Pictures Speak Volumes Updated on: Aug 1, 2011 Shiksha ExternalAuthors 18 Views New Delhi, June 9 - Narendra Gudavalli, executive cameraperson, NDTV, talks about his experience in the news industry where he has covered a host of historical events from demolition of the Babri Masjid to the loss of lives in the Afghanisatan war and from carnage of Gujarat riots to the running of terrorists' training camps in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. When it comes to TV reporting a reporter takes away the credit of the story most of the time and it is believed that only a reporter is responsible for the entire package. That's not true. Pictures speak volumes about stories. In television, visuals are more important than words. It's the job which a cameraperson chooses consciously. I always wanted to stay behind the camera and I enjoy that. I can handle the camera well; the camera listens to me. Is the job quite strenuous? Some camerapersons complain that it's too demanding and one can't run around so much after the age of 45. What do you Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. think? It all depends on your attitude towards the job. I am 52 and still prefer to go out for stories than doing a desk job at the studio. I even got an offer to work in office, to which I said no. What does one need to be a success in the profession? One has to take a (keen) interest in the job. That makes your work simpler. You should know which politician will use which gate to come out of Parliament and accordingly you can do the shoots. As a reporter does most of the talking and s/he ends up building contacts and his/her network grows wider. A cameraperson doesn't make many friends and normally lurks in the shadows? How true is this? Well, it depends how you perform your job. You must talk to people and add that extra bit in your job. If you work only as a typical cameraperson then you may lose out. You have to behave like a reporter. Many a times, when the beat reporter is not around, I am asked for the contacts of press secretaries etc, which I normally have. Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. What advice do you want to give to the aspiring video journalists? The profession is good but you can't find the best job initially. You must prove yourself before that. It's not easy at all. You have to cover riots, go to Kashmir, and cover wars. We only cover extraordinary events. I was sent to Afghanistan (post 9/11) at a short notice of less than 24 hours for two months. There is a lot of travel involved. In the last year itself, I went to Afghanistan thrice. When you travel, there is always a possibility to do better and find new stories. Among all journalists you have worked, who did you enjoy working with the most? I have worked with Barkha Dutt, Rajdeep Sardesai and Arnab Goswami. All of them are hard working people and would never say ‘I am relaxing in the hotel, you go out and shoot'. Author: Vimal Chander Joshi (HT Horizons) Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020. Date: 10th June, 2010 For further details about related courses and colleges please click below: Related courses and colleges Disclaimer: This PDF is auto-generated based on the information available on Shiksha as on 04-Jun-2020..