The meeting ultimately happened after a one and half month long wait and ever lingering email & sms communication. Pardon my omission of context which is because of my over excitement. I started this communication when it struck me that what if I apply to all the legendary photographers in Bombay and other cities to work as their assistant three months back, and I believed that atleast, one of them will reply to me. Surprisingly, it worked and Jatin kampani and Dabboo Ratnani replied back. I was thrilled to see this and took no time to reply to Mr. Dabboo Ratnani , because Jatin Kampni reverted back tome, stating that he is unable to accommodate me right now and suggested to me to apply early next year (2010).
I reached Bandra to meet the the Indian legend of glamour and fashion photography. It couldn't be anything more for me that the big daddy himself gonna see me. The meeting only went 15 minutes long and what I summed up from that is, its not my cup of tea. Reasons being: I will not be remunerated as long as I am a trainee under him and he thinks so. Also the the odd working hours (which I don't have problems with if I am in Calcutta) which is a problem in Bombay. I however, did not let them know my intention at the first place. I waited for the call of the test shoot. No calls from them, till today.
Unto this point, one can think that I am heart broken and now going to start venting my soiled grease of experience here. Actually I am not going to do anything like that. Rather I will always be thankful to Mr. Ratnani, that he was all along honest to me, and encouraged me to reconsider my options, since I am more interested in Product, table top and creative studio portraits. He was keen on the point that if I am sure that whether I am ok about no remuneration and the extreme work pressure. Figuratively speaking, I was 50% sure of what I am going to do. I still did not understand a simple thing, that how come he is not going to remunerate me and accept my service. Though a strong point was made by Mrs. Ratnani, that working as an assistant to Mr. Ratnani is a learning experience (I also agree with this). Reason for not calling me after the appointment can be anything; but what comes to mind first is, I don't fit their bill. I realised a simple equation of the industry, the more experienced and famous you are, the less remuneration you can offer to your assistants. Awesome equation ain't it!
I decided to take a step backward and return to Calcutta, where a senior commercial photographer had already offered me a job as an assistant to him. Its a paid job, however, not a bang-bang boom-boom kinda thing that you are thinking. Better than nothing atleast. I wouldnt have imagined it this way. It is very important for us to atleast do whatever we feel like, atleast once, so that we don't regret later for not having the courage of attempting something. The way I see my career is a long straight line where I put the posts and others hang banners, lights, and other decorations on the way. So, I really don't feel intimidated by the weired ways that my life tries to drives me along, because I always owns the right of those posts and can also charge rent to those who use them. I though sometimes feel sad that how come I couldn't realise my own self a little earlier. I have seen a new phase of my life coming right through my needs. A necessity for some more learning and work more on my skills. Diversification is necessary and I always did that to bring a touch of variation in my platters. However, now I think is the time to concentrate on my specialisations. Variation can do some amount of trick to my work, however, not the wonder that one expects to see. No photographer can do good in all the segments of the big umbrella. I now need to choose one from my own platter and polish it. Choosing one door amongst many closed doors is very difficult, however, choosing one from many open doors is more difficult. It is because you can see all the doors' inside and can not decide what pleases you most and what will be more suitable for you to please your self in the long run. I think the best way to decide is to see that how far you can see through one door and then if you are able to understand this, then taking decision is a lot easier. I did the same. Life is not readymade by God, it is us who have to build it. I need to build the next staircases of climbing to the next level. That will not be very easy, but I know how to do it and knowing your way through the life is more important than actually building it and then come to know that you did it all wrong.
May be I have spoken much today, but I think that is what I am here for. However, still I need to stop, because now it is going to be repetitive. There are many things I am going to write about from the Bombay trip. I felt a need to bring those to everyone's notice. It will take time, but will be served slowly. So keep eating, err, reading (sorry).
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Driving my lightbox crazy in Bombay
I stepped at Dadar station, Bombay (yes you are right, I am old school and I prefer to call it Bombay but not Mumbai) on 13th of October. It was 6:50 in the morning and the roads were suspiciously clean and free from the maddening crowd of Bombay. I reached my destination within 15 minutes in taxi, which usually takes more than 20-25 minutes by handling the traffic and other crazy issues. It was the Maharastra Govt. who earned the credit of keeping the roads clean for my arrival on the assembly election day. They declared the polling day a holiday to raise the voting rates of Mumbaikars (had to use, because Bombaikars is not in use anymore). Later in the evening I dropped at Dadar station and decided to take a ride of Bombay trains for some experience. The assembly polls were balloted that day and I was not hoping to cruise through the city smoothly. My experience of living in Calcutta for 21 years tells me something else which is not at all familiar to the election day experience of Bombay.
As soon as I reached Bombay, I have pinned the spots down and then I wanted some exclusive photos for my collection. Add to my pleasure was Jamil's casting for my outdoor model shoot. He is the model whom I can hire any day and even on the days when I don't need a model for a shoot. I think some people are born artist and Jamil is one of them. His expressive and outlandish thought process underpins my work. He always understands the architecture of the theme and provides the exact substance of drama required. We took two days to shoot some outdoor shots near Victoria Terminus, Gateway of India and Hajiali Darga. I tasted a different flavour on the streets than Calcutta and the snoozing hours of the city gave me a delight to see the speeding lights and dins around me. I roamed like a nomad and never was worried about the crowd who would spot me as a traveler and come questioning about what I am doing by sitting on the road and looking through the viewfinder of the camera for hours; nor they asked Jamil while he sat on the pavement beside the traffic signal near Victoria Terminus to pose for me. It is simple, people don't have time to even ask you your name.
The life in Bombay is not very easy but still its very popular and in high demands. People from different metros are dying to get settled here and youngsters are not ready to forgo any stance to pin their feet in Bombay. I was surprised to see that how comfortable people are traveling by a overcrowded train and never complaint about the inconvenience the congestion causes, and still the local trains are the easiest and fastest way of communication. Everyone is busy and every other person in Bombay is earning atleast a dime a day to survive. No one is sitting idle, actually you can not if you want to stay here. I have heard all these facts about Bombay from many, however, dint notice all these even when I was in Bombay, 8 years back. The pensive culture of Calcutta and rowdy crest of Delhi is a far off thing in Bombay. You can find anything if you know where to look for. You need to act fast if you are on the streets. No one will wait for you. Buses will not halt even if you stand in front of them to make them an unusual stop to get aboard. Even a minutes change in schedule will cause you a half an hour delay.
This is not an advertisement feature of how many ways the city is better than its counterparts. This is an account of what I have felt so far and I think a metro city should be like this. I don't crave to come and settle here, however, given an opportunity to choose between cities in India, I will any day & anytime choose Bombay for my work, and Calcutta for my living. There are issues about security and finance, and those will not fall off your back unless you are secured enough to put your roots here.
The photo shoots were not easy and I had to use my tricks to get some good captures. I bought a new tripod, since my old one is broken now. I used my new warm reflector and sigma lens to create some nice night shots. finding a good spot is not easy enough and also achieving the perfect shot is challenging. Night photography is a different flavour altogether and also requires whole lot of preparation to reach the goal. I have seen some photos on the i-net in some photographer's profile and since then I was determined to shoot something like that. I tried my level best and now it is upto my viewers to judge whether it met the standards or not. I will post the photos in my website as well as on my FB fan page later this month. I have also met the Indian legend of glamour photography, Mr. Dabboo Ratnani to talk about the prospects of assisting him in his work. Submitted my profile and still waiting for his call. However, that's a different story altogether.
As soon as I reached Bombay, I have pinned the spots down and then I wanted some exclusive photos for my collection. Add to my pleasure was Jamil's casting for my outdoor model shoot. He is the model whom I can hire any day and even on the days when I don't need a model for a shoot. I think some people are born artist and Jamil is one of them. His expressive and outlandish thought process underpins my work. He always understands the architecture of the theme and provides the exact substance of drama required. We took two days to shoot some outdoor shots near Victoria Terminus, Gateway of India and Hajiali Darga. I tasted a different flavour on the streets than Calcutta and the snoozing hours of the city gave me a delight to see the speeding lights and dins around me. I roamed like a nomad and never was worried about the crowd who would spot me as a traveler and come questioning about what I am doing by sitting on the road and looking through the viewfinder of the camera for hours; nor they asked Jamil while he sat on the pavement beside the traffic signal near Victoria Terminus to pose for me. It is simple, people don't have time to even ask you your name.
The life in Bombay is not very easy but still its very popular and in high demands. People from different metros are dying to get settled here and youngsters are not ready to forgo any stance to pin their feet in Bombay. I was surprised to see that how comfortable people are traveling by a overcrowded train and never complaint about the inconvenience the congestion causes, and still the local trains are the easiest and fastest way of communication. Everyone is busy and every other person in Bombay is earning atleast a dime a day to survive. No one is sitting idle, actually you can not if you want to stay here. I have heard all these facts about Bombay from many, however, dint notice all these even when I was in Bombay, 8 years back. The pensive culture of Calcutta and rowdy crest of Delhi is a far off thing in Bombay. You can find anything if you know where to look for. You need to act fast if you are on the streets. No one will wait for you. Buses will not halt even if you stand in front of them to make them an unusual stop to get aboard. Even a minutes change in schedule will cause you a half an hour delay.
This is not an advertisement feature of how many ways the city is better than its counterparts. This is an account of what I have felt so far and I think a metro city should be like this. I don't crave to come and settle here, however, given an opportunity to choose between cities in India, I will any day & anytime choose Bombay for my work, and Calcutta for my living. There are issues about security and finance, and those will not fall off your back unless you are secured enough to put your roots here.
The photo shoots were not easy and I had to use my tricks to get some good captures. I bought a new tripod, since my old one is broken now. I used my new warm reflector and sigma lens to create some nice night shots. finding a good spot is not easy enough and also achieving the perfect shot is challenging. Night photography is a different flavour altogether and also requires whole lot of preparation to reach the goal. I have seen some photos on the i-net in some photographer's profile and since then I was determined to shoot something like that. I tried my level best and now it is upto my viewers to judge whether it met the standards or not. I will post the photos in my website as well as on my FB fan page later this month. I have also met the Indian legend of glamour photography, Mr. Dabboo Ratnani to talk about the prospects of assisting him in his work. Submitted my profile and still waiting for his call. However, that's a different story altogether.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Lightbox: A new chapter of my life
This is the first time I am using a blog application so vividly to get my voice heard throuhout my circle. I never use to opinionate so loudly and this is who I am now, voice box! No I dont think so. I expressions are more efficient and sophisticated through my photos. So I am a visionador or a light box and this is how account starts here on.
Its not long that I am writing on another blog in my website and it was quite good till I realised that it was not worth spending time over there for it and was not even spreading my words for the crowd and no one notices a unknown man unless you create a noise over the top. It’s been a long time that I didnt care at all to write for my own feelings and its since 2005 that I stopped writing. However, before I start, I should wish all of my site visitors a warm Bijoya greetings and prosperity for their coming year.
I stopped writing because I was then saturated with same ideas and feelings. It happens with all of us at some point of time in our lives, when we think only of ourselves, have one track mind and flimsy thoughts occupy our dreams. So, I took a break and believe me till today it never occured to me that I should write something about my own feelings. Also my mind never pushed me actually to write and I only opinionated and pondered over series of consequence of my life. Last few years was a topy-turvy ride for me. I switched jobs, shifted industries and even shifted my discipline of study. I still couldnt decide what's best for me and always listen to everyone but myself. Then came the time when I actually was courageous enough to choose my dream over my mind. I decided to be what I am, an artist. I chose the way of expressing through my photographs.
I spoke a lot and you think I spoke rubbish, dont you? I hope I could give you something to cling to this blog, so that you come back again to read more. I have seen many a things from a different perspective and that's also for the first time of my life.I never knew they existed or they deserve some of my attention, our attention more precisely. I have been living in Kolkata for 21 years and never knew my city has so much to offer. There are so many things there, that we dont even notice and we pass by them every day till the last day we spend around them. My existence spoke to me when I realised that I am missing out the best part of me. I took up photography. The result is Hollowman. I have never been to many places where a calcuttan should be. After I started taking classes I discovered many new things from my old. This is what photography means to me, an unexplored road to reality. This is who I am, a newborn out of the queen's paradise, Calcutta. I am not done speaking and will be doing it till the last day of my consciousness, either through photographs or words.
I was full hands during Durga puja and also busy shooting the festival fanfare at its best. This year puja was the second in line after I seriously took up photography. I was amazed to see that I have changed a lot in many ways. Not rigid and not liberal. Now that is very confusing. They are mutually contradicting. What I meant is, I am no more rigid about using various ISO levels and not liberal in compositions. Did it help you? If not then I think I should explain some more. Previously I use to break lots of rules of compositions to get my desired shots, later I discovered that people dont actually like that as a photograph and later I discovered more, I personally didnt like them after some time. Now I am more rigid about compositional rules and occasionally breaking them as well. Increasing ISO levels were a no no for me. I use to shoot only in ISO-100 and nothing more than that. It use to give me headache. Now I shoot even in ISO-800. Now it gives me pleasure to control grains by other means (not the softwares I am talking about). I think I am now matured in photography by one year.
Now some information about my coming assignments, I will be keeping busy for next three months for various assignments. I will also be setting up few schedules for TFCD shoots during November. Anyone interested can contact me. I need make-up artist, models (both female & male), wardrobe stylist and hair stylists. I will publish details in due time.
Till then, Take care and keep visiting.
P.S. The gallery section of my website has been modified and there are two new additions in the gallery. One for Jewelry designs and other is exclusively for Kolkata Durga Puja journal. Please visit them.
Its not long that I am writing on another blog in my website and it was quite good till I realised that it was not worth spending time over there for it and was not even spreading my words for the crowd and no one notices a unknown man unless you create a noise over the top. It’s been a long time that I didnt care at all to write for my own feelings and its since 2005 that I stopped writing. However, before I start, I should wish all of my site visitors a warm Bijoya greetings and prosperity for their coming year.
I stopped writing because I was then saturated with same ideas and feelings. It happens with all of us at some point of time in our lives, when we think only of ourselves, have one track mind and flimsy thoughts occupy our dreams. So, I took a break and believe me till today it never occured to me that I should write something about my own feelings. Also my mind never pushed me actually to write and I only opinionated and pondered over series of consequence of my life. Last few years was a topy-turvy ride for me. I switched jobs, shifted industries and even shifted my discipline of study. I still couldnt decide what's best for me and always listen to everyone but myself. Then came the time when I actually was courageous enough to choose my dream over my mind. I decided to be what I am, an artist. I chose the way of expressing through my photographs.
I spoke a lot and you think I spoke rubbish, dont you? I hope I could give you something to cling to this blog, so that you come back again to read more. I have seen many a things from a different perspective and that's also for the first time of my life.I never knew they existed or they deserve some of my attention, our attention more precisely. I have been living in Kolkata for 21 years and never knew my city has so much to offer. There are so many things there, that we dont even notice and we pass by them every day till the last day we spend around them. My existence spoke to me when I realised that I am missing out the best part of me. I took up photography. The result is Hollowman. I have never been to many places where a calcuttan should be. After I started taking classes I discovered many new things from my old. This is what photography means to me, an unexplored road to reality. This is who I am, a newborn out of the queen's paradise, Calcutta. I am not done speaking and will be doing it till the last day of my consciousness, either through photographs or words.
I was full hands during Durga puja and also busy shooting the festival fanfare at its best. This year puja was the second in line after I seriously took up photography. I was amazed to see that I have changed a lot in many ways. Not rigid and not liberal. Now that is very confusing. They are mutually contradicting. What I meant is, I am no more rigid about using various ISO levels and not liberal in compositions. Did it help you? If not then I think I should explain some more. Previously I use to break lots of rules of compositions to get my desired shots, later I discovered that people dont actually like that as a photograph and later I discovered more, I personally didnt like them after some time. Now I am more rigid about compositional rules and occasionally breaking them as well. Increasing ISO levels were a no no for me. I use to shoot only in ISO-100 and nothing more than that. It use to give me headache. Now I shoot even in ISO-800. Now it gives me pleasure to control grains by other means (not the softwares I am talking about). I think I am now matured in photography by one year.
Now some information about my coming assignments, I will be keeping busy for next three months for various assignments. I will also be setting up few schedules for TFCD shoots during November. Anyone interested can contact me. I need make-up artist, models (both female & male), wardrobe stylist and hair stylists. I will publish details in due time.
Till then, Take care and keep visiting.
P.S. The gallery section of my website has been modified and there are two new additions in the gallery. One for Jewelry designs and other is exclusively for Kolkata Durga Puja journal. Please visit them.
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