Camera in car, phone in pocket: It was a shot in the dark

When I was assigned to do a follow-up of the fatal bus accident in Dubai that took 17 lives, the first thing that came to my mind was to be respectful of the dead and their family. As a news photographer, it is essential to not get emotionally involved with the scene. While this may seem hard, especially for a story as sensitive as this, it’s crucial.

We had been informed, by unofficial sources, that the mortal remains would be arriving at the Sonapur embalming centre, but no one knew the exact time.

I rescheduled all my assignments for the day and headed to the spot, arriving much before other journalists and social workers arrived. The security guards took notice of me, walking around holding my camera bag, and started following my movements. I realised I needed to blend in. I quickly returned to my car and tossed the camera bag inside. I would have to rely on my smartphone for this assignment. In situations such as these, it is capturing the moment that matters, not the equipment.

After hours of waiting, I received information that remains of three victims would be arriving at the venue. Soon, several social workers gathered at the rear entrance to receive the remains. I kept my phone camera ready and prepared to shoot blind. I couldn’t let anyone spot me taking photos with my phone. Placing the device in my shirt pocket, I mingled with the crowd. As soon as the ambulance arrived, I elbowed my way to the front of the crowd and tried to get a decent shot.

A few minutes later I received word that Vipul, the consul general of India to the UAE, was at the venue and was going to issue a statement. On any other occasion, this would have been handled by the reporter on the spot. Unfortunately, my colleagues hadn’t reached the venue by then, so I was the only eyes and ears our newspaper had at the venue. I rushed to the front gate to catch the consul general just in time.

A few hours later, I noticed a large number of people entering the embalming center. I blended in again as the crowd paid their last respects to the victims, even as the embalming centre staff got to work. I was the only photographer inside. Taking a few highangle shots I quietly made my way out of the venue and walked to my car.