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november 2016
` 100 us$9

vol. 28 - no.11

special feaTure

Tips & Techs

instructions for your


wedding Planner
at the heart of
documentary wedding
Photography
finding the right
Photographer
wedding Photojournalism
how to shoot a wedding
if you are not a wedding
photographer
importance of wedding
photographers

The magic of
desTinaTion and
inTer-culTural
weddings
pro-profile

The Wizard
of Weddings
Samo Rovan

The soul of
a Wedding

Sudeep BhattachaRya

A SAP MediA
PublicAtion

Coming Soon

AWARDS
2017

Organised by

Asian
& IMAGING

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from the No.1 photography and
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editorial

Major tussle for the


Wedding Special cover!
When you are with a photography magazine then it isnt uncommon
having a tough competition of what image needs to get featured for
the cover. The selection process for either shooting or featuring an
image for the cover has always been a challenging task. But having
said that, there are always certain factors that tip you over to the
selected image, largely since it appeals and resonates the content of
the issue clearly.
Then there are months like the November 2016 issue. I think in
the recent history of the magazine, I dont remember having this
much discussion on what image should be featured on the cover.
Especially since this is a Wedding Special issue, the combination
of images and options that we had to be featured on the cover this
month were mind boggling. What was surprising was that there were
great pictures not only from the professionals that were interviewed,
but also amazing options from the contributors and the team as well.
But after major brainstorming and long hours of discussion, we went
ahead with the image from Samo Rovan. The reason for choosing
this image was the action, emotion and the connect that it brought
out in the picture.
As the cover suggests, it is the wedding special indeed and the
issue is full of content that is tailor-made for the wedding genre. But
in this years special, we have steered away from the usual topics
that we discuss in an issue and gone more contemporary with
the content. It has a combination of interesting and more relevant
up-to-date topics which are more suitable for todays wedding
photography.
We are also rounding off the Mumbai edition of Artistique in this
issue which received an astounding response like its other legs
as well, and also completed the finale for our Lens Shootouts this
month. We are pretty certain that we have once again delivered
dynamic content in this issue, and it will satisfy your creative and
content hunger.
So until next time.
Happy Reading!!!

EDITOR / PublIshER
Trilok Desai
GROuP hEAD
Bhavya Desai
DIREcTOR MARkETInG
Aruna Desai
sEnIOR
cORREsPOnDEnTs
Abhishek Desai
Fred Shippie
Lester Ledesma
nEw DElhI buREAu
Amitabh Joshi
Toprit Saifi

Bhavya Desai

EDITORIAl TEAM
Souradeep Roy
Mrinmoy Choudhury
sPEcIAl
cORREsPOnDEnT
Lopamudra Ganguly (Delhi)
DEsIGn
Goraksh Kokate
Rajendra Gaikwad
MAnAGER ADvERTIsInG
Laila Rupawalla
Dy. MAnAGER
ADvERTIsInG
Kora Ganguly
MARkETInG ExEcuTIvE
Ragini Desai
Laukik Pawar
Ritesh Thakkar (Delhi)
cOPy DEsk
Sameer Gadkari
PRODucTIOn MAnAGER
Manoj Surve

w w w. a s i a n p h o t o g r a p h y i n d i a . c o m

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november 2016
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vol. 28 - no.11

special feaTure

Tips & Techs

instructions for your


wedding Planner
at the heart of
documentary wedding
Photography
finding the right
Photographer
wedding Photojournalism
how to shoot a wedding
if you are not a wedding
photographer
importance of wedding
photographers

The magic of
desTinaTion and
inTer-culTural
weddings
pro-profile

The Wizard
of Weddings
Samo Rovan

The soul of
a Wedding

Sudeep BhattachaRya

A SAP MediA
PublicAtion

Cover Image: Samo Rovan


Cover Design: Goraksh Kokate

Published by TRILOK DESAI on behalf of Special Audience Publications Pvt.


Ltd., 509 & 511, Dilkap Chambers, Fun Republic Street, Off Veera Desai Road,
Andheri (W), Mumbai - 400 053. InDIA
Printed by TRILOK DESAI on behalf of Special Audience Publications Pvt. Ltd.,
509 & 511, Dilkap Chambers, Fun Republic Street, Off Veera Desai Road, Andheri
(W), Mumbai - 400 053. InDIA
Printed at Indigo Press India Pvt Ltd, Plot no 1 C/716, Off Dadoji Konddeo Cross
Road, Between Sussex & Retiwala Industrial Estate, Byculla, Mumbai, Published
at 509 & 511, Dilkap Chambers, Fun Republic Street, Off Veera Desai Road,
Andheri (W), Mumbai - 400 053. InDIA Editor - TRILOK DESAI.
All material covered by copyright; no part of the contents of this journal may be
published or reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission
of the publisher. The views and opinons expressed by the authors do not
necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the editorial staff.
Special Audience Publications Pvt. Ltd. and ASIAN PHOTOGRAPHY AND
IMAGING is not responsible and liable for any comments and articles published by
its contributors and will not be liable for any damages. All disputes are subject to
the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai, India.

novemBer 2016

Contents
12

NEWS

Canon India showcases latest technology at the


Broadcast India Show 2016
Canon India expands inkjet portfolio for home and
office users
HP Inc. encourages brand owners to explore
possibilities with digital printing
Sony introduces new A6500 camera
Portrait mode now available with iPhone 7 Plus with
iOS 10.1

20

november 2016

LENS SHOOTOUT
DSLR Fixed focal length

LENS SHOOTOUT

Ask Your Expert

22

SPECIAL FEATURE

DSLR kit lens

27
30

PRO-PROFILE
Samo Rovan

CAMERA SHOOTOUT
Entry Level DSLR

24

34
6

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special
www.asianphotographyindia.com

PRO-PROFILE
Sudeep Bhattacharya

SPECIAL FEATURE

44

50 At the heart of Documentary Wedding


Photography
66 Instructions for your Wedding Planner
72 Finding the right photographer
78 How to shoot a wedding if you are not a
wedding photographer
82 Importance of wedding photographers

94

Photoscape

Photomontage

TIPS AND TECHS

90

NOVEMBER 2016

Feedback
Readers Comments and Suggestions...

Send your letters at apindia.feedback@gmail.com

Readers Comments and Suggestions...

Feedback

The Letter
of the month
will receive
1 Year
Subscriptieo) n
(12 Issu

The

Letter

of the month will


receive a gift
from Uniross

Dear Editor,

I have been reading your magazine for a while now and must comment that your team an

Hello team Asian Photography. been doing a great job. I have seen the simple and subtle changes that you have brought to th
and the
balance that
the magazine
been
lately. through many
I have been a reader of your magazine
forfine
a healthy
amount
of time has
now.
Asachieving
I have gone
issues of your magazine, the recent content and articles are a treat to read. The tips and tricks section which
I also
like theisreader
columns
like
My Story,
Ask
Your Expert
and Shoot My City.
shares all the informative articles with the
readers
a great
way of
learning
for
amatuer
photographers.
NotI am happy
are
looking
at
sections
in
the
magazine
that
make
them
more
reader
interactive
and I think th
only photographers and hobbyists, but the magazine is a source of information for all classes of people
way
forward
for
any
magazine.
From
the
December
issue
I
loved
the
interview
of
Dabboo Ratn
regardless their connect with photography. The portfolio section displays beautiful pictures taken by our
DSLR shootout also provided a lot of valuable feedback on the cameras and their performance
readers gives the idea of how much it is appreciated among readers. Wishing you all the best in your
the AP team renewed success and great year ahead.
upcoming endeavours.
Regards,
Avinash Kumar
Vishal Shah
Gurgaon
Ahemdabad,Gujarat.

Hello Avinash,
Dear Vishal,
It is a pleasure to know that you have been with us for a long time now. Yes we do aim to educate
We are
always
happy
to know such
that the
readersisare
appreciating
our readers with new articles and tips. The
main
idea
of sharing
content
basically
theour
factwork
thatsince
the it takes a l
to
put
all
the
things
together.
Apart
from
the
same
I
also
have
a
great
team
that
works really h
current generation of technology and photographjy is widening so much that it is nearly impossible to know
ensure that we keep that fine balance in our content going.
about everything that we have in the world today. In case of camera and photography industry, there is a
something new everyday. So taking this into account, we try to deliver the maximum information for our
In the months to come you will see some more initiatives that are reader driven so that w
readers. Hope to see such good reviews in the upcoming issues as well.
engage more of the readers and also interact with them on a regular basis.
Regards,
Team AP
Dear Editor,

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

I want to convey my thanks and regards to you for reviewing my photos in the link that I p
I express my gratitude for providing me with your most valuable feedback and reviews on my
promise that I will practice more on shooting techniques and try to improve my compositions.
your advice I have already started to experiment on different subjects and I am getting better

However, I want to improve my compositional skills and give my pictures a more professio

Feedback
Readers Comments and Suggestions...

Send your letters at apindia.feedback@gmail.com


The Letter
of the month
will receive
1 Year
Subscriptieo) n
(12 Issu
Greetings Asian Photography. As the year ending is inching closer, I remember the fact that AP is turning 29
on Jan 2017. I have read previous anniversary issues and I must say that the anniversary issues are worth
reading. I would like to know what all is in store for the upcoming 29th anniversary isssue.
Prasenjit Deb
Siliguri
Dear Prasenjit,
Yes, with the beginning 2017 we add one more year to our magazine. Thanks to all the readers like you
who have been a constant source of motivation for us. For the upcoming anniversary issue, we denitly
have a lot in store. We shall bring in new age content and new techniques for our readers. We always
try to interact with photographers from different parts of the world who specialise in different genres of
photography whose work would not have been seen or heard of considering the fact that the number of
working photographers around the globe is not accounted. Apart from it we shall bring in new reviews of
latest cameras and equipment to keep you updated about the current camera market. Thank you for your
appreciation as we have buckled up to deliver out best.
Regards,
Team AP
Dear Editor,
I came across your magazine a few months back and now I happen to be a regular reader. I like taking
pictures and usually use my phone for taking the pictures. I am really fascinated by the fact that even
having a cellphone gives you so many opportunities to take a picture. Not only does it become a part of
your life, but in the midst of everything your images become a window of going back to the time you cannot
visit. Photography has changed a lot with time, but the idea will remain same whatsoever. Wishing you and
your team all the best for the upcoming issues of AP.
Mahua Chaterjee
Kolkata
Dear Mahua,
Happy to know that you have been reading AP since the time you got introduced with it. Yes photography
is a form of expression for people who belive in observation and framing moments which would have else
been lost in time forvever. As we always say, the camera is just a medium and the idea behind taking pictures
is to ensure that some intimate moments stay like that till the end. The forms and styles of photography
might have seen major makeovers since its evolution, but the idea of making the image will always be the
same no matter how fast and forward we evolve. Hoping to see more people like you join the community.
Regards
Team AP

10

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

News

Canon India showcases latest technology


at the Broadcast India Show 2016
Displays a varied range of Cinema EOS and Professional Video Products portfolio

anon India showcased its


varied range of products at
the Broadcast India Show
2016. Being organised at the Bombay
Exhibition Centre, Goregaon from
20th-22nd October 2016, this global
exhibition showcased state-of-the-art
film and imaging technology. At this
years display, Canon India exhibited
a range of Cinema EOS products,
Professional Video cameras and Cine
Lenses.
Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi President
& CEO, Canon India and Mr. Eddie
Udagawa - Vice President - Consumer
Imaging & Information Centre, Canon
India, were present to inaugurate the
Canon India stall. The attraction of the
event was an unveiling of three upcoming
products by the company, including
Cinema EOS C700, XC 15 and Cine Lens
18-80 with Servo Zoom. Where XC 15
and Cine Lens 18-80 with Servo Zoom,
will be available next month, the Cinema
EOS C700 is expected to arrive in India

12

by the end of December this year.


Commenting on Canon Indias
product showcase at the Broadcast
India Show, Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi,
President & CEO, Canon India, said,
Innovation has always been a driving
force at Canon. It gives us immense
delight to be present on a platform
like this, where we keep customer
engagement at the centre of all our
innovations.
Encouraged
by
the
overwhelming response received at
last years Broadcast India show, this
year too we envisage good consumer
connect and a positive response from
the industry.
Present at the Broadcast India Show,
Mr. Eddie Udagawa - Vice President
- Consumer Imaging & Information
Centre, Canon India, commented, As
a technology innovator, it is important
for Canon to add valuable assets to
the portfolio and create an industry
benchmark. At the Broadcast India Show
2016 we look forward to exhibiting latest

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

products in the field of Broadcasting and


Cinema industry and allow our audience
a hands-on experience of the product.
Canons new EOS C700/EOS C700
GS PL is the first Cinema EOS System
camera to support anamorphic lenses
making it possible for the confirmation
of images with the 2.39:1 aspect
ratio typical of cinema productions.
Moreover, enabling Full HD high-framerate recording at a maximum of 240
fps (crop), the camera enables smooth
playback, even when slowed down.
With a compact, portable body, the
new XC15 4K UHD Camcorder is aimed
for handheld editorial and news shooting
or on-set TV and film shoots. Its different
look settings can be used to make
sure it pairs well with Canon Cinema
EOS cameras as well as XF and XA
series camcorders. The XC15 4K UHD
Camcorders features 12 megapixel
CMOS image sensor, wide-angle 10x
zoom lens with Image Stabilizer and
advanced autofocus.
The new 18-80mm T4.4 EF-mount
lens with servo zoom combines the
benefits of compact size and light
weight (only 2.7 lbs.) for outstanding
mobility, according to Canon. Designed
to shoot video, this lens aimed for
the cinematographer moving up from
Canons EF lenses, combining the
functionality of the EF lenses with the
video shooting features of their Cinema
lenses. Its the first Cinema style
lens that incorporates both an Image
stabilization function and Auto Focus
function, the lens is also fully 4K-ready,
with a high optical resolution and
support for Super35mm large-format
cameras. It has a 9-blade aperture
diaphragm for out-of-focus areas (or
Bokeh). The lens also features a 4.4x
zoom magnification, a focal length
range of 18mm to 80mm, and a 180
smooth rotating focus ring.

News

Canon India expands its inkjet


portfolio for home and office users
Canon launches new line-up of MAXIFY series, PIXMA TS series and PIXMA G4000

anon India recently announced the expansion of their


Inkjet printers portfolio with the launch of six new
models- TS8070, TS5070, G4000, MB5470, MB5170
and iB4070. The new printers are said to come loaded with
various technological advancements to ease the printing
requirements of enterprise customers and home consumers.
All six products will be available across the country, starting
first week of November.
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Kazutada Kobayashi,
President and CEO, Canon India Pvt. Ltd. said, Our emphasis
on quality as well as original technologies has earned us the
trust of customers around the world. We take pride in being
one of the most prolific inventors of consumer and professional
imaging solutions. Continuing with our legacy of innovation and
customer delight, we are delighted to announce the addition
of six new printers in our inkjet segment. This expansion of
our portfolio stands testimony to our consistent endeavour to
take customer experience and engagement to the next level.
With the introduction of this latest range, we are targeting 25%
market share in the inkjet printer category in 2017.
Speaking about the expansion of the inkjet printer portfolio,
Mr. Eddie Udagawa - Vice President - Consumer Imaging &
Information Centre, Canon India said, With the increased
technology adoption and internet penetration, we have
witnessed a shift in the print requirements of customers; both
in home segments and businesses. The running cost of the
printer along with its ROI has become imperative for users to
consider. We, at Canon are constantly innovating to remain
at par with our customers requirements. The printers are
equipped with various innovations that make document and
photo printing easier and convenient, along with providing
high-quality experience at utmost utility value.
New MAXIFY Series Features
The multi-function MAXIFY MB5470 and MB5170, as well
as the single-function MAXIFY iB4170 are priced at `22,495,
`16,495 and `9995 respectively. These new printers deliver
ISO-compliant print speeds up to 24 images per minute (ipm)
for black and white, and 15.5ipm for colour. In maximum speed
settings, users can expect speeds up to 32.5 pages per minute
(ppm) in black-and-white, and 26.5ppm in colour. All three
printers support the Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP), which allows multi-device management and monitoring
via popular fleet management applications such as Canons
imageWARE Enterprise Management Console (iWEMC) and
PrintFleet. For smaller installation sizes, individual printers can

14

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

also be monitored over a local network via their Remote User


Interfaces (RUI), accessible from any web browser.
New PIXMA TS Series Features
The two new printers launched in the PIXMA series were PIXMA
TS8070 and TS5070
The PIXMA TS8070 supports two new paper sizes: a new 5
x 5(12.7cmx12.7cm) (square) photo paper for Instagram-style
photo printing, and standard business card sizes. It comes with
a new 4.3 (10.8cm) colour touchscreen LCD panel combined
with a fully touch-sensitive operation panel (Intelligent Touch
System). The printer features a fully-automated operation panel
and paper output tray that elevates and extends simultaneously
on receiving a print or copy instruction.
The PIXMA TS8070 and TS5070 printers support the
Wireless Direct protocol so that mobile devices can be
connected without the use of a wireless router, and users can
print from mobile phones and tablet PCs. PIXMA TS8070 is
priced at `17995 and PIXMA TS5070 is priced at `9995.
PIXMA G4000 Features
Priced at `16,995, the wireless multi-function PIXMA G4000 is
aimed at allowing users to enjoy high volume printing, copying
and faxing at low running costs. An integrated Automatic
Document Feeder (ADF) allows users to feed up to 20-sheets
of document originals for making copies of a multiple page
document stack. Users can also choose to digitise the
document images into PDF or JPEG formats and transfer
the images to the PC for archival.The printer features a new
Document Removal Reminder function that reminds users
when a document has been left forgotten on the scanner glass
after a scan or copy operation.

News

HP Inc. encourages brand owners to


explore possibilities with digital printing

P Inc. India showcased the


various possibilities with digital
printing at an event in Delhi
recently. The company showcased its
vast portfolio of industry leading digital
printing innovations and highlighted
the potential for brand owners and
marketers across verticals including
FMCG, pharma, retail, food and
beverage, health and beauty.
The event witnessed participation
from over 100 brand professionals who
experienced solutions from segments
such as general commercial printing,
design, signages and displays, labels
and packaging, publishing amongst
others.
India is a high growth and promising
economy and we are witnessing that the
future of commercial printing is driven
by digital printing. Digital printing has
evolved by leaps and bounds in India
and one key-trend driving this shift has
been the evolution of HPs graphics
solutions offerings from devices to
effective marketing solutions for brand
owners. We are thrilled to see increased
traction with Indian brands from various
verticals, as they embrace the power
of digital printing to reach their end
customers innovatively. HP is committed
to keep reinventing technology to help
our customers and partners thrive,
said Franois Martin, Global Marketing
Director, Graphic Solution Business, HP
Inc.
Also, HP showcased various
applications including labels and
packaging, general commercial printing,
backlist, textile prints, point of purchase,
corrugated prints, signages etc.
As brands today talk about
engaging, immersive and delightful
customer experience, HP is uniquely
positioned to fulfill this need with its rich
digital printing portfolio. We believe in
limitless possibilities with digital printing
and are happy to notice some of the
interesting projects and implementations

16

Franois Martin, Global Marketing Director,


Graphic Solution Business, HP Inc.-HP
Innovation Wins

Nancy Janes, Worldwide Business


Development Manager, Graphics Solution
Business, HP Inc.-HP Innovation Wins

by our Indian customers. We also


reiterate our commitment towards the
partner community, who are at the core
of our go to market strategy. All our
innovations and partner initiatives are
designed towards helping them remain
profitable and explore fresh revenue
streams, said Nancy Janes, Worldwide
Business
Development
Manager,
Graphics Solution Business HP Inc.
Puneet Chadha, Director, Market
Development,
Graphics
Solutions
Business, Asia Pacific and Japan, HP
Inc. shared insights on the importance
of innovation in reaching out to the
customers today and how advanced and
differentiated printing applications can
help brands develop a stronger brand
recall with end customers and establish
a competitive edge in the market.
Discussions on the successful
real life digital printing campaigns and
implementations by some of the leading
brands helped the present audience
build awareness and perspective around
the path breaking possibilities with
digital printing.
With brand managers trying to break
the clutter for increased mindshare for

their brands, the market place is getting


increasing competitive. Digital printing
can open entirely new and unexplored
opportunities for brands with respect
to customer outreach, contributing
significantly to the brand recall, said
Chadha.
Chadha spoke about Dscoop, a
community of HP Inc.s print service
providers helping them take part in
education, networking and revenue
growth opportunities. Highlighting HP
Inc.s commitment towards its print
service providers community he said,
We will continue to enable our print
service providers with newer innovations
in digital printing technology and more
meaningful conversations with brands
at such forums, hence helping them
explore newer markets and generate
fresh revenue streams.
The presentations were followed
by guided tours to application areas
showcased by partnering print service
providers. The brand managers engaged
in rich and meaningful conversations
with some of HPs leading print service
providers to explore digital printing
avenues for their brands.

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

News

Portrait mode now


available with iPhone
7 Plus with iOS 10.1

he latest iOS 10.1 has introduced


Portrait mode to Apple iPhone 7 Plus
users. The new mode will add depthof-field effect to the images. Apple recently
introduced iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus,
taking the worlds most popular camera
and making it even better with entirely new
camera systems. The 12-megapixel wideangle camera on both iPhones includes
optical image stabilization, a larger
/1.8 aperture and a new 6-element lens
enabling brighter, more detailed photos
and videos any time of day, while a wide
colour capture allows for more vibrant
colours with more detail.
In addition to Portrait mode, the dualcamera system on iPhone 7 Plus offers
optical zoom at two times and up to 10
times digital zoom for photos. Portrait
mode is currently in beta and customers
can expect enhancements in future iOS
updates.

18

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Sony introduces
new A6500 camera
S
ony Electronics
r e c e n t l y
introduced
their new flagship
APS-C
sensor
camera, the 6500
(model
ILCE-6500).
As the latest addition
to
Sonys
line-up
of award winning
mirrorless
cameras,
the new 6500 shares
the same unrivalled
4D FOCUS system
as the 6300 camera,
which can lock focus
on a subject in as
little as 0.05 seconds,
the worlds fastest
AF acquisition time.
Also shared with the
6300, the new 6500
features 425 phase detection AF
points that are densely positioned
over nearly the entire image
area claimed to be the worlds
highest number of AF points on
any interchangeable lens camera,
according to Sony. The new model
can shoot images at up to 11
frames per second with continuous
autofocus and exposure tracking
and up to 8 frames per second in
a live-view shooting mode that
makes it easy to track fast-moving
subjects, as it combines all of the
benefits of an electronic viewfinder
with the immediacy of an optical
viewfinder.
The camera can shoot at these
high speeds for up to 307 frames
thanks to its expanded buffer, which,
along with the fast response speeds
described above, are all achieved
with the support of a new front-end
LSI chip that has been added to the
camera. This new front-end LSI also
serves to enhance both still and
video image quality.

Additionally, the new 6500


features
Sonys
acclaimed
in-camera 5-axis optical image
stabilisation, making it the first Sony
APS-C sensor camera to offer all of
the benefits of advanced in-body
stabilization, which include a shutter
speed advantage of approximately 5
steps. It also offers touchscreen AF
capabilities for focus point selection
and adjustment.
We are continuing to push the
boundaries of modern innovation in
digital imaging, in particular within
the mirrorless space, said Neal
Manowitz, Vice President of Digital
Imaging at Sony Electronics. By
equipping the 6500 with 5-axis
image stabilisation and touchscreen
AF, were offering photographers and
videographers more control than
ever before and a seemingly endless
amount of creative possibilities. As
our flagship APS-C camera, it far
exceeds the performance threshold
of any camera in its class, and many
above its class as well.

Send in your Questions to


ap.askyourexpert@gmail.com

I want to pursue my career in photography


for which I want to know how should I start.
Currently I work on my own but I want to
learn from professionals. Can you please help
me, how can I get in touch with professionals
and are there any course or master degree in
photography I can go for?
Prasoon Gokhr
Bhopal
Dear Prasoon,
Well, you seem to be on the right path in
order to start. There are two ways that you can
move ahead. If you already think that you are
well-versed with photography, then you might
want to start approaching photographers to
intern with them or assist them so that you can
get hands-on experience.
If you think you still need to learn further
or are not confident of your knowledge about
photography, then you might want to take up
a course in photography. There are number of
good photography schools which offer courses
of different types depending on what you like.
My suggestion would be pursue the school first
and then go and assist a photographer.

20

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Answered by
Bhavya Desai
Editor, Asian Photography

I want to capture pics of my growing child,


and have shortlisted Nikon D7000 and D5300.
Which one will deliver sharper and crisper
image with prime lens (35mm and 50mm)?
Pawan Rana
Ankleshwar
Dear Pawan,
There isnt much of a difference between the
two cameras in terms of the size of the sensor,
processor or the ISO. But there is a major difference between the two in terms of the megapixels
which might affect the image quality. For
instance, the D5300 has a 24.2 megapixel APSC
sensor as compared to the 16-megapixel sensor
of the D7000, which ideally would deliver much
crisper and sharper images in regular shooting
conditions.
I am suggesting these assuming that the
lenses that you will use with both of them
will be the same and also all the other factors
would also be the same. Either ways I am a fan
of newer technology as compared to the older
one all the time so my preference would be the
Nikon D5300.

AP

After four years of extensive


point and shoot photogran
phy, primarily landscape Questioth
on
M
e
of th
and street, finally Im
moving to a DSLR. Ive used
a borrowed Canon 600D
quite extensively in the past, so I
have
some experience in DSLR photography. Ill be
getting the 1855mm kit and 35mm f1.8 prime
lenses along with the body.
My dilemma is whether to go for the classic,
slightly older Nikon D5200 with the 39 point
AF system and the older EXPEED 3 processor, or the Nikon D3300 with the 11 point AF
system and the latest EXPEED 4 which also
results in a better battery life and a quality ISO
performance. Ive chosen these two models
specifically because both of them are selling at
same price currently, right within my budget.
Will the omitted low-pass filter in D3300
really result in improved quality images than
the D5200? Will Nikon discontinue D5200s
support soon since its about three years old
now? Will the new AF-P kit lenses being
supplied with the D3300 really results in a
better image quality than the AF-S lenses that
would come with the D5200?
Specifications related to video shooting
isnt a concern for me since I would only be
taking photos extensively on it. Ill be using
it on my travels (specifically portraits, street,
architecture) and also some occasional social
outings with friends and family. I simply cant
compromise with the image quality and flexibility to do new things with the camera!
I need some urgent suggestions! Thanks in
advance!
Soudipan Maity
New Delhi
Dear Soudipan,
Well there are a number of questions that you
have asked and I will try and address them
one-by-one. But as I mentioned before this
question, as well, my suggestion is to always
go with a much newer product as compared to
the older one since it features upgraded technology, and yes, the support over a period of
time is reduced for the older products, but not
completely eliminated. Assuming that you will
use your DSLR for at least couple of years here
are my suggestions.

If you plan to use this for the purpose that


youve highlighted in the questions then my
suggestion would be stretch your budget a little
and go for the newly launched D5300, which
is probably a stretch of another 5k from your
current budget, but will deliver a far superior
performance as compared to either of the other
models.
But should you choose not to go for the
D5300 then I would suggest going for the
D3300 since it is the newer model compared to
the D5200 and also the absence of the low-pass
filter and a better processor will surely deliver
a better performance as compared to the earlier
one. But it is important to understand that both
these cameras are from a different segment so a
direct comparison between the two isnt possible.
I dont think that Nikon will discontinue
the support for the D5200 for another few years
since most photographers dont upgrade to a
new model regularly. Since you arent looking to shoot much on video thats out of the
question, but either ways D3300 would deliver
better quality on that front as well, since it also
has the new AF-S kit..

n of
ThE QuEsTio
wins
ThE MonTh
1 Year
n
SubScriptio
(12 iSSue)

november 2016

21

Special Feature

Artistique

MuMbai Roundup
The fourth edition of Artistique, a travelling exhibition,
which had started its journey in Kolkata opened its doors in
Mumbai on 28th September. The exhibition, which was held
at Piramal Gallery, NCPA saw around 200 people attending
just on the opening day. Asian photography magazine started
Artistique in 2013 with an aim to promote photography as an
art form, and since then, Artistique has been getting bigger
and better. Photographers, both Indian and international,
have been exhibiting since the past years. Names like Arko
Datta, Martin Prihoda, Sudhir Shivaram, Sarker Protick and
many more have been a part of the exhibition. This years
Artistique featured the legendary Mr. Raghu Rai as the
exhibiting photographer, who himself was present for an
informal interactive session with the visitors.
The exhibit
Rai showcased the exhibit The Experience of India - a
collective of multiple photo series that he has shot around
the country, these images are unique and very different from
his famous photojournalistic shots.
Raghu Rai (b.1942; joined Magnum 1977) took up
photography in 1965, and a year later he joined The
Statesman newspaper as chief photographer. In 1971, he
was awarded the Padmashree, one of the highest civilian
awards ever given to a photographer. From 1976 to 1991 he
worked for news magazines Sunday and India Today, and
he also contributed ground-breaking photo essays on social,
political and cultural themes to Time, Life, GEO, The New
York Times, The Sunday Times, Newsweek and the New
Yorker. Based in Delhi, Rai has covered India extensively and
he continues to be an associate of Magnum Photos. He has
produced more than 18 books, including Raghu Rais Delhi,
The Sikhs, Calcutta, Khajuraho, TajMahal, Tibet in Exile,
India, and Mother Teresa.
Interactive session
The second stop of the three city tour saw an attendance
of around 600 people over a span of seven days. Visitors
ranged from amateur photographers, to enthusiasts to
celebrities and intelligentsia.

22

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

The first day of the exhibition saw


an interactive session with Bhavya
Desai, Editor of Asian Photography and
the legendary Mr.Raghu Rai. With an
attendance of around 200 people the
session spanned for more than two hours.
The guests included eminent names
like Nandita Das, Sudharak Olwe, Atul
Loke, Arko Datta and Swapan Parekh.
Students from various media institutions
were also present at the venue who
asked various questions to the maestro
about his work and photography as a
whole. Mr.Raghu Rai shared experiences
and stories from his own life. Mr. Bhavya
Desai asked questions regarding the
work on display, Experience of India.
Students also eagerly asked questions
regarding photography, new media
and old media. The session ended
with people asking Mr. Raghu Rai to
sign books and take photos with them.
The interactive session was a learning
experience for both the attendees and
the editorial team.

The contest
Like every year, Artistique was divided
into two parts, i.e. an exhibition and a
nationwide competition, organised by the
Asian Photography team and judged by
world renowned photographers and the
Editor of Asian photography magazine.
The photo contest was announced in
May and invited entries from readers
around the country to kick-start the
process. Participants were required to
send in their photographs under three
different categories, Black and White,
Moments and Conceptual. We received
entries from photographers all over
India. It was a difficult judging process to
choose the best photograph from 14000
entries. Competition Categories:
> Black and White
> Moments (Action or Emotions)
> Conceptual
The winners
The winner for the Moments category was
Anand Govindan and for the Black and
white category was Masud Ali, while the

winner for the Conceptual category was


Abhiruk Lahiri. The winners of the contest
each will receive prizes worth almost 2
lakh in each category. The winning images
and the honorary images were showcased
in Kolkata and Mumbai and will be
showcased in Delhi in the coming months.
The honorary mentions in the black and
white category were Shibashish Saha and
Goutam Roy, in the Moments category
were Tanisha Dsouza and Alok Avinash,
and Aniruddha Das and Barun Rajgaria in
the conceptual category.
The Jury
The jury for the contest last two
years comprised of award-winning
photojournalist and co-founder of
Udaan School of Photography Arko
Datta, with the group head of SAP
Magazines Bhavya Desai. This year
the jury comprises of Arko Datta, ace
fashion photographer Mr. Jatin Kampani
with the group head of SAP Magazines
Bhavya Desai.
TexT: souradeep roy

november 2016

23

CAMERA SHOOTOUT

Entry Level
DSLR Shootout
Entry level DSLRs are the choice for most people who are graduating from using their phone camera
or a digital point and shoot camera. DSLRs offer greater control over the various aspects of making
a picture and so entry level DSLRs are considered the most easy to use and beginner friendly. The
entry level DSLRs are packed with high quality APS-C sensors which are bigger than the sensors of
point and shoot cameras and offer great image quality, and the choice of a long list of lenses that the
manufacturers have lined up for the users. For this years shootout we have two contendors which are
the entry level DSLRs from two different stables. The Canon EOS 1300D and the Nikon D3400.

Contenders

Parameters

Canon EOS
1300D

Build Quality and


ease of use
Performance (Image
quality and ISO)
Value for money

Nikon
D33400

PRICE

,9LE9NS5)
`2ITH9KIT
(W

Canon EOS 1300D

The Canon EOS 1300D was introduced by Canon in 2016


as their latest entry level DSLR camera which replaces the
previous model the Canon EOS 1200D. The 1300D has a 18 MP
sensor along with ISO range of 100-6400 (12800) in extended
ISO mode. WiFi and NFC included, it also shoots full HD videos
which is almost a feature in all present DSLRs. The lightweight
and easy to use ergonomic design makes it a strong contender
for an entry level DSLR.

Performance

We tested the Canon EOS 1300D with the kit (18-55mm)


lens provided with the camera. The camera body feels good

24

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special
to hold in hand, thanks to the grip that has a deep recess to
allow ones hands to fit in properly.The button layout is similar
to the perdecessor models with minor changes. The addition
of Wifi and NFC is a welcome change as it would help users to
connect their smarphones with the camera to make transfering
images a breeze. The 1300D rattles continuous frames at 3 fps
speeds. If you are using a high speed card you could easily

get the action frozen. Focussing is also a noteworthy point


as the camera handles well. Pair it up with a better lens from
Canon and see the image quality and performance go a notch
higher. Full HD videos are the lowest resolution consumers
seek as its already raining 4K for many cameras. The built in
microphone records decent quality sound, nothing to be picky
about though.

PRICE

`31,45LY0)
(BODY ON

Nikon D3400

The Nikon D3400 is the latest entrant in the beginner DSLR


catagory. Displayed at Photokina 2016 the Nikon D3400 is the
direct contender to its Canon counterpart. Not everyone will
be able to tell the differences between both the cameras at a
glance, but its whats beneath the hood that counts. The D3400
houses a 24 megapixel sensor without an optical low pass
filter which claims better image quality. 100-26500 ISO range
and 5 fps shooting along with Nikons Snapbrigde to ensure
seamless connection with any tablet or smarphone using low
powered bluetooth system. Full HD videos at 60/50/30/24 fps
is just more than the needs of a beginner.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Nikon D3400 delivers a mix of


all things good. Thanks to the 24 mp sensor without the optical
low pass filter, the image quality delivered is noteworthy. The
Full HD videos are also were of decent quality. The sound from
the onboard microphone is acceptable. We tested the camera
attached to a Nikon 18-140mm lens which is also a kit lens for
Nikon cameras. The focussing system had 11 AF points with
3D tracking allowing to track moving objects while shooting
provided a decent autofocus which is expected to be better
incase a pro quality Nikon lens is used. The D3400 allows users
to connect the camera to their smartphones and tablets using
the Snapbrigde application which uses bluetooth technology to
minimise power consumption.

ISO performance

Both the cameras were tested for their respective ISO


performances. The settings were same for both the cameras
including focal length and exposure settings. The Canon 1300D

has an ISO range of 100-6400 (12800 in extended mode) and


the Nikon D3400 has an ISO range of 100-25600.
Canon EOS 1300D
The Canon EOS 1300D had smooth and crisp out of the
camera JPEGs owing to its 18 MP sensor. However, things
start getting hazy after ISO 800 and upwards and loss of colour
and quality is noticiable. Image quality is not at all bad but only
when you respect its ISO limitations.
Nikon D3400
The Nikon D3400 has a 24 MP sensor without an optical low
pass filter and it produces images of very good in quality. ISO
performance is acceptable till 800. ISO 1600 just might be the
saviour in some situations, however anything above ISO 1600
has noise in it. The sensor here plays the major role in producing
good images as it does not have an optical low pass filter which
eliminates heavy processing of images in the camera.

NOVEMBER 2016

25

Canon ISO performance

ISO 100

ISO 800

ISO 200

ISO 3200

ISO 400

ISO 6400

ISO 100

ISO 800

ISO 200

ISO 3200

ISO 400

ISO 6400

Nikon ISO performance

Conclusion

It is a tough descision for people who buy their first DSLR, especially
beginners who would stick to a brand after they have purchased their first
DSLR. Since one has or plans to invest in the same brand eco-system, it is
advisable to stick to a brand which you have been using or are probably going
to use. Both the Canon 1300D and the Nikon D3400 are great entry level
cameras, although the Nikon D3400 had a slight edge over the Canon when it
comes to ISO performance and image quality at high ISOs. The Nikon D3400
comes for `31,450 (body only) and the Canon 1300D comes with a kit lens
(18-55mm) and is priced at `29,995 which is lower than the Nikon. If you want
image quality and slighty better performance like faster burst mode, go for the
Nikon D3400. If you are on a budget then the Canon will definitely fit your bill.

26

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special

LENS SHOOTOUT

Fixed focal length


Lens Shootout
Through our shootouts we have always tried to do a head-to-head comparison of the best available
equipment in the market. We try to include equipment that we think will be or which already are widely
used by photographers. In this shootout we pin against each other, two of the best xed focal length
24mm lenses currently available in the market. The 24mm is well-suited for documentary, street and
photojournalism. The two lenses battling it out in this shootout are the Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM and
the Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM.
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM

For this years


shootout, the
contenders are:
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II
USM
Sony Alpha 24mm F2
ZA SSM

PRICE

`1,12,995
Benchmarking tests

The shootouts stand out from other


tests and reviews as we use the industry
standards of benchmarking tests to
determine the lenses performance other
than just the fact of how they felt or looked
in our view. This year we put the lenses
through the following tests:
# Build, handling and performance
# Chromatic aberration and distortion
# Colour reproduction
# Value for money

Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM

PRICE

`79,990

Build, handling and


Performance

We check for consistency, build quality


and the handling and ease of use of the
lens apart from its performance. More often
than not a lens build in terms of button
placement, material used, resistance of the
zoom or focussing ring makes a lens hard
to use. The 24mm lens, since used in fast

NOVEMBER 2016

27

paced environments for photography


and photojournalism need to be perfect
in the handling department. So lets find
out how they performed.
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM
We had high hopes about the Canon
24mm since it was an L-series lens,
even before we started the testing. It
is a high speed lens with quality optics
as claimed by Canon, and is also a very
fast lens on paper. The build quality
was amazing, with Canons signature
red ring adorning the lens. Weighing at
650gm the lens was not too heavy and
neither did it feel too light or flimsy. The
lens has only one button the AF/MF
switch and looks pretty simple overall.
The ultrasonic stamp on the lens also
adds to the overall premium look of it.
The focussing ring has just the right
amount of resistance and the ultrasonic
motor works like a charm. The lens
also has a distance scale as well which
does sometimes come in handy while
shooting documentary subjects without
looking through the viewfinder. The
autofocus was as expected and worked
perfectly. The low light performance of
the camera was quite decent at lower
f-numbers as it produced sharp images.
Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM
The Sony 24mm lens looks and feels
much more compact than the Canon
lens, and weighs 555gm. The Zeiss
branding on the lens means that the lens
will have excellent optics. The lens has
a metallic feel to it while holding it and
seems sturdy and difficult to damage.
The Sony lens also has just one button
but a circular one. It actually sits very
well when one is shooting holding the
lens. The autofocus of the camera is
fast and makes very little noise. The
lens also allows the user to use the
manual focus to tweak even when the
lens is in auto focus mode. The low light
performance was decent enough but
not as good as the Canons. The bokehs
on a wider aperture were excellent and
the foregrounds in the images were tact
sharp.

Chromatic aberration

Like last year we used the industry

28

CANON

SONY

standard software QuickMTF for this


test. The lenses were used with their
respective bodies to shoot the ISO
12233 chart which was evenly lit. The
results are as follows:
Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM
The Sony lens won the test with flying
colours with a chromatic aberration
value of 1.37pix, much lower than the
Canon lens.
Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM
The Canon produced a chromatic
aberration of 3.29pix which was
significantly more than that of Sonys.

Colour reproduction and


detail

Both the lenses, being top of the


line lenses performed really well. Having
superior optics in both made it difficult

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

to choose one. Under this category


we tested the lenses in the exact
same settings on the camera bodies
provided by the manufacturers. Lets
get into details to find out how well
they performed in this very important
category. The Sony lens was used on an
A99 camera body and the Canon lens
was used with an EOS 5DS. We kept
both the cameras at the same ISO and
aperture settings and shot similar images
at the same time and light settings.
The Sony camera produced vibrant
colours but the shadow areas were a
bit overexposed. The image was sharp
and the contrast was not something
to talk about. The Canon on the other
hand had truer colours, although not
as vibrant or saturated as the Sony, the
Canon produced much more believable
colours. The contrast on the canon was
far better than the Sony.

Wedding Special
Colour reproduction and detail

CANON

SONY

Conclusion
Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM
While the Sony Alpha 24mm F2 ZA SSM performed well in
the chromatic aberration test and had some really nice features,
the lens failed at reproducing colours, which matter a lot for a
photographer. The Sony lens had quite a few great aspects on
its own like the circular button on the lens, the quiet autofocus
also matches the Canons ultrasonic motor, but does not stand
up to low light performances of the Canon. The lens costs
`79,990 which is substantially less than that of Canons but the
compromise on image quality is not acceptable at a price like
this.

Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM


The Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM is a balanced lens with a
good build quality and great photo output quality. The lens even
though a little bigger, is fast to focus and comfortable to use.
Even though it lost to the Sony in chromatic aberration test it
faired well in the other tests.
The Canon, priced at `1,12,995 is reasonably priced, given
the quality of optics used in them. Keeping in mind the minimum
f-number on the lens being 1.4 the lens will be substantially
more useful in low light situations. The Canon 24mm f/1.4L II
USM also has better and more believable colours which one
would expect from such a lens. Overall the lens performed really
well compared to the Sonys overall performance, thus making it
this months winner in the fixed focal length category.

NOVEMBER 2016

29

LENS SHOOTOUT

DSLR Kit
Lens Shootout

One of the categories in this years shootout is the kit lens between focal ranges 18mm to 135/140mm.
This particular kit lens is very popular among enthusiasts and amateurs as it has both wide and
medium telephoto focal lengths making it a great walk-around lens for a APS-C DSLR body. This focal
range is very useful as it can serve as a very useful lens for street, portraiture and action. The aperture
range of f/3.5-5.6 ensures more light coming into the camera resulting in better and faster settings for
a shot and also create portraits with shallow depth of eld.
This years contenders for the DSLR kit lens shootout are the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/ 3.5-5.6 IS
USM, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR and the Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6
SAM on their respective mount DSLR bodies.
For this years
shootout, the
contenders are:
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/
3.5-5.6 IS USM
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR
18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR

SPECIFICATIONS

Sony DT 18-135mm
F/3.5-5.6 SAM

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/ 3.5-5.6 IS USM

PRICE

`37,995

30

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Angle of View (Diagonal)

7420'~1130'

Angle of View (Horizontal)

6430'~930'

Angle of View (Vertical)

4530'~620'

Closest Focusing Distance


(m, ft)

0.39/1.3

Construction (groups
elements)

12-16

Diameter x Length (mm)


(Maximum)

77.4 x 96

Distance Scale

Drive System

Direct drive provided


by nano-USM

Filter Size (mm)

67

Maximum Magnication (x)

0.28

Minimum Aperture

38

No. of Diaphragm Blades

Weight (g) (Approximately)

515

Wedding Special
SPECIFICATIONS

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140


f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR

PRICE

`26,200

Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM

PRICE

`39,990

Focal length

18-140 mm

Maximum aperture

f/3.5-5.6

Minimum aperture

f/22-38

Lens construction

17 elements in 12 groups
(including 1 ED lens element, 1
aspherical lens element)

Angle of view

76 - 1130

Minimum focus distance

0.45 m (1.48 ft) from focal


plane at all zoom positions

Maximum reproduction
ratio

0.23x

No. of diaphragm blades

7 (rounded diaphragm
opening)

Filter attachment size

67 mm (P = 0.75 mm)

Diameter x length
(extension from lens
mount)

Approx. 78 mm maximum
diameter x 97 mm (distance
from camera lens mount
ange)

Weight

Approx. 490 g (17.3 oz)

Supplied accessories

67mm snap-on front lens cap


LC-67, Rear lens cap LF-4

SPECIFICATIONS
Optical conguration

14 elements in 11 groups

Angle of view

76-12 APS-C

Full frame and APS-C

Made for APS-C cameras only,


but will work on full frame
using APS-C size capture.
Equivalent to 27-202mm in 135
format.

Minimum focus, image


plane to subject

About 16" (406mm)

Minimum focus, end of


lens barrel to subject

About 8.4" (213mm)

Filter size

62mm

Distance encoder?

Yes

Max magnication

1:4 or 0.25x

Min. F/stop

F/22-36

Dimensions WxL (my


measurements)

3.00" x 3.39" 76mm x 86mm

Maximum extended
length (my
measurements)

5.6" (143mm).

Weight bare (my scale)

13.9oz (395g) bare

NOVEMBER 2016

31

Build and Handling

All three lenses have a very good quality construction with


a mix of metal and plastic. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/
3.5-5.6 IS USM tips the scale at 515gms being the heaviest of
the three lenses. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6
G ED VR is 490gms which is slightly lighter than the Canon
and the Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM is the lightest of
all at 395gms. All three lenses have buttons for switching on/
off the autofocus, but the lens lock at 18mm is only seen on the
Canon and the Sony. The Sony however misses out on in-built
image stabilisation as Sony camera bodies are known to sport
the optical steadyshot feature which is missing in the Canon
and Nikon. But the Canon and Nikon on the other hand have
dedicated lens-based optical image stabilisation and buttons
for turning the system on and off. Surprisingly, all the three
lenses have smooth focus rings and the focussing experience
is decent. None of the lenses have distance scales, nor any
aperture markings. The switches are good in quality and sound
a click when you toggle its position.

Chromatic Aberration

To check the chromatic aberrations of the lenses under test,


we used a lens testing software called QuickMTF.
Out of the three kit lenses the Canon EF-S 18-135mm
f/3.5-5.6 IS USM exhibited the lesser amount of chromatic
aberration amounting at 0.31pix, followed by the Nikon AF-S
DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR which showed 0.47pix.
The Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM had the most amount
of chromatic aberration at 0.91pix among the three lenses.

SONY

Colour Reproduction

Colour reproduction was decent enough for the lenses we


tested. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and the
Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM rendered almost similar
colour tones. However the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140
f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR is slightly better than the Canon and the
Sony as the colour is very close to being true. The overall
image quality of the lenses are good enough for day to day
photography.

CANON

CANON

NIKON

32

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

NIKON

Wedding Special
Distortion

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G


ED VR has exhibited signs of distortion followed by the
Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM, and the Canon
EF-S 18-135mm f/ 3.5-5.6 IS USM had almost negligible
amount of distortion. However, the amount of distortion
present in the lenses is minimal and is not likely to bother
you, unless you are shooting something that needs to
have straight lines.

SONY

Conclusion
Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM
Priced at `39,990, the Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6
SAM is the most expensive among all the lenses we tested.
But for the price it showed more chromatic aberration and
slightly less accurate colours. The focussing was fast
though and the build quality of the lens is noteworthy.
The image quality is decent and the lens is best to use for
regular walk around lens.
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR
The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140 f/3.5-5.6 G ED
VR is priced at `26,200 is a good performer than the
Canon when it comes to colour reproduction and image
quality. The chromatic aberration though is a little more
than the Canon. However, the lens has lesser distortion,
and a tough built as well. Considering the price point and
performance it definitely receives a recommendation for
buying.
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/ 3.5-5.6 IS USM
Priced at `37,995, Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/ 3.5-5.6
IS USM looks very good in terms of construction and
optics. The buttons, focus and zoom rings are very smooth
to operate and the focussing was quick and precise.
Works well with a newer body and delivers good quality
images. However, the colours produced are somewhat flat
but nothing to be very worried about. The distortion and
chromatic aberration was decent and it exhibited the least
amount of both. Canon wins the shootout this year.

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33

Pro-Profile

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november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

The Wizard
of Weddings

From studying architecture, to becoming a


professional architect, Samo Rovan today is
a destination wedding photographer. Being
an ex-photojournalist, Rovan is best described
as a documentary storyteller, when it comes
to shooting weddings. His work is reflective
of his fun and direct, yet emotional and
sincere approach. This month we speak to the
Slovenian photographer, and take a journey
through his beautiful wedding stories.
november 2016

35

amo Rovan started photographing


in 1992, when he bought his
first camera as a student of
architecture for his school projects. He
was instantly charmed by the power
of the photographic medium, as he
could express his thoughts and ideas
through this gadget. He couldnt resist
to discover more, to see the beauty and
diversity of life in his own way. Since
then he has just kept on shooting.
When he was picking up his third
developed roll of film from a local
film studio, the owner asked him if
hed photograph for him. He said
yes, and a year after that he became
a photojournalist, by the invitation of
the owner of a Slovenian photo press
agency. He started covering daily news
for the main newspapers in Slovenia
for the next seven years. However, in
1998, his grandmother, who he had a
very special bond with, passed away,
and Rovan said goodbye to her with his
lens. He had a solo exhibition of these
photographs at the Slovenian cultural
center Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana.
But soon after this Rovan quit
photography, I thought its my
masterpiece and simply couldnt
go on with my photography, so I
quit photographing and became an
architect.
It was in 2006 when his coworker
asked him to photograph her wedding, it
all began. While he had initially refused, he
agreed to shoot the wedding after some
persistence. Having the camera again
in my hands, capturing the spontaneous
moments, at a very beautiful wedding in
pure nature, high-up in the mountains,
and getting incredibly good response of
the couple and their wedding guests, I
felt like in heaven. Soon he shoot some
more weddings in Slovenia and abroad.
He went on to win the prestigious
Slovenian Photographer of the Year
2009 award by EMZIN magazine, with
his Wedding guests series, and he
soon found himself right in the field of
wedding photography. After seven years
working in the architecture office, he
decided to give it up and to do what he
liked to do the most - become a full-time
destination wedding photographer and
stick to shooting weddings as his first

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november 2016

37

priority.
Rovan shoots weddings in a
photojournalistic style. As a documentary
storyteller, Rovans aesthetic is known
for being
passionate, fun, fresh,
colourful, happy, direct, and sometimes
provocative, but also emotional, sincere
and warm. We asked him to describe
his personal style, and he said that as a
documentary storyteller, he is passionate
about life, embracing it in all colours.
Im a very passionate optimist. I love
the power, joy and beauty of life, positive
emotions, happiness... Thats very much
reflected in my photography.
Rovan says that the couples he
photographs say that they choose him
in the flood of wedding photographers,
because they find his photographs
sincere, and thats what his work is
about. He said, My work is about
sincere wedding stories. At the wedding
I feel like an invited wedding guest who is
also photographing, very much invisibly,
but on the other hand, I spontaneously
communicate with the wedding couple

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november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

and their guests, I feel as a part of the


wedding and they also treat me like that. I
show up at the wedding and then I just go
with the flow. Passionately and sincerely.
My images are deeply embedded with
sincere emotions to evoke the strongest
feelings about love and life. The main
goal of my photography is to capture
the unique soul of the wedding, which
can be perceived through a great photo
story. The purpose is to show the genuine
feelings that the bride, groom and their
guests experience at a wedding. I open
the window back to the wedding day, so
they can again smell the bouquet, touch
the wedding dress.
He explains that his photography
reflects the enjoyment of life, and thats
the main reason why its well translated
in colours. He said, The images are
fuelled by positive reality. As one of my
brides said about me, Samo sees the
best within a given reality and is not
trying to create artificial perfection.
My understanding about space comes
also from my solid background in the

architectural field. My intricate, colourful


and complex images are all about life,
its dynamics and how they evolve in a
scene. How connections unfold and fill
in a certain space, often presented in
my own humorous way, are one of the
vital elements of my perspective as a
wedding photographer.
Rovan said that he enjoys capturing
complex compositions. They are my
speciality - I believe in dynamic and
complex photography with many layers
and different little stories which you can
find when taking a deeper look into it. Not
artificially perfect, but authentic and real,
so I dont like to interfere in the natural
flow. I often say about myself that I just
shoot what I see. I appreciate life and
its diversity. Every wedding is unique,
a totally different world from any other
wedding, and my clients are always the
centre stage of my photography.
For Rovan emotions are the most
important, and the orientation for
shooting. If I could not feel the wedding,
the viewer would not feel my work.

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39

I believe that what you filter through


the lens to the photograph is what the
observer will see and feel about the
subject that youre shooting.
Rovans work has earned him many
accolades and awards, some of them
being named as one of 3 Best Wedding
Photographers of 2015 worldwide
by JM Just Married Magazine (Italy),
TOP 10 Inspiration Photographer of
2015 (Brasil), TOP 10 WPJA (Wedding
Photojournalist Association) Wedding
Photojournalist of 2013 (USA), TOP 10

40

Fearless Photographer of 2011 (USA),


and Slovenian Photographer of the
Year 2009 by EMZIN. But Rovan says,
winning the Photographer of the Year
2015 WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist
Association) title is the highlight of his
professional career. I started to send
photographs to the WPJA contests,
because I wanted to compete with
myself. I wanted to push myself to
get something more special at every
wedding. Im very happy for this big
recognition from such an elite American

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

association with members from all


around the world, it means a lot to me.
Its indeed a very good feeling when my
photographs are noticed not only by
my clients, but also by my colleagues.
And WPJA contests are really unique,
because the judges are not wedding
photographers like at all the other
wedding photography competitions, but
real photojournalists, some of them are
even Pulitzer Prize winners.
We asked Rovan how is it to shoot
couples from different cultures and

background. He said that as a destination


wedding photographer he is happy that
he gets the opportunity to meet people
from so many different cultures around
the world. The essence of each wedding
is always the same - a celebration of two
people who decide to spend their lives
together and make a solid cell based on
their love for one another. A wedding in
Peru is indeed totally different than the
one in China, USA or France, but as
already mentioned on each wedding
I just follow the spontaneous process

Im a very passionate
optimist. I love
the power, joy
and beauty of life,
positive emotions,
happiness... Thats
very much reflected in
my photography.

of happening. Im very curious and


flexible and try to have an open mind. If
something surprises me, it will be visible
on the photos. There are no special
preparations, I just photograph what I
see and feel.
Rovans goal is to capture the couple
and other viewers on the wedding day,
so that when they view the photos
they will feel as if they are there at the
wedding again. If I can achieve this
goal, this is the biggest award for me.
The ideas to shoot come spontaneously

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41

Weapons of ChoiCe

I have been using the Nikon system


from the beginning. I use two Nikon
D750 and just three prime lenses
(28, 58 and 85). My favourite lens
is 28. I also use flash, but only if
there is really low light. Beside
the good shoes (Camper), I use a
custom made leather strap X-Belt
Pro from Spain. For selecting the
photos I use Photomechanic, and
Lightroom for editing with the help
of very useful Motibodo keys (USA).
My final product is a really beautiful
and high quality photo book made
by FLORIcolor, for me the best
wedding album company out there,
based in Portugal.

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november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

during the wedding. As a photojournalist


I follow what is going on and want to tell
a good story about it.
When questioned about how he has
had to adapt to changing scenarios
through the years, since he started
shooting wedding, he said that he does
not try to adapt to the main stream. I
dont like trends and I just want to follow
my own vision. I believe that the trends
are not timeless, what is trendy today
might not have such an impact in 10, 20,
30 years. I just want to show the content
of the moments I have captured.
Rovan credits his family for inspiring
and motivating him to keep pushing.
However, he says the couples and
people at wedding that he shoots are
his biggest inspiration. There are also
some other things that motivate and
inspire me, mainly not photographic.
I really like everything that makes me
think. It can be a poem or a movie or a
book or graffiti, or just a stranger on the
bus saying something funny.
Rovan said that shooting weddings
over the years, he has many emotional
memories.
Many
things
have
happened, many things made me laugh,
cry, made me very happy or even very
sad. The wedding is such an emotional
and special event. I had the opportunity
to meet so many interesting people and
not just spend a day or a few days with
them, but come very close to them. Once
for example I had met one of the Google
founders, who was videographing me
with his newly-invented Google glasses.
It was at the wedding in Europe (Croatia)
and quite a funny experience.
Rovans suggestion to budding
wedding photographers is to be
themselves, be original and not be a
copy of someone else. When I was
working as an architect, we had a rule.
First - analyse, second - get the idea
and third execute. This is my tip. First
study about photography as much as
you can, old and new masters, all kinds
of photography, try to be opened to all
the possibilities about the contents and
technical equipments. Then find your
own voice and just stick with it, believe
in it.
TexT: abhishek desai

november 2016

43

Pro-Profile

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september 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

The Soul of
a Wedding
After dabbling in photography in
college as a biotechnology student,
he knew his calling was in the arts.
He experimented with film, and then
went on to study film production in
Australia. After he shot his friends
wedding, it was no looking back
for him. His journey as a wedding
photographer began, and today he
has become one of the most sought
after wedding photographers in
the country. We talk to Sudeep
Bhattacharya this month, to find
out about his distinctive narrative
style, the changing wedding
photography scene, and his focus
on creating stories that last a lifetime.

udeep Bhattacharya has not been a


stranger to the world of arts. From a
very young age, he has been writing
short stories, and painting. His earliest
memory of inheriting the first camera was a
film Pentax ME Super, that his dad shot with
in his youth. While pursuing a Bachelors
in Biotechnology, he was still dabbling in
photography in college, shooting a few rolls
with a friends Nikon FM2. It wasnt until much
after post graduation, that he felt that his
professional calling was in the arts. However,
he was clueless where to begin. I had no
one in my family or social circle that I knew
that was a full-time creative professional. So
this switch involved a leap of faith. Through
college and after, he had been freelancing
as a copywriter, while actively playing music
in a few bands, sketching with charcoal,
and taking pictures. He found film to be a
perfect medium at the time, as it is a great
amalgamation of visual and aural arts with
writing, and after taking some time off to
create a portfolio to apply with, he moved
to Australia to pursue a Masters in Film
Production. It was these initial years though
film school, and after, working as an indie
writer-director that I had early lessons in
what it means to be a full time artist, and
how to overcome creative challenges round
the clock.
Fast forward to a few years later, during
which time he moved back to India, and
started freelancing as a commercial film
maker and photographer. About four years
ago, a school friend of his who lives in the
States, broke the news that he was getting
married in India, and enlisted his help in
finding a good wedding photographer for the
wedding. Thats when everything changed. I
knew very little of wedding photography as a
genre at the time, since I had mainly worked
in Fashion, Portrait and Lifestyle Photography
until then. As part of finding a photographer
for him, I discovered an amazing portfolio
of work, especially in US, Europe and
Australia, as well as some phenomenal work
from wedding photographers in India. The
pictures I saw from some photographers
worldwide, some of who are peers and
good friends now, really moved me, and I
developed a newfound respect for this genre
of photography that Id never explored. The
prospect of using my art and skill to create
something truly meaningful for someone,
who would cherish it for the rest of their
lives was both exciting and fulfilling. I offered

september 2016

45

my services as a photographer for his


wedding, which he readily agreed to,
and after that, theres been no looking
back. Thus began his journey towards
becoming a wedding photographer.
While Bhattacharya continues to
do a fair amount of corporate and
advertising work, he finds wedding
photography very appealing, as its a lot
more personal. He sees every wedding
shoot, and every couple he meets, as
an opportunity to start a new personal
bond and relationship. Thus he feels a lot
more emotionally and personally invested
in the work. Many of the couples and
their families Ive shot, remain very good
friends, and we often check up on each
other, or just have a quick chat every now
and then to see how the other is doing.
We asked Bhattacharya to describe
his style of wedding photography, and
he said its best described as a mix of
photojournalism and fine art, coupled
with stylised portraits and lifestyle
shots. He said that he places a lot of
emphasis on developing a rapport and
interacting with his subjects, to make
them feel comfortable and natural even
with cameras around.
A wedding
is a unique event, where there is an
outpouring of a lot of emotions, and
one can go from moments of absolute
abandon and joy in one minute, to quiet
intimate and personal emotion right after.
I find it both thrilling and challenging to
capture this up close, and this reflects
in how I approach making a picture. I
also work very close to the action and
to my subjects, rather that shoot on a
telephoto lens from afar, which allows
me to work quickly, and unobtrusively.
Often the difference between a good
photo and a great one is just moving two
steps in the right direction!
Bhattacharya shoots weddings all
around the country, at a plethora of
different types of venues, so we asked
him to tell us how he plans each wedding
shoot, and the ideas that go behind it.
I usually like to come in a day prior to
the event, to walk around the location
and mentally make a note of some of
the shots and angles that could work
while shooting. I also try to use a lot of
natural light, so I do pay keen attention
to how the light changes at different

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47

spots through the day. However, once


Ive done this exercise, while shooting,
I let all this information seep in the
background, while I am totally focussed
on the couple, their interaction, and work
organically around that. I do not direct
my subjects too much, and rather focus
on providing with a great experience
while being photographed, as I believe
that is key to creating some beautiful
and honest photographs.
The market of wedding photography
is vast, and also competitive. We asked
Bhattacharya what are the challenges in
the field of wedding photography, and

48

he said consistently putting out great


work, and also continuing to evolve and
reinvent oneself as a photographer is a
real challenge in this genre. While it is
absolutely crucial to develop and find
your own style of shooting, it is equally
important to keep growing that style,
and making an effort to learn and do
things differently. Wedding photography
after shooting for a few years can feel
repetitive, and its very easy to become
complacent, and fall into a pattern of
making pictures that are no different
than what you have managed to capture
earlier. Its imperative that we continue

september 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

studying and trying different techniques


that, while rooted in your original style,
also push the limits of your creative
potential as a photographer.
The field of wedding photography with
the influx of a number of photographers
gets saturated, so we asked how he
keeps himself motivated. He said that
a single-minded focus on story telling,
and discovering new ways how people
around the world are creating, inspires
him to constantly search for new ways
to express. I try to not dwell on my past
portfolio, and instead direct all my energies
into learning things I havent tried before.

This could be testing and trying new


equipment, that forces you to change the
way you compose, or spending time with
other mediums such as music or writing.
Anything that helps evolve the way you
think, and how interpret the world around
you, will impact the way you visualise and
take pictures.
According to Bhattacharya, always
being respectful and honest in your
outlook, and how you conduct yourself
before, during, and after the event,
matters a lot. While its important to
have fun while shooting, its equally
important to remember you are hired

there as a professional. Sticking to


timelines and commitments made to
your clients is extremely important. He
says that one must make sure to set
accurate expectations, and not promise
more than what one can deliver.
Bhattacharya has shot many
weddings, and has some very fond
memories from them. Recently, I was
shooting a wedding ceremony in Kolkata,
when in the middle of the rituals, they
needed to blow the conch shell, which
is a cultural feature of Bengali weddings.
No one including the priest was able to
do this successfully. Hence, I stepped

up to the job, put my cameras down,


and performed the custom of three
horns successfully, much to everyones
relief and my amusement.
His
suggestion
to
aspiring
photographers is to be resilient, as
wedding photography, while being very
rewarding and fulfilling, can be very
exhausting both physically and mentally.
Always remember, there are no short
cuts, so stay motivated, dedicated, and
focus on finding your own creative voice.
That will help you create your own niche
and be appreciated for that.
TexT: abhishek desai

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49

TIPS AND TECHS

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Wedding Special

AT THE HEART OF
DOCUMENTARY
WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHY
Wedding photographer Niklesh Malkani talks about documentary wedding
photography and its nuances. Having started shooting about 15 years ago,
Malkani is renowned for the up close and personal wedding images that he
strives for. He pays close attention to colour, form and light, which complement
the expressiveness of his subjects.
Niklesh Malkani

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51

TIPS AND TECHS

am
a
documentary
wedding
photographer, and simply put, for me
it is all about telling a story. Its about
weaving the images together to tell the
tale of your wedding day.
This genre of photography has
several different names; wedding
photojournalism, documentary wedding
photography and reportage wedding

52

photography. I dont believe there is


any difference between the three names
generally, apart from, perhaps, what the
bridal magazines see as the fashionable
way to describe natural, story-telling
wedding photography.
When it comes to weddings, I think
that there is a story, within a story in
these frames. Individually, they dont

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

really mean much. They might be


classed as record shots but together,
they tell their own little tale of just one
character on the wedding day.
A
documentary
wedding
photographer is storyteller, through
pictures. Its very straight forward,
but not particularly an easy art to
do well. You will see a lot of wedding

photographers out there that declare


themselves documentary wedding
photographers, but their website is full
of directed and posed images, with the
odd candid photograph thrown in for
good measure. I do not believe that is
wedding photojournalism.
Documentary wedding photography
is all about capturing the moment and
following the passion of the day. I go

after moments that appeal to me from


the inside and I strive to capture the
emotions and energy of the day through
the still image.
As
a
documentary
wedding
photographer, I am at my most creative
when left to roam around the wedding
capturing those perfect shots of you
and your guests. The moments you may
never even have noticed happening

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53

during the wedding day itself. Weddings


that have reams of formal and group
shots will disable my ability to capture
those images. I appreciate that most

weddings have some form of formal


photography, and thats fine, but I
try and keep that to a minimum. Too
much formal photography breaks the

cohesion of the day and the opportunity


for me to fully explore and photograph
the wedding.
As
a
documentary
wedding
photographer, my aim to make your
wedding photos vibrant. It is a memory
for generations to come. Each and every
wedding photograph goes through a
precise and technical post-processing
re-touching exercise. I personally edit
every one of the selected shots so
that you are presented with only the
very best photographs of your special
day. This is all part of my service to the
couple getting married.
Many people come to me because
they appreciate the time and effort I
put into the production of my finished
images. They often have an appreciation
of film-style imagery, and not the clinical,
over-processed digital images that you
often see these days.
When it comes to my shooting
techniques, wherever possible, I shoot
with small cameras and short lenses.
This often means I have to really get
in right into the heart of the action.

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55

Getting in the action is what a wedding


photojournalist should be doing all
the time. For me, this is the mantra
that dictates wedding photojournalism.
Using long lenses and popping
images out from behind a tree, whilst
unobtrusive, will not yield strong and
impactful storytelling images.
I prefer shooting with all natural light
as it preserves the natural dimensions of
a moment in an image. As I tend to use

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NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special

short prime lenses wherever possible,


they allow me to keep my approach
photo-journalistic, and this relies on
stealth during the service and at the
reception. Often, the guests wont even
know Ive taken a shot of them. The
shorter lenses are great for capturing
those unexpected moments when there
is action going on all around me.
I want to make images like these,
from every wedding I attend. Wedding

photojournalism is about telling the


whole story of your wedding, with a
focus on the details that are a part of
the story of the couples special day.
As a wedding photojournalist I do not
move, or direct my couples or their
guests in any way. I photograph the
brides dress as well, but with context, I
will photograph it artistically, but without
any intervention from me.
Other details such as locations and

table decorations, for example, are all


very important elements of the wedding
day too. I never use flash photography
during the ceremony, as this can take
away from the moment. In fact, Ill try
not to use flash at all during the day. I
might only use it as a last resort, during
the first dance, when the lighting can be
difficult.

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57

Special feaTURe
Destination weddings and
inter-cultural weddings
are quite different from
your everyday weddings.
Shooting such weddings
requires additional
research, planning,
and the zest to make
the most of this unique
opportunity. This month
we spoke to husbandwife photographer
team, Samuel and
Virginie Wiss from SV
photograph. Based in a
small paradise named
Moorea, in the middle of
Pacific Ocean, the sister of
Tahiti in french polynesia,
the duo captures many
destination weddings
on this island, of couples
from different places
around the world. They
discuss the different
aspects, specialities and
challenges of shooting
these weddings.

The magic of
destination and
inter-cultural
weddings

o become destination wedding


photographers was not our first
wish, to be honest. Back in France,
weddings could be boring, and were
clearly boring before the new artistic
age. Being chosen by an American tourist
couple to be part of their special and
unique moment, we looked around and
discovered that wedding photography is
more fun, graphic and artistic than we
thought it would be! Being a part of a
directory of wedding photographers is a
good start to understand the business,
the logic, and the codes of this not so
small world. Wedding photography
has its own judges for awards, its own
fashion, and its own battles as well.

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59

Wedding photography is nothing


more than the reflection of the
photography world in general: a world
which changes faster and with more and
more competitors, less ethical code,
not-so-big names of the photography
, but on the contrary a new record
number of photographers who try to find
a way. If you are Catholic, Caucasian
you are sure to start with that kind of
customer when youre building your
portfolio. But it is quite different here
as the notion of religion is not so clear

60

and important. It will be a Polynesian


wedding as customers are coming from
everywhere and thats what we love! You
will find yourself shooting in journalistic
reportage style during the ceremony. It is
important that you find your own touch,
as your personal style of shooting will be
important during the getting ready and
the private shoot after.
During the ceremony everything
happens fast, you will be in full manual
mode on your camera for sure, and your
autofocus will try to focus as fast as it

september 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

can, but you will almost always finish


without it, as you wont have time to
wait for it. You will also need to be good
with software as clients expect photos
in picturesque locations with amazing
clouds and a play of lights and shadows,
even though they will not think about the
photographer and the resulting photos
while planning the wedding. So, most of
the time you will need to consider a lot
of work after shooting and a lot of hours
will be spent on editing the photographs
to look good.

As a photographer you will be looking


for things that you can incorporate in
your shoot. The hotels or resorts you
shoot will not provide props most of
the time, at least here, they really dont
understand a photographers problem
(jet ski and sun chair for background,
even for the couple its a little bit
annoying!). You will need to adjust
and work with what you have, fix their
mistakes and still deliver good images.
Soon you will start to realise you need
to be a real part of the wedding planning

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61

and find a way to have someone who will


match with your own logic.
A destination wedding is a difficult
planning process for the couple and
the photographer cant just take
responsibility of the shoot: they need
to advice customers, to give them their
expertise of place and tradition also. The
photographers really need be aware
of it and not just arrive at the location
without a previous recce and be clueless
about the shoot. There are a lot of things
to know during a Polynesian wedding
which holds true for an Indian, or any

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other wedding as well. Destination


wedding mostly involves just the couple,
sometimes a few of the closest friends
and family. Our couple decided to get
married just alone and have a private
wedding, so when they chose the hotel
package they were very surprised and
disappointed (by tourists who were
watching, which happened because
of the lack of information about the
hotel). We discovered that when we
were shadowing our bride (and groom)
before (by email) and on the big day
(while getting ready). More often than

not, I stay alone with the bride when


she is getting ready and help her with
the makeup myself, help with rings
etc. These little details create a unique
relationship with our customers who
become friends! Special friends. We are
the only people, at the end of the day,
who make the link between their life at
home and their wedding here.
Wedding photographer is all of that,
not just using a camera. Thats why
we decided to create our own wedding
planning company to offer something
more, in harmony with wishes of our

guests (private place, stunning location,


authenticity of a Polynesian ceremony
etc), and for us, and for our guests, this
is completely logical to mix destination
wedding
planning
and
wedding
photography. After that there are not a
lot of rules or techniques to be great, just
work, work and communicate a lot with
couples. You need to be really focussed
on the work of others to be in touch
with the newest trends, be creative, be
self-critical, and be ready to sometimes
face criticism from the customer about
something that you cant fix yourself as it

september 2016

63

was not your part of work. Customers are


not so different from a communication
or advertising company, they want fresh
ideas and new things all the time.
The getting ready part is not only for
the bride, but for the groom as well. It is
impossible for one photographer to be
in two different places at the same time.
However, having two photographers
is also not an obligation. We have an
another logic for the make up session
and the private shoot for the bride. Men
only needs 5 minutes to be ready (but
perhaps you could have more elegant
groom on your country), so we will both
stay together with the groom, as it could
turn out to be one of the masterpiece
photographs of the wedding . So one
of us will be the assistant for the Bride,
more than for the groom, as one of us
can help her relax.
During the private shoot after the
ceremony you will not suffer about
external elements, but you will try to
use to the best. A shadow, a sunray
could give you the aesthetic bonus of an
unique shoot.
Your clients are no professional
models, they can be modest, timid,

64

reserved. You dont need to work against


that, because if you did you will have the
shoot YOU want, but not the one they
would like.
Focus on them, its their moment. Of
course you need to do your job in the
best way possible, but if they only give
you 5 minutes you need to deal with

september 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

that. So speak with them, stop if they


need time or a drink. Be relaxed or try to
be, and they will be too.
Dont come with an extremely
rigorous shooting plan or you will be
disappointed.
Try to enjoy, try to feel the moment
and just shoot!

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TIPS AND TECHS

Instructions for your

Wedding planner

Photo: Tie the knot

A wedding is a once in a lifetime event and every person dreams of a beautiful and perfect wedding,
but in order to have that perfect wedding a lot of people need to put in a lot of hard work. Photography
is an important part of the wedding as the photographs are what stay back as memories. But there
is only so much a photographer can do on his own. For a photographer to be able to achieve results
and to work to his highest potential he needs a few other peoples help. We will discuss how a client
can help the photographer achieve the best results in this article.

lot of the photographers final


result depends on how the
wedding is planned. Because
photography is a visual medium, the
visuals in the wedding affect the photos
a lot. A client can help the photographer
to achieve his vision by communicating
the photographers brief to the wedding
planner. Nowadays many wedding

66

planners have their own in-house


photographers which makes it easy
for a client as he or she has so many
things to attend to during their wedding.
But in case the client wishes to hire a
photographer of his or her choice then
the client has no other option but become
the liaison between the photographer
and the wedding planner. The first thing

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

that the client needs to understand


is the photographers vision for their
wedding pictures. Lets discuss a few
questions that the client should ask the
photographer to convey to the planner.

How is the photographer


picturing their wedding?

Every photographer wants to come

Photo: Tie the knot

out with brilliant output in terms of images


and almost always have a preconceived
visual idea. The photographer can tell
you what he wants to show and how
he wants to show it. Of course, you do
not have to follow everything he wants
to do, its after all your wedding and you
should do what your mind and soul asks
you to, but coming to a middle ground
will help as your wedding album will look
beautiful. Yes, the photographer gains
from it as well as these images add up
to his portfolio, but at the end of the day
as a client who is spending a lot on the
photographer, should get good results.
Once the photographer explains his
vision for your wedding, work with him
and come to a middle ground.

What lights should be there

Light plays the most important role


in photography, shooting with DSLRs
in low lights is difficult. The quality and
amount of light is very important. It is
best to sit the planner and photographer
down and decide on the lighting setup.
Some photographers like to use lenses
with a lower f-number for low-light
situations as well as to add depth in the
photos, while some prefer to have full
blown studio setup lights and reflectors
at a wedding. While these lights and
reflectors can be very distracting and
might end up being the only thing that
you remember from your wedding,
the quality of photographs will be a lot
better. But for your sake and for the
sake of other guests it is best to have
a proper studio light setup but from the
top. Ask your wedding planner for goal
post truss setups, so that the lights can
be mounted overhead and the wedding
area remains free. Using tripod mounted
lights can be a hassle and almost always
ends up in someone tripping over the
lights which is not a good scene in
weddings. If it is a Christian wedding
make sure you take the photographer for
a recce, so that he can get together with
the wedding planner and pre-decide
shooting spots for the couple for postwedding pictures. Make sure to tell the
wedding planner to not use red lights,
as it burns the highlights and the photo
becomes practically unrecoverable.

68

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Photo: Niklesh Malkani

NOVEMBER 2016

69

Photo: Tie the knot

Wedding Special
There have been so many instances
where the wedding pictures have been
spoiled because of a background. To
make the best use of the available space
it is imminent that the photographer
discusses what the background will be
in his pictures. During weddings even a
bright coloured background or the wrong
coloured flowers might look bad. While
wedding photographers try to get the
background as out of focus as possible,
an unwanted object jutting from the
background can look really bad. Red
coloured garden chairs seem to spoil
a lot of wedding pictures here in India.
The wedding photographer needs to be
briefed by the wedding planner about
the different customs of the particular
wedding, since India is a diverse
country and every wedding ceremony
is not the same. The photographer can
then prepare his shot accordingly. For
example, in Bengali, and a few other
Indian traditional weddings, there is a
custom to throw rice which is visually
very interesting to shoot, but there is

a high chance that the photographer


might miss it if he is not made aware of
the customs.

Pre-wedding shoot

Many wedding planners are also


in-charge of pre wedding shoots. For
shoots like these the photographer
and the planner need to sit and decide
important things like location, the attire
that the bride and groom will be wearing
etc. Many photographers tend to shoot
in the hotel where they will stay on the
location and many have complained
that the hotel hasnt been cooperative.
It is important that the wedding planner
speak to the hotel management
beforehand in case the photographer
expresses his wish to shoot in and
around the hotel premises. It is also a
good idea to recce the place beforehand
and if that is not possible the event
planner should give the photographer a
basic idea of the place.

Post wedding shoot

Wedding planners work on a tight

timeline. They need the bride and groom


at the right place at the right time in
order to manage the event successfully.
It is important to convey to them that the
photographer would probably need at
least an hour with the couple and their
bridesmaids and groomsmen for a post
wedding shoot. In many cultures post
wedding shoots are not done, but some
couples prefer to have a picture with
their friends after they just got married.
The value of that picture is immense and
the photographer needs to make sure
that everyone in the group has their eyes
open and the planner needs to give the
photographer enough time to shoot that
picture.
We all ask for a lot from our
photographers but never understand
how much background work needs to
be done to get a shot. The clients should
work closely with both the photographer
and the wedding planner to get the best
results from both. We hope this article
educates the clients as well as the
photographers in working hand in hand
to get better outputs.

Photo: Katia Peshakova

What props to use

TEXT: SOURADEEP ROY

NOVEMBER 2016

71

TIPS AND TECHS

Photo: Katia Peshakova

72

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special

FINDING THE

RIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHER

Photo: Tie the

knot

Weddings are an extensive affair


and there is only so much a
bride and groom can manage to
do by themselves. Most clients
do not know exactly what they
are looking for when they are
looking for a photographer.
Lets discuss what to look for
in a photographer so that the
client is educated about what
the photographer does and the
photographer is educated on
how to pitch themselves to the
clients! So here we go.

NOVEMBER 2016

73

Photo: Pranesh Photography

TIPS AND TECHS

How did you know about the


photographer/where to look
for one

This is a very important question


and the answer to this question will
vary for everyone since there are a lot of
different ways to find a photographer in
the digital age. One can simply google
wedding photographers and find out.
Many wedding planners have their own
in-house wedding photographers, and
many couples get recommendations
from friends who have used a certain
photographer for their own wedding. The
best way to find a photographer is from
recommendations as you can trust your
friend or family member more than any

74

website or wedding planner. There are


certain websites that list photographers
according to their personal achievements
or their portfolios are vetted before being
listed. These websites are much more
trustworthy.

Check portfolio

Weddings are important events


and there should be no compromise
in quality, be it from the caterers to the
photographers and wedding planners.
The client should get whatever he or
she has asked for in his or her budget.
Ask the photographer to send you
a portfolio via email or check his or
her website. While checking wedding

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

photos, it is not important to know the


ins and outs of photography. Check if
the work is consistent, check if he or she
has successfully captured the candid
moments, check if the lighting was
good or not etc. Remember that more
than 90% of the people who will see
your family album will not look into the
technicalities of the photograph, but will
look for interesting moments. Nowadays
a new genre of wedding photography
has
emerged
called
wedding
photojournalism
or
documentary
wedding photography, where content is
all important and technique takes a back
seat.

Wedding Special

Photo: Tie the knot

If you want a particular style of


photography to influence all your
wedding photos then find a photographer
who excels in that genre. Documentary
photographers will have excellent
knowledge on documentary style of
shooting and will focus more on behind
the scene images, candid moments etc.
Landscape photographers will have
extensive knowledge of locations for
your pre-wedding shoots and so on.
Not every photographer will be equally
brilliant in every genre. Remember to
discuss your demands with your better
half before selecting a photographer.

Photo: Pranesh Photography

Genre specific photographer

NOVEMBER 2016

75

76

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Photo: Tie the knot

TIPS AND TECHS

Photo: Tie the knot

Budget photographer

Weddings are an expensive affair


and it is not possible for every client to
dedicate a large amount of money on
photography. If you have a tight budget
and cannot afford to have an experienced
and highly-paid wedding photographer,
try finding a photography student in
his or her final year. There are many
enthusiastic and talented photographers
out there looking to get a break. You can
help him or her extend the portfolio and
client list while he or she delivers images
for you. Make sure to see their portfolio.
If they do not have a wide background
on weddings, ask a photographer friend
or someone who knows about art to
review their portfolio. Remember, while it
might be a good feeling to give someone
the opportunity, it is also important to
thoroughly vet his or her work since these
pictures are priceless and the wedding is
a one time affair!

Equipment

While photography skills remain


the first criteria for any client, in

wedding photography, the equipment


the photographer has or intends to
use is very important. Using high end
equipment not only improves the picture
quality it also lets you blow up the images
while printing. Weddings are a special
occasion in a persons life and naturally
one might wish to get a photo or two
printed big to hang in the house. If shot
with a very basic camera, the prints will
get pixelated. Why take that risk? Always
ask your photographer what equipment
he intends to use and if he doesnt have
good equipment but you like his skills
then increase the budget a little and ask
him to hire better equipment instead.
This brings us to our next and last point.

Do not rely on disposable


cameras and guests

Disposable cameras are the new


trend in wedding photography circles.
People think that distributing disposable
cameras to guests gives more intimate
and candid photographs, which is a myth.
More often than not, disposable cameras
provide nothing but disappointment. One

should never rely solely on these cameras


and their guests since these cameras are
not that trustworthy and your guests, at
least most of them, are not professionally
trained photographers. Even if you wish
to distribute these cameras, do so after
appointing a professional to shoot as
well. Ask your guests to not interrupt
the professional photographer during
his shoot or step in front of him or her
while he or she is shooting. Always
remember that choosing a professional
photographer will ultimately give you
photos that are usable for the rest of your
life.
When
choosing
a
wedding
photographer always remember that
these photographs will remain as lasting
memories of the special day. Decide on
your budget and take your time choosing
the photographer. You cannot put a price
on memories they say, but photographers
tend to think otherwise.

TEXT: SOURADEEP ROY

NOVEMBER 2016

77

TIPS AND TECHS

HOW TO SHOOT A
WEDDING IF YOU
ARE NOT A WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHER
If youre a photographer and happen to take good images every
time you fire your shutter, sooner or later someone might approach
you to capture their wedding. While this is a job often best left to
professionals who shoot weddings for a living, you can up your
chances of success with a bit of preparation and planning. Shooting
a wedding alone can be a difficult task, but if you are a one man team
or are just casually taking pictures of your friends wedding, some
basic level of preparation along with the right approach will help you in
the execution of your shoot.
A wedding is a special day for many people. Its not just two people
beginning a new life together, but also rotates around that person who
is making all the efforts to preserve the memories of the special day. If
you are not a person who is familiar with shooting weddings, it can be
rather intimidating for the photographer to deliver the quality he/she
is known to produce. All the results of your preparation will take you
a long way in making the day memorable for you as well. This time
we shall discuss about how to shoot a wedding when you are not a
wedding shooter.

1.

Preparing a check list: Firstly


you have to make a checklist.
What all does the list have? The
list will have all your required equipment
like camera bodies, memory cards,
spare batteries, tripod, any lighting
accessories you are going to use, hard
drives for backup and other essentials.
All this goes in this list marked on a
priority. This will ease up the process
and help you figure out what all you have
to get and if anything else you need is
missing.
Doing a recce of the location:
Usually
many
wedding
photographers get the glimpse
of the location at the time of the shoot

2.

78

or just a day ahead. If you are shooting


for someone you know closely, you can
ask them to take you around when they
check out the venue. Snapping a few
images of the location on your phone
will allow you to look at them later and
decide the best spots for you to take
images from. You will know what you are
dealing with.
The
Gear:
Wedding
photography requires some
gear which you cannot afford
not to have. Along with your set of
equipment, renting out an extra DSLR
body with additional lenses can be of
great help. Do not take the chances of
switching lenses mid-shoot because it

3.

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

does not matter how expert of a shooter


you are but a missed moment will be a
missed moment forever. Use fast lenses
which sport apertures of f/2.8 or even
larger. Low-light can be a killer so rely
on full-frame DSLR bodies. Lighting is
also important and you should arrange
your lights be it external flashguns or
studio lights. A prime lens for bokeh

Wedding Special

Photo: Michol Sanchez

shots, A handy walk-around 24-70mm


f/2.8 lens and a fast telephoto lens. Extra
batteries, memory cards should be right
at your disposal. A pouch around your
waist to keep all the loose article would
be a good idea though.
Checking out the wedding
rituals: What if you are shooting
a traditional or a tribal wedding,

4.

or a Bengali wedding? Have you ever


shot one? If not, then you need to do
some homework before. Do a research
about the kind of wedding you are
shooting. Is it a one day ceremony or
a long ritual extending up to two days.
What all are the important parts of the
wedding, what to emphasise on and
what are not that important. A good

research is always like being a step


ahead in the game. If you are someone
who is shooting an offbeat wedding then
your research will definitely add some
style to your pictures for sure.
On the big day: The most
important day, not only you
are nervous because you are
doing what you havent been doing on

5.

NOVEMBER 2016

79

TIPS AND TECHS


a regular basis, also there are many
people who are as tensed and exited as
you. All the wedding bells and whistles
seem to stun for a moment and you
dont know where to begin from. In such
cases it will always be helpful to have
someone from the wedding partys side
to guide you through all guests, relatives
and important people they wouldnt
want you to miss. You are the man of the
hour. You will be needed wherever there
is interesting things happening. Take
shots of people in the crowd, candid
images of guests and the bride groom
and their families. Emotions would be at
a very high state then and you will have
to make the best out of it.
Shooting the images: It is not
always about pressing the
shutter when something is
happening but also you approach to
shooting it. To allow yourself with the
flexibility to edit your images it is always
recommended to shoot full resolution
RAW images files. JPEG images will not
be of nay use as you will go through the

7.

that and produce what you would in


such a situation. Pre-plan some shots
in your mind that you would like to
shoot during the wedding and after the
wedding ceremony viz. family pictures,
group photos and couple photos. The
more you add to your list the more you
end up having.
Getting
an
extra
hand:
Weddings are tough to shoot.
Not kidding but big weddings
have so much going around all the time
that you cannot be at all the places at
one time. Having an extra hand while
shooting will turn out to be a saviour for
you. If you are planning to hire someone
to shoot along with you, make sure you
give him all the brief and plan accordingly.
Go through his/her work and see if they
can deliver the quality you would want to.
Tell them your specific needs so they can
focus more on what they are assigned
to shoot so that you dont have to worry
about. If you think you would be capable
to cover the wedding all by yourself its
still advisable to have an assistant or

8.

Photo: Niklesh Malkani

6.

editing process later and will make sense


if you shoot small JPEGs for reference or
to give your clients an idea of what you
have shot. Having extra memory cards
are recommended. High speed cards
will enable you to stack up more frames
when you are shooting on a continuous
shutter. Make sure your settings are
good enough for the venue according
to the ambient lighting. As mentioned
earlier your choice of using external
lighting is an added benefit which you
are going to have to decide for yourself.
Getting the edge in the images:
Wedding photos need not be
artsy sometimes and may be
not the style of photography you would
be doing on a regular basis, but a mix
of styles can give you an edge over
the regular wedding pictures you see
almost all the time. Silhouettes, extreme
highlight and shadow situations, slow
sync flash, intentions blurs of moving
objects and many other interesting
things would be happening around you
and its your job to keep and eye on all

80

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Photo: Micol Sanchez

Wedding Special

9.

get big prints of. This discussion should


happen well before hand and tell them
the exact number of images you would
be delivering to them after the shoot. If
you have a post-wedding shoot with the
same couple then ask them which ones
they would like to have on a priority
basis so that you dont run out of the
allotted deadline.
Its your work, credit
yourself:
Your efforts
behind the camera is
what made the pictures
amazing.
Everyone
happy?
Well
happy
clients also mean happy
service providers. If you
are getting paid for your
work well then thats what
it is. If you are doing it for
a friend whom you cannot
really charge for shooting
their wedding, ask them if
they would help you with
the equipment rental costs

10.

and any miscellaneous costs that have


occurred. If you have an assistant make
sure they get their dose of motivation.
Wedding photography is not only about
costs, but also the time a photographer
invests in delivering the quality of work.
Nothing comes free and so expect your
work to be rewarded.

Photo: Micol Sanchez

an intern for the day to help you with


your equipment and stuff. Since you are
taking a service form an individual, make
sure their hard work for the day is paid
well and a little contribution from your
side for their efforts will not only be a
great booster for them, but also you can
have the person along whenever you are
in situations where you would definitely
need extra help.
Delivering the work: So now
that you have shot the wedding,
its all of your workflow now.
Backing up files, re-backing them
and then the process of selection and
post-processing. As you have a shot
a wedding and not a documentary
story, so you have to make it look like
one. Post-processing is an important
step that would complete the cycle of
shooting the wedding complete. To
make things easier you can send your
clients the small JPEG files that you had
shot for reference. Ask then what they
like and which images they like and
which are the ones they would want to

TEXT: MRINMOY CHOUDHURY

NOVEMBER 2016

81

tips & techs

82

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Importance
of weddIng
photographers
Wedding photography is one of the largest photography genres
employing thousands of people in every country every year. the cash
floW for the Wedding photography industry is substantially more
than other photography genres. then Why do Wedding photographers
complain that their trade or skill is not as appreciated by the
industry? lets break doWn the theory and find out.

The beginning
Wedding photography has developed as
and when photography has developed.
Photography became a common
practice in weddings as people wanted
to capture their big day and save
the moments as memories. Before
photography developed into a mass
market industry there were very few
photographers who knew how to use
a camera and develop film. They were
rare and highly respected. Everyone
knew that film (or the chemicals used)
was expensive and families that were
well off, would hire photographers for
a few photos with the family, in their

best clothes. Photographers had their


own studios which was an expensive
affair. After the second world war colour
photography became available and
wedding events started to be shot as
film and developing chemicals became
easier. Wedding photography has not
looked back ever since and it is still, at
present, one of the growing genres in the
photography industry.
Wedding photography as a profession
Wedding photography since the early
80s, till the late 2000s was just another
profession which people practised to
earn money. Since Indian economy was

going through a rough phase people


couldnt afford to have a massive budget
for wedding photographs. There was no
intention to inculcate art into this genre
of photography and people viewed
it as a means to document a day in
their lives. In India photographers were
severely underpaid since photography
had become easier with film being sold
cheap and digital photography making
headway. Wedding photography had
become another way of earning easy
money for studio photographers who
lacked skills as well as artistic talent. All
one needed was a basic camera, some
film rolls and a flash with a reflector.

november 2016

83

The photos were horrible, posed and the


results were cheap quality 4x6 or 5x7
with each photo tucked in a cheap photo
album with plastic inserts. Most photos
would get stuck to the plastic and end
up being permanently damaged or the
album would eventually break apart as
the bindings were not up to the mark.
This long stagnant period in this genre
of photography has stuck in a whole
generation of peoples minds. The
scenario has changed completely now
which brings us to our next point.
Development of the industry
As discussed the wedding photography
industry had gone through a very rough
decade where people lost respect for
the photographers. Through no fault of
their own, the wedding photographers
found themselves to be not respected in
the industry. While photojournalism was
booming and other genres were getting
the due public appreciation, wedding
photography had fallen behind. Then
came the digital age and with it came

84

november 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

a lot of small and large companies that


started to invest into the wedding photo
industry. Indian economy had improved
and people could now afford to allot a
huge budget for wedding photographs.
With online networking portals like
Facebook and Orkut booming, photos
gained a lot of importance in peoples
lives again. Memories could now be
stored and shared sitting in the comfort
of your homes. And people started to
understand the importance, and the
cost, of memories (read photographs).
Many companies which work closely
with the wedding industry, like the photo
album makers and printers etc, started
seeing profits. They invested these
profits to learn new ways to display
photos like designed and personalised
albums. Experiments were being done
with different bindings, different paper
quality etc as clients wanted the best
quality product even if that meant
paying a high premium. This meant that
photographers could finally step up their
game. Many photographers learnt the
tricks of the trade and injected art in
the photography. DSLRs made their job
easier since they could now see what
they shot instantly. Using bokehs, on
location shoots, props, documentary
styles etc became commonplace.
Loss of respect and where we stand now
There was an entire generation of clients
that knew wedding photographers as

the guy who takes group photos at


the wedding. That was pretty much all
anyone knew about that guy. With
changing times and changing industry
tides clients have started to understand
how important wedding photographs
are. Their value cannot be measured
by money. These photographs should
not be a place where people should
compromise. Clients started to realise
that there was more to this genre than just
clicking a shutter. It is noteworthy that in
2010, to promote wedding photography
and to change the viewers mindset about
this genre Asian Photography Magazine
started a once in a year wedding special
issue. Many magazines started covering
wedding photographers in India since.
The wedding photography industry has
never looked back.
The wedding photography industry
is a very important industry and is one
of the very few who are not affected as
much by inflation or any major economic
crisis. People get married all the time and
photographers in the industry are never
out of work. The photographers are
respected people of the society as well
as the photography industry. There are
award winning wedding photographers
who charge more than any other genre
specific photographer. With more
equipment in their arsenal and more
photographers than ever, the wedding
industry is a force to reckon with.
TexT: souradeep roy

november 2016

85

TIPS AND TECHS


The wedding day is one
of the most important
days of ones life. Lavish
arrangements are made,
and youre surrounded
by everyone near and
dear to you, and you
would want to remember
the day for the entire life.
Photographing weddings
is the only way you can
preserve the memories
for the future. Wedding
photography caters to
all these special needs
of a wedding. Wedding
photographers are
specialised in shooting
weddings and they know
exactly what to do.
Everyone has a style of
shooting and it would differ
from person to person.
Choosing a style for the
wedding pictures is a
headache though. The
clients mostly have no idea
of what they want and
so sometimes it leads to
confusion on both ends. If
you or anyone you know
is getting married, helping
them choose a style of
wedding photos would be
of great help.

WEDDING
PHOTOJOURNALISM
86

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

NOVEMBER 2016

Photo: Herman Pinera

Wedding Special

87

TIPS AND TECHS

photography industry and created a


new unique style of photography called
wedding photojournalism.
As you can understand now that
wedding photojournalism is wedding
photography
with
a
journalistic
style approach. Photojournalists or
documentary photographers are used
to taking pictures as the event unfolds.
A reportage and documentary wedding
photographer or wedding photojournalist
for that matter, have a finely tuned, wellpracticed eye for storytelling, almost a
natural ability to be in the right place at the
right time. Elements such as composition
and lighting will be second nature and
instinctive with practice. Most importantly
however, they will understand their clients
and their subjects. They will successfully

create personal, enduring images and not


just stereotypical snapshots of the brides
shoes and isolated portraits of the friends
and family.
How different is documentary style
wedding photography different from
regular wedding photography? Well
this is something which depends on
the personal style of the photographer.
Documentary/Photojournalism
style
photographers have their expertise
in news and live event photography
experience. In photojournalism the
importance of well shot and framed
pictures with strong content which make
their way up to the news is mandatory.
Documentary photographers have a
certain style they visualise their story and
shoot accordingly, many of them choose

Photo: Emilie Rhaupp

n this article we shall discuss


about
wedding
photojournalism/
documentary
style
wedding
photography and how it is different from
the usual wedding photography you see
in general. So what exactly wedding
photojournalism/documentary
style
wedding photography?
Photojournalism is a term that
is actually used to describe a style
of journalism accomplished through
photography that is used for story telling
in news, magazine and other publications.
As a type of journalist, photojournalists
were expected to observe and record
events as they unfolded, without any
interference or adulteration. In the late
1980s and early 1990s, a group of
photojournalists moved into the wedding

88

NOVEMBER 2016 www.asianphotographyindia.com

Wedding Special

Photo: Tika Ghegory

Photo: Sing-ming Lee

Photo: Janets Photography

to keep things without colour and


present wedding pictures in total black
and white format. The respective images
when viewed as a series would seem
like a story which has been represented
through pictures. If you come across
a photojournalist who is shooting a
wedding, you will notice the difference
he/she approaches his subjects and
the ability to blend in the crowd and
take intimate images of the ceremony
and the people around. Documentary
style wedding photojournalists would be
very specific with details and also would
use some recommended prescribed
equipment.
With the correct people skills, you
dont need to sneak up or hide from people
in order to get a shot, it really is possible
to be accepted as the photographer at
the wedding, even by the camera shy
and aware. A good social, reportage,
documentary or photojournalist wedding
photographer will first and foremost have
excellent people skills, an asset that is
too regularly overlooked in the wedding
photography business.
When a reportage/documentary style
photographer these people skills allow
them to develop a positive rapport with
a subject and to seamlessly become part
of, and identify with, very personal and
often private moments.
True documentary style wedding
photography is so much more than just
a pretty picture. Aesthetics come into
play, such as the undefinable instant
wow-factor an image might have.
However, that only lasts so long. Images
need to have more to them, they need to
provoke an interpretation or an emotional
connection if they are to stand the test
of time.
TEXT: MRINMOY CHOUDHURY

NOVEMBER 2016

89

PHOTOSCAPE

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93

PHOTOMONTAGE

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I have been capturing life in the streets of Delhi from the past 15 months. I love to capture the emotions and the
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