During my childhood, shutter bug bit me. In May 1996, during our vacation at my Uncle’s home in Bombay, I shot couple of shots in an automatic camera. I remember, my neighbours, much elder to me, discussing about shots, depth, brightness etc. Learnt my first lesson in my family function in which I wasted almost a roll by taking 10-15 pictures which made no sense. And I started enjoyed taking photos and framing shots. I would hardly be there in couple of snaps in album. So I started making myself available in few more snaps in the album. Till second year in my college days, my family camera helped me. And later my friend Prasanna Devi graciously admitted me to use her digital camera. I am always thankful to her for that kind gesture.
In 2005, having landed up in a decent job, I looked to own a digital camera. However, a good digital camera with more megapixels and higher optical zoom was expensive. In July 2007, Prasanna travelled to USA for an onsite assignment. With a verve, I explored, specifically dpreview.com as suggested by my friend Balasubramani. Overwhelmed by brilliant visuals, I wanted to own a DSLR though I haven’t used it earlier. But, at that time, for me, it was expensive considering my salary was lesser than the camera itself. I negated that it is an one time investment and let it be a good one. I mailed Prasanna to buy me a DSLR camera. She was enthusiastic to buy me but found the price to be around USD 700 (approx INR 26000). She gauged that I have gone crazy and replied that she won’t buy me now a DSLR and suggested me to learn using point and shoot camera first and later own a DSLR once I gained more confidence. Finally, in October 2007, she happily got me a Canon Powershot S5 IS camera - my first possession. I felt proud to own it from my earnings and I would cherish it for my lifetime..
Camera was a staple in all my travel. Inspired by a colleague who writes short stories, I decided to have my own blog. In December 2007 (though I created this blog in April 2007 and scribbled something) I started posting. I was obsessed to post only photographs in this blog and let them talk. Only since July 2010, I started writing posts. After a long hunt for a right title, I titled my blog as FROZEN MOMENTS (after listening to a speech by veteran cinematographer Balu Mahendra).
Canon S5 IS was more than a camera to me. It practised me to envision things differently, observe the shots in films more closely, look for details, and practise simplicity in shots. As I always believe, post-processing (photo-shopping) doesn’t help to bring the best out of a photographer, I say complete no to post-processing. And I hate pictures that were spoiled by layers of excessive post-processing. To me, raw photographs reflect the photographer’s credentials truly. Little bit of post-processing is okay. I was enthused in taking landscapes, architectural buildings, people and culture and started working on them. My Camera played a huge role during my maiden trip to New Delhi, Kullu & Manali, Taj Mahal in June 2008. Capturing those mighty Himalayas, architectural splendour of Taj Mahal, landscapes of Shimla in that trip wouldn’t have been possible without my Camera.
When I shifted to New Delhi in July 2008, I had more time to spend alone. And I had more time to experiment with my camera. My colleague Yusuf Rampurawala taught me to operate in manual mode. He taught me what is aperture, timing etc. From then on, I rarely used Auto Mode and started enjoying the challenge of shooting in manual mode to come up with some memorable photographs. I walked across Delhi to visit Humayun Tomb, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Pragathi Maidan. I visited Mussoorie, Jaipur, Taj Mahal on a full moon night, Shimla and Fagu. There were many children in the PG colony (Possangipur, Janakpuri, New Delhi) where I stayed. Many kids earnestly popped up with smiling faces displaying half-tooth’s. In few instances, few men questioned me ‘who are you, why taking snaps ? any bomb ?’ (during the days after Mumbai Terror Attack in November 2008).
Holi festival is a perfect occasion to capture vivid colours, candid expressions and joy among people of all age groups. And I have a prized possession of a photograph that I took during Holi. I enjoyed capturing my travelogue in my blog and circulating the updates to my friends. Few of them persistently encouraged me. And Balasubramani perennially encouraged me and pushed me to improve my acumen and expand my horizon. Slowly, imbibing some wisdom that I gained my friends, I started enjoying myself in taking snaps.
Since I owned it, Canon S5 IS has been my great companion in many occasions such as Prasanna’s marriage, Prasanna’a in-law’s house, Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Suresh Raja's Marriage, Vivek's Marriage, get-togethers, New Delhi-Agra-Shimla-Kullu-Manali-Manikaran, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Delhi (My Egyptian Lotus, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Humayun Tomb, Connaught Place, India Gate, Shani Bazzar, Dance & Music Concerts, Amaltos Flowers, Rainy season), Agra (Taj Mahal, Fort, Fathepur, Sikri) Auli, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Yelagiri, South Korea (Seoul, Suwon, Seoraksan National Park), Shimla, Holi Festivals, Diwali, Train journeys, Gokul’s Reception/Marriage, Xavier’s Reception/ Marriage, Kerala (Munnar, Alapuzzha, Athirappilly Falls, Valparai) etc. Anybody who have read this unending list would imagine the amount of travel I would have done as well as the kind of different terrains and climates my camera would have been subjected to (It weathered from minus -20o C to 47 o C).
Canon S5 IS is one of my possessions which I handled with utmost care. Nevertheless, unfortunately, like many good things, my camera faced an end. Service centre chaps found the problem to be with the optical sensor. I wanted to keep this camera alive at least for minimal operations. But repairing it is expensive (much higher than current generation cameras). This loss is definitely a very sad loss to me. Many times I found solace by taking it with me out. Twice, I have just went with my camera in my travel bag on a lonely two day trip to Athirappilly Falls. I feel emotionally handicapped. I can say that it was my happiness and my sorrow (என் இன்பம் நீ என் துன்பம் நீ). I would always cherish the company I had with my camera, many tender moments that I had and some memorable satisfactory snaps that I took with it.
இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நேரம் இருந்தாக்க என்ன ?
என்ன அவசரம் என்ன அவசரம் ஏ பொன்னே ?
(You could have been for some more time with me.
What is the urgency honey ?)
Canon Powershot S5 IS- October 2007 – June 2013.
P.S: I give myself some more time for other things in my life before owning up a DSLR.
நிலையில் பிரியேல்.
Meaning: Never compromise on your principles
