Better Photography and Kodak’s Wedding Photography workshop in Pune
Sep 16, 2011 Wedding Photographers
It was the first of the series of ‘Secrets of Wedding Photography’ workshops that will take place in many cities in India. With celebrated wedding photographers like Milind Ketkar and Ranjan Zingade winner of Wedding Photographer of the Year 2009, as speakers, the atmosphere was expected to be electric. And the Puneites did not disappoint. The turnout itself was proof of the fact that no matter what your experience is in wedding photography, there is something in it for everyone.
For an Air India Pilot, who could not pursue his childhood passion of photography earlier but was now eager to learn, it was looking at photography in a completely new light. For Parna Banerjee, a homemaker who wants to make a career in wedding photography, the workshop was the platform to understand the market requirements, what to do and how to go about it to make it big. Anand Patankar, Head of marketing of a German firm with a deep interest in photography stated: “This workshop a must-experience for new photographers. What I would have learnt only after covering 5-6 weddings, I have learnt here in just a couple of hours.”
Anand Patankar, Head of marketing of a German firm, says the workshop is a must-experience for new and budding wedding photographers. Parna Banerjee, a homemaker now wants to make a career in wedding photography
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| Pruthviraj Ranavade, fashion photographer loves wedding photography because it gives him a chance to learn about different cultures |
It was not only part-time photographers who found it useful. For Pruthviraj Ranavade, a full-time fashion photographer, it was refreshing and surreal. “I love exploring different cultures which is why I want to pursue wedding photography too and this workshop has allowed me to look at people with many different perspectives through the lens. Milind Ketkar’s shots were a great insight into the kind of angles to choose for a frame to make it look unique”, he said. Then there was Parag Shinde who is into photography since 25 years and exclusively into wedding photography for the last 8 years. Even after so many years in the business, he says attending Better Photography workshops always give him something new to experiment with. And that is what brings variation in his work.
Milind Ketkar and Ranjan Zingade shared a lot of practical experiences with participants. There was a complete module on how to approach the client and a module on what unique things they do today to delight customers. They also discussed various photographic techniques, how to improve the quality of photograph, how to control low light situations and use artificial light creatively. Whether it was the innovative questionnaire at the end gauging at what level you are at, as a photographer or the very interactive Q & A sessions, the atmosphere was electric.And at the end of the workshop, participants sure looked enthused, their heads buzzing with numerous fresh ideas.
Report by Jaspreet Soni (askjaspreet@gmail.com)
Tags: Better Photography, Kodak, Wedding Photography, Workshop
International Photographers big-focus: Big Indian Weddings
May 15, 2011 Wedding Photographers
Photographing a beautiful Indian wedding is a much sought-after assignment for many international wedding photographers. Some photographers even prefer to make India their temporary or permanent home. Like Cory Goldberg from New York who now lives in Mumbai, Sephi Bergerson from Israel who lives in Goa and UK-based Annie Heslop who stays in India for a few months every year. And those who come regularly look forward to living here someday, like LA-based Dina Douglass at Andrena Photography (recently named as one of the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World by American Photo Magazine). Says Dina: “There is no place like India. From the moment I step off the plane, I am transported into a world that is unlike any other. The hospitality is incredible and the wedding venues are a photographer’s dream! I am equally excited when I get to shoot in the villages and more rustic areas. The juxtaposition of a gorgeous couple against a rural backdrop is something that creates brilliant images.”
(Left) Dina Douglass of Andrena Photography, (Right) Annie Heslop. (Below) Photograph by Dina Douglass
Cory Goldberg who lives in Khar, Mumbai tells us what he looks forward to most: “Action at the baraat! It’s very intense and as a photographer, it’s important not to get overwhelmed with all the many things happening in so many places. It can get chaotic– but in terms of capturing raw emotion and unforgettable candid moments, nothing beats the baraat.” He adds: “The style in which I work is a combination of candid, photo-journalistic, semi-posed portraiture, as well as a good amount of still life and landscape. I believe it is important when covering an event as dynamic as a wedding, to be versed in more than one style of shooting.” Cory is in India from September through May, and he goes back to the US during the monsoons. He explains: “Although I find the monsoon quite beautiful, my equipment hates the rain and humidity!”
Photograph by Cory Goldberg
Wedding Planners opine that traditionally, India’s wedding photography industry has had a community connection— most clients felt a photographer from their own community would be the best person to photograph the family wedding, but this is changing. And while India’s wedding market may be huge, that doesn’t mean all talented wedding photographers can get many assignments soon. As Prakash Tilokani, one of India’s most successful photographers explained in an interview to WeddingSutra: “Talent is of course one of the most important requisites for success, but you also need to be patient, sensitive and possess an astute business sense to grow and prosper.” Josh Komanappali originally from Andhra Pradesh, lived and worked in the US for 15 years, and he recently relocated to Hyderabad. He says: “In the US, I hardly got a chance to photograph Indian weddings, and it’s an all-new experience here, the market and mind-sets are different but that’s part of the learning experience.”
Photograph by Annie Heslop
Cory, Dina and Annie believe Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year (WPOY) Award is one of the best initiatives for India’s Wedding Photographer fraternity. Says Cory: “I was fortunate to attend WPOY 2010 and pleased to see such an array of genuine talent and innovation among the photographers.” Dina who is the only solo female photographer to make it onto the list of American’s Photo’s top 10 international wedding photographers, is elated to hear that more Indian females are joining the traditionally male-dominated profession: “In 2011, I hope Kodak and Better Photography institute a special award to recognise female photographers, and I’d love to be a part of it.”
Photograph by Dina Douglass
And while they are fascinated by the Indian Wedding, there are other passions and interests that make their India sojourn more enjoyable or meaningful. Annie Heslop spends time teaching photography to children in a school in Orissa, where she lives. She says: “I’m happiest when I’m shopping for Indian spices, music and essential oils, and I love eating out—Bhel Puri and all street food are my favorite.” Cory takes up freelance acting assignments and enjoys seeing music and theatre performances and travelling. He adds: “I’ve been a vegetarian for over a decade, so I prefer eating out in India. When I’m back home I’m always on the look-out for good Indian restaurants and when I find a South Indian thali, I couldn’t be happier.”
Tags: American Photo, Andrena Photography, Annie Heslop, Baraat, Better Photography, Cory Goldberg, Dina Douglass, india, Josh Komanappali, Kodak, Photographs, Prakash Tilokani, Top 10 Wedding Photographers, wedding, Wedding Photographer of the Year, Wedding Photographers, Women Photographers
India’s Best Wedding Photographers 2010
Apr 15, 2011 Wedding Photographers
Congratulations to Vivek Sequeira, Winner of the Wedding Photographer of the Year Award 2010 and all category winners of the Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards 2010.
Bridal Portraiture- Vivek Sequeira (Mangalore)
Couple Portraiture-Mahesh Shantaram (Bangalore)
Family & Friends- P Vijay Kumar (Nellore)
Emotions- Ankit Singh (Bangalore)
Behind the Scenes-Abhinav Sah (Mumbai)
Photo Series on a single wedding- Dinesh Madhavan (Mumbai)
Tags: 2010, Abhinav Sah, Ankit Singh, Awards, Behind the Scenes, Best Wedding Photographers, Better Photography, Dinesh Madhavan, Emotions, Family and Friends, india, Kodak, Mahesh Shantaram, Portraiture, Vijay Kumar, Vivek Sequeira, Wedding Photographer of the Year, Wedding Photographs
Photographs by the Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010
Apr 14, 2011 Wedding Photographers
The finale round for the Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010 was a unique face-off round, with six finalists. The six finalists shot a mock wedding at The Wedding Cafe Lounge at Andheri (West)– complete with a bride and groom, dressed in wedding ensembles by bollywood’s favourite designer Neeta Lulla, jewellery by creative jewellery designer Varuna D Jani and make-up by Cory Walia. Here are the photographs by Vivek Sequeira winner of the Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010.
Tags: 2010, Better Photography, Cory Walia, Kodak, Neeta Lulla, The Wedding Cafe Lounge, Varuna D Jani, Vivek Sequeira, Wedding Photographer of the Year
“A child is the inspiration for my Wedding Albums”
Apr 13, 2011 Wedding Photographers
Baroda-based Prakash Tilokani, a titan in the wedding photo industry, is a role-model for thousands of wedding photographers. The self-taught photographer runs his 40 people strong organisation on the lines of a highly professional corporate house; his office building is aptly named ‘Memories House’ and his clients include business, bollywood and political heavy-weights like Laxmi Mittal and Shilpa Shetty. Tilokani is revered not just for his talent and business acumen but for his people management and inter-personal skills too. He spoke to WeddingSutra, a day before the awards ceremony of Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010, for which he is the Judge.
Traditional Indian elements and fairy-tale glamour
My wedding photographs combine traditional elements and fairy-tale glamour to tell a beautiful story. While designing the wedding album I keep a simple philosophy in mind: ‘the wedding album should be interesting for a four year old child too’. Each of the colourful pictures showcasing love and unique moments should entertain a child.
Simple, stylish albums and Photo books
My albums are simple yet stylish in design, where the focus is on the picture, printed on the best-quality paper. I don’t believe in rich edges or borders, which take away from the beauty of the pictures. Nor do I pay much importance to captions, because the picture speaks a thousand words! If photo albums have a lot of sentimental value, photobooks are treasured. I introduced the concept of Photobooks in India, and I’m so happy that they are so popular today.
Favorite Wedding locales
In India, my favourite destinations include Neemrana Fort and Devi Garh in Rajasthan. Amby Valley is another awesome destination wedding venue. Though I must add, the charm of a beautiful destination shows up in the pictures, only if it’s a day wedding, and at night most exotic venues look the same. I also look forward to shooting weddings in Europe- the great climate and pollution-free environment contribute to much better photographs.
Pool Party and Portraits
At Destination Weddings I enjoy photographing the pool parties—its one event, where all adults act like kids. In our hot, sweaty climate, water lifts everyone’s spirits so they are on a high! I also enjoy the portrait sessions with the bride and groom—it’s interesting to observe how much they’re silently communicating on the most important day of their lives.
Funny incident @ a Shaadi
Once at a Gujarati wedding, as is the tradition in some families, the bride and groom were lifted by friends and family members to garland each other. There was this funny competition, where each side kept trying to lift higher, they went so high, both the bride and groom couldn’t keep the balance; they fell on the ground, embracing each other.
Advice for budding wedding photographers
Think big and change with the times. Being a successful photographer has two elements to it—your skill at photography and your business acumen, and both contribute equally to your success. With creativity and talent, you also need to improve your attitude, observation skills and patience. Thanks to Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards, there’s a new excitement among the Photographer fraternity. They look forward to participating and winning the most prestigious awards—and it pushes them to explore the new.
Tags: Baroda, Best, Better Photography, Designs, india, Judge, Kodak, Photobooks, Prakash Tilokani, Wedding Album, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer of the Year 2010
Women in Wedding Photography
Apr 12, 2011 Wedding Photographers
Wedding photography, traditionally a male bastion is now seeing more women. This year, Kodak presents Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year (WPOY) 2010, received many entries from women photographers. Not surprising, since a wedding is a lot about the bride, the emotions, minute details and so many candid moments!
Suchita Sitani, Naina Redhu
Richa Kashelkar, Deepa Netto
‘Easier Access to the Bride’
Says Gurgaon-based Naina Redhu who participated in WPOY 2010: “Difficult to generalise what advantages or disadvantages women photographers have but sometimes it’s easier when the other photographers don’t come in your way.” When Redhu has a free moment between the shots, she loves observing the flowers and decor, and jewellery that everyone is wearing. “And mingling with the guests is great fun”, she quips. Richa Kashelkar, a qualified architect who started photographing weddings by a chance event, and now pursues it as a full-time career says: “As a woman you have easier access to the bride and women guests, so you can click some really nice ‘getting ready’ moments.” Navi Mumbai based Deepa Netto, states: “At the end of the day it makes no difference whether you’re a man or woman—because every client requires quality work for the money they have spent.”
Financially Rewarding and Emotionally Satisfying
Suchita Sitani who graduated from Ooty Light and Life Academy last year, participated in the Bridal Portraiture category for WPOY 2010. “I specialised in Fashion Photography, and while initially I was interested in Portraitures only, I’m now keen to capture the wedding ceremony too” says Sitani. “Of course there are a host of challenges there—different and sometimes tough lighting conditions, the need to be perfect with timing and not miss a single opportunity. But from what I hear, it’s financially rewarding and emotionally satisfying.”
Photographs by Deepa Netto
“At a wedding—in wet and mud stained jeans”.
Says Naina Redhu: “I love dressing up for weddings, so if I’m going as a guest, I enjoy figuring out the what-to wear bit and spend an hour at the salon. But on the job, I have to run around, and kneel and lie down quite a bit, so my dress is highly functional. I try to put on minimal makeup so I don’t stick out like an eye-sore. Deepa Netto adds: “I ensure I wear comfortable footwear since I have to stand upto 10 hours. At one weddng I fell down on a mucky football ground and then I had shoot the entire wedding in wet and mud stained jeans– since then I always carry an extra set of clothes.”
And then there’s the new decision-maker on wedding photography—the bride. Web evangelist and gadget geek Madhulika Mathur explains: “Unlike earlier, when families chose the wedding photographer, today the bride plays an important role in deciding who should click the wedding ceremonies; and she wants to be photographed by someone she is comfortable with. I’m not a professional photographer but interestingly, at some family and friends weddings, I’ve had the bride tell me to get click-happy since she’s confident I’ll do a good job with capturing those candid and ‘getting ready’ moments.”
Tags: Better Photography, Deepa Netto, Getting Ready Moments, india, Kodak, Naina Redhu, Photography, Richa Kashelkar, Suchita Sitani, Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer of the Year, Women, WPOY
Wedding Photographer of the Year
Mar 24, 2010 Wedding Photographers
The first Wedding Photographer of the Year (WPOY) award was hosted by Kodak and Better Photography magazine at the Hyatt Regency, Mumbai on 19th March, 2010. At the most awaited event for Wedding Photographers in India, the organisers showcased and announced the the Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year and the Best Wedding Photographers in six different categories.
Kodak Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year- Ranjan M Zingade
Bridal Portraiture- Jiten M Patel, Ahmedabad
Couple Portraiture- Vivek Sequeira, Mangalore
Family & Friends- Pradip Barrai, Kolkata
Emotions- Ranjan Zingade, Pune
Behind the Scenes- Anill Patil, Nashik
Photo Series- William Chang, New Delhi
Says Madhavan Pillai, Editor, Better Photography, “Wedding photography is an oft misunderstood, oft underestimated profession. This is despite the fact that it more exciting and satisfying than many other genres of photography. So, I am glad WPOY 2010 came to fruition. Wedding photographers now have annual awards on a national level that they can call their own”. The quest for India’s best wedding photographer started five months back through a grand scale pan India hunt. The organisers received thousands of entries and a jury of eminent photographers such as Fawzan Hussain, Ariz Aira, Rooshad Garda, Uzair Kharawala, Seshu Badrinath, Sephi Bergerson and Prakash Tilokani chose the final winners.
Tags: Anill Patil, Better Photography, Jiten Patel, Kodak, Pradip Barrai, Ranjan Zingade, Vivek Sequeira, Wedding Photographer of the Year, William Chang
