Translating a thought into an image

Photography is an art of storytelling, conveying thoughts of the artist behind clicking the image. Photography involves imagination of concept and composition of elements that support it. “It is important to spot stories in one’s day-to-day life. I think there is more honesty in these stories and the viewers too can easily relate to it,” says Sagar Gotkhindikar, advertiser and industrial photographer.

Gotkhindikar, who conducts workshops and also teaches photography across the state, through his institute Oculus The Photography School, has put up a photography exhibition, displaying the works of his students, who are now working in the industry. 

The exhibition, which also marks Gotkhindikar’s 50th birthday, starts from today at Darpan Art Gallery. It will display about 120 photographs, besides vintage cameras that number to 150. 

WHAT YOU THINK, HOW YOU PRESENT
Gotkhindikar believes that every photographer has her/his style, shaped by their thinking process. All this is reflected in the subjects they shoot. 

“Everyone has an aesthetic or artistic streak in them and how they compose or present it, varies. In photography, this can be seen in the process of how the photographer sees the aesthetic value and the beauty of the object, interprets it and brings that thought through his photography so that the viewers understand what s/he wants to convey,” says Gotkhindikar. 

“When I select students for the advanced classes, I consider their thinking process over technical understanding. How well they are able to present a story and the thought behind it through an image, is more important,” he adds. 

In this digital age, hasn’t clicking pictures become very easy? According to the photographer, one gets different results after learning the process rather than randomly clicking images. “I tell my students to never click images the way an object is. Rather I insist on seeing things in a different angle. When someone asks me to review their photographs, I ask, ‘Will you frame this image and put it on the wall of your home?’ If the answer is yes, I ask them to go ahead. Else, they figure out what is missing or lacking in the picture. I want them to rely on their own judgement and not someone else’s,” Gotkhindikar points out.  

ABOUT THE EXHIBITS
It is this judgement and thinking process that will be seen in the works of 45 students of Gotkhindikar during the exhibition. Talking about them, the photographer says that each student has come up with a different concept. “One of my students is presenting self-portrait series which is very different from the selfie. Another student has come up with a concept of ‘Contradictions’ showing two opposite images of a situation. Through the exhibition, we want to highlight the thought process of the photographer and the newness that he brings in. We hope that this exhibition will help  people connect with these photographers and their style of work,” he says.

Besides these images, interested visitors can also check out 150 vintage cameras that will be kept on display. Sanjiv Devrukhkar from Kolhapur will be presenting these cameras, which date to 1876. “It is a golden opportunity for the camera enthusiasts to understand how photography has developed over more than 10 decades,” adds Gotkhindikar. 

ST READER SERVICE
Oculus The Photography School, is coming up with a photography exhibition from May 22 to 28, at Darpan Art Gallery, Patrakar Nagar, 11.30 am - 7.30 pm. The exhibition will be inaugurated by noted actor Anand Ingale. Entry is free