Year 2011 is coming to a close with 64 acceptances and a CM in PSA recognized and FIAP approved exhibitions and these are still counting. Had a trip for photography to Himachal Pradesh with Mr Jayanta Dutta, AIIPC. Got third Star from PJ Division and second Star from Photo Travel Division of PSA. But lost two valuable opportunities including one workshop is south India and a seminar in a neighbouring country due to personal reasons.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
European Architecture
European Architecture, a photo exhibition by Sanyam Bahga held at Punjab Kala Bhawan, Chandigarh from October 11 to 16 was unique in its own way. Sanyam is a student of Architecture and had made these images as a part of his project for the course. But what impressed me and other photographers here was the quality of his images. These appeared as if by a Travel Photographer shot at different places in Europe.
Secondly, he had shun the concept of bold frames for photographs. Here I had already been discussing with some of my photo-friends that the increasing trend of framing images for exhibitions either behind glass or laminate them adds to the total cost of the exhibition. And after the exhibition is over, one has to find a place to store these frames. Sanyam had used thin lining of black coloured plastic to cover the edges of the board on borders. His exhibition also added a point to our debate whether to use bold frames or not.
Secondly, he had shun the concept of bold frames for photographs. Here I had already been discussing with some of my photo-friends that the increasing trend of framing images for exhibitions either behind glass or laminate them adds to the total cost of the exhibition. And after the exhibition is over, one has to find a place to store these frames. Sanyam had used thin lining of black coloured plastic to cover the edges of the board on borders. His exhibition also added a point to our debate whether to use bold frames or not.
Invitations missed
During this year I have missed two important events concerning photography because of some unavoidable circumstances.
It was in July 2011 that I received a written communication from Mr Wimal Amaratunge, Executive Director of the National Association of Photographers – Sri Lanka inviting me to join the celebrations of the World Photography Day with them. They had been organizing World Photography Day for the last five years. They had offered return air fare and three nights stay in Colombo. I appreciate their gesture, but somehow I could not make it.
The second invitation is from my friend Mr T.S.Reddy, but I have already conveyed my inability to join him in the last week of December 2011.
His organisation is holding a mega event from December 22 to 25 in Andhra Pradesh. There will be a journey by boat from Rajahmundry to Khammam and a work shop.He has cosen me as one of the faculty members in this work shop. He has offered 2nd class rail tickets up and down and has written, “we will take care as a flower from step down to send off this place”. I know him very well and have no words to thank and appreciate his courtesy.
I am also expected to show my works as slide show and deliver guide lines concerning my field of interest to capturing better photos in future. He has also written that I should bring along 10 of my best pictures in the size of 12x15 for the exhibition.
But I am unable to make it during these dates as I have to perform a religious ritual concerning my dear aunt who has left for her heavenly abode in January this year.
It was in July 2011 that I received a written communication from Mr Wimal Amaratunge, Executive Director of the National Association of Photographers – Sri Lanka inviting me to join the celebrations of the World Photography Day with them. They had been organizing World Photography Day for the last five years. They had offered return air fare and three nights stay in Colombo. I appreciate their gesture, but somehow I could not make it.
The second invitation is from my friend Mr T.S.Reddy, but I have already conveyed my inability to join him in the last week of December 2011.
His organisation is holding a mega event from December 22 to 25 in Andhra Pradesh. There will be a journey by boat from Rajahmundry to Khammam and a work shop.He has cosen me as one of the faculty members in this work shop. He has offered 2nd class rail tickets up and down and has written, “we will take care as a flower from step down to send off this place”. I know him very well and have no words to thank and appreciate his courtesy.
I am also expected to show my works as slide show and deliver guide lines concerning my field of interest to capturing better photos in future. He has also written that I should bring along 10 of my best pictures in the size of 12x15 for the exhibition.
But I am unable to make it during these dates as I have to perform a religious ritual concerning my dear aunt who has left for her heavenly abode in January this year.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mr S. Thippeswamy
Today, the morning began with a phone call from well known nature photographer, Mr S. Thippeswamy. He had returned to his home town, Mysore, yesterday after receiving the coveted honour of FPSA at the annual conference of the Photographic Society of America. By getting this honour, he has joined a select class of photographers in the international circle of photography. I am proud of him. I had the opportunity to be his proposer.Thanks to the PSA for recognizing his contribution to photography.
I appreciate Mr Thippeswamy’s spirit with which he applied. His achievement should inspire many others.
During our conversation on phone this morning, he told me in detail about the honours ceremony and his interaction with some of the office bearers of the PSA, including the President and Chairman of Honours Committee. He appeared very excited and what added more to his pleasure was a felicitation ceremony by a local group of photographers awaiting him to honour this ace photographer the same evening for his significant achievement.
Only a few photographers in India have so far been awarded Fellowship of the Photographic Society of America.
I appreciate Mr Thippeswamy’s spirit with which he applied. His achievement should inspire many others.
During our conversation on phone this morning, he told me in detail about the honours ceremony and his interaction with some of the office bearers of the PSA, including the President and Chairman of Honours Committee. He appeared very excited and what added more to his pleasure was a felicitation ceremony by a local group of photographers awaiting him to honour this ace photographer the same evening for his significant achievement.
Only a few photographers in India have so far been awarded Fellowship of the Photographic Society of America.
Friday, October 7, 2011
DRISHTIKON 2011
An exhibition of photographs by two photo artists of Ludhiana in Punjab State, began today at the exhibition hall of Punjab Lalt Kala Academi in Chandigarh. It will continue up to October 10,2011.They are namely Ranjodh Singh and TPS Sandhu. Perhaps it’s the first time that I have seen their images in an exhibition.
Entitled as DRISHTIKON, they have termed it as an exhibition on Nature, but while going around the exhibition, I saw even those prints which do not fall under the ambit of this category. The good aspect of the exhibition is the huge size of prints, having maximum longer side of 44 inches. But the prints have high level of saturation of colours and these are a bit dark too thus suppressing some details in images. However, this might be an individual’s choice. Personal liking and disliking do matter, but when we make our exhibits public, it’s better to share these with widely prescribed norms. After seeing this exhibition, one realizes how much we learn by participation in exhibitions organized by prominent organizations.
Entitled as DRISHTIKON, they have termed it as an exhibition on Nature, but while going around the exhibition, I saw even those prints which do not fall under the ambit of this category. The good aspect of the exhibition is the huge size of prints, having maximum longer side of 44 inches. But the prints have high level of saturation of colours and these are a bit dark too thus suppressing some details in images. However, this might be an individual’s choice. Personal liking and disliking do matter, but when we make our exhibits public, it’s better to share these with widely prescribed norms. After seeing this exhibition, one realizes how much we learn by participation in exhibitions organized by prominent organizations.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Luminous Interval
An exhibition of photographs entitled as ‘Luminous Interval’ by Chandigarh based photographer Dinesh Verma was held in the gallery of India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in September 2011.He had exhibited some of the photographs of his recent visit to the USA.
The title of the exhibition seems to have been derived from the writings of the Greek philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis, who envisioned life as a "luminous interval" during which decomposition and decay are necessary prerequisites to creation and renewal.
This reminds me that when I had visited the USA in 1999 and had returned with a bag full of photographs, I too had held an exhibition the same year at Fine Arts Museum of Panjab University, Chandigarh. It was entitled as ‘US Kelidoscope’.
What interests me most in this exhibition by Dinesh Verma is that he is among the few who are going away from the home town to hold exhibitions of their works. It’s not that we do not have enthusiasts of photography in our city, Chandigarh, but some people prefer to hold exhibitions in the national capital with the hope to get wider impact.
Although I could not join Mr Dinesh at the inaugural function, I had the opportunity to see most of his images before their display for public viewing. His images were taken at some specific locations in the USA and thus reflected the cultural aspects, the land and the people. This was his second solo show as his first solo exhibition was based on images of flowers and it was held in Chandigarh. I hope to see more of the works of Mr Dinesh in days to come.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Gallery of Images of Nature
Today, I added a new gallery of 'Nature' to share my images of nature posted at my website http://www.subhash-sapru.com/
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Nature Photography
After having taken immense interest in photojournalism, travel photography and pictorial photography, I tried my hand for nature photography so that I also enter my images in exhibitions of this category.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Human Interest
Similar is the case of this pic of horses interacting with eachother.
Monday, September 26, 2011
New Groups
Two new groups of photo enthusiasts celebrated World Photography Day in Chandigarh, my home town, this year by organizing exhibitions of the works of their members and getting these inaugurated on this historic day. While Photo Artist Group of Chandigarh held the show at Punjab Kala Bhawan, the Chandigarh Fototography Club (CPC) had its show at the exhibition hall of Government Museum and Art Gallery. As I was invited by the CPC to share my experiences with its members, I made two Power Point presentations for the benefit of members of this new group on the last day of the three-day exhibition on August 21,2011.
These two exhibitions aptly reflected the keen interest the members of these groups are taking in the art of photography.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Image Analysis
I am delighted to complete the Image Analysis Course of the Photographic Society of America and enlisted among such graduates.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The ‘Wow’ Factor
Digital technology has brought revolutionary changes in photography, but the basic concept of this form of expression and art has remained unchanged. This revolution has come so fast and with such a manifestation that as compared to the days of conventional film cameras, today more people have a camera to aim and shoot images. This can be a camera in a cell phone or a compact pocket camera or the DSLR. And to add to it, photoshop or similar software offer a large number of tools to either enhance or alter images.
Globally, there are prescribed categories of images and each has rules whether to make alterations in photoshop or darkroom or not or only do cropping, straightening and sharpening that should look natural and no other alteration. Those who are not aware of such categories or those who do not enter images in exhibitions conducted by prominent photographic organisations, ignore these rules, knowingly or unknowingly. Perhaps they are unaware of these basic categories and rules and are following their own course.
The social networking sites that offer photo uploading facility provide ample opportunities and adequate space to upload images and share them with others. Once these images are uploaded, many enthusiasts wait for comments like “Wow”, “Superb”, “You are great….” and so on. Going by the images uploaded on such sites and a glimpse of comments made would reveal that most of the comments on such images make false appreciation or criticism. There is no doubt that digital technology and social networking sites are making a significant contribution in motivating the people to make images, but at the same time such a class of photo enthusiasts is being produced that has no knowledge of basic principles of photography. Perhaps they contend themselves by feeling that rules are made to be broken, but making that a habit would adversely affect their interest in photography.
This reminds me of a journalist of a local daily who interviewed me about a year ago, had got a bit annoyed with me when I told her that in social networking sites the “Wow” factor seems to be so much overpowering that most people are getting false appreciation. She was of the view that with cameras becoming easily accessible, people are atleast doing photography and one should not think of their skill being good or bad. Interestingly,a few days later I found that piece of our conversation reported separately from the main interview, but in a separate section.
I strongly feel that the photo-enthusiasts should apprise themselves about basics of composition and categories of photographs. Random and meaningless clicking would not lead them anywhere. And they should not be swayed by the “Wow” comments.
I have seen images of travel category altered by so called “professionals” to the extent that they would uproot a tree and replant it at the place of their choice and even shift boats to a different location in a water body and even change colours as per their choice to enhance a travel image. They are, in fact, not only misleading the viewers about a travel destination, but also reflecting their ignorance about basic principles of travel photography. The other day I happened to see a blog of a “professional” photographer who had tried to guide others by inserting images as examples. One of the images made with panning technique was also displayed emphatically, but at no point the subject had sharpness. Similar is the case with images of nature category.
Such instances make one to ponder over the manner in which most of the photo-enthusiasts are being swayed away in the realm of digital technology and either they do not want to understand the basic concepts of photography or they do not have time for that. Or the “wow” factor has overpowered them.
I am reminded that when once I was invited by an educational institute to deliver a talk on photography, they had themselves chosen its topic as “How to appreciate a photograph”. This sounds a very simple question but to me, it’s reply appeared to be lengthy, especially when one has to interact with beginners. With a view to substantiate my reply with images as examples, I prepared a power point presentation of about 50 slides. I tried to educate the students that basically there are two categories of images, the one in which the reality cannot be altered or should not be altered. The other category is of altered reality. These two broad categories have sub categories. Unless we do not know of which category the image is and what are the basic principles, we cannot do justice with the image in appreciating it. An image can also be classified in more than one sub category.
To be precise, alterations are not allowed in images of three categories including photojournalism, travel and nature. This rule is followed all over the world.
The images of photojournalism should have informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary, sports and spot news. In the interest of credibility, PJ images must not misrepresent the truth. No situation should be set up for the purpose of photography and no alteration of the subject matter is allowed, including any techniques that add, combine, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image. No unnatural sharpening or special effect filters should be applied. Only cropping, resizing, lightening or darkening and restoration of original colour are permitted. However, color images can be converted to monochrome.
Human Interest is defined as an image depicting a person or persons in an interactive, emotional or unusual situation, excluding sports action.
Photo travel images have no geographical limitations. A photo travel image should express the feeling of a time and place and portray a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. Ultra close-ups, which lose their identity and studio-type model shots do not fall in this category. Techniques that add to, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the image without changing the photo travel content are permitted. However, all adjustments must appear natural.
Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena ranging from insects to icebergs.
Photographs of animals which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, and photographs of cultivated plants are ineligible. Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects.Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene. No techniques that add to, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted.
Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. The presence of scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals is permissible. Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content are permitted. However, all adjustments must appear natural. These prescribed rules are followed all over the world and should not be broken.
We also have categories like pictorial photography where reality is altered to enhance the overall impact of an image. One is free to experiment with his skill of ‘photoshopography’. As compared to the dark room, photoshop has made it easy for photo-enthusiasts to make alterations in images and people spend hours sitting with computers and playing with various elements to get desired result. There are others, who still believe that photoshop should be used to the minimum possible.
Globally, there are prescribed categories of images and each has rules whether to make alterations in photoshop or darkroom or not or only do cropping, straightening and sharpening that should look natural and no other alteration. Those who are not aware of such categories or those who do not enter images in exhibitions conducted by prominent photographic organisations, ignore these rules, knowingly or unknowingly. Perhaps they are unaware of these basic categories and rules and are following their own course.
The social networking sites that offer photo uploading facility provide ample opportunities and adequate space to upload images and share them with others. Once these images are uploaded, many enthusiasts wait for comments like “Wow”, “Superb”, “You are great….” and so on. Going by the images uploaded on such sites and a glimpse of comments made would reveal that most of the comments on such images make false appreciation or criticism. There is no doubt that digital technology and social networking sites are making a significant contribution in motivating the people to make images, but at the same time such a class of photo enthusiasts is being produced that has no knowledge of basic principles of photography. Perhaps they contend themselves by feeling that rules are made to be broken, but making that a habit would adversely affect their interest in photography.
This reminds me of a journalist of a local daily who interviewed me about a year ago, had got a bit annoyed with me when I told her that in social networking sites the “Wow” factor seems to be so much overpowering that most people are getting false appreciation. She was of the view that with cameras becoming easily accessible, people are atleast doing photography and one should not think of their skill being good or bad. Interestingly,a few days later I found that piece of our conversation reported separately from the main interview, but in a separate section.
I strongly feel that the photo-enthusiasts should apprise themselves about basics of composition and categories of photographs. Random and meaningless clicking would not lead them anywhere. And they should not be swayed by the “Wow” comments.
I have seen images of travel category altered by so called “professionals” to the extent that they would uproot a tree and replant it at the place of their choice and even shift boats to a different location in a water body and even change colours as per their choice to enhance a travel image. They are, in fact, not only misleading the viewers about a travel destination, but also reflecting their ignorance about basic principles of travel photography. The other day I happened to see a blog of a “professional” photographer who had tried to guide others by inserting images as examples. One of the images made with panning technique was also displayed emphatically, but at no point the subject had sharpness. Similar is the case with images of nature category.
Such instances make one to ponder over the manner in which most of the photo-enthusiasts are being swayed away in the realm of digital technology and either they do not want to understand the basic concepts of photography or they do not have time for that. Or the “wow” factor has overpowered them.
I am reminded that when once I was invited by an educational institute to deliver a talk on photography, they had themselves chosen its topic as “How to appreciate a photograph”. This sounds a very simple question but to me, it’s reply appeared to be lengthy, especially when one has to interact with beginners. With a view to substantiate my reply with images as examples, I prepared a power point presentation of about 50 slides. I tried to educate the students that basically there are two categories of images, the one in which the reality cannot be altered or should not be altered. The other category is of altered reality. These two broad categories have sub categories. Unless we do not know of which category the image is and what are the basic principles, we cannot do justice with the image in appreciating it. An image can also be classified in more than one sub category.
To be precise, alterations are not allowed in images of three categories including photojournalism, travel and nature. This rule is followed all over the world.
The images of photojournalism should have informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary, sports and spot news. In the interest of credibility, PJ images must not misrepresent the truth. No situation should be set up for the purpose of photography and no alteration of the subject matter is allowed, including any techniques that add, combine, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image. No unnatural sharpening or special effect filters should be applied. Only cropping, resizing, lightening or darkening and restoration of original colour are permitted. However, color images can be converted to monochrome.
Human Interest is defined as an image depicting a person or persons in an interactive, emotional or unusual situation, excluding sports action.
Photo travel images have no geographical limitations. A photo travel image should express the feeling of a time and place and portray a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. Ultra close-ups, which lose their identity and studio-type model shots do not fall in this category. Techniques that add to, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the image without changing the photo travel content are permitted. However, all adjustments must appear natural.
Nature photography depicts living, untamed animals and uncultivated plants in a natural habitat, geology and the wide diversity of natural phenomena ranging from insects to icebergs.
Photographs of animals which are domesticated, caged or under any form of restraint, and photographs of cultivated plants are ineligible. Minimal evidence of humans is acceptable for nature subjects.Any manipulation or modification to the original image is limited to minor retouching of blemishes and must not alter the content of the original scene. No techniques that add to, relocate, replace, or remove pictorial elements except by cropping are permitted.
Nature photography is restricted to the use of the photographic process to depict observations from all branches of natural history, except anthropology and archaeology, in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject material and to certify as to its honest presentation. The presence of scientific bands, scientific tags or radio collars on wild animals is permissible. Photographs of artificially produced hybrid plants or animals, mounted specimens, or obviously set arrangements are ineligible, as is any form of manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the photograph without changing the nature story or the pictorial content are permitted. However, all adjustments must appear natural. These prescribed rules are followed all over the world and should not be broken.
We also have categories like pictorial photography where reality is altered to enhance the overall impact of an image. One is free to experiment with his skill of ‘photoshopography’. As compared to the dark room, photoshop has made it easy for photo-enthusiasts to make alterations in images and people spend hours sitting with computers and playing with various elements to get desired result. There are others, who still believe that photoshop should be used to the minimum possible.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
New Website
You may view my new website
http://www.subhash-sapru.com
I shall appreciate if you leave a comment
http://www.subhash-sapru.com
I shall appreciate if you leave a comment
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