JOHN THOMSON : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S FIRST KNOWN STREET PHOTOGRAPHER

June 2017 Rs. 150

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(Total 148 pages + 16pg supplement)

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www.betterphotography.in

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This makes old!
241 issu
 editorial Finding the answers
The answers, On the 20th Anniversary of the magazine, I can easily say weve come full circle in
our search for answers. Thats what Better Photography has been all about, all through.
as elusive as The how and why, the when and where, the who and what, the but and therefore, and
they are to put the in betweens. We have broken down the making and taking of moments into its
into words, elements. Once in a while, we have also asked why, at all, photographs and photography?
seem to stare The answers, as elusive as they are to put into words, seem to stare right back at us,
so plaintively obvious that we sometimes miss the point. Perhaps, its less about
right back at us, questions and answers, and more about conversation. A quiet, enjoyable, freewheeling chat with no objectives.
so plaintively Just a sharing of ideas and thoughts, experiences and happenstances, and feelings. We have done that too.
obvious that we Then perhaps, could it be about not talking at all? A language without words need no words to be eloquent.
sometimes miss I sometimes toy with the idea of having an issue with no text, only photographs. If and when we do, it would,
no doubt, be the singularly toughest edition of the magazine that we bring to you. Nevertheless, it has been
the point. twenty years of sharing and learning together.
Occasionally, I like to challenge myself to find my favourite photos, both from the world of photography
and among my own. A few days ago, I found myself revisiting the works of Andr Kertsz. Towards the last
years of his life, he found fascination in the lighting and forms of just about everythingshadows and objects,
inside his apartment, from his windownot just infusing, but literally binding his pictures with what I can
only describe as his loneliness. I also rediscovered an old portrait I made of a nomadic cobblers child, sleeping
peacefully in a hammock, oblivious to the desperate throes of life around. Writ on his face is all the hope, joy
and promise that only a child can dream of. Finally, I came to The Priest by Ralph Gibson, with its compressed,
tensioned framing, the stark black robe and crisp white collar of rank around the neck, the stoic, uplifted
jaw speaking of spirit, work and achievement... the journey of it. All of these images have no worldly intent,
4 except to the photographer. There really are no hows, whys, whens or where with them. Yet, they sum up
certain aspects of humanity and life so completely and wonderfully. To borrow a quote from Ralph Gibson
The first question really is what to photograph. The next question is where to place the camera.
Photography, you, us... may our quests continue for years to come.

K Madhavan Pillai
editor@betterphotography.in

Kodaikanal,
Tamil Nadu, 2003
& Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh, 2006
by Prashant Panjiar
Contrasts, similarities, and
blurred lines betwen the
people, places and homes
of india caught Panjiars
attention even as he made
panaoramas of them all.
Portraiture is always
difficult. Its a negotiation.
When I enter a home, I
usually look for the best
light to shoot the portraits
in. Theres suggestion from
my part (to the subject),
but, I also let things just...
happen. I let people direct
me to quite an extent,
he says.

To know more about Prashant

Panjiars quest across India
Turn to page 70

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

 V O L U M E 2 1 I S S U E 1 J U N E 2 0 1 7

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BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2017

June 2017

52
GearGuide CellphonePhotography
th
ANNIVER
20
es
ITION
SARY EDus
This makes old!
30 Canon EOS 77D
A semi-professional
camera hits the mark for
the serious enthusiast
42 TesT
Oppo F3
How good is the phones
dual sele camera?

241 issu

36 Fujinon XF 50140mm
f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
ON THE COVER A quintessential
workhorse for the pro
44
JOHN THOMSON : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S FiRsT knoWn sTReeT phoTogRapheR
June 2017 Rs. 150
an
on exc
Th lusi
cellPhoNe ProFIle
INS

(Total 148 pages + 16pg supplement) e pa ve

Ramn Cruz
nas 16-p
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on ag
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5

www.betterphotography.in

Unravelling everyday
moments through its
cultural symbols

38 Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG

mn

HSM Art
20th RY EDITIO
N
A specialist optic for
ANNIVERSA
portrait photographers
us
This makes old!
241 issues

DESIGN: SANTOSH D KAMBLE

 InFocus

68
BetterPictures ShowCase PhotoFinish
52 sPecIal FeaTure
Amit Pasricha 86 greaT masTers
John Thomson 146 Oh, the humanity
sTorY behINd The PIcTure

Portraits and panoramas A look at the work of a

of homes from all across pioneering imagemaker
the country

68 Prashant Panjiar 98 PhoToFeaTure

Taha Ahmed
A look at our shared Bringing to light the
spaces in the time of a legacy and plight of the
developing India mukaish work artisans

Regulars
Feedback ............................................................10
TIPa awards ....................................................... 24
 Feedback
Send your suggestions, thoughts, and feedback letters to...
feedback@betterphotography.in
Every month, the Letter of the Month will win a special gift from

I must also JOHN THOMSON : THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WORLD'S FiRsT knoWn sTReeT phoTogRapheR But I would gladly accept an article on
postprocessing, covered each month in
June 2017 Rs. 150

an n Th
ex e p
INS
o
congratulate

clu an
(Total 148 pages + 16pg supplement)

siv aso

IDE
e 16 nic
-p lu
ag m
e b ix g
oo h5
the magazine.

kle
T
www.betterphotography.in

the magazine It could be in the form of a step-by-step

in advance for article. Even detailed software reviews
completing 20 similar to cellphone and camera reviews
would be great.
wonderful years! Vishua Mehta, Ahmedabad

Adapting to Change
Over the years, I have had to shift my base
20 th
ARY EDITIO
N
out of India more times than I would like
ANNIVERS us
This makesold!
241 issues
to remember. Each new place has been a
wonderful adventure for me. On every visit
to Mumbai, I make sure to grab the latest
With this issue of
copy of the magazine and catch up on the
Better Photography,
the magazine turns issues I have missed. With the international
20 years old! subscription option and the website, it has
been easy to access the magazine.
Birthday Wishes to BP! Over the years, I have observed that like
Since I teach photography, I subscribe me, the magazine also believes that the only
to multiple photography-related thing constant in life is change. While our
magazines and newsletters. I find BP to core beliefs and values remain the same, we
be the only publication in India, with adapt and move with the surroundings. In
10 the freshest articles and features. I have BPs case, excellent stories and a drive to stay
been a subscriber since 2005 and since true to the art. Embracing change is the only
then the magazine has gone through a way to survive and the only way forward.
beautiful transition. Thank you for evolving gracefully. It is one of
Since photography consists of various the most urgent needs of our time. Heres to
genres, it is quite heartening to see BPs a happy 20th year!
effort to do justice to them all. The stories Lokesh Maheshwari, Prague
are either woven in the form of brilliant
features, book reviews, informative gear All Kinds of Inspiration
reviews or interviews with photographers The last issue of BP My favourite section of Better Photography is
who have mastered that particular style. featured the hoax of your very last pageThe Story Behind the
In fact, I cannot wait to get my hands on William H Mumler in the Picture. What a wonderful way to conclude
BPs June 2017 anniversary issue. I must 1800s who fooled people your issue for a month. It is the first section
into believing his images
also congratulate the magazine in advance were actually of the I read when I get a copy of the magazine.
for completing 20 wonderful years, and spirits of the dead. Last issues story on William H Mumbler
presenting their readers with the best that
there is to offer from the photography world.
Vishnupriya Sibal, Jharkhand

Postprocessing Suggestions
With the accessibility to photography on
the internet, we are exposed to both good
and bad images on a daily basis. I often
find myself alarmed at the extensive
postprocessing some people tend to favour,
often to the detriment of thr photograph.
In this aspect, I think that Better Photography,
could do more to educate about post
processing. With the monthly webinars
hosted by BP and Adobe, we do get an
insight in the world of image editing.

BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2017


Youve got to Be a Doer, Not a Chatter.
be incredibly A few weeks ago, I chanced upon the an article on
self-critical the Huck magazines website featuring the incredible
David Hurn. Over the course of his career spanning
(when it comes more than 60 years, he has swapped several
to your own photographs with the masters of photography.
Most incredible, however, were the gems of advice he
photography.) offered to photographers, which I would like to share
with my fellow readers. What I found most compelling
about the article, was how simple the advice was. In
a world that seems to be getting complicated with
every turn, a dose of direct advice is refreshing.
Youve got to be incredibly self-critical out on is that interaction with people. Ive just given a
Basically photography is about taking lots of
pictures and seeing if you do it well. Seeing if you
have something to say which someone else thinks is
interesting. Simple as that.
I liked how the was quiet an interesting read. I liked how
writer combined the writer had combined the element of
spirituality and imagemaking together,
the element of while speaking about Mumblers hoax.
spirituality and Moreover, the overall issue was such a
imagemaking treat! As an amateur wildlife photographer,
together. reading a dedicated section on upcoming
12 photographer, Pratik Pradhan and
Wildlife India Photography Awards, was
nothing short of spectacular. Kudos to
Better Photography for giving its readers the
opportunity to learn from such talent.
Divya Nehru, Aurangabad
Food for Thought
We get so caught up framing the
photograph that we lose out on the
experience of relishing the moment.
What if you didnt stop and just continued
photographing incessantly not knowing
where your next step is going to lead you
to? These words in the Editorial section
of last issues Better Cellphone Photography
gave me a sense of renewed purpose with
photography. As a hobbyist, whenever
I set out to shoot, I usually have an agenda
in mind. Whether its about honing a certain
technical skill or practising the art of making
portraits, Ive had a purpose.
BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Twitter: twitter.com/betterphoto
Facebook: facebook.com/betterphotography
Youtube: youtube.com/betterphotoindia FIND US ONLINE!
Website: betterphotography.in
Cut out intellectual stuff: go and shoot a lot of
pictures. Be a doer not a chatter.
...when one does things seriously, you tend to
make friends with other people who think seriously
There is something about doers that they tend to
congregate together and get on with each other, as
opposed to talkers who never do anything.
Anything you shoot, somebody has shot before.
But what they havent done is shoot it like you if you
are genuinely you.
One of the things I think young people are missing
lecture up in Shrewsbury, and a lot of the questions
were, How do you take pictures of people? I kept
saying, its easy: you just go up and shoot.
Jayanth P, Ghaziabad
Lately, Ive taken a break from heading
out on my weekly soujourns, simply
because I would like to adapt to this new
approach. I plan to set out free from
the constraints I had cast about myself.
Many thanks to Better Photography for
inspiring a different, yet, simple train
of thought in interested photographers
like me!
S Mukherjee, Mumbai
Conchita Fernandes
Edit Note, Dont Stop.
Just Walk, appeared in
the May 2017 issue of
Better Photography.
JUNE 2017
 Snap Shots
w H At S N E w
Nikon D7500
The camera features a 20.9MP
APS-C sensor, Expeed 5 processor
and 180k-pixel RGB metering
sensor, and is capable of 4K video.
Its ISO is 10051,200 and allows
burst shooting at 8fps. Along with a
3.2-inch 922K-dot touchscreen LCD, it has 51 AF
points and an Auto AF Fine Tune feature. Its body
retails for USD 1250 (approx. Rs. 80,000).
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70
The DC-ZS70 include a 20.3MP
MOS sensor, flip-up 3-inch
1040k-dot touchscreen display
and Panasonics Depth-from-
Defocus AF system. It features a 30X optical
zoom, Leica Vario Elmar 24720mm lens, 4K
video capture at 30fps along with 8MP 4K
photos. The camera has 49-point AF along with
Post Focus and Focus Stacking tools. It is priced
at USD 450 (approx. Rs. 29,000).
Fujilm SQ10
14 The SQ10 is first square format Instax camera,
which is half digital and half
analog. It uses a 1/4-inch CMOS
sensor to capture 3.6MP colour
images, and offers a 3-inch,
460k-dot LCD for composition and
operation. Images are printed in
1:1 format on 86 x 72mm film, whereas the camera
also has a microSD section for saving the files.
The Fujifilm SQ10 is priced at USD 280
(approx.Rs. 18,000).
YI 360 VR
The consumer level live VR camera
is capable of capturing 360 spheric
video footage at 5.7K resolution
and 30fps. It also offers 4K instant
in-device stitching and 2.5K live-
streaming. The lightweight camera
uses a pair of 220 lenses and 12MP
Sony IMX377 CMOS sensors to record video
footage or still images. It an be controlled via
basic on-device controls or a mobile app, and
retails for USD 400 (approx. Rs. 25,000).
TIPA Awards 2017 Announces its Winners
T he Technical Image Press Association
(TIPA) unveiled their prestigious
awards on 19 April 2016 in Havana, Cuba.
The TIPA awards are presented to the best
photo and imaging products launched by
the industry over the last one year.
The actual voting took place from
30 March to 2 April where the association
selected 40 products from the pool of over
100. The jury consisted of editors from
27 professional, amateur, and business
magazines from Asia, Australia, Europe
and North and South America, with a
delegate from the Camera Journal Press
Club. Better Photography, the only Indian
member of TIPA, was represented by the Representatives from the tIPA member magazines
gather together for a group photograph.
Deputy EditorTechnical, Shridhar Kunte.
Since 1991, the members have met once The trophies for this year will be presented
a year at the General Assembly to discuss during a grand award ceremony and
projects, share opinions and comment presentation in Tokyo, Japan on 16 June.
on industry innovations and trends. To read more about the awards, turn to page 24.
Polaroid Acquired by The Impossible Project
T he owner of the Polaroid brand and
related intellectual property, PLR IP
Holdings, LLC, has been acquired by a
The company purchased the last
remaining Polaroid factory in 2008 and
continues to manufacture instant film for
group of investors led by the Smolokowski legacy Polaroid cameras.
family, the owners of The Impossible After the takeover, Polaroids
Project. The company finally acquired headquarters and management team will
100 percent of the shares, from the Pohlad remain in Minnetonka, Minnesota and
family, after purchasing the last remaining they will still be selling it products through
Polaroid factory in 2008. licensing agreements in more than 100
The Smolokowskis originally acquired a countries. We are also very pleased to
20 percent stake in The Impossible Project welcome the new ownership group to
in 2012. Later in 2014, Oskar Smolokowski the Polaroid family, and excited to begin
took his current position as CEO of the writing the next chapter in the story, says
company, becoming its largest shareholder. Polaroid President and CEO Scott Hardy.

While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us

nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in
which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.
DOROtHEA LANGE (1895-1965)

Dorothea Lange was a portrait photographer, who later turned to the documentary genre. She is best known for her images of the Great Depression,
shot for FSA in the United States. Langes work humanised the catastrophe, by portraying individuals with a sense of strong work ethic and pride,
despite their circumstances. She rose to fame for her image of the Migrant Mother, which achieved an iconic status represented several causes
thereafter. Lange was always critical of her work and longed for more time to shoot, even towards to the end of her life.

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

 s naPs hots
w H At S N E w
Sony FE 100400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
The super telephoto zoom
lens features a double linear
motor and Direct Drive
Super Sonic wave motor for
precise and quiet operation
for still and video shooting. It is lightweight and
has a has a zoom torque adjustment ring to zoom
faster or slower. The lens has 9-blade circular
diaphragm for bokeh and offers a minimum
focussing distance of 0.98 metres. It is compatible
with both 1.4x and 2x teleconvertors, and retails
for USD 2500 (approx. Rs. 1.6 lakhs).
Leica DG Vario Elmarit 818mm
f/2.8-4 ASPH
Introduced by Panasonic,
the Micro Four Thirds ultra-
wide angled lens, comprises
of 15 elements in 10 groups.
It features Panasonics Nano
Surface Coating technology to minimise ghosting
and flaring. The lens has a maximum sensor
drive of 240fps that helps in high-speed and high-
precision contrast AF along with stability during
tracking and zooming. It is priced at USD 1099
(approx. Rs. 70,400).
16
Honor 8 Lite
The smartphone features a
5.2-ibch full-HD display with
2.5D curved glass design. It is
powered by KIRIN 655 along with
i5 coprocessor, EMUI5.0 and
has 4GB RAM along with 64GB
internal memory. The 12MP rear
camera has a 1.25um BSI CMOS sensor along with
Pro mode, which suitable for low light photos.
The 8MP front camera has a 77 wide angle lens.
The phone packs a battery of 3000mAh, and
retails for Rs. 17,999.
Manfrotto Nitrotech N8
The new fluid video head
features a precise, continuous
counterbalance system that
safely holds and operates a
wide array of video cameras, up
to 8kg. The variable fluidity function on both pan
and tilt allows smooth, judder-free movement. Its
3/8-inch easy link equipped with an anti-rotation
function, enables and external monitor or other
accessories to be fitted.
Sekonic L-858D-U
The lightmeter features an ability
to measure flash duration and to
work in HSS mode. It can read
out the duration of a burst of
light as short as 1/55500sec and
work with shutterspeeds as short
as 1/16000sec. Its 2.7-inch touchscreen offers
reflected 1 spot metering as well as built-in filter
factor modes. The L-858D-U retails for USD 600
(approx. Rs. 38,000).
Better PhotograPhy
Souvid Datta Admits to Plagiarising Photographs
S ouvid Datta, an award-winning
documentary photographer was
recently accused of plagiarising the
work of American photographer
Mary Ellen Mark.
The controversy became public
after Bengaluru-based social worker
Shreya Bhat saw his series, In the
Shadows of Kolkata that was featured
on Huffington Post. She reached
out to PetaPixel with one of Dattas Left: A photograph from Mary Ellen Marks Falkland Road;
images after she noticed a strange Right: An image from Souvid Dattas In the Shadows of Kolkata
similarity between his photo and one
particular shot in Marks project, Falkland
Road. Later, the investigations proved that
Datta cloned a part of Marks image and
added to his photo.
Further, Daniele Volpe also accused
Datta of passing off two of Volpes
DJI and Hasselblad Launch a 100MP Drone Camera
H asselblad
and DJI have
introduced the worlds
first 100-megapixel
integrated drone
imaging platform,which
comprises of the DJI
M600 Pro drone, the Ronin-MX gimbal
and the H6D-100c camera.
The DJI M600 Pro drone has an
advanced and adaptable six-rotor flight
platform, which is equipped with the
powerful Lightbridge 2 transmission
system, a dustproof propulsion system
and six Intelligent Flight Batteries. It can
be guided by the D-RTK GNSS navigation
system, combined with strong magnetic
Holga 120N Camera is Returning from the Dead
T
he Los-Angeles Freestyle Photographic
Supplies have decided to bring back the
Holga 120N by tracking down its moulds, to
kickstart the manufacturing process again.
The original Holga camera was
introduced in 1981 in China, offering an
inexpensive 120mm film format camera
for more affordable photography. As the
35mm film took over the Chinese markets,
photos as his own. In an interview with
TIME magazine, Datta admitted to
the accusations and said, I foolishly
doctored images, inexcusably lied about
others work being my own and then
buried these wrongdoings in the years
that followed. I am so profusely sorry.
interference to provide
highly precise centimeter-
level 3D positioning.
Hasselblads H6D100c
is a medium format
camera with a large 53.4
mm x 40.0 mm sensor
that claims to offer outstanding detail,
color reproduction even in poor lighting
conditions using HC and HCD lenses.
The camera is mounted on the Ronin-
MX three-axis stabilised gimbal, which
uses powerful motors and inertial
measurement units to resist high G-forces,
maintain stability and hold the horizon.
The enitre assimilated system will be
available in the third quarter of 2017.
eventually, the Holga 120N and120S were
retracted in the late 2015 and the production
was shut down. The Holga 120N features
two formats12 6 x 6cm images or 16 6 x
4.5cm images, two shutterspeeds1/100s
and bulb, two aperture settings f/11 and
f/8, a hot shoe adapter, a standard tripod
mount, a cap, and a strap. The camera will
be available early July 2017.
june 2017
 E V E N tS

6 May18 June
Scope
Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai

Sagar Chhetri
P R O tA L K
Photographer Stanley Greene Passes Away at 68
Organised by Pix magazine,
this exhibition is a foray
Gobo is used to block
unwanted or stray
light from falling onto
S tanley Greene, American
photojournalist, passed
away on 19 May in Paris
photographers. He was known for
his visceral and brutally honest
photographs of wars, including
into emerging photo the subject. often a
narratives in Nepal, reflector, using the due to liver cancer. He was conflicts in Chechnya, Georgia,
historical and battling the disease for Afghanistan and Iraq. Greene
black side, can serve a
contemporary, and the
ways in which they mobilise
dual purpose and act several years. received several honors and
viewership. It will feature as a gobo as well.
One of the founding produced two books, Black Passport
works by Shikhar Bhattarai,
members of the photo and Open Wound: Chechnya 1994-2003.
Philip Blenkinsop, Sagar
Chhetri, Sharbendu De, agency Noor Images, Photographer, Michael Kamber
Narayan Tushar Kaudinya, Greene started his career as a music and remembers him as, Stanley was living
Karan Shrestha, Nirman
fashion photographer. He later moved on the front edge, all out, all the time.
Shrestha, Zishaan Akbar
Latif, Surendra Lawoti, to the documentary genre and became His photos were a proof that he wasnt
Frederic Lecloux, Tuomo one of the leading international conflict holding anything back for the future.
Manninen, Nepal Photo
Project and Karma
Tshering Gurung.

316 June
the African Portraits
Hasselbald Hires Photographer Ming Thein as CSO
Exhibit 320, Delhi
A fter the sudden departure consultant and director to ensure a
Mahesh Shantaram

of Hasselblads CEO, consistent visual look and feel across

Perry Oosting, the company all aspects of a campaign, including
has now appointed commercial video and exhibitions. In 2016, Thein
photographer, blogger, and long- was appointed as the Hasselblad
18 time Hasselbald user, Ming Thein Global Ambassador.
Mahesh Shantaram brings as its Chief Strategy Officer. Talking about his role as a CSO,
the stories and lives of
Previously in marketing, Thein began Thein says, My role is about ensuring the
African students living
in India to the conscious a career in photography in 2012. He correct customer experience thats in line
attention of the larger specialises in product photography with the brand. We plan to move past the
Indian public. Inspired by
the recent cases of racism
on location and corporate reportage. mark of sufficiency, and create something
in the country, these Lately, he has also served as creative that is functional and downright beautiful.
photographs highlight the
necessity of acknowledging

Canvera to Collaborate with Pixellu and Fundy Designer

and addressing the racism
they face.

930 June
Artist talk
Gallery Gold Kolkata
Bangladesh-based award-
C anvera Digital Technologies Pvt Ltd,
a photobook and printing brand, is
all set to join hands with two US-based
album print. Through this association,
Canvera partners will be able to easily
design and print their photobooks.
winning photojournalist
and activist, Saiful Huq Omi album design software brands, Pixellu According to Ranjit Yadav, MD, Canvera,
will be giving a lecture on and Fundy Designer. This is the first time, The association is one step closer to the
documentary photography an Indian printing company will have digital design ecosystem and empowers
and will also talk about
his ongoing series on the its specific presets preloaded onto these our partners with new trending software,
lives Rohingya refugees international software for a seamless helping them with an array of design
of Burma. transaction between album design to templates to choose from.

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

 E V E N tS

930 June
the Inspired Frame
tasveer Sua House, Bengaluru

P R O tA L K

Fast glass refers to a

Sony World Photography Awards Winners Unveiled
lens with a very large
B elgian photographer Frederik
Rohit Chawla

maximum aperture Buyckx has been named as

such as f/1.8 or f/1.2. the Sony World Photography
It allows you to shoot at Awards 2017 Photographer of the
a fast shutterspeed due
Fashion photographer, Year. A freelance photographer,
Rohit Chawla, showcases
to the large aperture.
Buyckx will receive USD 25,000
works from two of his
series and pays tribute (approx. Rs. 16 lakhs) for his

Frederik Buyckx
to two renowned and series of images titled Whiteout,
seminal artists Raja Ravi
which was shot in the Balkans,
Varma and Gustav Klimt.
Reconstructing tableaus Scandinavia and Central Asia,
and compositions as where people often live in
featured in the famous
works of these artists,
isolation and in close contact with nature. and Student Photographer of the Year,
Chawla photographs My series investigates this struggle against respectively. This year the contest received
his contemporary disappearance, comments Buyckx. more 2,27,000 entries from 183 countries,
models to represent
lifelike experiences of Apart from him, Alexander Vinogradov making it the worlds largest photography
their paintings. from Russia was awarded as the Open competition. The jury also awarded
Photographer of the Year, whereas US- British documentary photographer and
11 June
based Katelyn Wang and Argentinian president of Magnum Photos, Martin Parr,
Street Photography
workshop photographer, Michelle Daiana Gentile were as this years recipient of the Outstanding
Mumbai declared as Youth Photographer of the Year Contribution to Photography prize.
Mirror Tribes is organising
a street photography
workshop at Dadar flower Call for Entries
20 market with experts
from DCP Expeditions Prize: The winning individuals will be rewarded in the
LLP for photography form of Rs. 25,000 Rs. 50,000, given in phases based
enthusiasts. The three on timely submissions during the 6-8 month period.
hour workshop will be Entry Fee: Free
mentored by DCPs group website: www.indiaphotoarchive.org
leader, Swapnil Agaskar, Deadline: 30 June
who is also a printing
technologist from the Sir
JJ School of Arts Mumbai. Monochrome Awards
Post the photowalk, the Competition: The contest aims at discovering the
Agaskar will also conduct best black and white photographers from around
a portfolio review session the world.
for all the participants. Categories: Abstract, Architecture, Conceptual, Fine
To know more, visit www. Art, Landscapes, Nature and Wildlife, Nude, People,
dcpexpeditions.com Send in your entries Hasselblad Masters 2018 Photojournalism, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
to the Hasselblad the Competition: The contest invites photographers Prize: The series winner will receive USD 3000 (approx.
79 July Masters 2018 and to submit images, which best demonstrate their Rs. 2 lakhs) and the single photo winner will receive
Photo today get a chance to win photographic ability and give them a chance to make USD 2000 (approx. Rs. 1.3 lakhs).
Bangalore a medium format their mark in the world of high-end photography. Entry Fee: Single Photo USD 20 (approx. Rs. 1300) and
Dr Prabhakar Kore Convention Hasselbald camera. Categories: Aerial, Architecture, Fine Art, Fashion, Series USD 25 (approx. 1600).
Center, Bengaluru
Landscape, Portrait, Product, Project/21, Street, website: www.monoawards.com
Wedding and Wildlife. Deadline: 9 July
Prize: The winners will receive a Hasselblad camera and
have their work published in the Hasselblad Masters Neutral Density Photography Awards
commemorative book, to be launched in 2018. the Competition: The contest aims at creating
Entry Fee: Free new opportunities for professional and amateur
The Photo Today Bangalore
website: www.hasselblad.com/inspiration/masters/ photographers by presenting their work to a larger
is an international
masters-2018 audience around the world.
exhibition that presents
photography devices, Deadline: 10 June Categories: Professional Advertising, Fine Art, Editorial,
cameras, technologies Architecture, Nature and People. Non Professional
and services, digital Neel Dongre Grants Awards Architecture, Nature, Special, Fine Art and People
photography equipments, the Competition: Organised by India Photo Archive, this Prize: The Photographer of the Year will receive USD
videography services, grant invites photographers to submit their work on 2500 (approx. Rs. 1.6 lakhs), and the Discovery of the
videography equipments, urban villages in the context of not only the history Year award will receive USD 1300 (approx. Rs. 87,000).
digital imaging services
and anthropology but also the evolution of our rapidly Entry Fee: Free
along with other range of
changing cities in the face of urbanisation. website: www.ndawards.net
products associated with
the photography world. theme: Vanishing Lines The Urban Villages Deadline: 24 September

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

 s naPs hots

Pollution Filters for Nikon Google Launches Google Lens for Smartphones
T S
aiwanese company, STC has launched
Astro-Multispectra Clip Filter for
several full frame Nikon DSLRs. This clip-on
undar Pichai, CEO,
Google Inc, recently
unveiled a new smartphone
with whats in your cameras
viewfinder. The users
can point their camera at
filter is supposed to help in removing light technology called Google something and the Lens tells
pollution in astrophotography. The filter is Lens that leverages Googles them what it is. Apart from
made out of Schott B270 optical glass coated computer vision and AI that, the lens can perform
using IBAD technology, and has an anti technology in order to tasks like connecting to a
smudge nanocoating. When attached to the bring identification data directly to the homes WIFI network by snapping a photo
sensor, it reduces artificial lighting produced phones camera. of the sticker on the router.
by street lights. Available for the Nikon The technology turns the camera from Available end of 2017, the technology will
D4, D800 etc. the filter retails for USD 210 a tool that is only capturing the world to be integrated into Google Assistant , which
(approx. Rs. 13,500). the one that is allowing you to interact will later also help with translations.

LO
wO K w H O S S H O Ot I N G

Its a Dogs Life

When asked about his book, Dog Dogs, Elliot Erwitt
said, This is not a book of dog pictures but of dogs
in pictures. Pausing only for a few pages of text,
this book showcases Erwitts love of mans best
friend. In our species-centric way, we tend to think
of dogs as animals. But Erwitt proves that our close
relationship with these furry fellow travelers is
due to mutual resemblance and emotion living too.
Neenad Joseph Arul Just like him, photographer, Neenad Arul Joseph tries
humanise stray dogs in Mumbai, one frame at time.
A former computer network engineer by
profession, Joseph initially struggled with street
photography. As a shy person, photographing
strangers on the street is quite intimidating for me.
Grappling to stay focused on street photography,
I alternatively began shooting shadows, landscapes
and animals, particularly stray dogs,he says.
Over the years, these four-legged innocent beings
have become his muse, and one banal black and
white photograph, gradually transformed into a
series, Dog Story. The subtly layered images, skillfully
shot from interesting perspectives, highlight Josephs
love for these carefree animals and his fondness
for imperfection. It shows his knack of capturing
all that is humourous and idiosyncratic in canine
appearance and nature. It has not only improved my
compositions, but it has also helped in overcoming
my fear of imagemaking by losing myself in the
moment, adds Joseph.
written by Sakshi Parikh

through this
series, I want
to give these
carefree
creatures a
sense of dignity
and respect.

During the course

of the project, he
Neenad Joseph Arul

realised how every

dog has imparted his
own identity to these
pictures, in his own
unique way.

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

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 t IPa 2 0 1 7
TIPA Awards 2017
The Best Imaging Products of the Year
TIPA celebrated its 27th year of honouring the most distinguished photo
and imaging contenders present in the industry. Sakshi Parikh reports.
T
he Technical Image Press
Association (TIPA) unveiled
their prestigious awards on 19
April 2016 in Havana, Cuba.
The TIPA awards are presented
to the best photo and imaging products
launched by the industry over the last one
year. The actual voting took place from
30 March to 2 April where the association
selected 40 products from the pool of over
24 100. The jury consisted of editors from
27 professional, amateur, and business
magazines from Asia, Australia, Europe
and North and South America, with a
delegate from the Camera Journal Press
Club. Better Photography, the only Indian
member of TIPA, was represented by the
Deputy EditorTechnical, Shridhar Kunte.
Since 1991, the members have met
once a year at the General Assembly to
TIPA Awards
endorsement
is the highest
accolade for
any photo and
imaging product.
Better PhotograPhy
discuss projects, share opinions and
comment on industry innovations and
trends. During these meetings, TIPA
editors select the best imaging products
through an independent voting procedure,
which is done on the basis of novelty,
use of vanguard technology, design and
ergonomics, convenience, as well as price/
performance ratio.
The categories are upgraded every year
according to the dynamic market trends.
The voting committee comprises of top
photography magazines, varying in their
content and goals. As a result, the TIPA
Awards are bestowed through a majority
of votes by very experienced editors.
The trophies for this year will be presented
to the winning companies during a grand
award ceremony and presentation, which
will take place in Tokyo, Japan on 16 June.
Representatives
from the TIPA
member magazines
gather together for a
group photograph.
JUNe 2017

Best DSLR Entry Level
Nikon D5600
The 24.2MP Nikon D5600 offers a 5fps continuous mode and a 39-point AF system,
as well as an ISO of 10025,600. A Vari-angle 3.2-inch 1037K dot touchscreen LCD
allows for point-of-view creativity while using the cameras numerous special effects
modes, as well as standard exposure modes and patterns. The camera also offers
Full HD video at 60p along with Nikons SnapBridge feature for remote shooting and
transferring images via Bluetooth.
Best Full-Frame
DSLR Expert
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The EOS 5D Mark IV features a full-frame 30.4MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 6+
processor that can capture 7fps stills and 4K 30p video. Dual Pixel CMOS AF
technology delivers highly responsive and smooth focusing with subject tracking
during video and live view shooting. It offers an ISO range of 50102,400, 61 AF points
and a 150,000 pixel RGB-IR metering sensor. The camera can record 4K Motion JPEG
video at 30p/24p along with still frames grabs of 4K 8.8MP images.
Best Medium
Format Camera
Fujifilm GFX 50S
The Fujifilm GFX 50S is a compact and lightweight camera containing a 51.4MP CMOS
sensor, X-Processor Pro engine with a 2.36M dot touchscreen LCD as well as a
detachable 3.69M dot EVF. . This mirrorless camera has a newly developed focal
plane shutter with a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000sec. It is also capable of a
1/16,000sec exposure when using the electronic shutter. Along with Jpeg file format,
stills can be captured in 14-bit RAW, whereas videos can be recorded with four
framing rates ranging from 29.97p23.98p at 36 Mbps with stereo sound.
Best Mirrorless
CSC Expert
Fujifilm X-T2
The Fujifilm X-T2 contains an APS-C sized 24MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor and
X-Processor that can deliver up to ISO 51,200 sensitivity. The highly responsive EVF
offers 100fps live view along with a 3-inch, three-direction tilting LCD. The camera
has an extremely impressive AF performance in low light and for low-contrast
subjects. It also has an AF-C Custom Setting that allows user to match subject
movement. The X-T2 captures 1.8 times the amount of information needed to
produce 4K video, and has a power grip for an extended 30 minute recording.
june 2017
t ipa 2 0 1 7
Best APS-C
DSLR Expert
Pentax KP
The Pentax KP is a weather resistant and dustproof camera with a 24.3MP APS-C
CMOS sensor with no low pass filter. The camera offers an ISO of up to 8,19,200, a
Pixel Shift Resolution System, and AA filter moir reduction technology. It has two
high-speed shutter options 1/6000sec (mechanical) and 1/24,000sec using the
electronic shutter. There is a built in 5-axis shake reduction system, a tiltable LCD
monitor along with a pentaprism finder that offers 100 percent field of view.
Best DSLR Professional
Sony Alpha 99 II
The Sony Alpha 99 Mark II has a 42.4MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and an enhanced
buffer that can handle up to 12fps shooting with AF/AE tracking. It has an ISO
range of 10025,600 along with a hybrid phase-detection AF system that combines
a 79-point dedicated sensor with 399-point focal plane sensor. The Alpha 99 II
records 4K video with full pixel readout in the XAVC S format at 100mbps. It also
incorporates 5-axis image stabilisation that gives a 4.5 stop advantage.
25
Best Mirrorless CSC
Entry Level
Fujifilm X-T20
Housing an APS-C 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, the Fujifilm X-T20 records both
JPEG and 14-bit RAW stills and 4K, Full HD, and HD video. The camera has a high-
resolution OLED EVF with 2.36M dots and a 3-inch touchscreen and tiltable TFT LCD
offers an impressive 1040K dot view. It can record 14fps with electronic shutter and
8fps with mechanical shutter while offering a wide range of burst options of up to 81
frames in JPEG and 29 in RAW, depending on the framing rate and format.
Best Mirrorless
CSC Professional
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Mark II
The lightweight and weatherproof Olympus OM DE-M1 Mark II has a 20MP Live MOS
sensor and TruePic VIII Dual Quad Core Processor. It offers two very high speed
shooting sequences, 15fps with mechanical and 60 fps with electronic shutter, as well
as 4K UHD video recording at 30fps with a built-in stereo mic. The camera includes
a 121-point Dual Fast AF system with focus bracketing and stacing, a 1/8000sec
shutterspeed, a 3-inch touchscreen monitor, and built-in 5-axis IS. Additionally it can
also deliver 50MP images with its High Res Shot Mode.
Better PhotograPhy
 t ipa 2 0 1 7
Best Professional
Compact Camera
Fujifilm X100F
The Fujifilm X100F has a 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor and an updated X-Processor
Pro engine with an ISO range of 20012,800 with a push sensitivity to 51,200. It can
capture JPEG/RAW stills at up to 8 fps and video up to 1080/60p with a built-in
stereo mic. It has an integral f/2 lens with close-focusing capability of 3.94-inches
along with a similar rangefinder-type design of previous models including a fixed
3-inch LCD and both optical and electronic (hybrid) viewfinder. The camera also has
a built-in flash and hot shoe for auxiliary units.
Best Superzoom Camera
Panasonic LUMIX
DC-FZ80/FZ82
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80/FZ82 has an 18.1MP High Sensitivity CMOS sensor
and features a 60x 201200mm integral Lumix DC Vario optical zoom lens. It delivers
4K and HD Video as well as output and framing rates for premium JPEG and RAW
still recording. The camera lens also has a close-up capability of 1cm wide setting.
The FZ80/FZ82 has numerous creative controls along with WIFI capability and built-in
power O.I.S. image stabilisation.
26
Best Professional
Photo/Video Camera
Panasonic LUMIX DC-GH5
The lightweight and durable Panasonic Lumix DC GH5 is a weather-resistant MFT
camera. It has a 20.3MP Live MOS sensor that utilises advanced digital signal
processing and heat dissipation to allow recording and internal processing of 4:2:2
10-bit 4K video. The camera offers a 6K Photo function, which can extract 18MP stills
from the 30fps 6K burst file. This feature also allows high-resolution still capture of
8MP 4K photos at 60fps.
Best Design
Hasselblad X1D-50c
At less than half the weight of previous medium format digital cameras, the
mirrorless Hasselblad X1D-50c camera has a compact and stylish design. It offers
impressive user controls and functionality along with a 50MP sensor for image
capturing power. Atop the camera is a simplified control dial that includes three
user-defined setups for customized control setups. The user can opt to view through
the 2.4MP EVF or through the 3-inch rear LCD that offers live view and touch control.
The LCD can access most of the cameras functions, as well as playback functions
such as swipe and pinch zoom.
Better PhotograPhy
Best Expert
Compact Camera
Sony DSC-RX100 V
The Sony DSC RX100 V is a compact camera with a 20MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS
sensor, high resolution OLED EVF and a 3-inch TFT LCD. Its ISO sensitivity ranges
from 12512,800 and extends up to 25,600 by overlay burst shooting. The camera
has a Fast Hybrid AF with 315 focal plane phase detection points. Its 2470mm f/1.8-
2.8 ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* zoom lens can focus as close as 0.17 ft at the wide focal
length setting. The camera offers numerous video modes and frames, including 4K
as well as built-in SteadyShot image stabilisation.
Best Rugged Camera
Nikon COOLPIX W100
The Nikon Coolpix W100 contains a 13.2MP CMOS sensor that can deliver stills at
11fps and Full HD video at 30p. Its 3X optical Zoom NIKKOR lens delivers an 30-90mm
focal length range with Electronic VR. The camera has a 2.7-inch 230k dot TFT
LCD that is enhanced via a 5-level brightness adjustment control. Apart from are
numerous creative Scene modes, the W100 is waterproof up to 33 feet, shockproof
and freezeproof up to -10C. Its dedicated one-touch button controls make shooting
easy in both challenging weather and underwater environments.
Best 360 Camera
Nikon KeyMission 360
The Nikon Key Mission 360 allows users to capture and share fully immersive 360
videos and photos and offers waterproof, shockproof and freeze proof operation
without additional housing. The unit can record 4K HD videos, 23.9MP photos,
time-lapse sequences, and features Nikon SnapBridge integration. Its close focusing
distance is approximately 30 cm with an angle of view of 8.2mm. The users can
make images in a wide range of situations by using dedicated mounting accessories.
Best Camcorder
Canon XC15
With its compact, portable body, the Canon XC15 is designed for professional
videographers and journalists who want a discrete but professional 4K/UHD
handheld camera with XLR audio inputs that is ideal for news and film shoots in the
field. It offers an advanced 1-Type 12MP CMOS image sensor, touch panel control,
a wide-angle 10X zoom with OIS. The camera includes three IS modes along with
separate rings for manual focus and zoom control. It also features different Look
Settings to ensure footage can be easily cut with both Canon Cinema EOS, XF and
XA Canon camcorders.
june 2017
 t ipa 2 0 1 7
Best DSLR Standard
Zoom Lens
Canon EF 24105mm
f/4L IS II USM
The Canon EF 24105mm f/4L IS II USM includes 17 elements in 12 groups, which yield
excellent resolving power as well as increase peripheral brightness for enhanced
edge-to-edge performance. Highly resistant to dust and water, the lens incorporates
an image stabiliser with up to a 4-stop advantage and a 10-bladed circular diaphragm
for outstanding bokeh. Its AF is highly responsive due to inner focusing, a ring USM
(ultrasonic motor), a high-speed CPU and optimised algorithms. The lens features an
Air Sphere coating that aids in the significant reduction of ghosting and flare.
Best DSLR Prime Lens
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG
HSM Art
Aimed at portrait photographers, the full-frame 85mm lens in Sigmas Art series
employs two FLD (fluorite equivalent) elements and one anomalous-dispersion
(AD) high-refractive index element to achieve extremely low levels of chromatic
aberration. The lens contains a 9-bladed electronically controlled diaphragm, a
hypersonic (HSM) motor for rapid and silent AF with 1.3X torque boost. It has
a durable brass mount and a composite TSC barrel, which provide consistent
performance, even during extreme weather conditions.
28
Best CSC Standard
Zoom Lens
Panasonic LUMIX G X
VARIO 1235mm f/2.8 II
ASPH. /POWER O.I.S.
The fast Panasonic LUMIX GX Vario 1235mm f/2.8 II ASPH features a micro-step
drive system in the aperture control, which offers silent operation via its inner focus
drive system along with smooth brightness shift while zooming or panning. The lens
has Dual I.S. and 5-axis Dual I.S.2, which is optimised for Panasonic GH5 and G85.
The lens is constructed with 14 elements in nine groups, along with UHR (Ultra-High-
Refractive Index) and UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion).
Best CSC Prime Lens
Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 WR
The Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 WR is a fast, wide-angle lens constructed with 10 elements
in 6 groups and incorporates a pair of aspheric elements that aid in creating crisp
images. It has an internal stepping motor that provides fast, smooth, and quiet AF
operation. When combined with phase-detection AF it is said to achieve focus in
0.05sec. Other features include Super EBC (electron beam coating) and weather
resistance. Its 9-inches close focusing capability combines with its f/2 maximum
aperture to create beautiful bokeh images in shallow depth of field.
Better PhotograPhy
Best DSLR Telephoto
Zoom Lens
Tamron SP 150600mm
f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
The Tamron SP 150600mm f/5-6.3 Di VCUS DG2 is long-range zoom lens built for
full-frame DSLRs and can also be used on APS-C DSLRs to deliver an incredible
225900mm focal length range. The lens incorporates three low dispersion
elements to aid in the elimination of chromatic aberrations and is constructed with
21 elements in 13 groups, with a minimum focusing distance of 86.6-inches. Its VC
offers a 4.5 stop advantage with three modes for a variety of shooting scenarios.
The lens also has eBAND and BBAR coating to reduce ghosting and flare.
Best Professional Lens
Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm
f/4E ED
Photographers shooting architecture and tight indoor spaces will appreciate the
features of the Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED tilt-shift, full-frame perspective
control lens. It tilts +/- 7.5 and shifts +/-12mm with rotation up to 90 along with
maximum perspective control. The lens allows tilt and shift movements to be set
independently and without locking. The tilt can be applied parallel or perpendicular
to the shift. The lens is dustproof and waterproof, and has an electromagnetic
diaphragm mechanism along with a minimum aperture of f/32.
Best CSC Telephoto
Zoom Lens
Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL
ED 12100mm f/4 IS PRO
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4 IS Pro lens has splash proof, dustproof
and freeze-proof construction plus an on-lens function button. The lens has a
circular 7-bladed diaphragm, a fast MSC (movie and still) AF system with manual
override and can focus as close a 0.6-inch. The in-lens image stabilisation provides
up to five shutterspeed steps of compensation performance. When mounted on a
compatible Olympus OM-D or PEN camera, the lens stabilisation works in sync with
the cameras in-body stabilisation to create 5-Axis Sync IS.
Best DSLR Wide Angle
Zoom Lens
Sigma 1224mm f/4 DG
HSM Art
The Sigma 1224mm f/4 DG HSM Art is constant aperture wide angle zoom for
full-frame DSLRs, but can also be used with APS-C sensor cameras to deliver a still
impressive 18-36mm field of view. It is constructed with 16 elements in 11 groups, an
updated Hyper Sonic Motor with 1.3X torque for fast AF, and the largest aspherical
element in the industry. With a minimum aperture of f/22 and close-focusing
capability at the 24mm focal length range, the lens allows photographers to create
unique images with startling depth of field and outstanding bokeh effects.
june 2017
 t ipa 2 0 1 7
Best Photo Printer
Epson SureColor
SC-P5000
The 17-inch Epson SureColor SC-P5000 is a desktop proofing, photography and fine
art printer that offers a 10-colour ink set, a PrecisionCore TFP printhead and Epson
Precision Dot technology. It exclusively uses 200ml UltraChrome HDX ink cartridges
that deliver an enhanced colour gamut and higher density blacks, with improved
print permanence. The printhead has 360 nozzles per colour for faster printing
speeds with variable size droplets as small as 3.5 picolitres, while a 2.7-inch full
colour LCD panel makes setup and operation accessible and straightforward.
Best Imaging Software
Macphun Luminar
Macphun Luminar offers a host of tools and options that can handle just about any
imaging task. Available for Mac only, users can choose between levels of image
processing experience and adapt the workspace to their skill set. Luminar works in
a non-destructive fashion and can handle RAW conversion from dozens of different
cameras. There are over 300 tools and features, including layers and blending
modes, presets, black and white processing, object removal, and colour toning.
30
Best Lighting Accessory
Nissin Air10s
The Nissin Air10s is an advanced TTL strobe commander in the 2.4Ghz Nissin
Air System (NAS). The simple dial layout with colour LCD display allows users to
seamlessly and quickly control a large group of NAS. It can function wirelessly with a
maximum distance of 100 metres and is compatible with Fujifilm, Sony, Nikon, Canon
and Micro Four Thirds cameras. The unit is equipped with a micro SD card slot
that allows users to update the unit by themselves. It also has a new TTL Memory
function that transforms TTL exposure data instantly to manual output power.
Best Imaging
Processing Equipment
Wacom Intuos Pro
The Wascom Intuos Pro pen and touch tablets aid in smooth workflow by adapting to
the users creative instincts while delivering impressive results. It is highly portable
and have a smaller desktop footprint than previous models. It comes with anodised
aluminium backing, a smaller pen stand with 10 nibs, and a new pen case. Available in
two sizes, the device features a Touch-Ring, Multi-Touch and eight ExpressKeys for
customized shortcuts that speed up a users creative workflow. It also includes a Pro
Pen 2 with enhanced sensitivity that delivers 8192 levels of sensitivity.
Better PhotograPhy
Best Inkjet Photo Paper
Canson Infinity Baryta
Prestige 340gsm
Cansons Baryta Prestige is a 340gsm inkjet paper comprised of acid-free alpha-
cellulose and cotton with a true Barium sulphate coating, which gives it a look and
feel of silver halide prints. It is a durable paper that brings a feeling of richness
and depth to tonal values and hues with a smooth gloss surface while lacking the
distracting sheen of a hard surface gloss. Its weight and durability defend the sheet
from handling problems but does not prevent the user from using it in virtually every
advanced photo inkjet printer out today.
Best Camera Accessory
Manfrotto Lens
Filter Suite
Combining Manfrotto filters and XUME magnetic adapters, the Manfrotto Lens Filter
Suite allows photographers to instantly connect filters to their lens. The filters are
multi-coated to provide maximum protection and minimal light reflection. The low-
profile magnetic rings lock the filters securely in place and are safe for focussing,
drive as well as the memory card. Available in various sizes, the filters include UV, a
circular polariser, and ND8 (3 stops), ND500 for 9 stops and so on.
Best Imaging Storage
Solution
SanDisk Extreme 900
Portable SSD
Promising up to 9X the speed of an external hard drive, the SanDisk Extreme 900
SSD can hold up to 1.92TB of data with read and write speeds up to 850 MB/s. It is
ideal for transferring and accessing the very large video and still files. Housed inside
an aluminium enclosure, the drive is both temperature and impact resistant. It also
offers encryption to keep files secure so that only the owner and known and trusted
associates have access. The drive is compatible with both PCs and Macs, and works
with Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 as well as Mac OS 10.6+.
Best Professional Flash
System
Profoto D2
The Profoto D2 monolight offers flash duration as rapid as 1/63,000sec across
the entire 10-stop energy range. Its high-speed sync goes as high as 1/8000sec,
making it ideal for outdoor flash work. A super-fast recycling time allows for up to
20 firings per second. The photographer can work in TTL or manual exposure mode
with 1/10th stop increment output control. The D2 is available in 500Ws and 1000Ws
versions with both featuring full TTL control for Canon and Nikon users via Profotos
AirTTL 2.4GHz radio system.
june 2017
 t ipa 2 0 1 7
Best Portable Flash
Metz mecablitz M400
The Metz mecablitz M400 has a guide number of 40 at ISO 100 and is compatible
with a wide range of DSLR, MFT and other mirrorless cameras. It features a zoom
swivel head with a built in motor zoom function, an integrated wide-angle diffuser,
and an OLED display for easy user interface. The M400s AUTO TTL mode enables
full and automatic control of the flash from the camera. It can be synced with first
or second shutter curtain firing and supports HSS or FP high-speed synch modes as
well as slaved wireless TTL functionality, depending on the camera in use.
Best Photo Monitor
LG 27MD5KA (UltraFine
5K Display)
LGs 27MD5KA (UltraFine 5K) monitor brings the coveted extra high resolution to
the photographers using MacBook Pro. With a stunning 5120 x 2880 resolution and
DCI-P3 99 percent colour gamut, the 27-inch Display brings professional photos and
videos to life. The monitor includes a single Thunderbolt 3 cable that provides up to
85W of charging power to a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 3 ports. It also has built-
in stereo speakers, camera, and microphone to deliver a rich media experience.
32
Best Camera Drone
DJI Phantom 4 Pro
The Phantom 4 Pro uses titanium alloy and magnesium alloy construction to increase
the rigidity of the airframe while it reduces weight. It employs a FlightAutonomy
system with dual rear sensors and infrared sensing systems for a 5-direction
obstacle sensing and 4-direction of obstacle avoidance. The drone is fitted with
a 1-inch 20MP sensor camera that can deliver 4k/60fps video and 14fps bursts.
Users have long-range control of 7km and can take advantage of its 30-minute flight
time to make truly impressive imagery.
Best Photo Print
Service
WhiteWall ultraHD
Photo Print
WhiteWalls ultraHD Photo Prints reveal all the crisp details of digital files delivered
by todays high-resolution cameras. Printed on high-end Fuji Crystal DP II paper,
the lab utilises a new process that keeps the paper perfectly flat during exposure,
thus ensures edge-to-edge sharpness and detail. Even at close viewing distance,
the ultraHD prints display increased dynamic range and maximum density, with
vivid colour and clear tonal gradation. The application of precise controls allows
photographers yp get matching prints on repeat orders.
Better PhotograPhy
Best Tripod
Vanguard Alta Pro 2
Tripod with 263AB
100 Ballhead
The Vanguard Alta Pro and AB100 ball head combination allows for ease of setup
and flexibility in shooting angles and heights. It features three-section aluminium alloy
legs that adjust to 25, 50 and 80 and a smooth fluid-like ballhead that rotates 360.
It has a quick release plate and bubble level guide along with a the hexagon-shaped
centre column moves from 0 to 180. Other features include a premium magnesium
die-cast canopy and anti-shock ring, as well as quick flip leg locks and rubber feet
with retractable spikes.
Best Photo Smartphone
Huawei P10 / P10 Plus
Huaweis new flagship P10 and the P10 Plus come with a 5.10-inch and a 5.50-inch high
resolution display respectively. The smartphone is powered by octa-core HiSilicon
Kirin 960 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage.
The P10 Plus has a Leica Dual Camera 2.0 Pro Edition that carries two Summilux-H
lenses with superfast f/1.8 aperture while the P10 is equipped with Summarit f/2.2
lenses. Both have two sensors, a 12MP one and a 20MP monochrome sensor.
Best Actioncam
Sony FDR-X3000R
The 4K-capable Sony FDR-X3000R is built around an 8.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor
and features a Zeiss Tessar f/2.8 lens with wide angle. The compact unit has a unique
Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation system that works in 4K and high
speed recording modes. It offers built-in Wi-Fi, with a new version of Live-View
Remote control, GPS and a microphone, plus a stereo mini jack. Numerous shooting
effects include time-lapse capture and 120fps shooting rate. The camera is splash
proof and it also has a housing is for shooting at depths of up to 60 metres.
Best Photo Bag
Manfrotto Pro Light
3N1-36
The Manfrotto Pro Light 3N1-36 bag offers three carry options for three different
gear configurations. For still photographers, it can hold three camera bodies
and five lenses. For videographers, it can fit a Canon C100 with handles and lens
attached, three additional lenses and a backup body. Whereas for drone users,
it can hold a DJI Phantom 4 with transmitter and a DSLR with three lenses. It has
various carry options including a backpack and sling mode, as well as a cross
backpack setup.
june 2017
 GearGuide
TE ST
TTEST
E ST

HOW WE TEST
Product categorisation
We first segregate products
DED
MMEN
into categories for the purpose
of equitability in testing.
RECO
The DSLR is divided into
entry-level, semi-professional
and professional categories.
For compacts, we distinguish
between advanced and basic
compact cameras. Similarly, we
also test consumer and pro
lenses, ashguns, printers, and
other photographic accessories
and gear.

The Process
We primarily test for features,
performance, build, ergonomics,
warranty and support. While this
remains constant, the weightage
we give to these parameter
differs from category to
category, because different
types of consumers have diverse
expectations from products.
Canon EOS 77D

A Pro for a Pro

Final ratings
Under each main parameter,
we list out hundreds of individual
variables (for eg. colour
accuracy for individual colours
in different lighting, individual
features, dynamic range, center-
to-edge definition, light falloff,
etc) against which we either give
points or simply mark yes or
no. Thus, we arrive at a score
for that parameter, and then,
the final score, denoted as a
With Canons latest offering, the EOS 77D seems to offer a mixed bag of
percentage. Additionally, based features for the prosumer. Natasha Desai puts it on her test bench.
on the current pricing of a

product, a star rating for
Value for Money is considered.
Value for Money does not affect
the final percentage, because
prices for products change
constantly.
our seals of Approval
Any product that scores 80%
or higher in individual tests gets
BP Recommendeda seal of
approval from our team.
Top 30 cameras
At the end of the calendar
year, we evaluate the Indian
market and choose what we
think are the 30 best cameras,
across price ranges. This is
Better Photographys recognition
of the very best products
launched over the course of
the year. Our list becomes an
interesting reection of how the
camera market is constantly
growing and evolving.
W
hen Canon announced
the EOS 77D earlier this
year, they also announced
an affordable version, the
800D (Rebel T7i) along
with it. With the same innards and little
difference, the two cameras are aimed at
the serious enthusiast and the amateur,
respectively. While they vary in price,
they also vary slightly in design and
customisability. We got our hands on
the 77D and set out to test it. While the
camera is not said to be an upgrade of
the 80D, which we reviewed last year, it
carries many of its features and betters it.
Features
A serious photographer will find a lot of
value in the 77D. It differs from the 800D
by offering dual dials for control. And, the
mode dial rests on the left instead of the
right. An additional LCD panel lies on
the top right of the camera, along with an
AF On button on the rear. Its slightly less
amateurish-looking and bares the face of
Canons higher-end professional lineup,
and resembles the 80D closely. WEigHTAgE oF
The next generation processor, DIGIC 7, PArAmETErs
powers the Dual Pixel AF. The 24MP
APS-C CMOS shooter also comes with 45 5%
20%
AF points, which are cross-type, ensuring 15%
accurate locking on to the subject. From 35%
these, 27 work with apertures of f/8, 25%
should you want to use the camera with
teleconverters. Although, the menu does
Features
not offer as many AF selection modes Performance
like the 80D, and is restricted to Auto and Build Quality
Manual selection. The AF also claims Ergonomics
to be extremely responsive in low light, Warranty &
Support
which we found to be true. While it offers

JUNE 2017
 TEST
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R
LM OIS WR3
A quintessential workhorse for the pro
40
the usual array of creative filters, it strangely
does not allow basic in-camera RAW
editing options.
The optical viewfinder does not offer full
coverage like the 80D, which means you
might find objects creeping into the edges
of your frame.
With so many features and the ability
to shoot at 6fps, a dual memory card slot
would have been welcome, but probably is
too much to expect in this segment.
Handling
The robust 77D is actually lighter than
the 80D. It comes with a textured hand
grip for a more than adequate shooting
experience and the camera body itself
WHATs in THE BoX feels sturdy enough to withstand a few
blows. Unlike the 80D, the weathersealing
Canon EOS 77D
Battery is absent and would have been quite a
Battery charger welcome feature, considering the everyday
Micro USB cable range of use this shooter has. The controls
Neck Strap are as you would expect from a Canon
Lens cap
DSLR and are fairly comfortable to navigate
JUNE 2017
TEST
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG TEST
HSM | A
A specialist optic for portraits
42
for a native Canon user. The dual dials
Also looK For
make changing aperture and shutterspeeds
easy and you can go through your settings Sony a6300
while shooting through the viewfinder with Nikon D5600
ease. Your shooting options are accessible
while looking through the viewfinder, as
well as, the familiar rear located Q button
and Canons well laid out menu.
Performance
All through the testing, the 77D produced
great photographs. Its AF handled
subject tracking very well and was able
to lock on to targets without any hassle.
The autofocus delivers its promise with
video too. Like the 80D, there are four AF
area selection modesSingle Point AF,
Zone AF, where you select one from the With only a 95% view
nine AF groups; Large Zone AF, which of from the oVF, it is quite
easy to nd unnecessary
allows you to select one of three large elements at the edges and
AF zones and Auto selection in which a skewed horizon. This
the camera figures out the appropriate image was cropped and
AF point from all 45. This technology, corrected for the same.
Exposure: 1/1000sec at f/5.6
in fact, has been borrowed from the (ISO 200)
All photographs by Natasha Desai
BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
 1DX series and has trickled down to With a good dynamic range, the RAW The dynamic range of
36 P lu s the camera is impressive,
a mid-segment shooter like the 77D. images produced are rich in retrievable
with enough of details
Dual Pixel AF The excellent Live View mode, not only details. The colours produced are pleasing, coming out in the clouds.
Live View Shooting ensures accurate framing but possibly even as one has come to expect from the Exposure: 1/250ec at f/4.5
Responsiveness better AF response than the viewfinder. companys products. The 77D boasts an
(ISO 400)

minus This functioning is made extremely easy improved ISO range of 10025600 from
on an excellent fully articulating LCD the 80Ds 10012800. The camera has good
No weathersealing touchscreen. Touch focus and capture overall noise control. You will see grain
No 4K capability
are incredibly responsive and you wont creep in at 3200, but even then the images
be missing any moments here. This is are usable. In-camera noise reduction is an
additionally useful for those who would option but its best left untouched due to
want to use the camera for video. detail loss at high ISOs.
Ergonomics
Front Top rear
Thumbpad
lamp
Top dial mode dial Four-way
controller

lens collapsing Top lcD panel

switch

mode dial

Articulating lcD memory

shutter release
button
lens
The front of the camera is fairly standard. It is bulky
and has a rubber textured running all around to make
shooting easier. It looks exactly like a mid segment would.
Not quite high-end but not plasticky either.
Located on the top is a hot shoe and a mode dial on the left
(unlike its affordable counterpart the 800D). The controls
on the top are fairly easy to operate, especially if you have
larger fingers. The top LCD panel is a welcome presence.
touchscreen card slot
The back of the camera comes with all the trimmings you
would want from a semi-pro shooter. The thumb pad is
comfortable and the AF On button is convenient. All other
buttons are well placed within reach too.

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

 TEST

s P Ec i F i cAT i o n s

Model name Canon EOS 77D Noise Test

MRP Rs 59,995 (Body only)
Effective pixels 24.2MP
Sensor size, type APS-C, CMOS
Processor DIGIC 7 The 18135mm kit lens holds its own
Recording Formats Stills: RAW, JPEG despite offering a regular f/3.5-5.6 aperture.
Movie: MP4, H.264 The lens itself feels sturdy and there is an
iso 1600
Focussing Modes Contrast Detect, Phase Detect expected level of distortion at the wide end.
Multi-area, Center, Selective Flare control is average and purple fringing
single-point, Tracking, Single,
Continuous, Touch, Face
is kept to a minimum.
Detection, Live View
AF Points 45-point AF conclusion
Continuous Shooting 6fps When we reviewed the 80D we were fairly
blown away by its capabilities. The 77D
Metering 7,560-pixel RGB+IR metering iso 3200
sensorEvaluative, Center- too, lives up to its place in the segment,
weighted, Spot, Partial providing the best of its predecessor, at a
Shutterspeed Range 301/4000sec much affordable price for those who are
Exp. Compensation +/- 5 EV in 0.3EV steps seriously into their craft. The 77D makes
Colour space AdobeRGB, sRGB a case for good functionality, a range of
ISO Auto, 10025,600 (expandable features for both stills and video users,
to 51,200) all at a price of Rs. 59,995 for the body. iso 6400
White Balance 8 Auto presets, 1 Custom The 18135mm kit will set you back around
Flash/hot shoe Built-in ash and hot shoe Rs. 89,995 and if you dont need that much
LCD size, dots 3-inch tilt type, 1,040k-dots of a reach, the 18-55mm kit is available for
View nder Yes Rs. 65, 995. Its competitor, the Sony a6300
File Formats JPEG, 14-bit .CR2 RAW,
comes with 4K video, 11fps and a smaller,
compact body, at Rs. 74,990. While it has
Image Stabilisation No
38 an incredible 425 phase detection points, iso 12800
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 at 24, 30 and 60p,
mic input present which fared well on our test bench, you
Apparent luminance noise and chrominance noise
Environmentally sealed No
would, however, be compromising on starts becoming visible at ISO 6400, which is quite
battery life, stellar functioning, touch acceptable. Although there is grain visible at 3200, it
Storage Types SD, SDHC, SDXC
screen and a Dual Pixel AF. The other does not spoil the images. Overall, the ISO control of
Other Features Auto, Standard, Portrait, the camera is good.
Landscape, Neutral, option would be the Nikon D5600, which
Monochrome, Bluetooth, WiFi on paper is near-identical to the EOS 77D,
with NFC which we havent tested yet. However, we
Battery Lithium-ion battery do think the best option for a semi-
Dimensions/Weight 131 x 100 x 76.2mm / 493g professional kit is the without a doubt,
(Body only)
the EOS 77D. FINALRATINGS
Features 16/20
24 MP, Dual Pixel AF, 45 cross-type AF points,
touchscreen LCD, full HD video, no 4K

Performance 31/35
Good AF speed, good low light performance,
great battery life

Build Quality 22/25

Sturdy, no weathersealing

Ergonomics 12/15
Dual dials for control, great touchscreen

Warranty & support 4/5

Wide service network

A child that wont sit

oVErAll 85%
still, a fast bicyclist, Who should buy it? Photographers looking to shoot
plenty of action, a wide range of subjects with both stills and video.
whatever the situation, Why? This is an all-in-one feature packed shooter at a fairly
the AF wont fail you. affordable price point.
Exposure: 1/1000sec at f/5
(ISO 400)
Value for money
BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2017
 TEST
Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
Keen & Versatile
With the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR, Fujifilm brings a quintessential
workhorse to the X-series lineup. K Madhavan Pillai puts it to the test.
F
ujifilms XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM
40
OIS WR is the companys answer to
the archetypal full frame 70-200mm
telephoto zoom (76-213mm, in this
case, to be precise). It complements
Fujis standard zoom, the XF 16-55mm
f/2.8 R LM WR, and is meant to provide a
versatile, high-end option for their X mount
APS-C mirrorless cameras. Considering this,
the XF 50-140mm also stands as the only
option of its type for the X series user,
including from other lens manufacturers.
Features
From the outside, the XF 50-140mm is a
good-looking but understated lens. Most of
its features lie within its engineering and
design. The XF 50-140mm uses 23 glass
WEIGHTAGE OF elements in 16 groups, including five
PARAMETERS ED and one Super ED lens elements for
reducing aberrations. Various element
5% surfaces are specially coated using several
20%
15% advanced technologies, to ensure optimal
light transmission, and to reduce flare and
35%
25% loss of detail caused by diffraction.
The XF 50-140mm is sealed against dust
and water, and can operate down to -10 0C.
Features
Performance It features a Triple Linear motor (the
Build Quality first of its kind) for speedy, accurate AF.
Ergonomics
This is a stabilised lens. The OIS (Optical
Warranty & Image Stabilsation) is equipped with a new
Support
gyrosensor and algorithms that eliminates
BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY
ED
COMMEND
RE
drift, especially at low shutterspeeds, and
P LU S
boasts 5 stops of correction. The tripod
collar has a knob for its rotation and locking. Superb optics
The shoe segment of the collar can be Construction
removed for comfortable handheld use. Autofocus
The filter diameter is a comfortable 72mm. MINUS
Handling Relative size, weight
Price
The appeal, and Fujis own design
philosophy for the X series, precludes the
use of small primes, with good reason.
Small block lenses go well with the smaller,
rangefinder-styled X-Pro and X-E cameras,
or the X-T series. The XF 50-140mm seems
quite large and felt disbalanced on the X-T10
(on which I tested it). It would feel better on a
X-Pro camera with a hand grip attached.
That said, the lens is all metal, finely
milled and reassuringly built. Both the focus
and the zoom occurs internally, so there is
no rotation at the front lens element or a
change in the length of the lens on zooming.
S P E C I F I CAT I O N S
Model name XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
MRP Rs. 1,59,999
Lens construction 23 elements in 16 groups
Closest focus distance 1m (0.12x max magnification)
Aperture 7 blades, f/2.8 max. aperture
Filter diameter 72mm
Dimensions, Weight 82.8 x 175.9mm, 995g
JUNE 2017

The zoom ring is broad, encased in rubber
and ribbed. The aperture ring, from f/2.8 to
f/22, clicks firmly at 1/3rd stop intervals, and
includes an A setting for aperture priority.
While designed perfectly well, I was
not very happy with the fly-by-wire MF
ring. The rotational heft is a lot and it takes
almost three full rotations to move across
the focus range, making it difficult to use.
The lenshood is deep and serrated on the
inside. A tiny window can be slipped of off
the hood to access rotating filters. While it
clasps firmly in place, it can get lost when
slipped off. I would have preferred for it to
slide deeper into the hood rather than off it.
Performance
Large aperture f/1.2 or 1.4 primes also have
another advantage. A larger aperture, by one
stop, acts to negate the DOF and ISO quality
advantage that a full frame sensor has over
APS-C. In the case of the 50-140mm, the
maximum aperture of f/2.8 on the APS-C
X-T10 behaves like f/4.2 on a full frame
sensor. In other words, to get the same DOF
effects as a 70-200mm f/2.8 on a full frame
DSLR, the XF 50-140mm would need to
have a maximum aperture of f/2. That said,
blurs and DOF are a function of the print
size and viewing distance. Besides, a wider
june 2017
K Madhavan Pillai
aperture would have made the lens larger While the DOF is not
and heavier. This is the stand-off that a buyer narrow while shooting
wide open at the
should be aware of.
140mm end, it provides
Optically, Fuji has done it... again! a reasonable level of
Sharpness, corners to center, across the separation. The blurring
zoom range is superb at f/2.8. It peaks at is pleasantly smooth.
Exposure: 1/125sec at f/2.8
f/5.6. Distortion and fringing are very well
(ISO 400)
corrected in-camera, and are barely visible
around the edges of highlights, even in RAW.
Flare is controlled extremely well too.
FINALRATINGS
AF performance is another highlight of Features 18/20
OIS, f/2.8 fixed aperture, optics, AF speed
this lens. Not only is AF silent, it is as quick
as the best lenses in its category, including Performance 33/35
Super sharpness & AF, no visible aberrations
its full-frame brethren... very impressive
indeed! The Optical Image Stabiliser is easily
Build Quality 24/25
Sturdy, good weathersealing
effective 3 stops down from the focal lengths
reciprocal shutterspeeds.
Ergonomics 11/15
Good zoom ring, MF ring issues, large lens
Warranty & Support 3/5
Conclusion Two year warranty, limited service in India
The XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR
is priced at Rs 1,59,999, which is a rather
steep price, considering its full frame
equivalent f/4 lenses are priced almost
40% lower. Of course, that may not be the
OVERALL 89%
fairest of comparisons. There is no denying Who should buy it? Professionals and event
its performance capabilities. Beside, this photographers who need speed, versatility and image quality.
is a unique lens even among other APS-C
Why? Apart from its excellent optics, build, and AF, there
mirrorless camera manufacturers. And, as are no equivalent choices for the X-mount.
mentioned before, if you need a lens of its
kind, it is the only available option.
Value for Money
Better PhotograPhy
 TEST

DED
ECOMMEN
R

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A

42
A Master of Portraits
Sakshi Parikh tests the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art to see whether it is able to
maintain the superb standards of the Sigma Art lineup. Heres what she found out.

T
he 135mm prime lens is a much better manufacturing precision,
P LU S
long-time favorite of portrait especially compared to standard
photographers, combining the polycarbonate plastics. Incredible optics
compression of a telephoto lens It features a new large Hyper Sonic Handling
with the narrow depth-of-field of Motor (HSM), which has extra torque for Construction
a fast aperture, resulting in really blurred- quick focusing. In addition, the three step MINUS
out backgrounds. Sigma recently made focus limiter makes AF highly responsive
waves with their long awaited 135mm f/1.8 to distance from the subject, for an even No image
stabilisation
DG HSM Art lens. The sixth addition in faster performance.
the companys prime lens Art lineup, the
135mm f/1.8 offers portraitists a second Handling
option after the 85mm f/1.4. It features an The build quality of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8
incredibly fast f/1.8 aperture, setting it apart DG HSM is quiet sturdy. Its large focusing
from its competitors from Nikon, Canon ring has a ridged rubberised coating that
and Zeiss. helps you to get a very good grip on it
WEIGHTAGE OF when manually focusing. When you reach
PARAMETERS Features either end of the focusing limit, you will
The lens is robust. At 1130 grams, the feel a small click in resistance from the
5% Sigma 135mm f/1.8 with a complex optical
20% S P E C I F I CAT I O N S
15% construction, makes its competitors
35% like Canon 135mm f/2L feel modest.
Model name Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A
25% The 135mm f/1.8 Art wears its size like a
MRP Rs. 1,19,000
badge of honor. The larger, heavier build
Lens construction 13 elements in 10 groups
seems made to last. It has an 82mm filter
Features Closest focusing distance 0.87m
Performance size to match. The lens features Sigmas
Diaphragm blades 9
Build Quality characteristic sleek, matte black finish.
Ergonomics Max. Aperture f/1.8
The barrel itself is constructed out of
Warranty & Sigmas proprietary Thermally Stable Filter diameter 82mm
Support Dimensions, Weight 115 x 91.4mm, 1130g
Composite material, which allows for

BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2017

 While shooting at
night, this lens tends
to give beautiful
cinematic results.
1/50sec at f/1.8
(ISO 2000)

lens, which can be useful, especially when

using the camera with your eye to the
viewfinder. Since the focusing is internal,
the front element of the lens doesnt rotate
at all, which is great while using certain
kinds of filters... a circular polarising filter,
for instance.
Unlike the manual focus Zeiss Milvus
135mm f/2 ZE, this lens has an AF/MF
switch on the side. It is accompanied by a
round bayonet mounted lenshood. It was a
bit loose for my liking.
Its focusing ring rotates up to 160
manually, which makes it beneficial for
videographers. The lens features nine
curved diaphragm blades to make up its
aperture, which produce extremely smooth
results for bokeh. The weathersealing in
the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art is rigorous and it
has a dust and splash-proof construction.
It has a maximum magnification of
1:4.3. With a close-focus point of 0.875m,
the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 isnt really a macro
lens, although you can use it for typical
macro subjects. The Sigma 135mm Art
f
offers a three step focus limiter that is rather
useful, considering the larger focus range
of this lens.

Performance

I used it with my Nikon D800 and its
almost completely silent when focusing.
In lower light levels, the lens can take
a little longer to acquire focus, but its
certainly no more than you would expect
and its still very usable. This is a very
sharp lens indeed, with an astounding
level of performance wide open, which
only improves when shooting one stop
down. Even at wide open at f/1.8, the lens
produced virtually no corner softness.
It doesnt have image stabilisation,
which can be a problem during slow
shutterspeed shots.
Fringing is virtually absent, and flare is
Sakshi Parikh
an older form of AF and a unique Defocus
Control option. The Zeiss Milvus 135mm
FINALRATINGS
f/2, although manual, has a high-end build. Features 18/20
New HyperSonic motor for quick focusing
However, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art has
two advantages over the Zeiss a third of Performance 33/35
Super sharpness, excellent bokeh
a stop of aperture, and autofocus. On the
downside however, the 135mm f/1.8 Art is
Build Quality 24/25
Sturdy, great amount of weathersealing
a large and heavy lens, but with a full frame
body, it does not feel so cumbersome.
Ergonomics 14/15
Three step focus limiter, useful magnification
Priced at Rs. 1,19,000, the Sigma 135mm ratio, large focus throw for greater accuracy
f/1.8 DG HSM Art is not an inexpensive Warranty & Support 4/5
lens, but for a great build quality, incredible Two year warranty, wide service network

controlled. The lens shows slight corner
shading when used with its widest aperture.
Bokeh is outstanding. It is smooth, rich
and the tonal contrast and warm colour
rendition that the lens produces adds a
three dimensional look.
Conclusion
Both Nikon and Zeiss Milvus have fantastic
135mm f/2 lenses. The Nikon 135mm has
sharpness, and almost zero distortion, the
lens is worth every penny.
The Milvus 135mm f/2 is a phenomenal
piece of optics, but for Sony Alpha users,
OVERALL 93%
Sigma offers a MC-11 mount convertor Who should buy it? Portrait specialists and wedding
for Rs. 20,245, which can be used with the photographers who use high-resolution full frame DSLRs.
135mm f/1.8 Art for Canon. Hence, apart
Why? Optics are better than all else, extremely fast
from being an upgrade from Nikon and autofocus and superb sharpness.
Canon, this also puts Sigma on top, along
with Zeiss Milvus.
Value for Money

june 2017 Better PhotograPhy

 Cellphone

EVERYDAY GLIMPSES OF A CITY

Through his pictures of the everyday, Ramn Cruz uncovers
various cultural symbols that are representative of Mxico
Editorial
We are Saying Hello to Your Photographs
hoarders...
who shoot For the last two years or so, it has become a habit of mine to make extensive notes on
the person I am writing about. The first time I did this was when I was doing a piece on
and forget.
Walker Evans. I had purchased his book, Walker Evans: A Biography, written by Belinda
Or is it that Rathbone. Every few pages of the book had a post-it stuck on the corner, with notes
weve become scribbled on it. At the end of the book, though I had enough of material to work with,
comfortable in I decided to look for interesting interviews of him on the web. I scribbled down these
the knowledge insights into my beloved Moleskine, filling the pages from top to bottom. The notes helped, but only as far
as giving me a comprehensive base to start writing. They were never quite enough. I found myself constantly
that our going back to Evans photographs, initially to validate the notes I had made. However, the more I looked at his
pictures are pictures, I realised how much more I was able to discover, just by spending time absorbing his work.
safely tucked As someone who primarily writes on photography, you may think that looking at pictures should be a
away on given. Youre right. But if you think about it, any kind of emotive writing comes not only from research
but from memories and lived experiences which are visual in nature. Lets take the example of obituaries,
our phone. especially of the famous. The really good obits have the power to familiarise you with the deceased, regardless
of whether you knew the individual or not. Theres a reason why certain specifics about the persons
personality and mannerisms are described in great detail, which I assume is only possible by recounting past
encounters with the individual, or, in all probability, by looking at photographs. Or lets take the example
of science fiction movies. Films like 2001: A Space Odyssey or the fairly recent Martian or Interstellar, had
elaborately intricate and spellbinding representations of what life on another planet could be like. There was
no limit to the imagination of the makers of these movies, and this, I think, was made possible because of
all the photographs that have been made of space and space travel. These images allowed them to conjure
possibilities that may very likely be a viable option in the near future.
This brings me to a relevant question, how many times have you gone back to the important photographs 45
that are currently sitting idle on your phone? We, unfortunately, are hoarders... who shoot and forget. Or is
it that weve come to become comfortable in the knowledge that our pictures are safely tucked away on
our phones memory. Where is the interaction? In the past, the darkroom made this possible, where the
photographer had the opportunity to see his pictures come alive.
Without ever looking at our images or of others, how are we ever going to recall past instances or
encounters, or give ourselves the chance to conjure up new thoughts? Spend time with your photographs,
dear reader. After all, you made them because you felt something for the moment.

Conchita Fernandes
Instagram: @schmoooochita

Viernes en la Sombra
by Ramn Cruz
Ramn shoots a lot of portraits,
where his subjects appear to
be in a state of resignation or
contemplation. Theyre mostly
shot in B&W, and not because he
prefers this over colour, but on
how he imagines the scene before
he photographs it.

We review the Oppo F3

Turn to page 46

Cover photograph by Ramn Cruz

june 2017 Better PhotograPhy

 TEST

Oppo F3
D

Selfies with
MM ENDE
RECO

a Difference
How does the Oppo F3s dual selfie camera
fare? Conchita Fernandes finds out.

I was pleased to
see the amount of
46 details rendered by
the 13MP rear camera.
Using Snapseed, I slightly
enhanced the photograph
to highlight these details.
T
he F3 is yet another offering from
Oppos segment of selfie cameras,
and is the smaller sibling of the
Oppo F3 Plus. There are a few
features that have been eliminated
to make the F3 affordable. The F3 now
sports a 13MP rear camera with f/2.2
aperture, with PDAF and an LED flash.
This is a downgrade from the 16MP rear
camera on the F3 Plus, with f/1.7 aperture,
O.I.S and dual tone flash. Moreover, the F3
can only shoot 1080p videos, versus the
4K video option on the F3 Plus. However,
the F3 features the same 16MP + 8MP dual
selfie camera setup as the F3 Plus. The 8MP
camera has a 120 wide angle of view for
group selfies. Other features include the
Ultra HD, Double Exposure and Expert
Mode, amongst others.
The Final Word
I was pleased with the F3s 13MP rear camera
which produced vibrant images with a
good contrast in colours. The amount of
details retained by the camera was good too,
without causing any smear. In low light,
however, the cameras AF is a little sluggish.
As for the 16MP front camera, I didnt find
a lot of difference between it and the 13MP
camera. Also, the quality of images shot
using the dual selfie camera were alright,
and does the job it was intended to do.
The photos have barrel distortion though.
At Rs. 19,990, I am not sure if the price
justifies the number and quality of features
in the Oppo F3. The dual selfie camera
sounds exciting on paper, but I see it as a
feature you can do without. If you turn your
camera horizontally, you can still make a
group photograph.

AT A GLANCE
SPECIFICATIONS 13MP f/2.2 rear camera, 18MP + 8MP dual selfie camera, 5.5-inch display,
MT6750T processor, 4GB RAM, expandable 64GB storage, Rs. 19,990
WHAT WE LIKE Stylish UI, smooth exterior, wide angle lens for selfies

WHAT WE DISLIKE Sluggish AF

WHY BUY IT? If youre really keen on shooting vertical group selfies, the dual camera
system lets you to do that. Also, the overall image quality is quite good.

FINAL RATINGS 80%

CAMERA FEATURES 13MP rear camera, 16MP + 8MP dual selfie camera 20/25
Conchita Fernandes

IMAGE QUALITY Good in ambient light, decent in low light 24/30

VIDEO QUALITY 1080p video recording 12/15
HANDLING Lightweight, simple UI 13/15
SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS Slight lag in AF 11/15

BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY JUNE 2017

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 PROFILE

48

BEttER PhOtOgRaPhy junE 2017

 PROFILE

An Unfiltered View
Ramn Cruz gives Conchita Fernandes an engaging look
into the daily episodes that take place in his hometown.
Left: Ramn

M
xico in the mid-20th the everyday, which were filled with enjoys classic
century was a place that was instances from the daily lives of the western movies.
Thats why I am
exoticised. Hardly anyone people belonging to various social classes. drawn towards men
took notice of the common Ramn Cruz is on a similar trail. in hats, he says.
man, or the fact that the His photographs focus on the cultural Below: He believes
country was more than its lush landscapes identity of Mxico, especially from his that If you see
it, you have it,
and people dressed in colourful attire. hometown, Chihuahua. In fact, it was implying that the
Nacho Lpez, a renowned photographer a particular image shot by Lpez that photography is
known for propagating photojournalism made a lasting impression on Ramn. not the hard part,
it is recognising
in Mxico, rejected this stereotypical The picture La Venus se fue de Juerga por los
the moment that
depiction, and went on to photograph Barrios Bajos was an image of a worker is important.

49

junE 2017 BEttER PhOtOgRaPhy

 PROFILE
staring at a nude mannequin. Ramn was
captivated by the photograph. But what
appealed to him the most was the possibility
of combining cultural themes along with
the unexpectedness that came when
photographing in the street.
Presenting an Ordinary View
Ramn too, focuses on the everyday.
His photographs are simple, and comprise
He describes himself people and objects that he encounters
as being very reserved,
which has allowed him daily during his commute. But unlike some
to be more observant to street imagery from different parts of the
what is happening in front world that sometimes tend to reinforce
of him. Despite this, he cultural identity through visuals that
does not shy away from
approaching strangers. become standard symbols representative
If I see something that of the country, Ramn, in contrast, does
interests me, I get as not impress any such idea upon the viewer.
close as I can. When it
Rather, he prefers to inform, than have you
comes to people, I always
ask them for their gawk at the expected vibrant murals or the
permission first, he said. local fairs and dances that the country is
50
BEttER PhOtOgRaPhy
known for. Mxico is not what you see in fInD Ramn HeRe!
the news. We are a country of many social
contrasts and incredible people, who have Instagram:
extraordinary stories to tell. I am keen on @ramoncruz3
uncovering these narratives, he said.
examining the Urban Cowboy
One of his first projects, Puro Norte (Pure
North), was where he explored cultural
identity by looking at the urban cowboys
in the north of Mxico. In the streets of
Chihuahua, it is common to see solitary-
looking urban cowboys who have adopted
a very peculiar style. They seem to pose and
even enjoy the popular context. Through
their attire, they have incorporated boots,
belts with huge buckles, washed out jeans, Ramn is a big fan of
and the popular Marlboro Texan hat. It is Quentin Tarantino movies
and his use of colour
with these accessories that you get a glimpse
in his shots, as well as
of a distant past that accompanies them photographs by Saul
today, he says. Leiter and ernst Haas.
junE 2017
 PROFILE

53

as simple as his
He prefers to edit Taking a Step Back to Observe immerse ourselves in trying to get to the
photographs are, Ramn
his photographs very Ramn shoots a lot of portraits, where his heart of it. But sometimes it is necessary to enjoys using geometric
minimally. You have subjects appear to be in a state of resignation stand back, observe and learn. This always elements in them
to remember that with the help of light
photography is or contemplation. Theyre mostly shot results in better imagery later on.
and shadow.
subjective, and depends in B&W, and not because he prefers this Gwyn Thomas had once said, But the
on what the creator over colour, but on how he imagines the beauty is in the walking. We are betrayed
wants to say. I prefer to
scene before he photographs it. Also, his by destinations. Ramns portrayal of the
leave my photographs
in its natural state, photographs are not rushed, as he prefers various cultural facets of his hometown
as I am portraying a to experience and savour the moment. would not have been possible if he did not
slice of reality from With everything changing so quickly spend a lot of time just walking. He said,
my hometown.
around us, at times, we cant help but be I have this feeling that my subjects are
constantly involved in anticipating for the waiting for me. Chances are I will find them
moment to arrive. And when it does, we present at the corner of the street ahead.

Ramn Cruz has a degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Communication. He is a full-time college professor, teaching humanities, perception, creativity and
visual communication. Graciela Iturbide, Manuel lvarez Bravo, Juan Rulfo, Bernard Plossu... are some of the photographers who have influenced his work.

junE 2017 BEttER PhOtOgRaPhy

 India at Home
Raj Lalwani immerses himself in Amit Pasrichas third panoramic body
of work, to contemplate his use of this experiential craft.
T
here was a time that I had grown
increasingly weary, and wary, of the
panorama. It was a format that demanded
so much, and offered, often, little. It is,
of course, myopic, to make a sweeping
statement on a certain kind of craft (even one that
sweeps across a scene). But the sea of substandard
imagery that seemed to be associated with the
word was only widening, with what was once a
painstakingly thought out technique, becoming a
fashionable, one-button trope.
In the midst of all this chaos, I have always
pondered over the work of Amit Pasricha, a
photographer who actually identified himself as
a panoramist. Much celebrated for his incessant
Better PhotograPhy
exploration of the technique, his expansive,
immersive works left me humbled on the few
occasions that I experienced them physically.
But my growing skepticism would always wonder
as to where could Pasricha take the panorama
next. Surely, much like a well rounded panorama,
the use of the format in his practice would also
have a definite beginning and a definite end.
With a recently released book, the third in
his panoramic trilogy, Pasricha seems to be
discovering new nuances to the panorama. If his
initial photos were monumental, his painstaking
finesse over the craft, sacred, this surprising new
turn, is where Pasrichas panoramic practice has
truly come home.
june 2017
 The public has now moved into the private.
Pasricha, who has always used the panorama
as spectacle, now steps into the realm of the
ordinary, into the confines of the home.
The shift is remarkable, and the chipping away
of the technique in the lead up to this third
book, fascinating to observe. The stunning
but static grandiose of Monumental India
(Amits first panoramic book) gave way to a
more determined exploration of rhythm in
Sacred India (the second). But in both cases,
the subject matter was something one would
expect from a photographer who happens
to be an excellent craftsman in his use of the
technique and his delicate empathy towards
light. With India at Home, Pasricha does not
overwhelm, he observes. Instead of humbling
the viewer, he lets the viewer view the humble.
So from work that would express the grand
scale of our civilisation and the insignificance
of man, Amit Pasrichas photos, whilst still
being about big experiences, are now about
little things. About things we do not see,
because we see them all the time. As he
wanders into homes across social barriers,
june 2017
his eye wanders across each home, quietly Champaben Prajapati,
drawing our gaze to cultural motifs and Ismailpuras first
woman pradhan with
personal quirks. Objects one may not have her husband, Hargovan.
otherwise noticed. Details, that arent just Sarpanchs Home, Karan
visible because of the sheer amount of Ismailpura, Gujarat.
technical detail in the photograph, but have
actually been carefully considered, by the
photographer. A television wears a ghunghat
in one home, a cat scampers in front of a cat
poster, in another. There is art on the walls,
there is heart within.
This is India, you say to yourself, as you look
through the work, though considering the
unfathomable diversity of the country, a line
like that is almost always an overstatement.
That said, the scope of the work is undeniable.
Amit travelled to twenty states and three union
territories. From a home in far-flung Manipur,
to a restored site in Pondicherry. From the
gated community of the Jews in Fort Kochi,
to the fascinating tale of a dog lady in Delhi.
Hidden somewhere in the midst of the book
(though not in this piece), is also the Pasricha
family, cameras tumbling over each other in a
scene of chaotic celebration, inside their home.
Better PhotograPhy
 Ponnour S. It is actually a remarkable tightrope he
Gopalakrishnan, 61, a has walked, while deciding who he would
retired advocate, and visit, while curating the homes that are
his wife Kalamalini, 52,
Heritage Home, Tamil seen. The book isnt about one kind of home,
Quarter, Pondicherry. it isnt only about the tribals, or only of a
certain social class. There is ordinary, there is
extraordinary, and a lot, in between. And at
the same time, in maintaining the diversity, he
thankfully does not succumb to a quota or a
reservation system. A book like this could very
easily have gone down the path of striking
off every possible category of household.
Mercifully, Pasrichas process seems to have
been more organic, rather than a boring
typology of the Indian home.
There are times that the work comes across
as two, or perhaps, three intermingling books.
And I wasnt sure whether that enriches the
experience, or jars it. But that is perhaps the
inevitable outcome of a project that lasts ten
years. Ideas morph, demorph, remorph all the
Better PhotograPhy
time, and one can only imagine how much a
photographer tends to change over a decade,
both as a person and as practitioner.
This is where the sequencing comes to the
fore, as editor Sanjeev Saith deftly ambles
from one home to another, while playing with
a few clusters of photos that form interesting
stories amongst themselves. The story tends
to become darker, at the end of the book, and
from a journey of fascinating, of all that could
be home, I was eventually left with questions,
with emptiness, of what is home.
And that is probably what each sitter is
contemplating, while in charge of how they
want to be seen. Amit told me that each subject
was a collaborator, them choosing their own
story. Some, based on their self image, others,
on what they aspire to be, while still others,
would just be. This is where the panoramist
is also portraitist, this work, being his most
insightful scratching of social fabric.
june 2017

There is an inside joke that a friend and
I have often shared, that Amit Pasricha
wears spectacles to conceal the fact that he
probably has two GoPro cameras installed
within his eyes. It is mindboggling, and I
daresay, scary, to imagine what he actually
sees when he looks in front of him. We
all have peripheral vision, but Pasrichas
practice has now started to border on the
peripheries of the peripheral.
I mentioned the well rounded panorama
at the start of my piece, but a lot of the photos
in this book are neither sharp edged, nor
well rounded. The stitching process of a
digitally created panorama always leaves
the edges incomplete, and in keeping this
imperfection, Amit is part paying ode
to Hockney, and partly speaking of the
vagueness of what we see on the periphery.
While stretching the boundaries of space,
he is doing the same with time. A stitched
june 2017
speci a l fe at ure
57
photo is never a singular moment, and Amit
is digging deeper into that thought now, in
an ongoing work that may be his next book.
Since a subject may move across the frame
during the making of the panorama, the
photos show the same subject, repeated, thus
with the indecisiveness of several decisive
moments.
India at Home suggests the inevitability of
change and the tyranny of homogenisation,
but at the same time, it is a celebration of
diversity, that of the Indian home, as it is of
singlemindedness, that of Pasrichas craft.
It is this duality that allows the plurality of
India to shine through.
To define ones practice by his choice of
format can be a bit of a generalisation, an
unnecessary box, but with Amit Pasricha,
the panorama has been a philosophy, a box
whose boundaries he has always striven to
extend, literally and metaphorically.
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58

Krishna Gopal Das, 51,

head priest of the Sri Sri
Radhakant Math
Gambhira in Balisahi,
Puri, pictured here in the
library of the math.

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The word panorama literally means

an unbroken view of the whole region
surrounding an observer. That feeling of
capturing something or someone within
that universe, within their own internal
universe gets the chronicler within
me excited.

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speci a l fe at ure

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(left) Manijha Parvez

Panthaki, 78, enjoys
the pleasure of a late
morning visit by her
older brother Barabsha
N. Govadia, 82. Old Parsi
home, Nargol, Gujarat.
(right) Bharat Kamalia
with his puppy Bruno,
Portugese villa, Diu.

Yael Hallegua, 44, the

youngest Sephardic Jew
in India. Jewish Home,
Mattancherry, Kerala

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Sardar family in their

century old mansion,
Sukhtara. Bonedi Bari,
Kolkata, West Bengal

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In this world of visual bombardment,

your insights need to come from your
insides. Anything on the outside is noise,
and that will hinder you from discovering,
and listening to your own voice. For only
when you embrace your larger vision of the
world, will that vision embrace you as well.

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With panoramas, I tend to think,

that if I show the completeness of our
world, another, and a more deeper
meaning, would automatically, emerge.
A meaning that encompasses a complex
mix of emotions we humans have.
Indescribable, and yet, profound.

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Khochi Sounai, a
village elder in a Poumai
Naga Dwelling, Liyai
Khullen, Manipur.

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66

(right) Gujarati
artist Amit Ambalal
in his home studio
with his wife Raksha.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
(top left) Sri Mahendra
Shah, 71, with his
daughter in law, Aditi.
Haveli, Benaras, UP.
(top right)
Maharajkumar
Ashwini Pratap Deo
in the drawing room
of his palace in
Kanker, Chhatisgarh.

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67

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A dystopian scene of
homes slashed in half
by the giant machine
of the State. Chennai,
Tamil Nadu.

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 SPeCI a L Fe at ure

Amit Pasricha was born in a family of photographers. After imbibing qualities from his grandfather and father, he carved his own path, in terms of how he makes the
viewer experience the final image. This panoramists books are grand and ambitious, and his photographs are characterised by the use of storytelling motifs.

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70

Vistas of Shared Lives

Prashant Panjiars Pan India is a comment on how we coexist in our
spaces. Natasha Desai explores the roots and the deeper intention
behind his sweeping, layered panoramic imagery.

W
hen Prashant Panjiar put
together an exhibition in
2009, Sanjeev Saith, the
curator wrote a few lines for
the panoramas of Pan India.
...There are tongues in trees, books in rocks,
sermons in steel.
Bond of sand and cement
A handshake between humans for better or for
worse, to those do we belong.
We learn that men live together,
Whether they live together or apart
This is how we live.
This is who we are. This is who I am.
This excerpt from the prose, stayed with
me for a while, as I traversed through the
array of vistas from a developing India.
Panjiars photographs deal with a rather
common subject, India, in the early 2000s,
an India that was making a frenzied dash
towards development, constructing
gargantuan structures and improving
access and national connectivity.
While this momentum gathered pace,
the other India, the India that was always
there, found itself jostling for space with
a new shiny India that was setting out to
face the world.

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Except, Panjiars work is not about the
stark differences or the polarising face of
India. The diptychs in Pan India take you on
a journey of how we live, where we live and
how we share our spaces. Carrying forward
from the theme of his earlier work King,
Commoner, Citizen was that our existence is
more entwined than we realise. Where we
look for distinction, we only end up
finding blurred lines. Where we look
for the familiar sights of juxtapositions
and opposites, we only find the idea of
how alike we are. Panjiar invites, you, the
viewer to step into a world more familiar
than you think it is.
The last diptych in this story, for
instance, is a classic example of the two
sides of India. The caked walls of a house
from the interiors of Rajasthan dominate
much of the frame and a soft shadow
makes its presence felt, while a woman
carries on with her work. In the image
below it, Mumbais skyline punctuates a
glorious sunset as seen from an upcoming
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71
Kanpur, Uttar
sky scraper. But, then as one looks at these
Pradesh, 2006.
images closely, the textures on the walls,
the lines, the shapes, the idea that the
structures in both images are inhabited
by Indians, a sun that bathes both scenes
with light, all these similarities begin to
take shape. By no length are these simple
comparisons to mean that we are all
equals. Instead, Panjiar wants us to absorb
and accept the similarities, and in doing so,
he hopes to change how people view the
situation around them.
When you look at certain images,
though, his enjoyment at the physical act
of shooting, is palpable. Panjiar enjoys the
chaos of wires, with lines going everywhere
and sometimes right through his images.
With diptychs, the complimentary visuals
come together poetically.
Pan India may have evolved into
a comment on the changing visual
landscape of India. It, however, came
out of something entirely different and
simple...boredom. At the turn of the
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72

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73

On the left
Top: Morigaon,
Assam, 2007
Bottom: New Delhi, 2007
On the right
Top: Kolkata, 2007 On the following page
Bottom: Gokam, Left: Mumbai 2008, Haji
Karnataka, 2003. Nazir Ahmed, his wife
Nubat Bi and their 39
member family in the
Madanpura slum.
Top: Pune, Maharashtra
2008, daughters of
Suresh Lonkar, the
traditional nagada
(drum) player in the
nagadakhana (drum
house), that also serves
as their living room.
Middle: Delhi, 2008;
Tsering Wangmo with her
daughter and nephew,
in the cho-khang (altar
room), which also
doubles up as the living
room and grandmothers
bedroom, in their home
in Majnu-ka-Tila,
the Tibetan refugee
resettlement colony.
Bottom: Chaibasa,
Jharkhand, 2007; the Sao
Gurgaon, family in the living room
Haryana, 2005. of their new mansion.

june 2017 Better photography

century, Prashant found himself frustrated
with his work. And, as he is likely to do
every few years, he changed the format he
was using, hoping to inject new life into
his work. A seasoned photojournalist who
shot on 35mm, usually with a wide-angle,
found himself handling a Hasselblad
X-Pan. A panoramic camera that offered
18 exposures, he used it with a normal
lens. Armed with a different tool to look
at the world, he set out to photograph...
nothing, and yet, everything. I would
shoot pictures on film, process, cut the
ones I liked and put them away. This went
on for around 4-5 years. I would shoot
while on assignment, or while travelling
or sometimes, just like that. I would shoot
whatever caught my eye, like wires and
things in the sky. I enjoy these lines and
ladder and things going haywire, I like the
confusion of things, I find beauty in that.
As his images piled up, Panjiar continued
shooting. The panoramic format allowed
him to slow down and be careful of how
he framed what he saw, while also giving
him solace from the fast paced world of
photojournalism that he inhabited.
It was somewhere in 2005-06 that he
revisited all his work, looking for answers
yet again, and noticed a vein forming
through these photographs. Even though
he had begun shooting in 2000-01, he
continued to do so until 2009, until
Sanjeev Saith curated a solo exhibition
of his. From the naming of Pan India, five
years after he began shooting, to the final
exhibits, Panjiar was also consciously
shooting inside peoples homes. When we
looked at the work, we realised it was
necessary for me to go inside the homes
of people and see how they actually lived.
And thats why, theres such a wide array of
families. I wanted to show opulence and
slums, as well as everything in between.
I wanted to show how people inhabit their
spaces with a certain amount of pride.
Wanting to represent people adequately,
is something that Panjiar has always
maintained is extremely important.
Portraiture is always difficult. Its a
negotiation. When I enter a home, I usually
look for the best light to shoot the portraits
in. Theres suggestion from my part (to the
subject), but, I also let things just...happen.
I let people direct me to quite an extent.
Better PhotograPhy june 2017
 Top: Jamshedpur,
Almost 8 years after the work first came out,
Jharkhand, 2008.
I find myself realising how relevant it is even Bottom: Gurgaon,
today. India shows no signs of slowing down Haryana, 2008.
development, but what is it leaving behind?
The beauty of working on things that you
like... that evolve out of what you consider your
own, is that they almost become eternal. A class
divided society in which people can be divided
in their own space, whether theyre kings or
commoners. It is an eternal idea. A changing
habitat and how people live, is an eternal thing.
I always let these things happen from inside.
Panjiar was not looking to define India as a
whole. All he wanted to show us, is...us.
I carved the earth, I made that fence, I marked the land.
I am the gate, I am the lock, I am the wire.
I raised those walls, I built those flats, I sold those
dreams.
I am the brick, I am cement, I am the ladder.
I painted that house, I bought that TV, I lit that lamp.
Thats my Shergill,
Thats my cycle,
Thats my cow,
I mutilated that tree, I widened that road, I demolished
that shanty.
Thats my hammer, thats my greed, thats my future.
Thats me. I am that.

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78

Mumbai, 2008.

Mumbai, 2008.
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On the following page,

from L-R:
Mumbai 2008: The Ansari
family in their one-
room home in the
Dharavi slum;
New Delhi, 2006;
Kolkata, 2007;
Ahmedabad, Gujarat,
2008: Saiba Bibi in her
home in Jilaiwada, on the 79
border of the Hindu-
Muslim localities, in the
(then) riot-torn city.

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Top: Kodaikanal,
Tamil Nadu, 2003
Bottom: Kanpur,
Uttar Pradesh, 2006

82

With the inequalities

in this country, there
is an urgent need to
bridge the divide.
While that takes
time, it is in changing
perception that
photography, art,
literature comes in.
Maybe...we can get
people to start seeing
each other differently.
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83

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84

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85

Top: Tonk,
Rajasthan, 2001
Bottom: Mumbai, 2006.

Prashant Panjiar is one of Indias most celebrated photojournalists. Along with Dinesh Khanna, he is one of the cofounders of the Nazar Foundation and Delhi Photo
Festival, Indias first photography festival. He has also served as a jury member of the World Press Photo Awards. You can view his work at www.livewireimages.com

june 2017 Better photography


(18371921)
John Thomson
Conchita Fernandes stumbles upon the pioneering work of John Thomson,
as she discovers his rich photographic portraits of Asia and England.
H
ave you ever wondered what was
the earliest street photograph and
when it was made? The image,
or rather the daguerreotype, is
an important one, as it was the
first to have a human figure in it. It was a
scene captured by Louis Daguerre from
outside the window of his studio in Paris, in
1838. This was 179 years ago, at a time when
London Nomads from
Street Life in London.
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g r e at m ast e rs
the term street photography did not even
exist. In all probability, the style came into
being and became one of the most popular
and practised genres of photography,
after Brassa and Henri Cartier-Bresson
popularised it through their photographs.
However, Bresson came only much later...
in the 20th century. Preceding him were A Manchu Lady and
quite a few photographers who may not Her Maid.
87
All photographs courtesy LSE Digital Library & Wellcome Library
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 gr e at master s
88
Yongquan Monastery, have made the kind of street imagery that
Buddhist Priests. weve come to associate with the genre today.
Yet, they created extensive documentations
of the cities they resided in, or the countries
they travelled to. One of the earliest street
photography pioneers was John Thomson,
who in the 1860s journeyed across Eastern
Asia, meticulously documenting its people
and culture.
The Start of His Journey
Thomson was not roused by any particular
need or purpose to set forth towards
Asia. But after a brief education and
Better PhotograPhy
apprenticeship stint in Edinburgh, he set
out for Singapore in 1862, where he joined
his older brother William, who was a
watchmaker and a photographer. The two
began a business of making chronometers
and optical and nautical instruments. It was
for work that Thomson had a chance to
travel a little around Singapore, where his
eyes immediately fell upon the scenic rural
villages and cities. The more he saw, the
more interest he took in photographing
people in their daily activities. Finally, in
1865, he sold his business to begin a nearly
decade-long journey across Asia.
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Weaving a Narrative into His Imagery
Photography was still in its infancy when
Thomson began his career. He made use
of the wet collodion process to make his
pictures. The exposure was made onto
a glass negative in absolute darkness.
This meant that he had to travel with a
portable darkroom tent, along with a large
number of negatives and chemicals to
facilitate the process. Although it limited
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what he could photographlandscapes,
architecture and portraitsThomson was
not deterred by the long, slow process.
In fact, it gave him a chance to slow down,
and interact with the locals, since he had to
request them to sit still for the photograph.
By doing so, he was able to piece together a
detailed account of the places he visited.
His photographs, ften, were accompanied Manchu Bride, Peking,
by long, detailed captions. They were Penchilie Province, China.
89
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90

Clockwise: The written in a manner to not just provide
Independent Shoe factual information to the viewer. It was
Black; Covent Garden
the essence of the place that he wanted to
Labourers; Old Furniture
and Halpenny Ices. weave through the text accompanying the
photographs, which he successfully did
through the several books that he published
during his lifetime... The Antiquities of
Cambodia (1867), Foochow and the River Min
(1873) and the exhaustive Illustrations of China
and its People (187374), amongst others.

Better PhotograPhy june 2017

Hookey Alf of
Whitechapel.
 gre at master s

It is now
necessary to
explain at once
the value and the
danger of light
in photography.
The image must,
so to speak, be
imprisoned in the
dark chamber
before it can be
caught on the
sensitive plate.
The admission
of a single ray
of daylight other
than the rays
composing the
image would
prove fatal to
92
the operation...
for the same
reason the
plate must be
manipulated
in darkness
throughout, or
in a light such as
shall not affect
its action.

Siamese Priest and

Royal Pupil.

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93

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 gre at master s
94
Macao, China. With regards to the book on China, he said,
My design in the accompanying work is
to present a series of pictures of China and
its people, such as shall convey an accurate
impression of the country I traversed as well
as of the arts, usages and manners which
prevail in different provinces of the Empire.
Better PhotograPhy
With this intention, I made the camera the
constant companion of my wanderings
I feel somewhat sanguine about the success
of the undertaking, and I hope to see the
process which I have thus applied adopted
by other travelers; for the faithfulness of
such pictures affords the nearest approach
june 2017

that can be made towards placing the
reader actually before the scene which
is represented.
The Meticulousness of His Imagery
Thomson was also very particular about
how he photographed and presented his
images. He was keen on giving his viewers
the same visual experience as he had
while traversing through the various cities
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g r e at m ast e rs
and towns that he visited. And so, he paid
special attention to how he cropped his
photographs... whether a vertical crop of a
winding street in a marketplace was a better
option to lead the viewers into following
the lone subject walking away from the
photograph. Or, how he printed some of
his pictures as ovals to draw attention to the
subject in the middle. Or for that matter, Pailou at Dagao Hall,
how he would wait patiently for certain Beijing, China.
95
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 gre at master s

elements in the scene to come together and

only then would he compose the shot.

Managing the Business Side of Things

The travelling and photography did not
however diminish Thompsons business
sense. With curiosity and interest pooling
in from back home, he knew exactly how to
turn his photography into a business. By the
late 1860s, he had set up a commercial
photography studio in Hong Kong that
catered to the large population of foreign
residents and tourists. He made carte de
visites and sold individual prints in various
sizes and formats, as well as albums focusing
on specific themes for those interested in
learning more about the countrys culture.

What Hell be Remembered for...

By this time Thomson was married and
even had a child, and by 1872, he decided to
finally head back to England for good. But he
was yet to retire from photography. Now he
focused his attention on documenting the
96 grim realities of the poor. It was around this
time that the repercussions of the industrial
revolution became painfully evident.
The class divide in the country was striking
and the level of unemployment was at an
all-time high. But Thomson realised that his
photographs alone would not be enough
to bring attention to the plight of the poor.
And so, he approached a radical journalist
by the name of Adolphe Smith, who would
interview the people he photographed.
These stories and pictures culminated into
what became the widely popular book Street
Life in London (187677).
Towards the end of his career, Thomson
took on new roles as a photographer.
In 1881, he was appointed as a photographer
to the British Royal Family, and even became
an instructor for the explorers at the Royal
Geographic Society. But his greatest works
came from the extensive portraits that he
had made earlier in his career. The beauty
in them lay in the fact that his photographs
had no ulterior motive. Right to the absolute
end, he was driven by an insatiable interest
and curiosity for communities that he
knew very little of. His photographs speak
of the utmost respect and sensitivity that
he projected towards his subjects and
surroundings. And that is a rare quality,
unseen in the photographers of his time.

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 g r e at m aster s

John Thomson
was a true
pioneering visual
anthropologist...
For him to have
travelled that
sort of distance
at that time
is an amazing
achievement
in itself, let
alone when
you consider
he would have
had all sorts
of camera
equipment and
chemicals with
him. He would
have had none 97
of the travel
luxuries we
have today.
Richard
Fattorini,
Sothebys books
and manuscripts
specialist.

Siam, Thailand.

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 Photo
FeAture

Taha Ahmad
A Wilting Craft
In his hometown of Lucknow, Taha Ahmad makes a compelling story
about the artisans practising mukaish work in dwindling numbers.
is a documentary

P
photographer based
in Delhi, who feels laying in the narrow lanes of
photography has a Old Lucknow as a child, I was
strong influence in no stranger to the karkhanas or
creating and developing warehouses where artisans would
discourse for the future. practice mukaish work. An elaborate
Currently, Taha is embroidery form, it arrived in Lucknow
pursuing his Masters in
centuries ago, and was made with gold
Fine Arts from Jamia
and silver threads for the ruling classes.
Milllia Islamia and is
being mentored by Delhi The craftsmen or badlas, would weave and
based photographer, twist the metallic threads through the cloth
Sandeep Biswas. to create intricate designs. Over time, other
famous crafts of Lucknow, like chikankari
spread far and wide, but mukaish was
relegated to the narrow gallis of the city, the
badlas waning in numbers.
Through my photographs, I am trying
to tell the story of these artisansthe
story of their struggle, survival and
downfall. Incredibly demanding and
labour intensive, the art form is dying in Ruqsana, peeps from
behind a mukaish work
Lucknow. Where the city once flourished fabric hung in the yard
with over 3000 excellent craftsmen, there of her house. Her sister
are only about 20-25 left, all of them aged Farheen, inspects a
mark on a dress that
65 and above. The badlas and their families
was caused by ink
work in warehouses that are small, dingy powder, used during the
claustrophobic spaces. printing process.

98 Eight-year-old
Ruqsana, shows the
intricate mukaish
embroidery that
she crafted in her
family workshop, in
Deorhi Agha Meer,
Old Lucknow.

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 99

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100

Zeenat unfolds the

mukaish work fabric
made of actual gold and
silver wires, kept as an
archive of the royal craft.

The badlas are

Muslims of the
Hussainabad and
Sa-adatganj area of Old
Luknow. Every morning,
they recite verses
from the Quran before
beginning their work.

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 P h o t o F e at u r e

Gaining the trust of the artisans to government and the production owners. Farheen wears a real
allow me to photograph them was a This made them wary of an outsider silver mukaish work
A dress with mukaish complicated process. They were disturbed trying to photograph them. The women dupatta made by her
work being inspected. father, who is a
and angry because of the apathy of the were sceptical too, as they were veiled 65-year-old artisan.
101

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 Children and and uncomfortable with the camera. But I This project was initiated under the aegis of 103
grandchildren of one of persisted and over two weeks I was able the Neel Dongre Awards/Grants for Excellence
the badlas straighten
a fabric after it to get them to open up their lives to me. in Photography 2016-17. The theme was Life as
was washed. Its been over 9 months and I still go back Beauty: The Vanishing Crafts of India and the Zeenat wears a
mukaish work dress
to shoot the badlas and their community, awards organised by the India Photo Archive
crafted in the 18th
hoping to cast a light on their plight. Foundation, under the guidance of Parthiv Shah century, a time when
As told to Natasha Desai and Aditya Arya. Nawabs ruled the land.

Top: Young family

members of a badla
fold the cloth after
ironing, which will later
be packaged.
2nd Row (L-R): The wife
of a badla practises
takaayi, an embroidery
technique in the mukaish
work, in her spare time;
The last remaining
craftsmen are seen in
their workshop.
3rd Row (L-R):
Two woman observe
Mr. Bobby, owner of the
Sa-datganj workshop,
as he inspects the
quality of a finished
fabric; Badlas show
the handmade paper
designs which were used
for the reference at
the defunct Chowdhary
Garaiyya Workshop in
Old Lucknow.

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146

Oh, the humanity!

Photograph by:
Gus Pasquarella

T
Image Source: he day was May 7, 1936 and onlookers were mesmerised by the horrific scene
Wikimedia Commons that unfolded in front of them. The largest untethered airship, the LZ 129
Written by: Hindenburg, began its journey from Frankfurt, Germany, but exploded into
Natasha Desai
flames and crashed to the ground, moments before it was due to land at the
Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, USA. 36 people died while 67
survived the crash. Several people were seen jumping to their deaths, while many more
waited and managed to jump to safety after the ship descended further.
This image by Gus Pasquarella, captures the split second after the ship exploded.
He was at the site along with other local photographers and newsreel men.
Radio announcer Herbert Morrison, who was covering the event, sobbed as he
announced the ship bursting into flames uttering, Oh, the humanity and all the
passengers screaming around here! This was the first time all three non-print media
recorded a tragedy of such scale, together. The Hindenburg disaster as it came to be
known, remains one of the most tragic aviation disasters, and ended the era of airships.
It effectively shattered public faith in transatlantic airship travel.

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