Seshu | Editor & Publisher, Author at Tiffinbox

She shoots, she teaches, you score!

November 5, 2003 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher Leave a Comment

Who is SHE? She is Ami Vitale, one of my favorite photojournalists who currently works out of India. If you haven't seen her work online – RUN and check it out here. The images will inspire you and the Flash-based presentation will wow you. It's clean, simple, elegant and amazing.

Ami is internationally recognized for her documentary work. The National Press Photographers Association recently awarded her the much acclaimed Magazine Photographer of the Year title. At the recent PhotoPlusExpo in New York City, the World Press Photo folks had assembled her winning portfolio of images from Gujarat (after the riots). With her permission, I'll try and post those images here. She is also Canon's 2003 Female Photographer of the Year.

Meanwhile, here is your chance to learn from this young master of photography! Leslie Scott Photography and Tours is offering a special workshop with Ami from January 31 to February 14, 2004. The workshop will take place in Rajasthan. Again, I wish I could go. But if any of you do make it there, do send me a report at: tiffinbox[at]pipalproductions[dot]com.

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Huey’s Laws

November 5, 2003 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher 2 Comments

How many of us have whined about lacking new equipment (like that's going to make us the next Cartier-Bresson!)? Are we not wide-eyed and get utterly silly when we see the latest and greatest in trade shows like PhotoPlusExpo? Yes, we all drool and we do tend to get quickly flustered don't we?

Shedding gear is quite frankly, liberating. I try and do it on assignments from time to time. I photographed a desi singles event about a week ago and took with me just one camera body, a lens and a flash (knowing that I may need to use it in dim lighting). It worked. I couldn't have used my longer lenses (even though they are fast at f/2.8). Simplifying what we use can better help us focus on what's in front of the camera, our subjects.

Aaron Huey, a photographer, echoes the sentiments expressed to me a while back by a New York Times photo editor – “Go Simple. Go Wide. Go Deep.” Try his technique and let me know how your experiment panned out. If many of you wish to post your images here on TiffinBox, I would be happy to create a photo album. Email me your thoughts at: tiffinbox[at]pipalproductions[dot]com.

Deleting graffiti

November 1, 2003 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher 2 Comments

I have seen a whole lot of graffiti that is plain UGLY. Yes, that's a subjective assessment but I reserve the right to comment on anything, so why should this stop me?

And, then again, I have seen murals on city walls that are absolutely fantastic! I can think of murals in Berkeley, California and Los Angeles that are quite clearly a focal point for the community. The artwork depicts either the community's history, a sense of pride in their leaders or just a beautiful sunrise.

Mexican scientists have apparently found a way to discourage artists from expressing themselves. What's wrong about this is that it lumps together artists with gang-bangers, who post their nonsensical signs willy-nilly just to warn their enemies off of “their” turf. It makes it impossible for artists commissioned or voluntarily charged to create works of art in a community space for all to share and appreciate. I think this is plain wrong!

I know Diego Rivera, Mexican's foremost muralist, must be rolling in his grave.

Economist.com | Deleting graffiti

2 Exhibits, 1 Venue: Review in the NYT

October 31, 2003 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher Leave a Comment

Via John Laxmi, the NY Times review of two photo exhibitions based on India, at Yale University.

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Across the Pond

October 30, 2003 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher Leave a Comment

Holdthefrontpage reports that the British Press Photographers Association's web site is getting an unusually high number of visitors. Check them out to see what all the buzz is about.