On World Photography Day on Monday, VO! met up with Parmanand Dalwadi, a doyen among professional photographers in Ahmedabad. In an exclusive interview, the veteran lensman talks about new technologies in photography, the Ambani wedding and what makes for a truly great photo:
VO!: What are the current trends in photography?
Dalwadi: Photography was invented just 105 years ago, so it is still relatively new. As a science, it is yet to fully mature. Technological developments are still taking place. But in the time since it was invented, photography has had a huge impact on the world. People see the world through photographs. Today, technology allows us to take photographs of the deep sea, of space, things we have never seen before. Photography is the third eye.
VO!: How have phone cameras affected professional photography?
Dalwadi: Phone photography has its limitations. A serious photographer still needs a proper camera. The digital camera has made photography much easier. It has rendered all sorts of equipment obsolete. Earlier you had to spend a lot of time adjusting the camera. The model would get exhausted, the food would go stale. The new technology frees you to focus on the subject. Photography is not easy; you must work hard. A wildlife photographer, for example, must be an expert on animal habitat.
VO!: What makes for a great photograph?
Dalwadi: Capturing the truth of the subject. If it is a person, you must capture his or her essence. I remember Papul Jaykar sending me to photograph the philosopher J Krishnamurthy. I spent four days at his ashram in Rishi Valley, following him around, taking candid shots. You must appreciate the person, visualise the best way to portray him or her. Photographers today do not always have the patience.
VO!: Can an event like the Ambani wedding produce great photographs?
Dalwadi: They had hired photographers and the photos must have been screened. Candid photographs that did not show the guests in a good light would not be released, however interesting they may be.
VO!: When does a photograph become a work of art?
Dalwadi: I have always tried to use my artistic training in my work. Using special photographic techniques, it is possible to produce abstract images that look like paintings.
VO!: What do you think of drone photography?
Dalwadi: That came after my time. We used to take aerial photos from planes. I remember taking photographs of industrial development in Gujarat from a light aircraft. The German pilot would swoop so close to the factories that I feared we would crash.
VO!:Who would you say are the best among the younger photographers in Gujarat?
Dalwadi: There is Vivek Desai, who became a sadhu at the Kumbh Mela and produced a lot of interesting pictures of sadhus. Then there is street photographer Vinay Panjwani, who has been influenced by Raghu Rai. Fashion photographer Devang Patel has produced good work and Kunal Panchal, who does architectural photographs. There is Mahendra Nikam, who I have personally mentored for 35 years. And I must mention Vraj Mistry, president of Niharika, an old amateur photography club, who is very active. He has been taking Niharika members on various outings, such as tribal villages during festivals, so they can photograph something different.
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