Mind bender: The Dabboo Ratnani syndrom

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).