Press
Shutterbugs United
(The New Indian Express, 25th Mar, 2008)
"What is the difference between a professional photographer and an amateur?"
"A professional gets paid?"
"Nooo, a professional can't depend on luck to get a good shot. He has to get it right every time".
The scene is a classroom of the pixetra photography club, the teacher Sethuraman, a professional photographer and the 'students' a motley crowd - consisting of slick young professionals, housewives and even a schoolboy. "Everybody out now. Take pictures of each other and come back," says Sethu as the pupils obediently file out with their cameras.
The classes called foto-guru are a venture of the club. They are mostly interactive sessions, in which you learn more about all those umpteen buttons and settings in your camera.
The only criterion for joining the pixetra photography club, a venture of the pixetra chain of stores, is a keen interest in photography. Says Sreekantan Suryanarayanan, Managing Director of pixetra, "Our sole aim is to promote photography as a hobby. Membership is open to all".
The club has currently over 70 members in Kochi alone, all united by one common interest. Being a member of the club makes you eligible for a one year subscription of a photography magazine and a monthly events like a 'photo outing' to destinations like Munnar. Nature and wildlife photography would be the main theme of these trips. Your photographs will be reviewed instantly by experts, who will be part of the trip-the likes of Amoghavarsha, reputed wildlife photographer, Alok Brahmbhatt, Assistant Editor of Better Photography magazine and Sethuraman. "Above all, we make sure that we have fun. We don't believe in extensive theory instruction." says Sethu. But be prepared to find yourself shaken awake at 5 am, as the early morning light is not something a photographer can afford to miss.
Other activities of the club include photography exhibitions of talented amateurs as well as professionals, talks and seminars, showcasing of equipment, in short, everything a photography-lover could wish for! "The best part of it all was meeting like-minded people and sharing tips and experiences. We can e-mail Sethu photos anytime and he will reply immediately with comments," says Divya Thomas, house-wife and Tanya Abraham, freelance writer.
A recent venture of the club was a whole evening of star gazing, well, not the lovers' kind, but through powerful telescopes, following which members were able to get a glimpse or two of moon craters. So enthusiasts, put an end to closet photography, bring out your hobby for public view, literally.
To become a member log on to www.pixetra.com/club or call club coordinator Ms Judy Vlemmings at 9387317792.
Members Speak
Gopakumaran Nair, retired Chief Engineer, FACT.
My father presented me my first camera in the mid 1950's when I was a schoolboy. All along I had been interested in photography but it was only after I joined pixetra Club last year that I could invest the time to learn from Sethu et al the techniques and technological aspects of digital photography. I am beginning to appreciate the finer aspects of photography. From an aim-and-shoot photographer who knew next to nothing about technicalities of digital photography, I am progressing steadily to be an amateur who understands the basic techniques of good photography, nuances of different cameras etc. I am now also able to recognize and appreciate good photographs when I see them.
Dr Puneet Dhar, Surgeon, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Despite an interest in photography from the analog era, I missed a forum for learning, sharing and discussing about shooting with a camera and improving the results. The pixetra club was very timely and fulfilled this need excellently. It has a young and vibrant team moving it, professional photographers and Foto-gurus giving tips and techniques freely to amateurs. The members range across all ages and sections with diverse interests and the fun extends on our sojourns outside which is a getaway, practise session and expert tips all rolled into one! With no rigid rules of membership and easy fellowship, and flexibility of joining into other events like nature walks, stargazing heritage trails. Unadulterated enjoyment!
G. Sethuraman, the chief instructor, has worked as a freelance photographer for many ad agencies and corporate clients in several cities all around the world, Dubai, UAE, Vancouver, Canada and San Francisco and USA, to name a few. He learnt under the able apprenticeship of big names like R. Krishnan and the legendary Mitter Bedi. "By means of the club, I hope I have been able to give back to the community what I took from my two teachers," he says.
Some hands-on tips from Sethu for better photography:
- Carry your camera with you always - you never know when a unique expression will show up. Also, your friends will relax when they always see you with a camera.
- Use a telephoto lens. It lets you distance yourself from your subject (people act naturally when you are not visible) As an added bonus, tele lenses can make subjects stand out from a busy, cluttered background.
- Avoid camera flashes which can kill the fun of a trip. It also flattens features. Natural light on the other hand, is softer and moulds features more flatteringly.
- In people photography the one thing that's a sure winner is getting that right expression - shooting a quick series of photographs could capture some exceptional expression that would otherwise slip away!
- Plan ahead. Select a vantage point in a room and anchor yourself there. Watch your subject's movements and you'll see patterns that'll help you anticipate that charming expression or the flattering look. It can turn a mundane mug shot into a stunning portrait.
But don't let all this come in the way of great photography! Happy shooting.
