Photographer, the smooth operator

Photographer at work

Life is all about choices. I didn't say it but someone else, may be someone famous. I agree with the statement as I have made all the wrong choices, as far as hobbies are concerned. My newly acquired friend is a photographer and the recent interactions with him make me think that I have chosen unwisely. We went together for Salon du Chocolat last Saturday and I made some interesting observations during the 4 hours we spent there.

Have you watched a photographer at work? He has to balance himself with grace to make sure he gets the right picture. The more powerful the lens, the more tough it is to balance. So, the photographer ends up with a stance which is similar to a combat stance. Now, compare this with a blogger on a computer or a a smartphone? What is so manly about it?

The photographer with his equipment can command respect especially during a fashion show. Have you seen how people raise their phones to click a picture during a fashion show or for that matter any kind of show? The raised object obstructs your field of vision when you are standing at the back of the crowd. The photographer pushes away the offending phone curtly. If the phone owner is miffed, the photographer says the magic word "Press" and there are no questions because of the size of the equipment he carries. What can a blogger do?

Photographers are more voyeuristic than a blogger. A blogger conjures up faces using words. But the photographer uses real faces to tell his story. The real faces he focuses on are usually of the fairer sex. The subject suddenly becomes conscious and a imperceptible blush flashes by. If the photographer chooses to continue with his clicking experiments, then the blush turns from imperceptible to perceptible to permanent. The subject might not see the final outcome but realizes the importance of the photographer's action. But in a blogger's case, the subject will never know that the subject was a subject.

Now for the best part, a subject voluntarily poses for the photographer when the latter is in action. That is when the photographer becomes a smooth operator. He clicks the subject and shows the outcome to the subject. Then he pulls out his visiting card from his wallet, hands it over and asks the subject to call for the picture. There is nothing in a blogger's life to beat this.

Like I said, choose wisely. But before you running for DSLR, here is the catch. That night, we were on the top of the convention center near Porte de Versailles used for parking. It was dark when we came out and Tour Eiffel was at a distance in full glory with lights all over her body. We spent nearly twenty minutes in the freezing weather to get a good picture. I was shivering despite three layers of clothes. He was wearing only a T-shirt focused on Tour Eiffel. Only passion can drive you to do that.

Tags: Musings,Hobbies,Photographer,Blogger