pagespicsA Eunuch, a Princess and a Snake Catcher.
What does a eunuch, a princess, and a snake catcher have in common? They are all included in the creation of a book, based on people living in Bangalore. Through this project I am getting to work with an inspiring team of people, and am photographing a diverse range of characters. Each of the people I am photographing has a colourful tale of life in Bangalore. On this project I am working alongside three fantastic ladies, who are writing, organising, interviewing, and finding a publisher. My role is the photographer. Here is a sneaky peak…
When people collaborate creativity increases, and this holds true for photographers. Teamwork does not necessarily come naturally to Street Photographers, who are quite happy spending hours at a time alone with just their camera. Recently, I have had the wonderful company of Kaveri, a travel guru and entrepreneur. Kaveri appears to know everyone in Bangalore, tells engaging stories and knows the best places to get breakfast. Having someone tell stories about the people being photographed adds a depth to the images which I hope will be evident in the final publication.
Street v Documentary
When shooting the street, there is no expectation to walk away with an excellent photo. Indeed, great Street Photos seldom happen. This differs to a scheduled photo shoot. For this project, each photograph is the result of hours of work and organisation (and not by me – I just turn up and take the photo!). The pressure is on to get it right, each and every time. This process helps to build a strong mental checklist…
- Is the ISO set correctly?
- Is the shutter speed fast enough?
- Are there any distractions in the background?
Moving out of our comfort zones pushes us to refine our thoughts. It is imperative to have your settings correct before taking a photo. Honing this skillset will lead to greater photographic consistency. After-all, there is nothing worse that a brilliant shot, ruined due to incorrect settings. We have all been there at least once! Sleep with your camera….
Keep Clicking, Chris
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