling between two villages in Northern Bengal. The weather there is very patchy... it can rain at any moment. It had rained just before I made this frame, which is why there are drops of water visible on the plant. While this photograph may resemble a macro image, it is, in fact shot from the telephoto end of my kit lens. This frame is a crop of a much larger one. The lighting conditions were also very poor. But what matters is if you have observed a scene and found a frame that fascinates you. After that, the settings do not really matter. Of course, I had to keep myself very steady while I made this frame. Small details like the water droplets and the scattered petals just brought the frame together. If you are going to attempt a similar photograph, I recommend you isolate your subject to truly emphasise on what makes this a sight worth remembering. — Riddhi Nandy Riddhi Nandy Shooting flowers and plants is quite possible even without a macro lens. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Want your doubts cleared? Write to The Editor, Better Photography Infomedia18 Limited Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, J K Sawant Marg Dadar (W), Mumbai-400 028, India. E-mail: [email protected] BRIEFLY Outdoor Location Shoots I am a 22 year-old attempting to do a Besides resolution fashion shoot for an online publication. does the file size depend on any Can you give me a few outdoor location other factor? suggestions as to where I could shoot? The file size depends on Suhani Kaur, Mumbai, via email the compression applied to an image file and the The location sets the mood of the shoot. number of elements that The kind of location you choose will largely are there in the scene. depend on the clothes that the online portal wants showcased. Explore your own locality for interesting spaces and you will automatically come across corners that may interest you. The simplest location you can use is the terrace of your building. The clear blue sky can make for a great backdrop. If you want to present a western, gritty style of clothing, you can use the interiors, A leaf shutter as opposed to focal plane shutters that are found staircases of abandoned buildings or make mechanism of a camera. in regular SLR cameras. In the digital world, use of graffiti-covered walls. If you can make some recent cameras like the Fujifilm FinePix do without assistants, then the pavement of a X100 and X100S have incorporated a leaf shutter. busy street can also be the ideal location to There are two significant advantages to leaf shoot casual street wear. shutters. Most SLR cameras have a maximum 108 flash sync speed of 1/250sec. Beyond this, Leaf Shutter In Cameras one can use a High Speed Sync mode, but this Some digital cameras have a leaf shutter. adversely affects the resulting power from the What is the big deal about these shutters? external flash. The leaf shutter mechanism, on Rohan Gupta, New Delhi, via post the other hand, allows you to sync flash, even at 1/1000sec. This makes it much easier for you A leaf shutter uses a small number of identical to completely overpower bright ambient light, overlapping metal blades, called leaves, and even with a basic flashgun—something that hence the nomenclature. Leaf shutters are would otherwise need a far more powerful light. highly specialised and found only in certain older There are a few disadvantages you need to keep cameras and medium format camera systems, in mind, though. The maximum shutterspeed HOW TO Prevent a Tripod From Toppling Over? While setting up a tripod, there are a few otherwise the camera can slip and fall if it is tripod will also let you stand comfortably b asic things that we must take care of. We not screwed on correctly. in between the two rear legs of the tripod. think that that setting up a tripod is easy, only Use the centre column of the tripod only It will also prevent you from tripping on the to find it toppling over after a while. Here if neccessary. Usually, it has a tendency tripod’s legs. are a few things you should check in order to of tilting. This column maintains balance. prevent the tripod from toppling: It should be vertical and straight even if the tripod is on uneven ground. Find a flat steady surface to set up the tripod. Due to their size, telephoto lenses are more Unlock and extend the the thicker sections prone to falling if the tripod is not properly of the legs first for adjustments and balanced. Attach the lens collar to the base added stability. plate to avoid this. While extending or shortening the legs of the While shooting, point one of the tripod legs tripod, make sure they are levelled properly. such that the leg is in the same direction Ensure that you lock the tripod as that of the lens. This will prevent the legs correctly. tripod from toppling forward when you look Secure the base plate firmly to the tripod through the viewfinder. This position of the BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 A Wedding Photographer’s Attire I have been shooting weddings for my friends for with the crowd. The point is to never look sloppy. Do take a while now. This has helped me land my first paid care of the colours you choose to wear. Bright shades assignment. What should a photographer wear to attract a lot of attention, so, opt for slightly pastel shades. the wedding they are shooting? If you have to wear an Indian outfit, you can wear Purab Mahesh, Mumbai, via post a simple kurta as it is quite comfortable to shoot in. Whatever you may wear, never compromise on the While what you wear is the last thing on any client’s mind, footwear. Make sure the shoes you wear are comfortable this does not mean you attract too much attention to your to walk and run in. Also, many Indian wedding rituals Send in your clothes. At weddings, your attire is a way of presenting require you to remove your shoes. Therefore, see that the queries to Better Photography. If your yourself as a professional photographer. For any wedding, footwear you wear is easy to get out of. letter wins Question you should dress as if you were one of the guests. While you prepare your attire, weigh the practicality of of the Month, you You need not necessarily wear a tux or a suit, but a pair actually shooting in it. Remember that an event is a window stand to win a Lexar of formal pants and a nice shirt is good enough to blend in to meeting many other potential clients. 8GB 100x SDHC media card! possible with these cameras is usually only A good camera bag comes with sturdy straps around 1/1000sec. This may necessitate the and padding within, which a cloth bag does not. BRIEFLY use of an ND filter when shooting at the widest You can safely walk through busy crowds and be aperture in bright daylight. assured that the camera will be safe despite a What is purple few knocks. However, whatever kind of bag you fringing? Lens Cleaning Cloth use, it is even more essential that the camera Fringing is a lens flaw The front element of my lens has a lot of is packed securely. There should be no other which occurs in certain lenses. The effect is an sharp objects kept in the same compartment. dust on it. What kind of a cloth should outline of purple or red 109 I use to clean it? So, ensure that chargers, card readers and other when rays of light of Shivani Kandhari, Mysore, via email wires are stored in their respective sections. different wavelengths focus on different planes. Getting Good Colours How do I get good colours in my images without editing them in the software? Rajeev Menon, Chennai, via email Almost all cameras come with sufficient settings to produce good colours. Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome are some of the Picture Settings you can find inside your camera. These can be further fine tuned. Certain Scene Microfibre cloth will help absorb any oily matter on the lens without being abrasive or leaving a residue on the lens element. One can even use lens cleaning tissues. The only disadvantage of using lens cleaning tissues is that they are meant for one time use only. In comparison, a microfibre cloth is easy to maintain and will last longer as you can simply wash it in warm water John Nyberg with a mild detergent. modes like Sunset and Pop Art also allow you Need For a Camera Bag to manipulate colours. Besides these, the White Can a simple sturdy cloth bag be used to Balance setting can be used to make a certain carry my camera? shade warmer or cooler. You also have the option Aashi Sinha, Bengaluru, via email of underexposing by half a stop if you want the colours to be deeper. But most importantly, Whether it is a DSLR or a compact, both should remember that the light you shoot in finally be carried in a secure camera bag or pouch. determines how colours are rendered. JUNE 2013 PROFILEPROFILE ShowCase Saibal Das ?\_Xjnfib\[]fi K_\K\c\^iXg_#@e[`X Kf[XpXe[Flkcffb Y\]fi\_\Y\ZXd\X ]i\\cXeZ\g_fkf^iXg_\i% ?\X[d`i\jk_\nfibj f]Afj\]Bfl[\cbX# D`Z_X\c8Zb\idXe# IX^_lIX`Xe[ GiXYl[[_X;Xj^lgkX Xdfe^jkfk_\ij% 110 Tales From Elsewhere In a midsummer’s untailored rendezvous, Saibal Das shares his photographic impressions with Priyanka Chharia. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 >I<8KD8JK 111 Saibal explores the everyday truths of circus life, rather than deliberating upon its spectacular character. ALE<)'(* BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY PROFILE hile turning the pages skillful coalescence of Saibal’s persuasive His images bridge the of Saibal Das’s Circus imagery with the lyrical text of Nola Rae, an gap between the realities and pretences of two Girl, I beheld an occult acclaimed performance artist. The fervent parallel worlds.. world, a world full of gaze of the circus girls bore into me, as it The juxtaposition of unknown secrets and simultaneously brought back memories of age, gender and vantage point highlights the mysteries.W As I scanned one image after the girlhood. Powerful, potent and thought- distinct role of every other, I felt an energy resonating from the provoking, Circus Girl cast a charming spell individual in the circus. black and white photographs. I admired the upon me. TIPS BY SAIBAL ;fefkaldgfe pflijlYa\Zkn`k_ XZXd\iX[li`e^ k_\Ôijk]\n [Xpj%9\]fi\pfl Y\^`ekfj_ffk# \ogfj\pflij\c] kfk_\jlYa\ZkXe[ k_\`ijliifle[`e^j% :Xiipd`e`dXc ^\Xin_\epfl g_fkf^iXg_% KipefkkfY\m\ip Zfejg`Zlfljn`k_ pflidXee\i`jdj Xe[Yf[pcXe^lX^\% BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 GIF=@C< GADGETS & GEAR ?\nfibjn`k_Ôcd Xe[lj\jk_\E`bfe =0'#Xcfe^n`k_X )'dd#)/ddXe[ *,ddc\ej\j% ?\[\m\cfgjgi`ekj ]ifdk_\Zfd]fik f]_`j_fd\#n_`c\ nfib`e^`e_`j fne[Xibiffd% A Labour of Love “Making a project is not a hit-and-run Circus life makes it What does it take to make an exultant thing. It is a far more nuanced and in-depth difficult to distinguish work from play. Saibal’s images photo project? Well, this question was experience. In addition, it teaches one to are reflexive and always on my mind, and after seeing work on a self-imposed deadline. You learn profound because Circus Girl of an unmistakeable , I could not help but quiz to work as a photographer, a creator, use of irony. Saibal on the same. a visionary, all at the same time,” he says. 113 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY GIF=@C< “A great While working on the project, Saibal photograph travelled for more than a year and needs to be more photographed some of the most prominent circuses in India. His journey began in than just a good Jaipur, and picked up pace in Kolkata’s looking picture.” Park Circus Maidan. “Living in the circus is tough and sporadic. I used to photograph everyday while documenting the nomadic circus life. I was guided by my own vision, and explored something new every day.” Outsider vs Insider Photography is balance. The harmonious juxtaposition of objectivity and subjectivity distinguishes a good photograph from a great photograph. But, how does one attain this perfect equilibrium? Is observation just as important as friendship? “Well, yes, absolutely. I photographed the circus in Jaipur as a visitor. However, as I began travelling with troupes from all over the country... my experience evolved from that of an outsider to a welcomed 114 insider. As my subjects started to open up, I became more of a friend than a photographer to them,” he says. Memories of Yore Saibal grew up in a culture of photography, and began photographing at home. In many ways, he still retains the charms of an esrtwhile tradition of making images. And till today, he fondly recollects the times when he used to photograph with his family members. Life in the circus “My father Sasankasekhar Das and seems to be an arduous journey of countless ups uncle Panchanan Dutta owned a camera, and downs. and they would constantly make pictures at home. We had our very own projector and every once in a week, the entire family would gather and watch the visuals together,” he says. In fact, Saibal’s interest in the circus originates from his earliest childhood memories. “I remember how, every winter, the circus came to our little hometown of Chandernagore in West Bengal. Through the day, performers, clowns and all sorts of exotic animals would move through the town announcing their long-awaited arrival. Those were the days of magic and glitter!” BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 PROFILE 115 Saibal captures the Coming Full Circle As I leafed through the book once again, little moments of magic Circus Girl stands for Saibal’s journey from I began to comprehend the depths of this “I used to that come unannounced photograph and unforeseen. an inquisitive youngster to an ardent exquisite spell. I seized a wonderful idea, photographer. His images document the witnessed a discerning method and beheld every day while “backyard of magic”, and manage to say a graceful implementation. documenting something original on an oft photographed I found many of my questions answered the nomadic subject matter. “Circus Girl was born out as I savoured the treasures of an effective of the blue, as I began to photograph conversation. What does it take to make circus life. after being awarded the National Media an exultant photo project? Why should I was guided by Fellowship in 1996.” we not let our dreams die? Why should we my own vision “I interacted with Raghu Rai, Pablo walk that extra mile? What makes a good and explored Bartholomew and Prashant Panjiar, who photograph? Why must we keep looking helped shape the project. Over the years, through the viewfinder? And, why should something new I saw Circus Girl grow from a nascent idea.” we continue making magic? each day.” JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY GREAT MASTERS 116 Dario Mitidieri Conchita Fernandes uncovers the crudeness of war and street life through the photographs of Dario Mitidieri. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 GREAT MASTERS 117 State of Eritrea, 1991: A young boy plays with an abandoned forces tank in Massawa. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY GREAT MASTERS 118 Republic of he year was 1992. Dario Mitidieri “When I would leave my hotel room, Angola, 2002: came across a 12-year-old girl in I would not know where to go but I would Children are seen playing in the Lixeira area of the the red light area of Mumbai (then just go out there and follow my instinct.” Angolan capital Luanda. Bombay). “You could see that He befriended a former street kid, Tshe wanted to get out but did not Mahendra, who became his mouthpiece know how.” He promised that he would and helped him understand the street return and get her out of the place. He went kids on a personal level. But this journey the next day and kept waiting but she never was not going to be a simple one. came back. “I really regret not helping her “Photographing subjects like street Federal Democratic while I could.” children is not the most commercially Republic of Ethiopia, valuable thing.” He also realised that 1991: A young shepherd plays with his dog Going the Extra Mile this project is not going to be something around an unexploded This brief encounter with the girl is one of that he could complete in a few weeks bomb dropped by forces many instances that have become part of time. Dario had to win the W Eugene in Tigray, north Ethiopia. Dario’s collective memory of his Mumbai journey. But there is a lot more that instances like these reveal. There are photographers who only go as far as capturing the moment. Then you have Dario Mitidieri who does not just “When handling stop at freezing the moment but pushes children, you one step further. While some of his images are haunting juxtapositions, he lets the need to be a viewer sink deeper into the visual till kid with them they understand the message he is trying and respect to convey. them. They will Getting Past Hurdles respect you Mumbai was one such photographic back eventually.” mission. Every day was a new experience. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 GREAT MASTERS Smith Award in Humanistic Photography in order to begin the Mumbai project. This allowed him to spend a year in the city. However, the problems did not end right there. Even after the project came to an end, getting a publisher was hard. He goes on to mention how it was necessary for him to win awards in order to receive gramts to fund his projects. “I have seen horrible things in my life. Democratic Republic Balancing it Out But I have no regrets.” He explains how of Congo, 1994: An orphaned child But there is much more to Dario Mitidieri, it is important to be emotional if you receives medical help other than Mumbai. In 1989, he won the are undertaking a project of this nature; in a refugee camp for British Press Photographer of the Year otherwise it is too difficult to keep a clear children in Goma. Award for covering the Tiananmen Square mind. His images are a reflection of a massacre in Beijing. Besides this, he has man who did not treat his work like a also documented conflicts in Ethiopia job but as someone who wanted to make and Iraq, including the 2004 tsunami a difference. in Indonesia, amongst many others. For someone who has captured The Common Thread poverty and conflict through the eyes His will to bring about a change along Republic of Angola, of its sufferers and inflictors, it raises an with his ability to get down to the subject’s 2002: A young girl sells mirrors in the Lixeira important question. How does he deal with level, made it possible for him to have a area of Luanda. his emotions while still being objective? special connection with children. “There is 119 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY GREAT MASTERS 120 Mumbai, 1992: a strong inner child in me. Having grown children; a thread he thinks binds kids like Suresh and Ramesh are up in a little village in Italy, I had a them together, across the world. dragged apart by an amused crowd during fantastic childhood. “ a fight at Chhatrapati More than photographs, Dario creates Hopes and Memories Shivaji Terminus. narratives of these young innocent He goes on to mention that if given an beings, ravaged by war and poverty. opportunity, he would always prefer to By photographing them in their natural take up assignments with a social cause. element, he captures the resilience of these “The truth is that I am not busy enough “My generation of photographers used to go on foreign assignments and send films back by courier. Mumbai, 1992: Street children Everybody is a Muthu, Bunty and photographer Laltamatar approach the Chhatrapati Shivaji these days.” Terminus by train. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 GREAT MASTERS “The one year that I spent in Mumbai with these kids was a great eye opener for me.” Mumbai, 1992: A street child begs on the steps of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, as commuters pass by. to choose the assignments I would the nickname of “Dario mujhko mat like to undertake, so sometimes I have dekho” referring to his constant advice to compromise.” However, amongst the to the kids, “don’t look into the camera.” wide plethora of photographic work, For someone whose photographic he documented the issue of teenage reportage has spanned over three Mumbai, 1992: pregnancy in the UK. decades, Dario Mitidieri has evolved Two street children look Coming back to the Mumbai project, from a photographer to a humanitarian. at a Hindi film poster in one of the many cinemas Dario fondly remembers the kids calling “I want to do something right with my at Grant Road. him ‘uncle.’ Eventually, he even earned photography.” He has, indeed. 121 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY WPOY 2012 NOMINEES WPOY 2012 Nominees We are back with India’s biggest wedding photography awards, the Canvera-Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2012. oy, laughter and apprehension—can you Today, wedding photography is easily one of the most imagine a wedding photo album without important, respected and difficult professions one these precious moments? A wedding is not could choose. Over the past few years, weddings are just the celebration of a marriage, it is the becoming more extravagant and the photographer Jsolemnity with which two souls join their lives needs to cater to the customised needs of the to-be in perfect harmony. While the family is busy making married couple. preparations for wedding functions, it is indeed the wedding photographer who captures the intimate Six Exciting Themes, An Extensive Judging Process moments that would otherwise pass unnoticed. We received an overwhelming response of 22,678 Each year, the Wedding Photographer of the Year entries in six different themes. This time around, our awards celebrates the efforts of those who enliven the panel consisted of 110 judges which included married most beautiful day in the life of the bride and groom, couples, parents of brides and grooms, photographers with their photographs. belonging to various genres, renowed wedding photographers, stylists and fashion designers! A Difficult Profession An intensive online system was created so as to have 122 There was a time when any family member would take judges from various parts of the country and world. it upon themselves to record the rituals of a wedding. Here are the top six nominees from each category. BRIDAL PORTRAITURE Nominees: ABHINAV PARVATHAREDDY Student, Hyderabad AMIT KULKARNI Photographer, Aurangabad DEEPAK KUMBHAR Teacher, Kolhapur PAROMITA DEB ARENG Wedding Photographer, Mumbai STEVE D’SOUZA Photographer, Mumbai TARUN CHAWLA Wedding Photographer, New Delhi Amit Kulkarni Paromita Deb Areng Abhinav Parvathareddy BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 WPOY 2012 NOMINEES COUPLE PORTRAITURE Nominees: ANIRBAN BRAHMA Wedding Photographer, Kolkata CHENTHIL BHARATHIMOHAN Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru SAVIO COLACO Wedding Photographer, Chorao SNEHA JAYATHEERTHA Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru SULABH KALA Sneha Jayatheertha Wedding Photographer, Jodhpur SUNITHA NADIG Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru 123 Anirban Brahma Sunitha Nadig FAMILY & FRIENDS Nominees: EDRIC GEORGE Wedding Photographer, Margao RAHUL SHAH Textile Dye Bussiness, Ichalkaranji RAJKUMAR CHARLES Photographer, Ooty RISHIKESH EKBOTE Wedding Photographer, Pune Edric George SNEHA JAYATHEERTHA Photographer, Bengaluru VIVEK VICTOR SEQUEIRA Wedding Photographer, Manglore Rajkumar Charles Rahul Shah JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY WPOY 2012 NOMINEES EMOTIONS Nominees: AMANPREET KAUR Wedding Photographer, New Delhi CHENTHIL BHARTHIMOHAN Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru KINJAL THAKAR Wedding Photographer, Ahmedabad PRADEEP RAJAM Commercial Photographer, Bengaluru PRASANTA SINGHA Wedding Photographer , Kolkata SANGEETA MAHAJAN Photographer, Nagpur Amanpreet Kaur Kinjal Thakar 124 SangeetaMark Swaroop Mahajan Chenthil Bharthimohan BEHIND THE SCENES Nominees: ANDREA FERNANDES Fine Art Documentary Photographer, Mumbai Niklesh Malkani Karthik Balasubramanian KARTHIK BALASUBRAMANIAN Wedding Photographer, New Delhi NIKLESH MALKANI Wedding Photographer, Mumbai RIDDHI PAREKH Wedding Photographer, Mumbai SANGEETA MAHAJAN Wedding Photographer, Nagpur SANOJ KUMAR Wedding Photographer, Kochi Sangeeta Mahajan Andrea Fernandes BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 WPOY 2012 NOMINEES PHOTOSERIES ON A SINGLE WEDDING Nominees: ANBU JAWAHAR Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru CORIOLAN WEIHRAUCH Commercial Photographer, Auroville SANDIP KUMAR Wedding Photographer, Bengaluru SUTIRTHA BASU Wedding Photographer, Kolkata VINAY SEQUEIRA Wedding Photographer, Mangalore WILLIAM CHANG Commercial Photographer, New Delhi 125 All photographs by Sandip Kumar by All photographs JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY WPOY 2012 NOMINEES PHOTOSERIES ON A SINGLE WEDDING 126 All photographs by Anbu Jawahar by All photographs BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 WPOY 2012 NOMINEES PHOTOSERIES ON A SINGLE WEDDING 127 All photographs by Vinay Vincent Sequeira Vinay by All photographs JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY POY 2012 NOMINEES POY 2012 Nominees With over 70,000 entries, India’s biggest photography awards, the Better Photography Photographer of the Year awards, are back with a bang. he award season is back, with Eight Unique Themes India’s biggest photography This year, the Photographer of the Year contest! The Better Photography awards challenged photographers with Photographer of the Year 2012 eight interesting themes. Moreover, we Tawards saw not only great introduced a new theme where all images quantity, but also superior quality of were to be shot using a cell phone! entries. We received 72,864 entries this year, which included both, print and The Winning Entries online entries. The nominees are those that truly stood out These images were initially shortlisted for the judges. The theme winners will be by the BP team, and then, 16 renowned flown to the scenic locales of Kenya for the photographers were given the task of Final Face-off. The winner will be declared shortlisting the nominees. After a lot of the Better Photography Photographer of the deliberation, they finally reached the top Year 2012. six images in each theme—and we got a To find out who wins the final title, look out 128 grand total of 48 nominations! for our next issue. PORTRAITURE: FACES Nominees: ARUN TITAN Freelance Photographer, Chennai NILESH J BHANGE Scientific Officer, Indore PRANAB BASAK Telecom Technical Assistant, Kolkata SENTHIL KUMAR Photographer, Chennai SHANTANU BEDARKAR Software Engineer, Pune Shantanu Bedarkar SUDIP SAHA Production Manager, Kolkata Senthil Kumar Sudip Saha BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 POY 2012 NOMINEES STILL LIFE: SPACES & THINGS FROM HOME Nominees: AMIT KUMAR Publishing Professional, Ghaziabad INDRAJIT BHATTACHARYA Businessman, Kolkata KUMAR MANGWANI Architect, Pune KUNAL CHAUDHARI Client Servicing Professional, Jalgaon SANDEEP DHOPATE Freelance photographer, Kumar Mangwani Mumbai SHAILENDRA RAWAT Army Officer, Mumbai Amit Kumar Indrajit Bhattacharya 129 MACRO: OUR TINY UNSEEN WORLD Nominees: ABHISHEK CHATTERJEE Manager, Vadodara ANUROOP KRISHNAN Marketing Manager, Bengaluru NITIN R Student, Bengaluru ROHAN PANDIT Research Fellow, Pune SANTHOSH KUNDESHWAR Businessman, Kundapura SHANTANU BEDARKAR Abhishek Chatterjee Software Engineer, Pune Nitin R Santhosh Kundeshwar JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY POY 2012 NOMINEES LANDSCAPES: FORM, SHAPE, COLOUR Nominees: AJINKYA GADAVE Horticulturist, Pune BIJIN DAS Graphic Designer, Kochi HEMANTKUMAR SOLANKAR Automobile Engineer, Navi Mumbai MOHAMED ARIF Photographer, Tirur PIYUSH JAIN Software Engineer, Bengaluru UMESH GOSWAMI Bijin Das Photojournalist, Mumbai 130 Piyush Jain Mohamed Arif STREET: PEOPLE AT THEIR WORKPLACES Nominees: KUSHAL GANGOPADHYAY Computer Operator, Kolkata MUKESH SONI Technologist, Bengaluru PLABON DAS Software Engineer, Kolkata RAJIV KUMAR SOLANKI Photographer, New Delhi SENTHIL KUMAR Photographer, Chennai Kushal Gangopadhyay SUTIRTHA CHATTERJEE Freelance Photographer, Kolkata Plabon Das Sutirtha Chatterjee BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 POY 2012 NOMINEES WILDLIFE: ANIMALS & THEIR HABITAT Amit Kamat Harsh Nagpal 131 Jayanthkumar H V Kirat Mundle Nominees: AMIT KAMAT CEO, Bengaluru HARSH NAGPAL CEO, New Delhi JAYANTHKUMAR H V, Surgeon, Bengaluru KIRAT MUNDLE Civil Engineer, Nagpur MANISH TRIVEDI Clerk, Jamnagar RAJENDRA DHAGE Wildlife photographer, Wai Manish Trivedi JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY POY 2012 NOMINEES PHOTOESSAY: A DIFFERENT KIND OF FAMILY ALBUM Nominees: R MADHU GOPAL RAO Photojournalist, Hyderabad MITUL KAJARIA Photographer, Ahmedabad PARTHA SENGUPTA Art Director, Kolkata RAJIV KUMAR SOLANKI Photographer, New Delhi RAKESH SONI Scientific Officer, Mumbai SWARAT GHOSH Senior Development Engineer, Secunderabad 132 All photographs by Mitul Kajaria by All photographs All photographs by Rajiv Kumar Solanki Rajiv Kumar by All photographs BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 POY 2012 NOMINEES 133 All photographs by Swarat Ghosh Swarat by All photographs All photographs by Rakesh Soni Rakesh by All photographs JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY POY 2012 NOMINEES PHOTOESSAY: CELL PHONE DIARIES Nominees: ADITYA NAIR Advertising Professional, Mumbai ALOK RAI Social Worker, Pune PRAYASH GIRIA Architect, New Delhi RAM MORRISON IT Consultant, Bengaluru UPASANA JAIN Photographer, Mumbai 134 All photographs by Prayash Giria Prayash by All photographs All photographs by Ram Morrison by All photographs BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 POY 2012 NOMINEES 135 All photographs by Aditya Nair Aditya by All photographs All photographs by Upasana Jain JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY A selection of some of the best images from the Indian mainstream media 136 Rane Ashish, Mid Day Soul Sisters On 31 March, in a ceremony at the Parle At What Cost? Tilak School in Mumbai, Lata Mangeshkar On 31 April, on the eve of World Labour felicitated Asha Bhosale with the Hridaynath Day, a man is seen cleaning a clogged drain Mangeshkar Award. The photographer in Andheri, Mumbai. The extraordinary has captured a beautiful moment shared image highlights the lack of protection for between the two singing legends. the worker who had to immerse himself in Puneet Chandhok, the filthy water. DNA BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Narendra Vaskar, A Breath of Relief The Indian Express A building collapsed in Mumbra, Mumbai on 5 April which resulted in the death of several of its residents. Despite the Stuck in Time circumstances, a 11-month-old girl was A touring talkies was set up at the Jambori rescued from the rubble and was greeted by Maidan in Worli, Mumbai on 24 April. a loud applause from the rescuers. Due to insufficient visitors, it has been losing its charm over the years. Not only is the photograph a beautiful juxtaposition of the Hemant Padalkar, 137 DNA changing times but is a nostalgic reminder of an era gone by. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO FEATURE Samsul Alam Helal was one of the seven Bangladeshi artists exhibiting at Chobi Mela VII. He was brought up in a family where his brother owned a studio, and photography came as a natural curiosity. 138 Redoy (a 16 year old): My series indirectly deals with the issues that migrant workers face in the modern world. Love Studio Samsul Alam Helal makes pictures of the fantasy world, hopes and dreams of the people working in an industrial area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 PHOTOFEATURE I tried to give urain is an industrial district where came from villages or were unemployed. my subjects hundreds of people work for a better They posed in front of colourful backdrops life, yet nothing changes for them. of landscapes, villages, houses and so on. some space to They remain unnoticed, ordinary. When I spoke to the studio owners breathe in, and JBut, when they walk into a studio, and backdrop painters, I found that in turn, felt it transforms into their very own personal these people aspired for a perfect world, liberated myself. world. They become heroes, kings, rockstars but were not always granted their wish. Rupa (a 13 year old): or any other character that strikes their fancy. They came to these studios to create their Not only do these people create their own world On observing the old studios in my area, dream world and preserve it in the photos. in the studio, they also I realised that only a certain type of people So, I built my own studio, and invited take back the photos and frequented these studios. Most of them people to come in, and dream. carefully preserve them. 139 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOFEATURE Goat: I enjoy representing reality in an alternate space. I try to delve into the fictional aspect of reality. 140 Palash (a 32 year old): In their daily lives, these people struggle a lot. But there is a stark contrast between their struggling selves and the princely manner in which they pose in the studio. Kadir (a 45 year old): In my studio, people are free to transform into their true, yet fictional selves. around 21,000 inhabitants in 2003. He had no phone and moved around on foot. His monthly salary was Russian Ruble 600 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 PHOTOFEATURE Kamrul and Ruma: It was amazing how quickly people shed their inhibitions and just let themselves go. Mintu and Mony: My subjects were How to Truly Capture Your Subject’s Personality in a Studio Environment free to do what they You need to have some knowledge of studio Shoot from your heart. Be truly interested and wanted, including lighting, balancing colour and also, the history of involved in the stories that your subjects are telling Ruma and Suchona: getting married! studio photography. you. Poses, compositions and striking frames may My work looks very You need to establish a personal relationship evolve out of such conversations. dramatic, yet all I have with the subject. Let them talk for the duration of Do not rush people. Sometimes, it takes awhile for used is two studio lights the shoot if that helps you get a great picture. the ice to break, let it be so. and a few backdrops. 141 Rubel (a 29 year old): Abul (a 56 year These images are about old): The trouble hopes and dreams. lies with balancing And so, I leave them open dreams and reality. to interpretation. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Photofeature_Samsul Alam Helal_Studio December 12_01.indd 141 13-05-2013 21:44:25 Want your photographs showcased? Send in your photographs to The Editor, Better Photography, Network18 Publishing, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W) Mumbai-400 028, India Email: Yo u r Pictures [email protected] 144 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Your Pictures_June 13.indd 144 13-05-2013 21:57:45 145 Twists and Turns Anant Aggarwal, Dehradun “The tendril knotted up in twists and the tiny water droplets came together to form a striking frame. I grabbed the opportunity and made this photo.” A Play of Light Camera: Nikon D90 and Shadow Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Hemant Dixit, Chennai 18–105mm f/3.5-5.6 G “As I observed this scene ED VR during a sunny day, Aperture: f/9 I noticed how the leaves Shutterspeed: 1/125sec were creating a lovely ISO: 400 contrast of light and shadow. I made a tight crop and shot this image.” Camera: Nikon D5000 Aperture: f/11 Shutterspeed: 1/160sec ISO: 200 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Your Pictures_June 13.indd 145 13-05-2013 21:57:49 YOUR PICTURES Veins of Nature Jaya Kumar, Chennai “If you observe a leaf closely, you will notice scores of veins running beautifully through it. I decided to frame this natural beauty by going in close and by using the onboard flash to illuminate the subject.” Camera: Nikon D90 Aperture: f/22 Shutterspeed: 1/125sec ISO: 100 146 The Maze Samten Kabo, Kalimpong “The formation of these leaves reminded me of the weaves in a basket. The scattering of shadows added a wonderful tonality to the frame.” Camera: Nikon D80 Lens: Tamron AF 70–300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Aperture: f/5.6 Shutterspeed: 1/200sec ISO: 200 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Your Pictures_June 13.indd 146 13-05-2013 21:58:02 Monochrome Beauty Rahul Jain, Agra “Nature is bursting with colours, yet it has its sombre moments too. The entire frame is green in colour, yet because of the varying tones, the plant manages to stand out.” 147 Camera: Nikon D3000 Aperture: f/5.6 Shutterspeed: 1/250sec ISO: 200 Mellow Yellow Vishwanath Birje, Mumbai “This photo was shot at Maharashtra Nature Park, Mumbai. The combination of the bright yellow leaves with the subtle green background made for a striking frame.” Camera: Canon EOS 1000D Lens: Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro Aperture: f/6.3 Shutterspeed: 1/100sec ISO: 200 JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Your Pictures_June 13.indd 147 13-05-2013 21:58:07 Provide a caption for this picture, photographed by Ravi Shankar Dutta, to get a chance to win Camelion batteries and charger worth Rs. 1455. The selected entry will be published in the July 2013 issue of Better Photography. WIN! Last month’s winning entry “This is the best way to hold a camera!” — Juzer Kalangi, via SMS 217 CAPTION THIS! Send your captions to E-mail: [email protected], or SMS “BP Jun BLOG OF THE MONTH DID YOU KNOW? Learning the Law Photographers Gave Subjects Opium In today’s day and age, learning about the laws and the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Copyright to Sit Still. regulations that govern the world are very important & Trademark Policies of Pinterest. However, she During the early for photographers. Sometimes we might just make simplifies the legal jargon in a way that can be stages of photography, a mistake unwittingly. The Law Tog is a great blog to understood by a layman. This blog is a must-visit for exposure time used to keep photographers updated with the various laws every photographer to keep themselves updated. span minutes, making and regulations. portriat photography The blog has been started by Rachel Brenke, a difficult. Even the photographer, lawyer, business consultant and social slightest movement by media marketing strategist from El Paso, Texas. the subjects would result Through the blog, she puts out extensive blog posts in an unsightly blur in about the legalities behind photography, Q&As with the final photograph. readers and even photography tips. Her posts are Wikimedia Commons Source: To combat this, timely, and the blog is updated on a daily basis. photographers came up with several solutions She even has a free eBook called Legal Lens, which like clamps that would attach to the back of their one can download from her blog. subjects heads to keep them still. An interesting The amount of learning you can gain from this method was to give subjects opium. It would free blog is immense. For instance, one of Rachel’s latest the subjects from being conscious of the camera, posts called Understanding the Terms and Policies and a photographer could make their images with of Pinterest and What it Means to Photogs lists out www.thelawtog.com relative ease. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Photofinish_June 13.indd 217 14-05-2013 19:11:27 MARKET SENSE 218 Illustration: Uttam Kumar Illustration: eBook Publishing Made Easy For Photographers Ever considered publishing an eBook on photography? Ketan Kundargi tells you how to go about the process of publishing one easily and quickly. hotographers wanting to publish the internet-led democratisation of the their work are often scared of publishing industry, you can have a book Make sure that the challenges and costs one to your name with a few simple clicks of has to face. Not very long ago, a button. you have an Pthis would require a significant Simply put, an eBook or electronic book attractive cover investment of money and time and the is a digital cousin of the traditional printed that immediately backing and approval of a publisher. book. You can view them on almost every grabs the This would result in many photographers device with internet access. You could handing over the ownership of these be reading one from the comfort of your attention of images to the publishers or simply desktop computer or carry an entire the reader. forfeiting their project. But today, with library packed in your smartphone. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Market sense_june_ 13.indd 218 14-05-2013 19:10:07 MARKET SENSE Choose a What Book Can I Make? bookshelves. While the PDF file can stand platform which If you thought being a photographer on its own and can still be read, it does not lets you decide meant you can only bring out a photobook, display well on digital readers. the price of think again! Photographers around the If you want to put the book on the world are being innovative. Instead of a Kindle store, Amazon offers a free the book. photobook, you can publish your thoughts software called Kindlegen to convert it to on the nuances of photography. From a the required format. On the other hand, simple book on the basics of composition Calibre is a free software that will allow to a specialised one on how to sell your you to convert your Word document into photographs, you can ePublish a book on the EPUB format. For a small fee, you can just about everything. publish this final version on these virtual If you want to stick to a photobook, you stands for your readers to download. can still experiment. Instead of publishing your usual work, make a book of behind the What Do I Do With My eBook? scenes of a shoot or your cellphone work. Writing an eBook is only one half of the job. With eBooks, there is a huge and diverse The second and often the more different market. So do not shy away from bringing bit involves marketing the book. And out something completely new. more importantly, marketing it to the right audience. If you want to simply showcase How To Make One? your body of work, you should distribute Putting together an eBook is very simple. the book through multiple channels rather While there is a fair amount of coding than simply putting it up on your website. involved, most of it is handled by various You can always direct the readers to your software. When printing a photobook, you website through it. can use Adobe Lightroom which comes with While selling books will help you earn 219 its own Book module. Select the images, money, there is more to publishing a book adjust the size, add some text and your than just that. A photography eBook is a book is ready. A textual book is even easier! unique way to showcase your work. Instead Yo u can write the book as a simple Microsoft of lugging around with a portfolio or Word document. Select a font and add some emailing individual images, your can simply images before you publish it as a PDF book. send your clients an eBook of your work. And what’s more? You can make multiple Where Do I Publish It? eBooks of different bodies of work at a very Did you know that 90% of all eBooks are reasonable cost. read on Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iOS The eBook market is still new and devices and the Barnes & Noble Nook? continously evolving. More readers today While the latter two use a standard EPUB are opting for eBooks. Since the costs format, the Kindle uses its own proprietary involved are minimal, you can publish format. You need to convert your PDF niche, personal projects that may otherwise file into either of these formats before not make monetary sense. For all you know, you decide to submit your book on these it might just be the next big bestseller. Five Free Photography eBooks You Must Read Ultimate Field Guide Photojournalism, Lighting 101 by Overcome Your Fear 2013 Photo Business to Photography by Technology and Ethics David Hobby of Shooting Street Plan Workbook National Geographic by Scott Baradell A very simple guide Photography by by PhotoShelter Beginners guide to A perspective on to master the use of Eric Kim Tips and tricks for understand basics what’s happening to a flashgun on and off 31 days exercise to an effective photo of photography. photojournalism. the camera. shoot with ease. business in 2013. JUNE 2013 BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY Market sense_june_ 13.indd 219 14-05-2013 19:10:10 220 Photograph by: Charles O’Rear The Most Viewed Image Ever Image Source: eports suggest that till date over a billion people from all over the world Wikimedia Commons have seen this image. It is the default desktop wallpaper for the Windows XP computer operating system. And yet, never for a moment did the former National Geographic photographer, Charles O’Rear think that this would DID YOU KNOW? become one of the most recognised photos on the planet. Titled Bliss, Rthe image looks so serene and perfect, that most people assume it is a digital painting. Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby Shot However, it is indeed a photograph with no manipulation at all. the Same View a Decade Later Now 69, O’Rear was driving down the road in 1996 to his girlfriend’s house from Napa, California when he made this image. Struck by the greens of the grass, the white clouds and the perfectly blue California sky, he pulled over and immediately took out his camera. He said,“I drove the same route between Napa and San Francisco a couple of times a week earlier, but this was January, when the grass is the most brilliant green, so I jumped out and took a couple of shots and then carried on my way.” However, all he wanted to do was document the wine-making process in the Napa Valley. Charles O’Rear was not very hopeful about the image after he made it. He thought it was just another ordinary shot. But after a few days, he was informed by his photo agency, Simon Goldin Source: Wikimedia Commons Source: Corbis, that Microsoft had chosen this image to be the default desktop screen of the then Goldin and Senneby located the exact spot from new Windows XP system. The amount Microsoft paid for the image is still unknown but where O’Rear made Bliss and rephotographed it. it was the second costliest image till that date. Since then, several photographers have The view looks disappointingly dreary now. attempted to recreate the image at multiple locations across the world. BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2013 Stoy Behind the Picture_Bliss_June-13.indd 220 14-05-2013 18:56:44 RNI No: 66339 / 1997 222 Back Cover_June 13_Stand.indd 222 14-05-2013 15:06:43