On World Photography Day, lensmen share the one image that compelled them to go clickety-click
On World Photography Day, lensmen share the one image that compelled them to go clickety-click
There are a few times in a photographer’s life, when instead of them going after a moment, it is the moment that seeks them out. And that’s when they know that come what may, they have to capture that image. On the occasion of World Photography Day today, After Hrs asked some lensmen to share a few images that tell a story.
1. Jigar Shah
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Jigar Shah, Freelance Photographer
Despite living in the city for over 30 years and about eight years since the Bandra Worli Sealink opened to public, I did not know that there was a possibility of going under the bridge. It was the joy of finding a hidden gem which you never knew existed in the first place.
2. Saify Naqvi
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Saify Naqvi, Lifestyle and Travel Photographer
I shot this image of Taj Mahal during the Taj Balloon Festival for UP tourism and Sky Waltz. This is one of my favourite images as it brings together the old and the new. It reminds me of truly world-class initiatives that are being taken in India to showcase its heritage, culture and identity.
3. Sudharak Olwe
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Sudharak Olwe, Photojournalist
In the mythological origins of the Khasi Tribe, the Children of the Seven Huts originate from heavenly families created by the lord master. Their ladder to Heaven was destroyed when they cut down a divine tree and faced the wrath of God, thus being stuck on earth forever. Much of the North East is cut off from the rest of the country, much like that destroyed ladder. Shooting in Meghalaya, I had the opportunity to interact with the children in the Khasi Tribe, who had started going to school. Stepping inside their classroom was a humbling experience, a few rows of wooden benches and one blackboard was all of it. Watching them learn and interact gave me the kind of hope that precedes positive change.
4. Apoorva Guptay
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Apoorva Guptay, Documentary and street photographer
I was out on my regular walks around the city when I realised I was carrying a wrong lens, which was a wide angle. So I kept my camera in my bag and came across a lone woman sitting and protesting for women’s rights while shieldingcherself with an umbrella from the scorching sun. The stark demonic shadow lurking behind her caught my attention instantaneously and I had no option but to shoot it with the existing lens. It turned out to be the right lens for the situation.
5. Kinshuk J Mehta
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Kinshuk J Mehta, Hobbyist
This picture was taken a few days ago when I was returning home after work. I was amazed to see a small dwelling of the fishermen community of the city at this one corner outside the Hawa Mahal lane at Worli. I stood here for a few minutes, gazing at the iconic Haji Ali Dargah where fishermen bring back their boats after meeting their daily targets. I spoke to a few of them, asking about their whereabouts. They belonged to the Koli community and have been settled here since eight generations. Standing here, I thought about how this city has managed to bring together vivid cultures and has so many ways to help them all survive and flourish.
6. Rahul Vangani
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Rahul Vangani, Professional Photographer
There are so many photo opportunities during the monsoons. I love taking reflection shots of the city when there are a lot of puddles during rainy season. Here is a reflection of the Grant Road skywalk that I captured on my phone.
7. Ritesh Uttamchandani
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Ritesh Uttamchandani, Freelance Photographer
Paraphrasing what Amitabh Bachchan said during an interview, Bombay is often a very kind city, but more often than not, it is a ruthless one. It’s a city full of brutal ironies and dualities. I find myself drawn to such situations, for sometimes they come cloaked in a veil of humour which makes the photograph a little less judgemental, yet, relatable to a viewer. Empathy is in short supply these days and this man sleeping in the foot-wide space on a gunny bag, eyes covered with a bandana that reads ‘Army’ is metaphor for many things that are happening in our country.
