Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sikh Soldier of the Indian Army
© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved.
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While working as the main photographer for the coffee table book www.flickr.com/photos/wildhiss/2318550787/ of the Indian army, I got an opportunity to photograph Sikh soldiers of the famous 2nd Battalion of the Sikh Regiment. This Regiment has won the much coveted title `Bravest of the Brave' of the Indian Army. I am told that the 2nd Sikh has the highest number of gallantry awards in the Indian Army. They are fearless and fierce soldiers. It is taken as a matter of great pride to command theses soldiers. While I was posted in Sri Lanka, as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, I had interacted with these soldiers quite on many. I found them totally different than other soldiers. There are numerous hair raising stories of their acts of gallantry. They live and work with great pride, which most of the Sikhs do in the civil as well.
While I was visiting the Battalion for photography, Col Karan Mahanjan was the commanding officer, whom I found as a great soldier with very high spirit and enthusiasm, which a CO of any Sikh Battalion should have. he never said no to any of my requests to organise special shoots. Its hard to find such soldiers today. I have such high level of veneration for these brave soldier that I find it hard to express in words. To reciprocate their support to the coffee table book and to honour their soldierly spirits, I have offered to the Battalion my services free for any kind of photography they need to preserve the Battalion's heritage.
The 2nd Sikh Battalion has the distinction of winning 22 Battle Honours.
I salute them all !
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SIKH PHOTOGRAPHY
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Friday, June 24, 2011
Lithops Succulent Shining Bright... Under Elinchrom Strobes...
Lithops Succulent Shining Bright... Under Elinchrom Strobes..., originally uploaded by Captain Suresh.
© Capt Suresh Sharma. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PRINTS OF THIS IMAGE ARE AVAILABLE ON PHOTO PAPER AND CANVAS
Today, I went to the Cactus Garden, to scout around for some flowers and my usual haunt to find some solace (after having riddled by recession). Its one of my most favorite places, to photograph and to get peace. Above all, when I admire and photograph at the Cactus Garden, I feel, I am paying respect to its creator Dr JS Sarkaria. The Cactus Garden is a priceless gift by Dr Sarkaria, for all of us. About two days ago, when my wife and me visited the garden, I had seen one or two plants, which could give flowers to my camera, soon. Most of the times, I visit the Garden to scout around for flowers, without my camera, to save on logistics. Today, being cloudy in the morning, I went to the garden, in the afternoon with sun peeping out a bit, and found this Lithops succulent was flowering in a way I wanted it, on my previous visit. I rushed home to get my photo-gear, as I had extremely short time at my hands being in the afternoon (flowers in cactus garden start closing very early), was fumbling and scared of handling equipment in such a rush. I had to perform a super fast set-up of my equipment. I worked on the camera, cards, batteries and tripod; my wife had to work like a `light boy’. She is my biggest support – also chief consultant for the quality of the images. Amazing, she has learnt about how to set up Elinchrom studio lights and background etc. all by herself. Now, she is a photographer in the making. We work as a team, now.
Usually, younger photographers think that doing attractive photographs of cactus is as simple as visiting the Cactus Garden in a rush and then the moment you see a flower in the middle of those thorns, just pull out camera and go `click click click…’ Let me tell you, photographs are created and do not happen, quite an effort goes into making the soul cherishing photographs, which could draw anyone’s attention. One needs practice, walk around in search of your subject, try to locate the right subject which could offer good photographs, then carry out visual rehearsal about all angles which could make you good photos. Its practice which will hone your any skills, be it photography, horse riding, flying, painting, etc. As we Indians say in reference to our classical music and dance – its `reeyaaz’ (practice), and nothing else. So its practice, which trains your eyes to see good images even in simple subjects and light. Simply by buying a camera, one doesn't become a photographer.
REMEMBER: Photos are NOT made with cameras in quilts, only love could be made in quilts. So, you decide what you want to do... To seek photos, you have to take your camera out for a walk! Be rest assured, camera sitting in your cupboard makes no photos, may accrue fungus on its optics.
The best way to do photography is – make your progarmme on the previous day (if you are working nine to five, then keep thinking the whole week about where to shoot), get your kit ready (it needs quite a bit of preparation for good outdoor photography) get up early on the weekend, carry your kit, drive to your cherished location an hour before you expect the light for your shoot to get ready. Remember, creative photography is not done in groups, no matter what you say. Only routine basic photography (pull out your camera and shoot), can be done in groups; more than two photographers is a crowd. Its not me who is advocating this, all experienced photographers say that. Most of the seasoned ones will prefer being alone, with their camera.
One can learn the `nitty-gritty' and technicalities of equipment handling from the internet and books, but how to achieve good photos is a long and treacherous path, which one has to tread holding an experienced hand. Its almost like going to the Mt Everest, not all succeed, in spite of all required equipment and logistics in place.
I think, its A matter of passion and patience...
TECHNIQUE: Elinchrom strobes, main key light with snoot and grid, the second one with grid and bandoor, background set-up.
What is Lithops? Lithops are commonly known as `flowering stones’ or `living stones. These are true mimicry plants: as their shape, size and color makes them look like small stones in their natural habitat. Theses plants blend very well among the stones, as a means of protection. So, grazing animals, which would otherwise eat them during periods of drought to obtain moisture, usually overlook them. Even Lithops experts, sometimes find it difficult to locate these plants in the field, because of this unusual element of deception.
MY CACTUS PHOTOGRAPHY
If you wish to have this image as `Screen Saver' for your computer, please write to me and I will send it across.
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© Capt Suresh Sharma. All Rights Reserved.
Well Friends, I worked very hard to get Taj shots in Jan 2006. The moment I bought my Canon 20D, as my first digital SLR, I rushed straight to Agra. I would get up at 0430 hours everyday and be behind Taj around 0515 hours, freezing cold. It was too cold to touch my tripod with bare hands. I did that everyday for 15 days. My army friends stopped asking me after four days about how long I am going to carry on with my crazy trips. I told them that its normal way to get good shots, there is no short cut for hard work. I got some nice shots, which I like. This is one of the shots of Taj which I like.
My most favourite place to photograph the Taj Mahal has been from the Yamuna River side. It used to offer me endless true Indian life behind the Taj i.e. villagers crossing the river in boat, farmers growing vegetables, cremation, immersing ashes, villagers filing water from the dug up water holes, kids playing cricket, collecting sand, crowd of people having holy dip on certain occasions, etc. This side used to be quite interesting.
Since, I used to visit the Taj from the river side more regularly, I have many friends from the village Kachhpura. Most of them are the kids of the village.
But sadly, access to the Taj from Yamuna river side, which was unchecked earlier, has been banned. Brainless security measures. Why can't the security personnel check photographers for what they are carrying and allow them to do photography.