Frozen frames: Revisiting those photo ops
At a department function recently, I and am my seniors were felicitating the chief guest on stage. He accepted the memento and we froze in that moment — when you expect to be inmortalised in the chain of events — also known as a photograph. This is the moment when everyone smiles and the camera flashes.
Except, in this case, we stood like that for an eternity, for there was no photographer clicking the picture. To my horror, I saw the photographer sitting lazily, chatting with a friend, oblivious to the happenings on the stage. He realised his folly when someone shouted for him. Then, he came running towards the stage and unfroze us from the frigid posture. This had me thinking on the moments that are the crowning glory of every event and must be photographed.
The first is the time when the guest arrives and is garlanded with fresh flowers or is proffered a bouquet. The second must-photograph moment is when the programme ends and a token of appreciation is presented; this also marks the successful culmination of the event.
The presence of a photographer at these precise moments is the most important part of any function. To be photographed along with the chief guest adds a feather to your cap. Such a picture becomes a memorabilia to be added to your exquisite collection, titled ‘My day with the VIPS’.
A few years ago, at the inauguration of the district-level livestock fair, the lady MLA refused to cut the ribbon because the photographer was missing. He was at an adjacent building, also being simultaneously inaugurated. A traffic jam delayed his arrival by a few minutes, causing a lot of fretting and fuming on the part of important lady, who took it as an insult. We were severely reprimanded for our poor public relations.
Once the photographs are clicked, tracking the photographer to secure the valuable prints is also a matter of great importance. Very often, he slips out of the venue the moment his work is done. So, chasing him and taking his number and address is another must-do to be added to your list of tasks.
As I went about this task, I once enquired from a photographer the suitable time to visit his shop. The reply was in pure Punjabi, “Kal Aaeyo, (Come tomorrow).” I heard this with an elongated L as, “Kale Aaeyo, (Come alone), and I replied that he did not need to emphasise that I will not come along with my family.
My answer evoked a momentary silence, before his teenaged son, standing alongside him, burst into a guffaw at the confusion. I was embarrassed at the folly and mumbled something inaudible, before making a hasty exit.
I did get those photographs, but I learnt my lesson. It is important to be attentive during conversations and choosing words carefully before replying. Since the incident, I have avoided asking that question.
A FEW YEARS AGO, AT THE INAUGURATION OF A DISTRICTLEVEL LIVESTOCK FAIR, THE LADY MLA REFUSED TO CUT THE RIBBON BECAUSE THE PHOTOGRAPHER WAS MISSING