Brainfeed talks with trained writer and photographer Astha Singh, certified in Cinematography and Film/Video Production from Utrecht University, who shares some incredible insights into the art of creating photographs from scratch.
Starting as a Literature student, how was your transition to Photography?
Whenever I read a story, I start imagining the whole scene and that made me create photographs. Clicking a picture isn’t photography, but making/creating a picture is photography. When I say creating a picture, I believe that a picture should have one or several perspectives about it. My search for meaning in daily incidents has helped me see art in the beauty of everyday realities.
From your experience, what makes a good picture?
When we talk about commercial photography, there might be many specifications like angle and gear precision (camera) or even post-processing (editing). But, when we talk about art, nothing is amateur. Art can never be judged, but can be appreciated always. Each photograph is the product of an artist’s vision, the individuality of which should always be respected.
Photography is never about expensive cameras or equipment but the photographic vision.
What was your experience from the photowalk?
This part was most interesting during my tenure at National Institute of Photography, Mumbai. Thanks to the photowalk, we came across many colonial buildings rarely seen in Mumbai but found in Colaba. We exchanged thoughts, ideas and knowledge, and clicked some amazing photos of objects with significant history behind it.
Please share a few intriguing techniques about photography.
Playing with lights in photography is always intriguing and fun– take a chart paper and drew horizontal lines all over the paper and cut out the lines alternatively, leaving one uncut. Place it on a window from where direct sunlight comes, preferably around 15:00-17:00, and capture your subject. The picture below shows my experiment.
You can create an ocean effect by placing blue transparent polythene in front of a study lamp or your mobile phone torch or a regular torch and then see the blue light it emits. You can try it with different coloured polythene, like red, yellow and green. Now check this out with a CD or DVD using its shiny surface and reflecting light on that surface will create a rainbow effect.
What is the future scope(s) of photographers in India?
Right now, the scope of photography is great in the commercial world. Owing to the large-scale digitalisation, photography’s scope is bound to increase in future.
Any advice to our young readers who are willing to make a career out of photography?
Photography is never about expensive cameras or equipment but the photographic vision. A normal smart phone will do great photography if only you have the vision for it. There so many mobile photographers prospering in their careers. If you ever want to pursue y photography, start from the basic cameras and try to earn. And then save money and buy yourself whichever camera or lens you want to. I’m still using a very basic camera but I try to enhance my pictures through editing and of course with practice.
