Through the lens - Bombay Parsi Punchayet

Career watch
Through the lens
We aim to move away from traditional professions
and bring you interesting options that you can follow.
In this issue, we get Binaifer Bharucha and Rustom
Vajifdar to shed some light on photography.
Rustom Vajifdar is
now a part-time
photographer
and, when not
behind the lens,
he can be found
pursuing his other
passion — flying.
was easy. Now, it’s quite difficult. Almost
all professional photographers now
shoot digitally, which has made the entire
process more collaborative. The advent
of digital cameras has democratised
photography to a large extent. It’s now
easier for people to pick up cameras
and shoot because, technically the
camera does almost all the thinking for
you. However, technology amounts to
nothing if one doesn’t have an eye for
taking or making a good photograph.
Rustom Vajifdar
RUSTOM VAJIFDAR: I began shooting
at the age of 16, when I started working
for my family business, which is well
known for covering weddings and
navjotes. I jumped to commercial
photography a few years later, in 2001,
when I apprenticed with Farrokh
Chothia, a renowned commercial
photographer.
The major change in photography
happened with the advent of digital
photography, which has made the art
of photography a lot simpler, purely
because it’s easier to learn and mistakes
are identified and corrected on the spot.
With the brilliant digital software that’s
available today, editing and enhancing
your product is a lot simpler.
When did you begin your career and
how has this field evolved since then?
BINAIFER BHARUCHA: I began in
2002. When I started as an assistant,
photographers were still shooting on film.
Getting film rolls processed professionally
How has the mindset relating to this
field changed over the years?
BB: My family was never averse to
me taking up photography as a career
and they have been supportive of my
decision. Without them, I would not be
where I am today. People have so many
choices and opportunities now to pursue
what they really want to do instead of
compromising and settling for a career
that offers only monetary satisfaction.
The BPP Review 26 April 2010
RV: With my parents being well-known
photographers, it was a happy event for
them when I decided to be a commercial
photographer. They not only supported
me emotionally but financially as well (it’s
expensive to make a start).
It’s always difficult to stray from the
crowd. Engineering, management, law,
medicine, etc. are respected careers.
So, when you tell someone you’re a
photographer, the first thought would
be maybe you’re doing it part-time
to make a little extra pocket money.
Today, established photographers charge
anywhere from Rs. 50,000 to over 1 lakh
per day and manage to keep busy about
15 to 20 days a month. You do the maths!
To sum up, there may be a little
resistance from family and elders because
this is not a ‘traditional’ career, but you
will find the support you need if you are
sure of yourself and your work.
What is your career highlight?
BB: I love shooting still life, which
translates into products, food, interiors
and jewellery. I shot extensively for a
luxury magazine, where the art director
and I really worked as a team to try and
create something extraordinary every
time. I was given complete creative
freedom and it was always a challenge
to come up with something better than
what had been done before. I feel lucky
because my work is more like play and
the high of working with a great team
is unbeatable.
RV: I have been blessed to shoot the
best of Bollywood, the fashion industry
and several people of great importance
to society. I have shot jewellery, art and
architecture of value that we cannot begin
Career watch
What are the drawbacks to this field?
BB: The lack of respect given to
time! Since digital also means instant
gratification, people expect instantaneous
results. There is a lot that happens
behind the scenes in terms of
composition, lighting and post-production
that goes into making an image what it is.
Being a female photographer has
never been a problem for me. I have
shot in factories and on construction
sites and have never faced anything
that I could not handle. As long as you
get the work done, it doesn’t matter. I
was part of a project recently where I
photographed five specific sites in the
city. In my experience, being a female
photographer worked to my advantage,
especially when I was walking around
and photographing on the streets. People
felt more comfortable and were happy to
help me or let me photograph them.
What are the financial implications of
taking up photography as a career?
BB: All the equipment costs a lot of
money. Digital technology is developing
at such a rapid pace that equipment
can soon become outdated. One
has to invest in a computer that can
handle large volumes of images without
crashing, and external hard drives to
back up the data. Fortunately, there are
ways to ease the financial burden. Many
places rent cameras, lens, accessories,
lighting equipment and studios. After
one starts making money, it is advisable
to invest in your own equipment. The
other financial implication is that there is
no steady salary unless one is working
for a company or a publication.
RV: Long working hours on the day of
a shoot! In contrast, on a day when you
are not shooting, it gets a little boring.
Work doesn’t come easily initially and
you must market yourself and your work
constantly. To me, this was the most
frustrating part. Lastly, you need to chase
clients for your payments! Everyone’s
in a hurry for the product, but when
you call them and ask for your money, it
seems like you’re bothering them.
What is the potential for those entering
this field? Is it a lucrative profession?
BB: It can be lucrative but only after a
few years. One has to love photography;
if you get into photography to make
money, you might as well be doing
something else. One actually starts
making money after a long time because
of the heavy investment in cameras and
other equipment. This is a profession
that seems glamorous on the surface but
in reality is exceedingly hard work.
RV: This is a very lucrative profession,
but not for the weak-hearted. It’s a
serious uphill battle. If you have the right
RV: A basic professional digital camera
kit starts at approximately Rs. 50,000.
After that, everything — studios, lighting
equipment, lens and even serious
professional cameras — is available for
hire. That is the best way to avoid costs
of buying. Hiring costs can be charged
to the client at actuals. So, the real
problem is getting work to pay for
your stuff!
How important is a formal education
in photography? Can one learn on the
job or is it more important to attend a
training institute?
BB: I learnt photography through
self-study and assisting a photographer.
That was my education. I was lucky to
have worked under someone who was
passionate about photography and who
shared his knowledge with me.
The most important thing any
education should give you is the
guidance to help you understand and
follow your vision and to allow you to
think freely. In photography, there is a
craft that needs to be learned, which
helps in the culmination of an idea. But
the most important thing is the idea. If
you have the passion and the drive to
learn photography, not having a formal
education should not get in your way.
RV: I’m a hands-on guy. I’ve apprenticed
under Farrokh Chothia. You don’t get
paid when you work under someone,
but you learn stuff that no book can teach
you. However, it is very important to
be technically sound and have a strong
theoretical base. I would suggest a short
course before you assist someone who is
successful and really busy so that you’re
kept on your toes and you absorb the
most and make some contacts to start
out on your own.
What advice do you have for potential
entrants and budding enthusiasts in
this field?
BB: Go out with a camera and start
taking photographs!
RV: It’s tough and frustrating initially, but
if you keep doing a good job every time,
more and more people will come to you
and success will follow.
Vipurva Parikh
combination of talent, PR and business
acumen, the sky is the limit to your fame
and wealth.
Binaifer Bharucha is a full-time
professional freelance photographer
who has shot for various publications
and brands.
To see her work, log on to
www.binaiferbharucha.com
Binaifer Bharucha for KG Diamonds
to imagine. This is why it is difficult to
pinpoint a shoot that I enjoyed most. My
career has been rewarding all the way.