NOT PICTURE PERFECT: WHY COVID-19 IS BAD NEWS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

It is well-known that the only prerequisite for photographers is that they always have to be on the move. But ever since the lockdown started, photographers, like other professionals, have been confined to their homes. And although this turned out to be a much-needed break, their professional requirements have raised doubts over their safety and health.

Aditya Mahagaonkar, founder of Whatknot Photography, says that while things are getting back to the slightly better conditions, the future is not looking good. “It has turned out to be extremely dangerous. I understand that you may step out fully covered and protected, but the experience and the freedom of walking around the place will not be the same, and this experience is precious,” adds Sooraj Pilliai, who works as a freelance photographer.

Yet slowly, circumstances are forcing everyone to get back on track. “When on a shoot, we make sure the team size is small and has taken all precautions. Masks, gloves and sanitisers in their pockets have become a norm. Between two shoots, we make sure there is a 15-day gap so that we can quarantine ourselves,” says Mahagaonkar.

Soniya Dembla, director of The Camera Crew, says, “Risk can never be eradicated completely, but we can do our utmost best to minimise it. Cautionary measures have been adopted in our day to day work and will continue to persist even after the pandemic.” She adds that during the post-production, they are trying to minimise physical interaction. “We are encouraging our photographers to work from home. For our photographers and cinematographers going for shoots, use of sanitisers, gloves and masks has been integrated,” she says.

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