What happens when photographers from different parts of the country meet to discuss their work, appreciate frames and angles and exchange tips on wide angles, lenses, camera kits, tripods, light, exposure and their subjects. A lot of notes, a lot of ideating and lots more talk on how to click better photos take place.
The scene was the same at the photography convention which was organised by the Federation of Indian Photography (FIP) in Rajahmundry. No one would disagree to the letter sent out by the FIP which said ‘Every photographer yearns to be set free in a picturesque location, where every scene can be converted into a vivid photograph.’ So when the venue was fixed at Rajahmundry which is on the banks of the river Godavari the enrolment number swelled up to a several hundred. The 26th convention on photography was organised in association with Greenzone and was laced with interactive workshops from speakers coming from all over India. The seminar had lectures by eminent national and international photographers along with veterans from the different branches of photography. The discussion sessions were divided between pictorial, portrait, product, photojournalism, nature and digital photo editing along with workshops and slide shows, to propagate a better understanding of ideas.
The convention also had a lot of amateur photographers who click photos for passion and would not want to miss any opportunity to learn more on how to take better photographs. One such enthusiast was Rajasekhara Reddy who works at a college as a technical help but his knowledge on every topic kept everyone dumbfound. The other most sought after guide for better photographs on scenery, play with light was Shivji Joshi. Shivji’s mesmerising images of the sand dunes which he aptly titled ‘dancing desert’ was everyone’s topic of discussion. Ripples in the sand, their and play of light on the dunes is Shivji’s forte. Everything about this senior citizen is organic including his selection of subject.
The convention of the pattern was where every speaker presented a slide show while explaining the angles and situation in which it was clicked or how it could have been clicked. Some of the remarkable presentations included a show walls with graphite, moss, random posters etc. The photographer only presented interesting images of walls in various parts of the country.
Not limiting themselves to the indoors the two-day convention was followed by a two-day river cruise to Papikondalu. FIP had arranged for models where outdoor shoots were to be done and discussed.
At the helm of the outdoor shoot was Vinay Parlekar. Reflectors were made with silver paper wrapped around thermocol sheets. The models were assisted on the different pose and looks, while the photographers were suggested on the angles, play of light and framing.
In the midst of all this, wildlife enthusiasts on board kept a close watch on the various migratory birds which could be sighted. The final leg of the FIP convention was at the picturesque Papikonda where shooting took place as dusk approached. The idea was to capture the mountains against the fading light.
