Nowadays at various events, we see a common sight of
many enthusiasts, standing in an awkward pose, back bent backwards and
forefinger on the trigger... all set to capture the ongoing scene on cameras of
different types. Never mind that the professional photographer is blocked out
of view by these over excited, trigger happy camera-men.
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 enthusiasts, displays that they are only interested in clicking the shot
rather than experiencing the activity. They rush from shot to shot, observing
nothing. For some, the motive is to upload the photograph on Web 2.0 before
someone else does.
It is akin to W H Davies’ poetic lament, ‘no time to
wait till her mouth can... enrich the smile her eyes began’! We need tolerance
for time so that our eyes can notice the minute detail as well as the larger
vision. The camera is a highly useful invention, but it remains secondary to
the human eye and its capacity to observe beyond the scene... a necessary trait
for every photographer.
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 help empower the photographer’s penchant for perfecting the skill... like so
many passionate photographers so well display! Alfred Eisenstaedt said it so
well that ‘The important thing is not the camera but the eye!’
BE BETTER at using eyes to capture the activity...
Instead
of a hasty clicks for needless posterity!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Goa, India.
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