So often, nowadays at every little event, you see a crowd of young and old enthusiasts, standing in an awkward pose, back bent backwards and forefinger on the trigger... all set to capture the scene on cameras of different sizes and types. Never mind that the hosts have commissioned a professional photographer to document the event.
Earlier the camera was meant for the ones who could afford it or the ones who could use it. Now it is easily affordable as well as usable. It comes as an add-on with other tools like mobile phones. It has empowered the needs of photo documentation. Journalism and even activism has found its uses to capture, chronicle and transfer visual information.
However the fundamental focus of the camera’s real potential is lost on its many converts. More often not, the furious frenzy of such photographers displays that they are only interested in clicking the shot rather than experiencing the activity being captured. They rush from shot to shot, observing nothing. It is akin to W H Davies’ poetic lament, ‘no time to wait till her mouth can... enrich the smile her eyes began’!
The camera is a highly useful invention, but it remains secondary to the human eye and its sensitivity to the minute detail and the larger vision. It would be better for us to use our eyes before we use the camera. The personal experience and the understanding that comes from it helps empower the photographer’s penchant for perfecting the skill... like so many talented lensmen so well display!
Let’s BE BETTER at experiencing the real activity...
Instead of a mechanical capture for needless posterity!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Mumbai, India.
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