Among the many things that are making the world a better place, this one gadget takes the cake. Never before did I imagine that an ugly, creepy insect could be so photogenic. Never before have I used the words “crow” and “beautiful” in the same sentence.
I am the DSLR generation. For those not living in the present, that's the digital single-lens reflex camera: larger, technologically advanced, more expensive and popular. There are a lot of things that I — the DSLR generation — take a second look at, because suddenly I see a great story behind every man, animal or object, as I see them through expensive lens.
I focus on a man at the beach looking serenely at the sea in sepia; he's definitely pondering over his future or a long lost love. That lone lit lamp proves that with perseverance darkness can be overcome. The two trains running parallel to each other are “so near, yet so far”. I tell these stories, not in words but in pictures to an audience on Facebook, Picasa, Flickr or other photo websites. My fellow storytellers appreciate, discuss the technicalities, come up with alternate storylines or simply “like” it.
Well, it's not just the world but we too look better these days. All you need is a friend who is “into” photography and a little Photoshop adeptness. The DSLR is keeping me busy.
Early mornings you can find me roaming popular photographic hotspots like Mylapore, Marina Beach or ECR packing interesting elements within the frame. With a Nikon D40 camera, a Nikkor AF-S DX18–55mmf/3.5-5.6G ED II lens set at an aperture of f/10, shutterspeed 1/80sec and an ISO of 200, together with the right angle, a simple scene of a man at a welding workshop looks dramatic and ethereal. There was a time when I had no idea about these terminologies nor did I know how to set them. Nevertheless, I did invest in a DSLR and my pictures invariably turned out to be amazing.
My road trips are delayed because I make use of every photo op en route — the broken bridge, flat tyre, a sparrow on the tree, a cow crossing the road or just me and my friends posing. Thanks to me, no holiday, wedding, road trip or rock concert, goes unrecorded. I shoot them all.
I am kept busy by discussing the trends and latest models in the market with fellow enthusiasts. I am busy constantly updating my gadget. I am busy working extra to fund my expensive hobby. I belong to the DSLR generation and I make the world a better place with “Ma clickz”!
Madhumitha Srinivasan writes for the The Hindu Sunday Magazine, NXg and Young World.
