“A daily newspaper in Brisbane needs an experienced newspaper photographer?”
Looks familiar? These are of course the run of the mill ads that come in the media for the job of a photographer. Going along with the trends of the time, the creative horizons of photography is thoroughly explored and gains momentum day by day. This makes a photographer a much sought after commodity in the market. For the soaring creativeness of a photographer, sky turn out to be the frame to absorb the beauty of the world.
Importance of Photography
What actually is Photography?
Being a very resourceful and imaginative medium of expressing one’s self, the art of photography has a history of over 150 years. In the past, taking photographs were the only solution to preserve the present moments for the next generation. Even now when science and technology has acquired larger dimensions, photography still reigns the unrivalled master in this realm.
Want to be a part of this highly inventive field? The unwritten rules are: You need a keen eye for aesthetic details of what is "photo-worthy";
I should admit that I lack the above mentioned intuitive and in-born traits of a photographer. Needless to say the trials I have made in this area have become apologies for good photography!
Photography Courses
Photography as profession is no child's play and unfortunately many talented photographers still remain amateurs unable to overcome the hurdles on the way. The ascend is tough and tiring, and the financial returns are quite unsatisfactory for the beginners. Only those with determination and a never-say-die attitude, coupled with a real love of the medium can cling on.
For this, the career-minded photographers, students, artists and people who has an inclination to it should learn photography systematically with theory and practical sessions from a person who has mastered the art. Several institutes offer courses to meet the needs of those who intend to take photography as a part time/full time profession, as a passion or as a pastime.
Photography is such a flexible and versatile art which has branched out to specialized areas like press, sports, nature, wild life, bird photography etc. So if you are keen on any of these fields, you will be benefited as these courses lay basic foundation for all these branches of photography. Most of the courses are carefully woven with theory and practical sessions to give in-depth practical knowledge of the subject.
These courses will train your eyes and help you tame the camera.
The Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
Icon Photography School, Vancouver, BC
Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, CA
Harrington College of Design, Chicago
McIntosh College of Dover, New Hampshire
American InterContinental University Study, London
Photographic Society of India, Mumbai
Verve Visuals, Bangalore, India
India International Photographic Council, New Delhi, India
Banned areas of photography
‘The police in Hull, UK, seized this guy's film because he was taking photos of 'sensitive material' in a city center. A spokeswoman for the force told Amateur Photographer:
(Taken from Boingboing: A directory of wonderful things)
You may think that ‘how can we expect privacy in a public place’! Or ‘is not a photographer licensed to capture anything that he finds interesting?’
But it is a very sensitive issue. This is a very unpredictable world. If there are no framed rules in this area, we might be unknowingly giving liberty to the untamed terrorist or illegal activities to mushroom around us. So photography is strictly banned in certain places of political or strategic importance, legendary monuments, interiors of some worship places, or even taking photographs of individuals without their permission.
Photography in film industry
Photographers in television, video, and motion picture capture images that often tell a story, inform or entertain an audience, or record an event. Film and video editors edit soundtracks, film, and video for the motion picture, cable, and broadcast television industries. Some photographers do their own editing.
Photographers use professional television, video, or motion picture cameras to shoot a wide variety of material, including television series, studio programs, music videos, motion pictures, news and sporting events, documentaries, and training sessions. The resultant product is a collage made from many different shots by film and video editors. With the increase in digital technology, much of the editing work is now done on a computer. Many professional photographers and editors are employed by independent television stations; local affiliate stations of television networks; large cable and television networks; or smaller, independent film production companies.
Creation of commercial-quality movies and video programs requires technical expertise and creativity. Producing successful images requires a skill in the choice and presentation things in an interesting way, selection of appropriate equipment, an aesthetic eye and a steady hand to ensure smooth, natural movement of the camera.
Photographers/
Press Photography
The story is unfolded through their pictures. The work requires journalistic ability combined with technical skill. There are a great variety of subjects and locations and the timings may be irregular. They cover various subjects such as the life of prison inmates or drought conditions in a stare or schools at work in different places and so on.
Media History
Prior to exploring the specifics of the print and digital media revolutions, we will have a look at media in general:
How do we define media? On the other hand, how do media define us? Is media a catalyst of cultural change? How do print and digital media differ?
Progressions in media technology are now becoming the calibration marks for history's major paradigmatic shifts. At present, "Mediology”, is an accepted and ever-expanding field of study.
Regis Debray, a French radical theoretician, suggests three historical ages of transmission technologies:
Media and its far-reaching effects have been present ever since humanity has been developed into tribes and nations and developing methods of communication.
Article by : Rarima N S
SBL – Technology People Trust
http://www.sblgraphics.com
