Feature on Indian Classical Dance Photography - A: Introduction: Classical Dance Photography is both a science and an art. A regular feature in any classical dance performance is that of photographers silently capturing pictures. You can classify these camera wielding photographers into three broad categories, Press, Amateurs and Professionals. Post the performance the pictures find their way to newspapers and into social networks giving tremendous publicity and recognition to classical dancers. We now look at dance photography, its impact, first from dancers point of view and then from the photographer's view. Having dance portfolio helps! With dedicated professionals equipped with modern equipment, dance photography has certainly come of age. The work of dedicated professional work is a class apart from the normal pictures. Besides the equipment, knowledge of lighting, background, movement, the perfect, and even the story that is to be conveyed, all these are essentials of each good picture. Each dance form has its own language be it the costume, character, background of supporting artists, and the ambience. In the end all that additional effort is worthy and effective. The work has the power to connect and engage people when published. Dancer's concern about cost is also an important factor. There is a silver lining though, my experience and observation is that photographers are very happy to make use of their expertise and often do not insist on high remuneration. If the dancer is renowned, the services may well be free or at bare minimum. Moreover, PriyaLasya offers Free Artist Spaces for dancers where they can showcase the pictures and publicize them for getting better opportunities. Some dancers already benefited from this small and humble initiative. Benefits: (a) He or she should have some understanding of the classical dance, the mudras, the bhangimas and postures and the background. (b) They have clear understanding of the various lighting equipment used. (c) The vantage positions and angles. (d) The technical requirements that relate to timing, equipment, resolutions etc. Further advantages of having a local professional photographer: (e) Familiarity with the venue, details, facilities available, lighting, positions, do's and don'ts. (f) Advise on the preparation front, about the background available (for choosing the right costumes) and key stage features. (g) Less cost. Since they don't need to charge you for travel. (e) Feedback. Being in the field, they can provide the response of the audience and even suggest tips. Photographer's Insights As far as photographers are concerned, classical dance gives enormous scope to explore to test their talent and skill. An article that I came across mentions thus. Photography is a still, frozen art while dance is an art of motion. Trying to capture and convey motion by not using a motion is a challenge. PriyaLasya approached experienced dance photographers for this story. Here we present the insights from Sri Shandilya Srivatsa from Bengaluru He heads International arts & Cultural Foundation which organizes International level arts festivals viz., NRI Festivals for classical dancers, All Women World Arts Festival and exclusive Transgender classical Arts Festival besides being a known photographer in the Indian Cinema Industry. Shandilya believes that a photographer can "make or break an artist's career". He explains.., "A specialist dance photographer is in a dynamic pursuit waiting for the moment he can capture the moment (unlike amateurs who routinely click). Obviously the art needs lot of patience.." "We need to wait for that fraction of second to shoot and such instinct improves with experience”. He continues.. “If we don't shoot at the right movement, others seeing those pics think the artist hasta shuddi is not there, lines are not perfect or that the artist is weak on aramandi”. Here a professional work helps by the quality of the output. Once in circulation there is every chance that more people get to see the pictures giving the much needed publicity and name. Shandilya observes "All artists look for freelancer without much bothering on the pics since art is not a commercial activity. Since artists keep travelling to different festivals, organizers themselves engage photographers anyway. However such arrangements are handled in a routine manner and not much care and concern is shown simply because the emphasis is not on them. Also, it is often the case that dancers have to wait to get their pictures from organizers and even when they get it, the output is not satisfactory. Not much can be done by then. Advice to young photographers who are genuinely passionate about becoming a professional Shandilya Srivatsa Srivatsa advises upcoming photographers and it comes with a word of caution. He is a Computer Science Engineering Graduate himself but chose to specialize in photography and in performing arts as well. He further specialized in "Multiple Exposure Technique" (See pic above of dancer Anuradha Vikranth". He explains, photography has limitations with two dimensions (length and breadth), I always try to get the additional dimension which is the depth in all my frames through this technique". Good to further specialize based on your interest in skill. As a career.. Though not by itself a rewarding career exclusively on dance, as far as opportunity is concerned he reminds; "In Bengaluru itself there are about 300 good programs every year and it is important that those aspiring to be professional photographers develop their networking and publicity to get good assignments. They need to take it seriously if they want to be in the performing space. There are lots of new youngsters doing part-time photography, only time has to tell how long they can sustain the interest.". So if you are just into photography and have some good pics, please do share with PriyaLasya on facebook or twitter. Shall share them with others. Good News: As we speak.. Glad to share the news. Renowned dance photographer Sri Avinash Pasricha is awarded for his rich contributions by Sangeet Natak Akademi for the year 2016. This came out in the press release just this week. Good times!! Congratulations Sir. Your pictures and the dancers in them are a joy forever. ********************************************************************** Supported by: *All views are of the contributor. Key words & Credits: Avinash Pasricha, Dance Photography, Shandilya Srivatsa May2017, 5.1728.1 **A Worldwide Indian Classical Dance Report ******* |