Dear readers,
I had gone Lucknow to attend the 24th FIP Convention of photography as a Facuty of advance digital imaging from 5th to 8th Decemne
r 2008. There I met Mr Rohinton Mehta, Technical Editor, Smart Photography. He gave a very good talk on Digital photography there. At the age of about 60 Mr Mehta is more energetic than me .He is called as uncle Ronnie by his lovers. Ronnie has over 30 years of experience in photography. In fact he has taught several thousand photo-enthusiasts in various institutions and through workshops, as well as judged many national and International photo contests including prestigious Photo Contest held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. Due too similar interests we soon became good friends . For your benefit I am publishing his interview. If you have any photo-queries, whether Conventional or Digital, don’t hesitate, just go ahead and ask Uncle Ronnie at sp@nextgenpublishing.net ....................Rajendra
I had gone Lucknow to attend the 24th FIP Convention of photography as a Facuty of advance digital imaging from 5th to 8th Decemne
r 2008. There I met Mr Rohinton Mehta, Technical Editor, Smart Photography. He gave a very good talk on Digital photography there. At the age of about 60 Mr Mehta is more energetic than me .He is called as uncle Ronnie by his lovers. Ronnie has over 30 years of experience in photography. In fact he has taught several thousand photo-enthusiasts in various institutions and through workshops, as well as judged many national and International photo contests including prestigious Photo Contest held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. Due too similar interests we soon became good friends . For your benefit I am publishing his interview. If you have any photo-queries, whether Conventional or Digital, don’t hesitate, just go ahead and ask Uncle Ronnie at sp@nextgenpublishing.net ....................Rajendra
To begin at the beginning…how did you get started?
During my childhood, I used to 'play with' my father's two box cameras. Due to very limited resources, I was allowed only one roll (12 exposures in the 120 size roll) per year. I was also very found of hunting. I had a air-gun and would use it to shoot birds etc. In 1972, my better half took a promise from me that I would not use a gun. She insisted that I shoot with a camera. So, I got my first Rangefinder camera from a roadside seller. The camera had a defect - the exposure meter was not working. The seller refused to take it back. My wife's words echo in my ears even now - she said, "how could you let a roadside seller fool you? I thought I had married an intelligent guy". This hurt me a lot and I decided to study photography so no one could fool me again.
As I gained knowledge, I realised that I was able to guide my friends and the attention I got made me feel very happy (I am human after all!).
I decided to study well and be as good as one of my 'gurus' - the late mitter Bedi (though I can never be as good as him), under whom I learnt Industrial Photography. His method of teaching was something I loved and today, I owe a lot to him (as well as my other 'gurus').
Do you think costly equipment is necessary for good photography?Photographers in the past made excellent images even though the quality of cameras, lenses, film-developing chemicals, printing papers and printing chemicals were nowhere in quality as we have them now. So one can conclude that the quality of the equipment is not as important as the person behind the camera.
Having said so, it would be hypocritical of me to say that good equipment is not important. I feel that in the present scenario, good equipment is very much a necessity. I know that some photographers will not agree with me but if you were to ask the same persons what equipment they use, you'll find that all of them use top-notch equipment. If good equipment was not necessary, then why do these same people, who want to hog the limelight (and claim that it is only the person behind the camera that is important) use sophisticated equipment? One such person I know mentioned that as a pro, he needed better equipment. Why the double standard? In my opinion, a beginner or an amateur needs very robust equipment because he is more likely to misuse the equipment due to his poor knowledge of handling. Moreover, with today's high-resolution digital sensors, it is imperative that you use the best possible lenses, if you need to get the most out of your equipment.
Let me also add here that without good knowledge of equipment and photography in general, the best equipment can do little. In fact, the more advanced your camera, the more you need to understand its working, and yes, in that sense, you could say that the man behind the camera is more important than the equipment.
As I gained knowledge, I realised that I was able to guide my friends and the attention I got made me feel very happy (I am human after all!).
I decided to study well and be as good as one of my 'gurus' - the late mitter Bedi (though I can never be as good as him), under whom I learnt Industrial Photography. His method of teaching was something I loved and today, I owe a lot to him (as well as my other 'gurus').
Do you think costly equipment is necessary for good photography?Photographers in the past made excellent images even though the quality of cameras, lenses, film-developing chemicals, printing papers and printing chemicals were nowhere in quality as we have them now. So one can conclude that the quality of the equipment is not as important as the person behind the camera.
Having said so, it would be hypocritical of me to say that good equipment is not important. I feel that in the present scenario, good equipment is very much a necessity. I know that some photographers will not agree with me but if you were to ask the same persons what equipment they use, you'll find that all of them use top-notch equipment. If good equipment was not necessary, then why do these same people, who want to hog the limelight (and claim that it is only the person behind the camera that is important) use sophisticated equipment? One such person I know mentioned that as a pro, he needed better equipment. Why the double standard? In my opinion, a beginner or an amateur needs very robust equipment because he is more likely to misuse the equipment due to his poor knowledge of handling. Moreover, with today's high-resolution digital sensors, it is imperative that you use the best possible lenses, if you need to get the most out of your equipment.
Let me also add here that without good knowledge of equipment and photography in general, the best equipment can do little. In fact, the more advanced your camera, the more you need to understand its working, and yes, in that sense, you could say that the man behind the camera is more important than the equipment.
Which medium do you prefer - B/W, Color Film or Color Transparency and why?When I was using films, my choice was Color Transparencies. Because TPs are projected (as opposed to seeing prints by reflected light), they provide greater brilliance.
I no longer use films. I prefer color images to black and white as we see in color. Not that I dislike B&W images; I just love color more.
You like conventional or Digital phototherapy - why?
I no longer use films. I prefer color images to black and white as we see in color. Not that I dislike B&W images; I just love color more.
You like conventional or Digital phototherapy - why?
I prefer digital as it allows me total control of what I want to achieve.
Can you name few photographers who influenced you or you find that you consciously or unconsciously copy their style?
Can you name few photographers who influenced you or you find that you consciously or unconsciously copy their style?
Mitter Bedi, Ansel Adams, John Saxton, John shaw, Fred Picker and a few more.
How would you rate Indian photographers with their International counterparts?Indian photographers are just as good, if not better, than their International counterparts.
What are the most important points to consider when you are photographing anything?Content, Composition, Exposure and Presentation. I believe that the most important point is the Content of the picture. You may have a perfectly exposed picture of a heap of garbage; would anyone like to put up such a picture in one's sitting room?
Though I put a lot of stress on Exposure (which includes the final image quality), consider this scenario: If a UFO was photographed but the exposure was wrong, do you think any photo editor would dare not to print it in the next day's newspaper? If he did that, he would probably be without a job! So, in most instances, the Content is the primary importance.
A good Composition can enhance a not-so-good picture while a bad Composition could ruin a otherwise good picture. How you present your images is also very important. If a picture is dog-eared, or has dust-stops, scratches etc, I would hesitate to accept that image.
In this age of automatic cameras do you feel that basic knowledge of photography techniques is necessary for better photography?
How would you rate Indian photographers with their International counterparts?Indian photographers are just as good, if not better, than their International counterparts.
What are the most important points to consider when you are photographing anything?Content, Composition, Exposure and Presentation. I believe that the most important point is the Content of the picture. You may have a perfectly exposed picture of a heap of garbage; would anyone like to put up such a picture in one's sitting room?
Though I put a lot of stress on Exposure (which includes the final image quality), consider this scenario: If a UFO was photographed but the exposure was wrong, do you think any photo editor would dare not to print it in the next day's newspaper? If he did that, he would probably be without a job! So, in most instances, the Content is the primary importance.
A good Composition can enhance a not-so-good picture while a bad Composition could ruin a otherwise good picture. How you present your images is also very important. If a picture is dog-eared, or has dust-stops, scratches etc, I would hesitate to accept that image.
In this age of automatic cameras do you feel that basic knowledge of photography techniques is necessary for better photography?
Absolutely. You can have the best car in the world but if you don't use the recommended fuel...
Is photography your profession or your hobby?
Is photography your profession or your hobby?
My hobby is my profession!
Which field of photography-Pictorial, Journalism, Nature , Fashion, Still life or Advertising you like most and why?
Which field of photography-Pictorial, Journalism, Nature , Fashion, Still life or Advertising you like most and why?
As a photography teacher, I am conversant with all genres of photography but my personal preference is for nature photography, which includes wildlife and landscape photography.
In your view which is your best photograph and why ?
In your view which is your best photograph and why ?
I love most of the pictures I create. I have never given it a thought to find which one is my best photo.
Besides photography, what are your other hobbies?
Reading, music, and anything else that has something to do with the human mind, human psychology. For example, I am very interested in knowing how the human mind works, the science of hypnotism, how things work (anything). I am also very interested in the art of public speaking. Note that I do not read novels but like to read comics. If a novel has something to teach me, that's a different story altogether.
Have got prizes competitions?Please let us know about few of them.
Besides photography, what are your other hobbies?
Reading, music, and anything else that has something to do with the human mind, human psychology. For example, I am very interested in knowing how the human mind works, the science of hypnotism, how things work (anything). I am also very interested in the art of public speaking. Note that I do not read novels but like to read comics. If a novel has something to teach me, that's a different story altogether.
Have got prizes competitions?Please let us know about few of them.
To be very frank, I do not have many prizes to talk about. The reason is that I stopped taking part in competitions a long way back. I was disgusted when a particular person (whom I do not wish to revel) maliciously removed my name from a shield (on pretext of cleaning the shield). I have also seen, time and again, how certain persons try to influence the judges before a photo competition. As hard as it may sound, I have known of some judges who have made the prints for the contestants and then selected the same images during the judging. Because of such instances, I had stopped sending my entries to photo competitions. And as such, I do not have prizes I can talk about.
Please tell us how and when you got your different honors.This has been another of my grouse. In around 1978 I was offered a certain photography honor by making some payment. How that person would have gone about this, is something I do not know. It made me feel very upset and hence I did not try for any honors. In fact, I was preparing for LRPS but after this incident, I gave up. The reader may want to know who that person is, but it is not my intention to lower someone's prestige (even though he may deserve just that). I am an honorary member of The Photographic Society of India.
Have you written any book, discovered any process, then let us know about that?
Please tell us how and when you got your different honors.This has been another of my grouse. In around 1978 I was offered a certain photography honor by making some payment. How that person would have gone about this, is something I do not know. It made me feel very upset and hence I did not try for any honors. In fact, I was preparing for LRPS but after this incident, I gave up. The reader may want to know who that person is, but it is not my intention to lower someone's prestige (even though he may deserve just that). I am an honorary member of The Photographic Society of India.
Have you written any book, discovered any process, then let us know about that?
We all learn from books and magazines and from those who know their subject well. I do want to publish a book on photography (along with a very good friend from Hyderabad) but work pressure is not allowing me free time. When I do have the free time, the frame of mind is often not conducive to writing a book. I cannot say that I have 'discovered' any (secret) process as whatever I know has been from my 'gurus' and other authors. Sometimes, I may be able to take a part of one process/study and combine it with another, but that can not be called as something I discovered or invented.
Tell us about the future of photography in India.
Tell us about the future of photography in India.
Universally, photography is gaining in importance but I feel, here in India, a lot needs to be done. Photography should be taught at school level as a subject and not merely considered as a hobby. Even then the future for photography in India is bright but we do need our government's support and blessings to make it flourish as it has in developed countries.
What have you done or wish to do for budding photographers?I am happy that I am able to play an important part in teaching photography through Smart Photography magazine. I would love to conduct workshops on conventional as well as digital imaging all over the country and maybe, even abroad. I would also like to train the dealers of all camera manufacturers so that they are better informed about what they are selling. This way, the consumer as well as the manufacturers stand to gain.
Is there anything in particular you would like to share with budding photographers?
What have you done or wish to do for budding photographers?I am happy that I am able to play an important part in teaching photography through Smart Photography magazine. I would love to conduct workshops on conventional as well as digital imaging all over the country and maybe, even abroad. I would also like to train the dealers of all camera manufacturers so that they are better informed about what they are selling. This way, the consumer as well as the manufacturers stand to gain.
Is there anything in particular you would like to share with budding photographers?
Certainly. Digital Imaging is something you have to live with, whether you like it or not. I notice that the younger generation (not everyone, fortunately!) does not want to take the trouble of studying the basics. They think that having a latest camera is more important than knowing what the camera is capable of doing. They do not even want to study the most important book they can find for their particular camera - the User Manual. Take it from me, that even if you are a wizard with your digital camera, you are only a "40-percent photographer". You need to be conversant with an image-editing program like Photoshop. Digital camera and Photoshop go hand in hand. One, without the other, will leave you lacking. With Photoshop in particular, you need to go over the same technique time and again or else you are bound to forget.
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