One of the most reviewed and growing genre in photography today is fashion. The pressure is intense in this field as the photographer lays the base of what must become the style and brand of a product.
This then must have been one of the reasons why the city-based Insight Camera Club, ‘a platform for budding and experienced photographers to come together' decided to organise a one-day workshop on fashion photography at Hotel Yuvarani Residency the other day.
C. Radhakrishnan, the much-sought after commercial photographer led the sessions. Around 153 photographers that included serious amateurs, some who were still stuck to shooting weddings and budding commercial photographers were part of the workshop.
Technical information
“I basically took them through important technical information, elementary perhaps, but that is not usually discussed. I have found that photographers start clicking but tend to skip a lot of this basic information,” says Radhakrishnan.
Radhakrishnan focussed on lighting, advanced cameras and how to use them, before really getting specifically into fashion photography. “We tried to demonstrate the five basic light formations; on the techniques of why and where lights should be placed. I have always thought that it is like five basic shots in cricket. There is a scientific method to play the shots but it can also be done innovatively. But here again the basics must be perfect.”
The first half of the workshop was on demonstration and explanation. Radhakrishnan used a model, light screen and demonstrated how he would shoot. “They could see what my camera captured by using the lights in different positions. I also showed them some of my photographs and on request also talked a bit about classical portraiture and interiors.”
The second session was devoted to how a photographer could upgrade his equipment which they now own. “We had four international brands, Olympus, Nikon, Bowens, California Sunbounce and Creative Lighting, be part of the workshop. They had brought their equipment and I made a demonstration.”
Radhakrishnan's approach was on using uncomplicated setups and minimal equipment to get good results without having to make a large investment or sophisticated gear. The workshop helped the rookie photographers learn to visualise, manipulate and create light, how to handle and upgrade equipment.
“What I thought about the workshop was that usually professional photographers are not willing to share information. I found that most of them rather surprised when I did so. I was only trying to tell them that if I can do it you can too. All that one needs is practise and hard work.”
