Radhika Bhalla
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July 2, 2014 | UPDATED 12:29 IST
For those with a passion for narrating stories through the lens, Lifestyle speaks to the experts for some handy tips, tricks and inspiration to make it big.Anushka MenonHOW I STARTED OUTAfter a diploma in photography from Delhi, went to Australia for an Art and Design course. There, I began experimenting with pictures, and learnt my way through by and error. After college, I assisted a few photographers in London, and learnt as much could without being in their space. I saw and why a model was selected for a shoot, its conceptualisation and lighting. When I came back, I started meeting people, made friends in the fashion industry and built networking base through word of mouth.Anushka MenonHOW TO PURSUE IT TODAYStart with a short course, to learn how to use equipment and basic lighting. Constantly browse through new campaigns, fashion magazines and other photographers’ works to up- to- date. Next, assist a fashion photographer as what you learn on the job is far more than in any classroom. Get together a strong enough portfolio with quality rather than quantity imagery. While your techniques should be good, it’s your vision that will ultimately make you stand out. Finally, promote yourself; go out and meet people, set up appointments, get the word around, and be active on social media. Never be shy to ask for help and keep your ego aside, because the industry can get very cut- throat.TRICKS OF THE TRADEI find it important for the model to get to know my work before the shoot, so that they confident with my style. Ask the model questions during the hair and make- up time – a great moment to break the ice. My best with lighting is to start with one light and then move on to more, instead of using them in one go.INSPIRATIONGavin O’Neill, James Meakin, Jean Francois Campos.MY STYLEClean, confident, edgy and beautiful. Even if I want a woman to look sexy, she’s sexy to a woman, not a man. Also, I always picture myself in the shoot and then recreate the feeling. I’m often posing to show the model what I want.Atul KasbekarHOW I STARTED OUTI’ve enjoyed photography since childhood, and clicked pictures ever since. It was while pursuing a chemical engineering course, which I didn’t enjoy, that I met adman Prahlad Kakkar and after speaking with him decided to quit it. I enrolled myself at the Brooks Institute, California, where I got tremendous experience. I pretty much got my first assignment on coming back to India, and got paid for them from the very start.Atul KasbekarHOW TO PURSUE IT TODAYIt’s pretty much the same route today, whether for fashion photography, advertising or art direction. Start out with some kind of formal course and then assist someone, as it helps to get an all- round technical view of the business. Next, get your aesthetic and creative vision in order – you need to be aware of and interested in art, architecture, cuisine and other creative mediums because it all adds up in the end. The difference between a good shot and a fantastic shot is the aesthetic. However, I’d recommend anyone to consider cinematography, as it’s a better career option. It’s stills- in- motion and your options in work are limitless because video is the future.TRICKS OF THE TRADETo get good work fast, try making friends with the ad agency people or graphic designers, because even if the client likes you, it’s the person taking care of the account who you’ll be dealing with the most. Evolution is very important as well; too many people make it big with a set formula but eventually fade out because they aren’t trying out new things.INSPIRATIONRichard Avedon, the late Herb Ritts, and Patrick Demarchelier.MYSTYLEI’ve honestly tried not to create a distinctive style and for me, that’s a mark of distinction. As for the Kingfisher Calendar, we’ve always treated women with deep respect, and I click it in a way that you get to know who the woman in the picture is.Dabboo RatnaniHOW I STARTED OUTI started in the early 1990s and didn’t attend any professional schooling for photography. My education came while working as a photographer’s assistant in Bombay at the age of 16, for four years. I simultaneously worked on weekends, experimented with my style and shot friends’ portfolios for hands- on experience. There was no Internet then, so I used to ask for books and magazines from family abroad, borrowed where I could, and learnt from everything around me. My days were 18- 20 hours long and I did many jobs without money just to build my portfolio, but it never tired me. I felt excited and buzzed which I think led to my growth and success.Dabboo RatnaniHOW TO PURSUE IT TODAYLearn the technical knowledge, assist a photographer and then branch out. Because of photography turning to digital, people think it’s very simple – just get a camera, a good lens and you’re ready to shoot. However, it’s all about the art of photography, about creating a moment, a mood, and bringing out the story of the picture through the composition.Only do it if it’s your passion and you breathe photography, not for the money or popularity. To be successful, be experimental, creative and evolve with your work. Your next job should always be better than what you’ve done today.TRICKS OF THE TRADE You need to know your light as it’s the absolute key to photography. If you know how to work with natural and flash light, you can effectively depict softness and harshness in the picture, as well as make adjustments to the make- up, mood and ambience. Your vision on how to create the image is extremely important, as that’s what ultimately counts the most.INSPIRATIONSante D’Orazio, Patrick Demarchelier, Mark Seliger and the late Herb Ritts.MY STYLEMy style is a more candid, less staged. I try to bring out the personality of the person in the picture. I also love shooting outdoors and in natural light. I can do much more on a location that studio shoots, as I need to draw inspiration.
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