SEE CHANGE
Continued from Page 1
The only difference is that earlier the shared memories were confined to close social groups like a family, a gully or a
mohalla. Hand in glove with this explosion of cameras is the social media revolution which has given a global platform to these social interactions. This trend has disrupted a few centuries-old discipline of photographic language that was formed with masters toiling away with the visual form, the camera format, and its dissemination. Today technology has taken away all that inner and outer struggle by making the production, editing and dissemination of an image a matter of a few seconds. Hence, a language understood and restricted to a few has become mainstream today. When a niche language becomes popular, the grammar simplifies and the vocabulary increases. I would call it a transition in the way we have traditionally seen and viewed pictures and the way we do it now.”
HANDY, POWERFUL TOOL
While professional photographers have always preferred their cameras, enthusiastic amateurs found cellphone photography simple, easy and self-gratifying. It allowed them the convenience and freedom to photograph anything, anywhere, anytime. The visual language of mobile photography is more easy chatter than serious talk. But the cellphone is also a powerful, handy device with the calibre to be a tool for high quality photography.
“A good frame is in the eye of the photographer and the device just supports in capturing it as he has visualised. These days, phone cameras pack a serious punch,” says Sankara Subramanian C., travel evangelist who blogs at Be On The Road (www.beontheroad.com). “The double lenses allow them to capture more detail and give you that DSLR-like bokeh or background blur. Then, the sensor is so advanced that it can effectively work in very low light without sacrificing quality. You can even adjust exposure manually in some models. In simple terms, DSLRlike functionality without all the heavy gear. I have been slowly making the switch from my DSLR to my phone as I get fabulous quality and it is a camera that sits comfortably in my pocket.” Om Routray, who blogs at
theyoungbigmouth.com, prefers to see the mobile more as an integrated device than a casual device. “It’s also less intrusive, so it can capture what many DSLR cameras can’t,” he says, adding, “Photography is not all about pixels, it is also about stories and composition. A good photographer with an average device would still take better photos than a bad photographer with an amazing professional camera. And, then, you should look at the winners at Mobile Photography Awards, it will change a few ideas we have.”
To a serious practitioner of visual art or storytelling, every device is a serious device, believes Prashanth. “Cellphones today cover war, news, shoot commercials, as well as disseminate the images back to an audience,” he says, adding, “They are preproduction, production, post-production and dissemination devices all in one go! To someone who knows how to utilise the device in the photography space, it has been a complete rethinking of his/her photography workflow.”
VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Cellphone photography might be capable of fine speech, but what it speaks most often is inane chatter. For those passionate about photography, the tsunami of selfies and random clicks bear no link to art. “Can we really call them photographs?” asks Amit Mehra, documentary and fine art photographer whose new book Roznaama is India’s first photo book shot on iPhone. “To me these are visual references of our meetings, events, how we celebrate, travel, holiday… They can’t be included in the category of photographs. Communication has taken a whole new leap. What used to be shared earlier with others via text or SMS on mobile is now being done visually. For the rest of the world it can be called photography, but for those who understand the language of photography, who are sensitive to its grammar and alphabet, it does not rate a serious standing. For me it’s a mode of visual communication. The package of camera plus social media has fuelled its popularity. The key note is sharing. If the element of sharing were removed, the excitement of this so called photography would take an immediate hit. Instant sharing gives a kick to mobile photography. Now even photographs are taking a backseat with people sharing video footage. That is more exciting, in terms of evidence it has more
Mobile photography is inherently compulsive and habit forming as there is no entry barrier either for price point or creative challenges — N. PRASAD, blogger (desitraveler.com)