Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
AN N TH
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www.betterphotography.in
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IVER SARY EDITs
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This makes old!
241 issu
editorial Finding the answers
The answers, On the 20th Anniversary of the magazine, I can easily say weve come full circle in
our search for answers. Thats what Better Photography has been all about, all through.
as elusive as The how and why, the when and where, the who and what, the but and therefore, and
they are to put the in betweens. We have broken down the making and taking of moments into its
into words, elements. Once in a while, we have also asked why, at all, photographs and photography?
seem to stare The answers, as elusive as they are to put into words, seem to stare right back at us,
so plaintively obvious that we sometimes miss the point. Perhaps, its less about
right back at us, questions and answers, and more about conversation. A quiet, enjoyable, freewheeling chat with no objectives.
so plaintively Just a sharing of ideas and thoughts, experiences and happenstances, and feelings. We have done that too.
obvious that we Then perhaps, could it be about not talking at all? A language without words need no words to be eloquent.
sometimes miss I sometimes toy with the idea of having an issue with no text, only photographs. If and when we do, it would,
no doubt, be the singularly toughest edition of the magazine that we bring to you. Nevertheless, it has been
the point. twenty years of sharing and learning together.
Occasionally, I like to challenge myself to find my favourite photos, both from the world of photography
and among my own. A few days ago, I found myself revisiting the works of Andr Kertsz. Towards the last
years of his life, he found fascination in the lighting and forms of just about everythingshadows and objects,
inside his apartment, from his windownot just infusing, but literally binding his pictures with what I can
only describe as his loneliness. I also rediscovered an old portrait I made of a nomadic cobblers child, sleeping
peacefully in a hammock, oblivious to the desperate throes of life around. Writ on his face is all the hope, joy
and promise that only a child can dream of. Finally, I came to The Priest by Ralph Gibson, with its compressed,
tensioned framing, the stark black robe and crisp white collar of rank around the neck, the stoic, uplifted
jaw speaking of spirit, work and achievement... the journey of it. All of these images have no worldly intent,
4 except to the photographer. There really are no hows, whys, whens or where with them. Yet, they sum up
certain aspects of humanity and life so completely and wonderfully. To borrow a quote from Ralph Gibson
The first question really is what to photograph. The next question is where to place the camera.
Photography, you, us... may our quests continue for years to come.
K Madhavan Pillai
editor@betterphotography.in
Kodaikanal,
Tamil Nadu, 2003
& Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh, 2006
by Prashant Panjiar
Contrasts, similarities, and
blurred lines betwen the
people, places and homes
of india caught Panjiars
attention even as he made
panaoramas of them all.
Portraiture is always
difficult. Its a negotiation.
When I enter a home, I
usually look for the best
light to shoot the portraits
in. Theres suggestion from
my part (to the subject),
but, I also let things just...
happen. I let people direct
me to quite an extent,
he says.
CEO-NEWS AND GROUP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Chief Human Resources Officer, Network18 GET PUBLISHED IN BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
P Sakhtivel Participate in online contests, share your best tips
Rahul Joshi
and techniques to get your work noticed. Follow
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NEWSSTAND & SUBSCRIPTIONS For Your Pictures, Readers Gallery and Readers Tip:
EDITORIAL Head-Circulation & Subscription Visit http://betterphotography.in/contests and
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Participate in the relavant contests on the page.
K Madhavan Pillai
There will always be a contest open for you to take
WEST: Mumbai: Sanjay Bhujle, Dinesh Devadiga, Laxman B.
part in!
Deputy Editor-Technical NORTH & EAST: Kamal Bisht For Readers Gallery contests, make sure the
Shridhar Kunte CHENNAI: Karunanithi images have been made using a cellphone
HYDERABAD: Naveen For Readers Tip and Your Pictures contests,
Features Writers include a 100-word note on how and why you shot
Conchita Fernandes
Newsstand Accounts the image
Winners of all the contests get featured on our
Anant Athavale, Rahul Mankar
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They will also receive special prizes!
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Send in a synopsis, with low-resolution images
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Logistics following sections:
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52
GearGuide CellphonePhotography
th
ANNIVER
20
es
ITION
SARY EDus
This makes old!
30 Canon EOS 77D
A semi-professional
camera hits the mark for
the serious enthusiast
42 TesT
Oppo F3
How good is the phones
dual sele camera?
241 issu
36 Fujinon XF 50140mm
f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
ON THE COVER A quintessential
workhorse for the pro
44
JOHN THOMSON : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S FiRsT knoWn sTReeT phoTogRapheR
June 2017 Rs. 150
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Unravelling everyday
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HSM Art
20th RY EDITIO
N
A specialist optic for
ANNIVERSA
portrait photographers
us
This makes old!
241 issues
68
BetterPictures ShowCase PhotoFinish
52 sPecIal FeaTure
Amit Pasricha 86 greaT masTers
John Thomson 146 Oh, the humanity
sTorY behINd The PIcTure
Regulars
Feedback ............................................................10
TIPa awards ....................................................... 24
Feedback
Send your suggestions, thoughts, and feedback letters to...
feedback@betterphotography.in
Every month, the Letter of the Month will win a special gift from
I must also JOHN THOMSON : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S FiRsT knoWn sTReeT phoTogRapheR But I would gladly accept an article on
postprocessing, covered each month in
June 2017 Rs. 150
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the magazine.
kle
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www.betterphotography.in
Adapting to Change
Over the years, I have had to shift my base
20 th
ARY EDITIO
N
out of India more times than I would like
ANNIVERS us
This makesold!
241 issues
to remember. Each new place has been a
wonderful adventure for me. On every visit
to Mumbai, I make sure to grab the latest
With this issue of
copy of the magazine and catch up on the
Better Photography,
the magazine turns issues I have missed. With the international
20 years old! subscription option and the website, it has
been easy to access the magazine.
Birthday Wishes to BP! Over the years, I have observed that like
Since I teach photography, I subscribe me, the magazine also believes that the only
to multiple photography-related thing constant in life is change. While our
magazines and newsletters. I find BP to core beliefs and values remain the same, we
be the only publication in India, with adapt and move with the surroundings. In
10 the freshest articles and features. I have BPs case, excellent stories and a drive to stay
been a subscriber since 2005 and since true to the art. Embracing change is the only
then the magazine has gone through a way to survive and the only way forward.
beautiful transition. Thank you for evolving gracefully. It is one of
Since photography consists of various the most urgent needs of our time. Heres to
genres, it is quite heartening to see BPs a happy 20th year!
effort to do justice to them all. The stories Lokesh Maheshwari, Prague
are either woven in the form of brilliant
features, book reviews, informative gear All Kinds of Inspiration
reviews or interviews with photographers The last issue of BP My favourite section of Better Photography is
who have mastered that particular style. featured the hoax of your very last pageThe Story Behind the
In fact, I cannot wait to get my hands on William H Mumler in the Picture. What a wonderful way to conclude
BPs June 2017 anniversary issue. I must 1800s who fooled people your issue for a month. It is the first section
into believing his images
also congratulate the magazine in advance were actually of the I read when I get a copy of the magazine.
for completing 20 wonderful years, and spirits of the dead. Last issues story on William H Mumbler
presenting their readers with the best that
there is to offer from the photography world.
Vishnupriya Sibal, Jharkhand
Postprocessing Suggestions
With the accessibility to photography on
the internet, we are exposed to both good
and bad images on a daily basis. I often
find myself alarmed at the extensive
postprocessing some people tend to favour,
often to the detriment of thr photograph.
In this aspect, I think that Better Photography,
could do more to educate about post
processing. With the monthly webinars
hosted by BP and Adobe, we do get an
insight in the world of image editing.
I liked how the was quiet an interesting read. I liked how Lately, Ive taken a break from heading
writer combined the writer had combined the element of out on my weekly soujourns, simply
spirituality and imagemaking together, because I would like to adapt to this new
the element of while speaking about Mumblers hoax. approach. I plan to set out free from
spirituality and Moreover, the overall issue was such a the constraints I had cast about myself.
imagemaking treat! As an amateur wildlife photographer, Many thanks to Better Photography for
together. reading a dedicated section on upcoming inspiring a different, yet, simple train
12 photographer, Pratik Pradhan and of thought in interested photographers
Wildlife India Photography Awards, was like me!
nothing short of spectacular. Kudos to S Mukherjee, Mumbai
Better Photography for giving its readers the
opportunity to learn from such talent.
Divya Nehru, Aurangabad
Dorothea Lange was a portrait photographer, who later turned to the documentary genre. She is best known for her images of the Great Depression,
shot for FSA in the United States. Langes work humanised the catastrophe, by portraying individuals with a sense of strong work ethic and pride,
despite their circumstances. She rose to fame for her image of the Migrant Mother, which achieved an iconic status represented several causes
thereafter. Lange was always critical of her work and longed for more time to shoot, even towards to the end of her life.
w H At S N E w
Souvid Datta Admits to Plagiarising Photographs
Sony FE 100400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
The super telephoto zoom
lens features a double linear
S ouvid Datta, an award-winning
documentary photographer was
recently accused of plagiarising the
motor and Direct Drive
Super Sonic wave motor for work of American photographer
precise and quiet operation Mary Ellen Mark.
for still and video shooting. It is lightweight and
has a has a zoom torque adjustment ring to zoom The controversy became public
faster or slower. The lens has 9-blade circular after Bengaluru-based social worker
diaphragm for bokeh and offers a minimum Shreya Bhat saw his series, In the
focussing distance of 0.98 metres. It is compatible
Shadows of Kolkata that was featured
with both 1.4x and 2x teleconvertors, and retails
for USD 2500 (approx. Rs. 1.6 lakhs). on Huffington Post. She reached
out to PetaPixel with one of Dattas Left: A photograph from Mary Ellen Marks Falkland Road;
Leica DG Vario Elmarit 818mm images after she noticed a strange Right: An image from Souvid Dattas In the Shadows of Kolkata
f/2.8-4 ASPH similarity between his photo and one photos as his own. In an interview with
Introduced by Panasonic,
particular shot in Marks project, Falkland TIME magazine, Datta admitted to
the Micro Four Thirds ultra-
wide angled lens, comprises Road. Later, the investigations proved that the accusations and said, I foolishly
of 15 elements in 10 groups. Datta cloned a part of Marks image and doctored images, inexcusably lied about
It features Panasonics Nano added to his photo. others work being my own and then
Surface Coating technology to minimise ghosting
Further, Daniele Volpe also accused buried these wrongdoings in the years
and flaring. The lens has a maximum sensor
drive of 240fps that helps in high-speed and high- Datta of passing off two of Volpes that followed. I am so profusely sorry.
precision contrast AF along with stability during
tracking and zooming. It is priced at USD 1099
Sekonic L-858D-U
T
The lightmeter features an ability he Los-Angeles Freestyle Photographic eventually, the Holga 120N and120S were
to measure flash duration and to
Supplies have decided to bring back the retracted in the late 2015 and the production
work in HSS mode. It can read
out the duration of a burst of Holga 120N by tracking down its moulds, to was shut down. The Holga 120N features
light as short as 1/55500sec and kickstart the manufacturing process again. two formats12 6 x 6cm images or 16 6 x
work with shutterspeeds as short The original Holga camera was 4.5cm images, two shutterspeeds1/100s
as 1/16000sec. Its 2.7-inch touchscreen offers
introduced in 1981 in China, offering an and bulb, two aperture settings f/11 and
reflected 1 spot metering as well as built-in filter
factor modes. The L-858D-U retails for USD 600 inexpensive 120mm film format camera f/8, a hot shoe adapter, a standard tripod
(approx. Rs. 38,000). for more affordable photography. As the mount, a cap, and a strap. The camera will
35mm film took over the Chinese markets, be available early July 2017.
6 May18 June
Scope
Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai
Sagar Chhetri
P R O tA L K
Photographer Stanley Greene Passes Away at 68
Organised by Pix magazine,
this exhibition is a foray
Gobo is used to block
unwanted or stray
light from falling onto
S tanley Greene, American
photojournalist, passed
away on 19 May in Paris
photographers. He was known for
his visceral and brutally honest
photographs of wars, including
into emerging photo the subject. often a
narratives in Nepal, reflector, using the due to liver cancer. He was conflicts in Chechnya, Georgia,
historical and battling the disease for Afghanistan and Iraq. Greene
black side, can serve a
contemporary, and the
ways in which they mobilise
dual purpose and act several years. received several honors and
viewership. It will feature as a gobo as well.
One of the founding produced two books, Black Passport
works by Shikhar Bhattarai,
members of the photo and Open Wound: Chechnya 1994-2003.
Philip Blenkinsop, Sagar
Chhetri, Sharbendu De, agency Noor Images, Photographer, Michael Kamber
Narayan Tushar Kaudinya, Greene started his career as a music and remembers him as, Stanley was living
Karan Shrestha, Nirman
fashion photographer. He later moved on the front edge, all out, all the time.
Shrestha, Zishaan Akbar
Latif, Surendra Lawoti, to the documentary genre and became His photos were a proof that he wasnt
Frederic Lecloux, Tuomo one of the leading international conflict holding anything back for the future.
Manninen, Nepal Photo
Project and Karma
Tshering Gurung.
316 June
the African Portraits
Hasselbald Hires Photographer Ming Thein as CSO
Exhibit 320, Delhi
A fter the sudden departure consultant and director to ensure a
Mahesh Shantaram
930 June
Artist talk
Gallery Gold Kolkata
Bangladesh-based award-
C anvera Digital Technologies Pvt Ltd,
a photobook and printing brand, is
all set to join hands with two US-based
album print. Through this association,
Canvera partners will be able to easily
design and print their photobooks.
winning photojournalist
and activist, Saiful Huq Omi album design software brands, Pixellu According to Ranjit Yadav, MD, Canvera,
will be giving a lecture on and Fundy Designer. This is the first time, The association is one step closer to the
documentary photography an Indian printing company will have digital design ecosystem and empowers
and will also talk about
his ongoing series on the its specific presets preloaded onto these our partners with new trending software,
lives Rohingya refugees international software for a seamless helping them with an array of design
of Burma. transaction between album design to templates to choose from.
930 June
the Inspired Frame
tasveer Sua House, Bengaluru
P R O tA L K
Frederik Buyckx
to two renowned and series of images titled Whiteout,
seminal artists Raja Ravi
which was shot in the Balkans,
Varma and Gustav Klimt.
Reconstructing tableaus Scandinavia and Central Asia,
and compositions as where people often live in
featured in the famous
works of these artists,
isolation and in close contact with nature. and Student Photographer of the Year,
Chawla photographs My series investigates this struggle against respectively. This year the contest received
his contemporary disappearance, comments Buyckx. more 2,27,000 entries from 183 countries,
models to represent
lifelike experiences of Apart from him, Alexander Vinogradov making it the worlds largest photography
their paintings. from Russia was awarded as the Open competition. The jury also awarded
Photographer of the Year, whereas US- British documentary photographer and
11 June
based Katelyn Wang and Argentinian president of Magnum Photos, Martin Parr,
Street Photography
workshop photographer, Michelle Daiana Gentile were as this years recipient of the Outstanding
Mumbai declared as Youth Photographer of the Year Contribution to Photography prize.
Mirror Tribes is organising
a street photography
workshop at Dadar flower Call for Entries
20 market with experts
from DCP Expeditions Prize: The winning individuals will be rewarded in the
LLP for photography form of Rs. 25,000 Rs. 50,000, given in phases based
enthusiasts. The three on timely submissions during the 6-8 month period.
hour workshop will be Entry Fee: Free
mentored by DCPs group website: www.indiaphotoarchive.org
leader, Swapnil Agaskar, Deadline: 30 June
who is also a printing
technologist from the Sir
JJ School of Arts Mumbai. Monochrome Awards
Post the photowalk, the Competition: The contest aims at discovering the
Agaskar will also conduct best black and white photographers from around
a portfolio review session the world.
for all the participants. Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine
To know more, visit www. Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People,
dcpexpeditions.com Send in your entries Hasselblad Masters 2018 Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
to the Hasselblad the Competition: The contest invites photographers Prize: The series winner will receive USD 3000 (approx.
79 July Masters 2018 and to submit images, which best demonstrate their Rs. 2 lakhs) and the single photo winner will receive
Photo today get a chance to win photographic ability and give them a chance to make USD 2000 (approx. Rs. 1.3 lakhs).
Bangalore a medium format their mark in the world of high-end photography. Entry Fee: Single Photo USD 20 (approx. Rs. 1300) and
Dr Prabhakar Kore Convention Hasselbald camera. Categories: Aerial, Architecture, Fine Art, Fashion, Series USD 25 (approx. 1600).
Center, Bengaluru
Landscape, Portrait, Product, Project/21, Street, website: www.monoawards.com
Wedding and Wildlife. Deadline: 9 July
Prize: The winners will receive a Hasselblad camera and
have their work published in the Hasselblad Masters Neutral Density Photography Awards
commemorative book, to be launched in 2018. the Competition: The contest aims at creating
Entry Fee: Free new opportunities for professional and amateur
The Photo Today Bangalore
website: www.hasselblad.com/inspiration/masters/ photographers by presenting their work to a larger
is an international
masters-2018 audience around the world.
exhibition that presents
photography devices, Deadline: 10 June Categories: Professional Advertising, Fine Art, Editorial,
cameras, technologies Architecture, Nature and People. Non Professional
and services, digital Neel Dongre Grants Awards Architecture, Nature, Special, Fine Art and People
photography equipments, the Competition: Organised by India Photo Archive, this Prize: The Photographer of the Year will receive USD
videography services, grant invites photographers to submit their work on 2500 (approx. Rs. 1.6 lakhs), and the Discovery of the
videography equipments, urban villages in the context of not only the history Year award will receive USD 1300 (approx. Rs. 87,000).
digital imaging services
and anthropology but also the evolution of our rapidly Entry Fee: Free
along with other range of
changing cities in the face of urbanisation. website: www.ndawards.net
products associated with
the photography world. theme: Vanishing Lines The Urban Villages Deadline: 24 September
Pollution Filters for Nikon Google Launches Google Lens for Smartphones
T S
aiwanese company, STC has launched
Astro-Multispectra Clip Filter for
several full frame Nikon DSLRs. This clip-on
undar Pichai, CEO,
Google Inc, recently
unveiled a new smartphone
with whats in your cameras
viewfinder. The users
can point their camera at
filter is supposed to help in removing light technology called Google something and the Lens tells
pollution in astrophotography. The filter is Lens that leverages Googles them what it is. Apart from
made out of Schott B270 optical glass coated computer vision and AI that, the lens can perform
using IBAD technology, and has an anti technology in order to tasks like connecting to a
smudge nanocoating. When attached to the bring identification data directly to the homes WIFI network by snapping a photo
sensor, it reduces artificial lighting produced phones camera. of the sticker on the router.
by street lights. Available for the Nikon The technology turns the camera from Available end of 2017, the technology will
D4, D800 etc. the filter retails for USD 210 a tool that is only capturing the world to be integrated into Google Assistant , which
(approx. Rs. 13,500). the one that is allowing you to interact will later also help with translations.
LO
wO K w H O S S H O Ot I N G
through this
series, I want
to give these
carefree
creatures a
sense of dignity
and respect.
Helmut Newton
OT E DE
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Saul Leiter
graphy.in
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t IPa 2 0 1 7
T
he Technical Image Press discuss projects, share opinions and
Association (TIPA) unveiled comment on industry innovations and
their prestigious awards on 19 trends. During these meetings, TIPA
April 2016 in Havana, Cuba. editors select the best imaging products
The TIPA awards are presented through an independent voting procedure,
to the best photo and imaging products which is done on the basis of novelty,
launched by the industry over the last one use of vanguard technology, design and
year. The actual voting took place from ergonomics, convenience, as well as price/
30 March to 2 April where the association performance ratio.
selected 40 products from the pool of over The categories are upgraded every year
24 100. The jury consisted of editors from according to the dynamic market trends.
27 professional, amateur, and business The voting committee comprises of top
magazines from Asia, Australia, Europe photography magazines, varying in their
and North and South America, with a content and goals. As a result, the TIPA
delegate from the Camera Journal Press Awards are bestowed through a majority
Club. Better Photography, the only Indian of votes by very experienced editors.
member of TIPA, was represented by the The trophies for this year will be presented
Deputy EditorTechnical, Shridhar Kunte. to the winning companies during a grand
Since 1991, the members have met award ceremony and presentation, which
once a year at the General Assembly to will take place in Tokyo, Japan on 16 June.
TIPA Awards
endorsement
is the highest
Representatives
accolade for from the TIPA
any photo and member magazines
gather together for a
imaging product. group photograph.
Best APS-C
Best DSLR Entry Level DSLR Expert
Nikon D5600 Pentax KP
The 24.2MP Nikon D5600 offers a 5fps continuous mode and a 39-point AF system, The Pentax KP is a weather resistant and dustproof camera with a 24.3MP APS-C
as well as an ISO of 10025,600. A Vari-angle 3.2-inch 1037K dot touchscreen LCD CMOS sensor with no low pass filter. The camera offers an ISO of up to 8,19,200, a
allows for point-of-view creativity while using the cameras numerous special effects Pixel Shift Resolution System, and AA filter moir reduction technology. It has two
modes, as well as standard exposure modes and patterns. The camera also offers high-speed shutter options 1/6000sec (mechanical) and 1/24,000sec using the
Full HD video at 60p along with Nikons SnapBridge feature for remote shooting and electronic shutter. There is a built in 5-axis shake reduction system, a tiltable LCD
transferring images via Bluetooth. monitor along with a pentaprism finder that offers 100 percent field of view.
Best Full-Frame
DSLR Expert Best DSLR Professional
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Sony Alpha 99 II
The EOS 5D Mark IV features a full-frame 30.4MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6+ The Sony Alpha 99 Mark II has a 42.4MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and an enhanced
processor that can capture 7fps stills and 4K 30p video. Dual Pixel CMOS AF buffer that can handle up to 12fps shooting with AF/AE tracking. It has an ISO
technology delivers highly responsive and smooth focusing with subject tracking range of 10025,600 along with a hybrid phase-detection AF system that combines
during video and live view shooting. It offers an ISO range of 50102,400, 61 AF points a 79-point dedicated sensor with 399-point focal plane sensor. The Alpha 99 II
and a 150,000 pixel RGB-IR metering sensor. The camera can record 4K Motion JPEG records 4K video with full pixel readout in the XAVC S format at 100mbps. It also
video at 30p/24p along with still frames grabs of 4K 8.8MP images. incorporates 5-axis image stabilisation that gives a 4.5 stop advantage.
25
Best Mirrorless
Best Mirrorless CSC Professional
CSC Expert Olympus OM-D E-M1
Fujifilm X-T2 Mark II
The Fujifilm X-T2 contains an APS-C sized 24MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor and The lightweight and weatherproof Olympus OM DE-M1 Mark II has a 20MP Live MOS
X-Processor that can deliver up to ISO 51,200 sensitivity. The highly responsive EVF sensor and TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Processor. It offers two very high speed
offers 100fps live view along with a 3-inch, three-direction tilting LCD. The camera shooting sequences, 15fps with mechanical and 60 fps with electronic shutter, as well
has an extremely impressive AF performance in low light and for low-contrast as 4K UHD video recording at 30fps with a built-in stereo mic. The camera includes
subjects. It also has an AF-C Custom Setting that allows user to match subject a 121-point Dual Fast AF system with focus bracketing and stacing, a 1/8000sec
movement. The X-T2 captures 1.8 times the amount of information needed to shutterspeed, a 3-inch touchscreen monitor, and built-in 5-axis IS. Additionally it can
produce 4K video, and has a power grip for an extended 30 minute recording. also deliver 50MP images with its High Res Shot Mode.
Best Professional
Photo/Video Camera Best 360 Camera
Panasonic LUMIX DC-GH5 Nikon KeyMission 360
The lightweight and durable Panasonic Lumix DC GH5 is a weather-resistant MFT The Nikon Key Mission 360 allows users to capture and share fully immersive 360
camera. It has a 20.3MP Live MOS sensor that utilises advanced digital signal videos and photos and offers waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof operation
processing and heat dissipation to allow recording and internal processing of 4:2:2 without additional housing. The unit can record 4K HD videos, 23.9MP photos,
10-bit 4K video. The camera offers a 6K Photo function, which can extract 18MP stills time-lapse sequences, and features Nikon SnapBridge integration. Its close focusing
from the 30fps 6K burst file. This feature also allows high-resolution still capture of distance is approximately 30 cm with an angle of view of 8.2mm. The users can
8MP 4K photos at 60fps. make images in a wide range of situations by using dedicated mounting accessories.
30
Best Tripod
Vanguard Alta Pro 2
Best Portable Flash Tripod with 263AB
Metz mecablitz M400 100 Ballhead
The Metz mecablitz M400 has a guide number of 40 at ISO 100 and is compatible The Vanguard Alta Pro and AB100 ball head combination allows for ease of setup
with a wide range of DSLR, MFT and other mirrorless cameras. It features a zoom and flexibility in shooting angles and heights. It features three-section aluminium alloy
swivel head with a built in motor zoom function, an integrated wide-angle diffuser, legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80 and a smooth fluid-like ballhead that rotates 360.
and an OLED display for easy user interface. The M400s AUTO TTL mode enables It has a quick release plate and bubble level guide along with a the hexagon-shaped
full and automatic control of the flash from the camera. It can be synced with first centre column moves from 0 to 180. Other features include a premium magnesium
or second shutter curtain firing and supports HSS or FP high-speed synch modes as die-cast canopy and anti-shock ring, as well as quick flip leg locks and rubber feet
well as slaved wireless TTL functionality, depending on the camera in use. with retractable spikes.
32
HOW WE TEST
Product categorisation
We first segregate products
DED
MMEN
into categories for the purpose
of equitability in testing.
RECO
The DSLR is divided into
entry-level, semi-professional
and professional categories.
For compacts, we distinguish
between advanced and basic
compact cameras. Similarly, we
also test consumer and pro
lenses, ashguns, printers, and
other photographic accessories
and gear.
The Process
We primarily test for features,
performance, build, ergonomics,
warranty and support. While this
remains constant, the weightage
we give to these parameter
differs from category to
category, because different
types of consumers have diverse
expectations from products.
Canon EOS 77D
W
product, a star rating for
Value for Money is considered.
hen Canon announced mode dial rests on the left instead of the
Value for Money does not affect the EOS 77D earlier this right. An additional LCD panel lies on
the final percentage, because year, they also announced the top right of the camera, along with an
prices for products change an affordable version, the AF On button on the rear. Its slightly less
constantly.
800D (Rebel T7i) along amateurish-looking and bares the face of
our seals of Approval with it. With the same innards and little Canons higher-end professional lineup,
Any product that scores 80%
difference, the two cameras are aimed at and resembles the 80D closely. WEigHTAgE oF
or higher in individual tests gets
the serious enthusiast and the amateur, The next generation processor, DIGIC 7, PArAmETErs
BP Recommendeda seal of
approval from our team. respectively. While they vary in price, powers the Dual Pixel AF. The 24MP
they also vary slightly in design and APS-C CMOS shooter also comes with 45 5%
Top 30 cameras 20%
At the end of the calendar customisability. We got our hands on AF points, which are cross-type, ensuring 15%
year, we evaluate the Indian the 77D and set out to test it. While the accurate locking on to the subject. From 35%
market and choose what we camera is not said to be an upgrade of these, 27 work with apertures of f/8, 25%
think are the 30 best cameras,
the 80D, which we reviewed last year, it should you want to use the camera with
across price ranges. This is
Better Photographys recognition carries many of its features and betters it. teleconverters. Although, the menu does
Features
of the very best products not offer as many AF selection modes Performance
launched over the course of Features like the 80D, and is restricted to Auto and Build Quality
the year. Our list becomes an
A serious photographer will find a lot of Manual selection. The AF also claims Ergonomics
interesting reection of how the
value in the 77D. It differs from the 800D to be extremely responsive in low light, Warranty &
camera market is constantly
Support
growing and evolving. by offering dual dials for control. And, the which we found to be true. While it offers
JUNE 2017
TEST TEST
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG TEST
LM OIS WR3 HSM | A
A quintessential workhorse for the pro A specialist optic for portraits
40 42
the usual array of creative filters, it strangely for a native Canon user. The dual dials
Also looK For
does not allow basic in-camera RAW make changing aperture and shutterspeeds
editing options. easy and you can go through your settings Sony a6300
The optical viewfinder does not offer full while shooting through the viewfinder with Nikon D5600
coverage like the 80D, which means you ease. Your shooting options are accessible
might find objects creeping into the edges while looking through the viewfinder, as
of your frame. well as, the familiar rear located Q button
With so many features and the ability and Canons well laid out menu.
to shoot at 6fps, a dual memory card slot
would have been welcome, but probably is Performance
too much to expect in this segment. All through the testing, the 77D produced
great photographs. Its AF handled
Handling subject tracking very well and was able
The robust 77D is actually lighter than to lock on to targets without any hassle.
the 80D. It comes with a textured hand The autofocus delivers its promise with
grip for a more than adequate shooting video too. Like the 80D, there are four AF
experience and the camera body itself area selection modesSingle Point AF,
WHATs in THE BoX feels sturdy enough to withstand a few Zone AF, where you select one from the With only a 95% view
blows. Unlike the 80D, the weathersealing nine AF groups; Large Zone AF, which of from the oVF, it is quite
Canon EOS 77D easy to nd unnecessary
Battery is absent and would have been quite a allows you to select one of three large elements at the edges and
Battery charger welcome feature, considering the everyday AF zones and Auto selection in which a skewed horizon. This
Micro USB cable range of use this shooter has. The controls the camera figures out the appropriate image was cropped and
Neck Strap are as you would expect from a Canon AF point from all 45. This technology, corrected for the same.
Lens cap Exposure: 1/1000sec at f/5.6
DSLR and are fairly comfortable to navigate in fact, has been borrowed from the (ISO 200)
minus This functioning is made extremely easy improved ISO range of 10025600 from
on an excellent fully articulating LCD the 80Ds 10012800. The camera has good
No weathersealing touchscreen. Touch focus and capture overall noise control. You will see grain
No 4K capability
are incredibly responsive and you wont creep in at 3200, but even then the images
be missing any moments here. This is are usable. In-camera noise reduction is an
additionally useful for those who would option but its best left untouched due to
want to use the camera for video. detail loss at high ISOs.
Ergonomics
Front Top rear
Thumbpad
lamp
Top dial mode dial Four-way
controller
mode dial
s P Ec i F i cAT i o n s
Performance 31/35
Good AF speed, good low light performance,
great battery life
Ergonomics 12/15
Dual dials for control, great touchscreen
ED
COMMEND
RE
F
ujifilms XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM drift, especially at low shutterspeeds, and
40 P LU S
OIS WR is the companys answer to boasts 5 stops of correction. The tripod
the archetypal full frame 70-200mm collar has a knob for its rotation and locking. Superb optics
telephoto zoom (76-213mm, in this The shoe segment of the collar can be Construction
case, to be precise). It complements removed for comfortable handheld use. Autofocus
Fujis standard zoom, the XF 16-55mm The filter diameter is a comfortable 72mm. MINUS
f/2.8 R LM WR, and is meant to provide a
versatile, high-end option for their X mount Handling Relative size, weight
Price
APS-C mirrorless cameras. Considering this, The appeal, and Fujis own design
the XF 50-140mm also stands as the only philosophy for the X series, precludes the
option of its type for the X series user, use of small primes, with good reason.
including from other lens manufacturers. Small block lenses go well with the smaller,
rangefinder-styled X-Pro and X-E cameras,
Features or the X-T series. The XF 50-140mm seems
From the outside, the XF 50-140mm is a quite large and felt disbalanced on the X-T10
good-looking but understated lens. Most of (on which I tested it). It would feel better on a
its features lie within its engineering and X-Pro camera with a hand grip attached.
design. The XF 50-140mm uses 23 glass That said, the lens is all metal, finely
WEIGHTAGE OF elements in 16 groups, including five milled and reassuringly built. Both the focus
PARAMETERS ED and one Super ED lens elements for and the zoom occurs internally, so there is
reducing aberrations. Various element no rotation at the front lens element or a
5% surfaces are specially coated using several change in the length of the lens on zooming.
20%
15% advanced technologies, to ensure optimal
light transmission, and to reduce flare and S P E C I F I CAT I O N S
35%
25% loss of detail caused by diffraction.
Model name XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
The XF 50-140mm is sealed against dust
MRP Rs. 1,59,999
and water, and can operate down to -10 0C.
Features Lens construction 23 elements in 16 groups
Performance It features a Triple Linear motor (the
Closest focus distance 1m (0.12x max magnification)
Build Quality first of its kind) for speedy, accurate AF.
Ergonomics Aperture 7 blades, f/2.8 max. aperture
This is a stabilised lens. The OIS (Optical
Warranty & Image Stabilsation) is equipped with a new Filter diameter 72mm
Support Dimensions, Weight 82.8 x 175.9mm, 995g
gyrosensor and algorithms that eliminates
The zoom ring is broad, encased in rubber aperture would have made the lens larger While the DOF is not
and ribbed. The aperture ring, from f/2.8 to and heavier. This is the stand-off that a buyer narrow while shooting
wide open at the
f/22, clicks firmly at 1/3rd stop intervals, and should be aware of.
140mm end, it provides
includes an A setting for aperture priority. Optically, Fuji has done it... again! a reasonable level of
While designed perfectly well, I was Sharpness, corners to center, across the separation. The blurring
not very happy with the fly-by-wire MF zoom range is superb at f/2.8. It peaks at is pleasantly smooth.
Exposure: 1/125sec at f/2.8
ring. The rotational heft is a lot and it takes f/5.6. Distortion and fringing are very well
(ISO 400)
almost three full rotations to move across corrected in-camera, and are barely visible
the focus range, making it difficult to use.
The lenshood is deep and serrated on the
around the edges of highlights, even in RAW.
Flare is controlled extremely well too.
FINALRATINGS
inside. A tiny window can be slipped of off AF performance is another highlight of Features 18/20
OIS, f/2.8 fixed aperture, optics, AF speed
the hood to access rotating filters. While it this lens. Not only is AF silent, it is as quick
clasps firmly in place, it can get lost when as the best lenses in its category, including Performance 33/35
Super sharpness & AF, no visible aberrations
slipped off. I would have preferred for it to its full-frame brethren... very impressive
slide deeper into the hood rather than off it. indeed! The Optical Image Stabiliser is easily
Build Quality 24/25
Sturdy, good weathersealing
effective 3 stops down from the focal lengths
Performance reciprocal shutterspeeds.
Ergonomics 11/15
Good zoom ring, MF ring issues, large lens
Large aperture f/1.2 or 1.4 primes also have
Warranty & Support 3/5
another advantage. A larger aperture, by one Conclusion Two year warranty, limited service in India
stop, acts to negate the DOF and ISO quality The XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
advantage that a full frame sensor has over is priced at Rs 1,59,999, which is a rather
APS-C. In the case of the 50-140mm, the
maximum aperture of f/2.8 on the APS-C
X-T10 behaves like f/4.2 on a full frame
steep price, considering its full frame
equivalent f/4 lenses are priced almost
40% lower. Of course, that may not be the
OVERALL 89%
sensor. In other words, to get the same DOF fairest of comparisons. There is no denying Who should buy it? Professionals and event
effects as a 70-200mm f/2.8 on a full frame its performance capabilities. Beside, this photographers who need speed, versatility and image quality.
DSLR, the XF 50-140mm would need to is a unique lens even among other APS-C
Why? Apart from its excellent optics, build, and AF, there
have a maximum aperture of f/2. That said, mirrorless camera manufacturers. And, as are no equivalent choices for the X-mount.
blurs and DOF are a function of the print mentioned before, if you need a lens of its
size and viewing distance. Besides, a wider kind, it is the only available option.
Value for Money
DED
ECOMMEN
R
42
A Master of Portraits
Sakshi Parikh tests the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art to see whether it is able to
maintain the superb standards of the Sigma Art lineup. Heres what she found out.
T
he 135mm prime lens is a much better manufacturing precision,
P LU S
long-time favorite of portrait especially compared to standard
photographers, combining the polycarbonate plastics. Incredible optics
compression of a telephoto lens It features a new large Hyper Sonic Handling
with the narrow depth-of-field of Motor (HSM), which has extra torque for Construction
a fast aperture, resulting in really blurred- quick focusing. In addition, the three step MINUS
out backgrounds. Sigma recently made focus limiter makes AF highly responsive
waves with their long awaited 135mm f/1.8 to distance from the subject, for an even No image
stabilisation
DG HSM Art lens. The sixth addition in faster performance.
the companys prime lens Art lineup, the
135mm f/1.8 offers portraitists a second Handling
option after the 85mm f/1.4. It features an The build quality of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8
incredibly fast f/1.8 aperture, setting it apart DG HSM is quiet sturdy. Its large focusing
from its competitors from Nikon, Canon ring has a ridged rubberised coating that
and Zeiss. helps you to get a very good grip on it
WEIGHTAGE OF when manually focusing. When you reach
PARAMETERS Features either end of the focusing limit, you will
The lens is robust. At 1130 grams, the feel a small click in resistance from the
5% Sigma 135mm f/1.8 with a complex optical
20% S P E C I F I CAT I O N S
15% construction, makes its competitors
35% like Canon 135mm f/2L feel modest.
Model name Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A
25% The 135mm f/1.8 Art wears its size like a
MRP Rs. 1,19,000
badge of honor. The larger, heavier build
Lens construction 13 elements in 10 groups
seems made to last. It has an 82mm filter
Features Closest focusing distance 0.87m
Performance size to match. The lens features Sigmas
Diaphragm blades 9
Build Quality characteristic sleek, matte black finish.
Ergonomics Max. Aperture f/1.8
The barrel itself is constructed out of
Warranty & Sigmas proprietary Thermally Stable Filter diameter 82mm
Support Dimensions, Weight 115 x 91.4mm, 1130g
Composite material, which allows for
Performance
Sakshi Parikh
I used it with my Nikon D800 and its
almost completely silent when focusing.
In lower light levels, the lens can take
a little longer to acquire focus, but its
certainly no more than you would expect
an older form of AF and a unique Defocus
Control option. The Zeiss Milvus 135mm
FINALRATINGS
and its still very usable. This is a very f/2, although manual, has a high-end build. Features 18/20
New HyperSonic motor for quick focusing
sharp lens indeed, with an astounding However, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art has
level of performance wide open, which two advantages over the Zeiss a third of Performance 33/35
Super sharpness, excellent bokeh
only improves when shooting one stop a stop of aperture, and autofocus. On the
down. Even at wide open at f/1.8, the lens downside however, the 135mm f/1.8 Art is
Build Quality 24/25
Sturdy, great amount of weathersealing
produced virtually no corner softness. a large and heavy lens, but with a full frame
It doesnt have image stabilisation, body, it does not feel so cumbersome.
Ergonomics 14/15
Three step focus limiter, useful magnification
which can be a problem during slow Priced at Rs. 1,19,000, the Sigma 135mm ratio, large focus throw for greater accuracy
shutterspeed shots. f/1.8 DG HSM Art is not an inexpensive Warranty & Support 4/5
Fringing is virtually absent, and flare is lens, but for a great build quality, incredible Two year warranty, wide service network
controlled. The lens shows slight corner sharpness, and almost zero distortion, the
shading when used with its widest aperture.
Bokeh is outstanding. It is smooth, rich
and the tonal contrast and warm colour
lens is worth every penny.
The Milvus 135mm f/2 is a phenomenal
piece of optics, but for Sony Alpha users,
OVERALL 93%
rendition that the lens produces adds a Sigma offers a MC-11 mount convertor Who should buy it? Portrait specialists and wedding
three dimensional look. for Rs. 20,245, which can be used with the photographers who use high-resolution full frame DSLRs.
135mm f/1.8 Art for Canon. Hence, apart
Why? Optics are better than all else, extremely fast
Conclusion from being an upgrade from Nikon and autofocus and superb sharpness.
Both Nikon and Zeiss Milvus have fantastic Canon, this also puts Sigma on top, along
135mm f/2 lenses. The Nikon 135mm has with Zeiss Milvus.
Value for Money
Conchita Fernandes
Instagram: @schmoooochita
Viernes en la Sombra
by Ramn Cruz
Ramn shoots a lot of portraits,
where his subjects appear to
be in a state of resignation or
contemplation. Theyre mostly
shot in B&W, and not because he
prefers this over colour, but on
how he imagines the scene before
he photographs it.
Oppo F3
D
Selfies with
MM ENDE
RECO
a Difference
How does the Oppo F3s dual selfie camera
fare? Conchita Fernandes finds out.
T
he F3 is yet another offering from selfie camera setup as the F3 Plus. The 8MP
Oppos segment of selfie cameras, camera has a 120 wide angle of view for
and is the smaller sibling of the group selfies. Other features include the
Oppo F3 Plus. There are a few Ultra HD, Double Exposure and Expert
features that have been eliminated Mode, amongst others.
to make the F3 affordable. The F3 now
sports a 13MP rear camera with f/2.2 The Final Word
aperture, with PDAF and an LED flash. I was pleased with the F3s 13MP rear camera
I was pleased to This is a downgrade from the 16MP rear which produced vibrant images with a
see the amount of camera on the F3 Plus, with f/1.7 aperture, good contrast in colours. The amount of
46 details rendered by O.I.S and dual tone flash. Moreover, the F3 details retained by the camera was good too,
the 13MP rear camera. can only shoot 1080p videos, versus the without causing any smear. In low light,
Using Snapseed, I slightly
enhanced the photograph 4K video option on the F3 Plus. However, however, the cameras AF is a little sluggish.
to highlight these details. the F3 features the same 16MP + 8MP dual As for the 16MP front camera, I didnt find
a lot of difference between it and the 13MP
camera. Also, the quality of images shot
using the dual selfie camera were alright,
and does the job it was intended to do.
The photos have barrel distortion though.
At Rs. 19,990, I am not sure if the price
justifies the number and quality of features
in the Oppo F3. The dual selfie camera
sounds exciting on paper, but I see it as a
feature you can do without. If you turn your
camera horizontally, you can still make a
group photograph.
AT A GLANCE
SPECIFICATIONS 13MP f/2.2 rear camera, 18MP + 8MP dual selfie camera, 5.5-inch display,
MT6750T processor, 4GB RAM, expandable 64GB storage, Rs. 19,990
WHAT WE LIKE Stylish UI, smooth exterior, wide angle lens for selfies
WHY BUY IT? If youre really keen on shooting vertical group selfies, the dual camera
system lets you to do that. Also, the overall image quality is quite good.
tography.in
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PROFILE
48
An Unfiltered View
Ramn Cruz gives Conchita Fernandes an engaging look
into the daily episodes that take place in his hometown.
Left: Ramn
M
xico in the mid-20th the everyday, which were filled with enjoys classic
century was a place that was instances from the daily lives of the western movies.
Thats why I am
exoticised. Hardly anyone people belonging to various social classes. drawn towards men
took notice of the common Ramn Cruz is on a similar trail. in hats, he says.
man, or the fact that the His photographs focus on the cultural Below: He believes
country was more than its lush landscapes identity of Mxico, especially from his that If you see
it, you have it,
and people dressed in colourful attire. hometown, Chihuahua. In fact, it was implying that the
Nacho Lpez, a renowned photographer a particular image shot by Lpez that photography is
known for propagating photojournalism made a lasting impression on Ramn. not the hard part,
it is recognising
in Mxico, rejected this stereotypical The picture La Venus se fue de Juerga por los
the moment that
depiction, and went on to photograph Barrios Bajos was an image of a worker is important.
49
staring at a nude mannequin. Ramn was known for. Mxico is not what you see in fInD Ramn HeRe!
captivated by the photograph. But what the news. We are a country of many social
appealed to him the most was the possibility contrasts and incredible people, who have Instagram:
of combining cultural themes along with extraordinary stories to tell. I am keen on @ramoncruz3
the unexpectedness that came when uncovering these narratives, he said.
photographing in the street.
examining the Urban Cowboy
Presenting an Ordinary View One of his first projects, Puro Norte (Pure
Ramn too, focuses on the everyday. North), was where he explored cultural
His photographs are simple, and comprise identity by looking at the urban cowboys
He describes himself people and objects that he encounters in the north of Mxico. In the streets of
as being very reserved,
which has allowed him daily during his commute. But unlike some Chihuahua, it is common to see solitary-
to be more observant to street imagery from different parts of the looking urban cowboys who have adopted
what is happening in front world that sometimes tend to reinforce a very peculiar style. They seem to pose and
of him. Despite this, he cultural identity through visuals that even enjoy the popular context. Through
does not shy away from
approaching strangers. become standard symbols representative their attire, they have incorporated boots,
If I see something that of the country, Ramn, in contrast, does belts with huge buckles, washed out jeans, Ramn is a big fan of
interests me, I get as not impress any such idea upon the viewer. and the popular Marlboro Texan hat. It is Quentin Tarantino movies
close as I can. When it and his use of colour
Rather, he prefers to inform, than have you with these accessories that you get a glimpse
comes to people, I always in his shots, as well as
ask them for their gawk at the expected vibrant murals or the of a distant past that accompanies them photographs by Saul
permission first, he said. local fairs and dances that the country is today, he says. Leiter and ernst Haas.
50
53
as simple as his
He prefers to edit Taking a Step Back to Observe immerse ourselves in trying to get to the
photographs are, Ramn
his photographs very Ramn shoots a lot of portraits, where his heart of it. But sometimes it is necessary to enjoys using geometric
minimally. You have subjects appear to be in a state of resignation stand back, observe and learn. This always elements in them
to remember that with the help of light
photography is or contemplation. Theyre mostly shot results in better imagery later on.
and shadow.
subjective, and depends in B&W, and not because he prefers this Gwyn Thomas had once said, But the
on what the creator over colour, but on how he imagines the beauty is in the walking. We are betrayed
wants to say. I prefer to
scene before he photographs it. Also, his by destinations. Ramns portrayal of the
leave my photographs
in its natural state, photographs are not rushed, as he prefers various cultural facets of his hometown
as I am portraying a to experience and savour the moment. would not have been possible if he did not
slice of reality from With everything changing so quickly spend a lot of time just walking. He said,
my hometown.
around us, at times, we cant help but be I have this feeling that my subjects are
constantly involved in anticipating for the waiting for me. Chances are I will find them
moment to arrive. And when it does, we present at the corner of the street ahead.
Ramn Cruz has a degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Communication. He is a full-time college professor, teaching humanities, perception, creativity and
visual communication. Graciela Iturbide, Manuel lvarez Bravo, Juan Rulfo, Bernard Plossu... are some of the photographers who have influenced his work.
T
here was a time that I had grown exploration of the technique, his expansive,
increasingly weary, and wary, of the immersive works left me humbled on the few
panorama. It was a format that demanded occasions that I experienced them physically.
so much, and offered, often, little. It is, But my growing skepticism would always wonder
of course, myopic, to make a sweeping as to where could Pasricha take the panorama
statement on a certain kind of craft (even one that next. Surely, much like a well rounded panorama,
sweeps across a scene). But the sea of substandard the use of the format in his practice would also
imagery that seemed to be associated with the have a definite beginning and a definite end.
word was only widening, with what was once a With a recently released book, the third in
painstakingly thought out technique, becoming a his panoramic trilogy, Pasricha seems to be
fashionable, one-button trope. discovering new nuances to the panorama. If his
In the midst of all this chaos, I have always initial photos were monumental, his painstaking
pondered over the work of Amit Pasricha, a finesse over the craft, sacred, this surprising new
photographer who actually identified himself as turn, is where Pasrichas panoramic practice has
a panoramist. Much celebrated for his incessant truly come home.
57
There is an inside joke that a friend and photo is never a singular moment, and Amit
I have often shared, that Amit Pasricha is digging deeper into that thought now, in
wears spectacles to conceal the fact that he an ongoing work that may be his next book.
probably has two GoPro cameras installed Since a subject may move across the frame
within his eyes. It is mindboggling, and I during the making of the panorama, the
daresay, scary, to imagine what he actually photos show the same subject, repeated, thus
sees when he looks in front of him. We with the indecisiveness of several decisive
all have peripheral vision, but Pasrichas moments.
practice has now started to border on the India at Home suggests the inevitability of
peripheries of the peripheral. change and the tyranny of homogenisation,
I mentioned the well rounded panorama but at the same time, it is a celebration of
at the start of my piece, but a lot of the photos diversity, that of the Indian home, as it is of
in this book are neither sharp edged, nor singlemindedness, that of Pasrichas craft.
well rounded. The stitching process of a It is this duality that allows the plurality of
digitally created panorama always leaves India to shine through.
the edges incomplete, and in keeping this To define ones practice by his choice of
imperfection, Amit is part paying ode format can be a bit of a generalisation, an
to Hockney, and partly speaking of the unnecessary box, but with Amit Pasricha,
vagueness of what we see on the periphery. the panorama has been a philosophy, a box
While stretching the boundaries of space, whose boundaries he has always striven to
he is doing the same with time. A stitched extend, literally and metaphorically.
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58
BB ee tt tt ee rr pP hh oo tt oo gg rr aa pP hh yy june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
BB ee tt tt ee rr pP hh oo tt oo gg rr aa pP hh yy june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
BB ee tt tt ee rr pP hh oo tt oo gg rr aa pP hh yy june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
Khochi Sounai, a
village elder in a Poumai
Naga Dwelling, Liyai
Khullen, Manipur.
66
(right) Gujarati
artist Amit Ambalal
in his home studio
with his wife Raksha.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
(top left) Sri Mahendra
Shah, 71, with his
daughter in law, Aditi.
Haveli, Benaras, UP.
(top right)
Maharajkumar
Ashwini Pratap Deo
in the drawing room
of his palace in
Kanker, Chhatisgarh.
67
A dystopian scene of
homes slashed in half
by the giant machine
of the State. Chennai,
Tamil Nadu.
Amit Pasricha was born in a family of photographers. After imbibing qualities from his grandfather and father, he carved his own path, in terms of how he makes the
viewer experience the final image. This panoramists books are grand and ambitious, and his photographs are characterised by the use of storytelling motifs.
70
W
hen Prashant Panjiar put This excerpt from the prose, stayed with
together an exhibition in me for a while, as I traversed through the
2009, Sanjeev Saith, the array of vistas from a developing India.
curator wrote a few lines for Panjiars photographs deal with a rather
the panoramas of Pan India. common subject, India, in the early 2000s,
...There are tongues in trees, books in rocks, an India that was making a frenzied dash
sermons in steel. towards development, constructing
Bond of sand and cement gargantuan structures and improving
A handshake between humans for better or for access and national connectivity.
worse, to those do we belong. While this momentum gathered pace,
We learn that men live together, the other India, the India that was always
Whether they live together or apart there, found itself jostling for space with
This is how we live. a new shiny India that was setting out to
This is who we are. This is who I am. face the world.
71
Kanpur, Uttar
Except, Panjiars work is not about the sky scraper. But, then as one looks at these
Pradesh, 2006.
stark differences or the polarising face of images closely, the textures on the walls,
India. The diptychs in Pan India take you on the lines, the shapes, the idea that the
a journey of how we live, where we live and structures in both images are inhabited
how we share our spaces. Carrying forward by Indians, a sun that bathes both scenes
from the theme of his earlier work King, with light, all these similarities begin to
Commoner, Citizen was that our existence is take shape. By no length are these simple
more entwined than we realise. Where we comparisons to mean that we are all
look for distinction, we only end up equals. Instead, Panjiar wants us to absorb
finding blurred lines. Where we look and accept the similarities, and in doing so,
for the familiar sights of juxtapositions he hopes to change how people view the
and opposites, we only find the idea of situation around them.
how alike we are. Panjiar invites, you, the When you look at certain images,
viewer to step into a world more familiar though, his enjoyment at the physical act
than you think it is. of shooting, is palpable. Panjiar enjoys the
The last diptych in this story, for chaos of wires, with lines going everywhere
instance, is a classic example of the two and sometimes right through his images.
sides of India. The caked walls of a house With diptychs, the complimentary visuals
from the interiors of Rajasthan dominate come together poetically.
much of the frame and a soft shadow Pan India may have evolved into
makes its presence felt, while a woman a comment on the changing visual
carries on with her work. In the image landscape of India. It, however, came
below it, Mumbais skyline punctuates a out of something entirely different and
glorious sunset as seen from an upcoming simple...boredom. At the turn of the
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72
73
On the left
Top: Morigaon,
Assam, 2007
Bottom: New Delhi, 2007
On the right
Top: Kolkata, 2007 On the following page
Bottom: Gokam, Left: Mumbai 2008, Haji
Karnataka, 2003. Nazir Ahmed, his wife
Nubat Bi and their 39
member family in the
Madanpura slum.
Top: Pune, Maharashtra
2008, daughters of
Suresh Lonkar, the
traditional nagada
(drum) player in the
nagadakhana (drum
house), that also serves
as their living room.
Middle: Delhi, 2008;
Tsering Wangmo with her
daughter and nephew,
in the cho-khang (altar
room), which also
doubles up as the living
room and grandmothers
bedroom, in their home
in Majnu-ka-Tila,
the Tibetan refugee
resettlement colony.
Bottom: Chaibasa,
Jharkhand, 2007; the Sao
Gurgaon, family in the living room
Haryana, 2005. of their new mansion.
78
Mumbai, 2008.
Mumbai, 2008.
Better photography june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
Top: Kodaikanal,
Tamil Nadu, 2003
Bottom: Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh, 2006
82
83
84
85
Top: Tonk,
Rajasthan, 2001
Bottom: Mumbai, 2006.
Prashant Panjiar is one of Indias most celebrated photojournalists. Along with Dinesh Khanna, he is one of the cofounders of the Nazar Foundation and Delhi Photo
Festival, Indias first photography festival. He has also served as a jury member of the World Press Photo Awards. You can view his work at www.livewireimages.com
(18371921)
John Thomson
Conchita Fernandes stumbles upon the pioneering work of John Thomson,
as she discovers his rich photographic portraits of Asia and England.
H
ave you ever wondered what was the term street photography did not even
the earliest street photograph and exist. In all probability, the style came into
when it was made? The image, being and became one of the most popular
or rather the daguerreotype, is and practised genres of photography,
an important one, as it was the after Brassa and Henri Cartier-Bresson
first to have a human figure in it. It was a popularised it through their photographs.
scene captured by Louis Daguerre from However, Bresson came only much later...
outside the window of his studio in Paris, in in the 20th century. Preceding him were A Manchu Lady and
1838. This was 179 years ago, at a time when quite a few photographers who may not Her Maid.
87
88
Yongquan Monastery, have made the kind of street imagery that apprenticeship stint in Edinburgh, he set
Buddhist Priests. weve come to associate with the genre today. out for Singapore in 1862, where he joined
Yet, they created extensive documentations his older brother William, who was a
of the cities they resided in, or the countries watchmaker and a photographer. The two
they travelled to. One of the earliest street began a business of making chronometers
photography pioneers was John Thomson, and optical and nautical instruments. It was
who in the 1860s journeyed across Eastern for work that Thomson had a chance to
Asia, meticulously documenting its people travel a little around Singapore, where his
and culture. eyes immediately fell upon the scenic rural
villages and cities. The more he saw, the
The Start of His Journey more interest he took in photographing
Thomson was not roused by any particular people in their daily activities. Finally, in
need or purpose to set forth towards 1865, he sold his business to begin a nearly
Asia. But after a brief education and decade-long journey across Asia.
89
90
Clockwise: The written in a manner to not just provide through the several books that he published
Independent Shoe factual information to the viewer. It was during his lifetime... The Antiquities of
Black; Covent Garden
the essence of the place that he wanted to Cambodia (1867), Foochow and the River Min
Labourers; Old Furniture
and Halpenny Ices. weave through the text accompanying the (1873) and the exhaustive Illustrations of China
photographs, which he successfully did and its People (187374), amongst others.
It is now
necessary to
explain at once
the value and the
danger of light
in photography.
The image must,
so to speak, be
imprisoned in the
dark chamber
before it can be
caught on the
sensitive plate.
The admission
of a single ray
of daylight other
than the rays
composing the
image would
prove fatal to
92
the operation...
for the same
reason the
plate must be
manipulated
in darkness
throughout, or
in a light such as
shall not affect
its action.
93
94
Macao, China. With regards to the book on China, he said, With this intention, I made the camera the
My design in the accompanying work is constant companion of my wanderings
to present a series of pictures of China and I feel somewhat sanguine about the success
its people, such as shall convey an accurate of the undertaking, and I hope to see the
impression of the country I traversed as well process which I have thus applied adopted
as of the arts, usages and manners which by other travelers; for the faithfulness of
prevail in different provinces of the Empire. such pictures affords the nearest approach
that can be made towards placing the and towns that he visited. And so, he paid
reader actually before the scene which special attention to how he cropped his
is represented. photographs... whether a vertical crop of a
winding street in a marketplace was a better
The Meticulousness of His Imagery option to lead the viewers into following
Thomson was also very particular about the lone subject walking away from the
how he photographed and presented his photograph. Or, how he printed some of
images. He was keen on giving his viewers his pictures as ovals to draw attention to the
the same visual experience as he had subject in the middle. Or for that matter, Pailou at Dagao Hall,
while traversing through the various cities how he would wait patiently for certain Beijing, China.
95
John Thomson
was a true
pioneering visual
anthropologist...
For him to have
travelled that
sort of distance
at that time
is an amazing
achievement
in itself, let
alone when
you consider
he would have
had all sorts
of camera
equipment and
chemicals with
him. He would
have had none 97
of the travel
luxuries we
have today.
Richard
Fattorini,
Sothebys books
and manuscripts
specialist.
Siam, Thailand.
Taha Ahmad
A Wilting Craft
In his hometown of Lucknow, Taha Ahmad makes a compelling story
about the artisans practising mukaish work in dwindling numbers.
is a documentary
P
photographer based
in Delhi, who feels laying in the narrow lanes of relegated to the narrow gallis of the city, the
photography has a Old Lucknow as a child, I was badlas waning in numbers.
strong influence in no stranger to the karkhanas or Through my photographs, I am trying
creating and developing warehouses where artisans would to tell the story of these artisansthe
discourse for the future. practice mukaish work. An elaborate story of their struggle, survival and
Currently, Taha is embroidery form, it arrived in Lucknow downfall. Incredibly demanding and
pursuing his Masters in
centuries ago, and was made with gold labour intensive, the art form is dying in Ruqsana, peeps from
Fine Arts from Jamia behind a mukaish work
and silver threads for the ruling classes. Lucknow. Where the city once flourished fabric hung in the yard
Milllia Islamia and is
being mentored by Delhi The craftsmen or badlas, would weave and with over 3000 excellent craftsmen, there of her house. Her sister
based photographer, twist the metallic threads through the cloth are only about 20-25 left, all of them aged Farheen, inspects a
mark on a dress that
Sandeep Biswas. to create intricate designs. Over time, other 65 and above. The badlas and their families
was caused by ink
famous crafts of Lucknow, like chikankari work in warehouses that are small, dingy powder, used during the
spread far and wide, but mukaish was claustrophobic spaces. printing process.
98 Eight-year-old
Ruqsana, shows the
intricate mukaish
embroidery that
she crafted in her
family workshop, in
Deorhi Agha Meer,
Old Lucknow.
Gaining the trust of the artisans to government and the production owners. Farheen wears a real
allow me to photograph them was a This made them wary of an outsider silver mukaish work
A dress with mukaish complicated process. They were disturbed trying to photograph them. The women dupatta made by her
work being inspected. father, who is a
and angry because of the apathy of the were sceptical too, as they were veiled 65-year-old artisan.
101
Better PhotograPhy
102
T
Image Source: he day was May 7, 1936 and onlookers were mesmerised by the horrific scene
Wikimedia Commons that unfolded in front of them. The largest untethered airship, the LZ 129
Written by: Hindenburg, began its journey from Frankfurt, Germany, but exploded into
Natasha Desai
flames and crashed to the ground, moments before it was due to land at the
Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, USA. 36 people died while 67
survived the crash. Several people were seen jumping to their deaths, while many more
waited and managed to jump to safety after the ship descended further.
This image by Gus Pasquarella, captures the split second after the ship exploded.
He was at the site along with other local photographers and newsreel men.
Radio announcer Herbert Morrison, who was covering the event, sobbed as he
announced the ship bursting into flames uttering, Oh, the humanity and all the
passengers screaming around here! This was the first time all three non-print media
recorded a tragedy of such scale, together. The Hindenburg disaster as it came to be
known, remains one of the most tragic aviation disasters, and ended the era of airships.
It effectively shattered public faith in transatlantic airship travel.