Question

Read the article that appeared in the national daily.

JUST A CLICK AWAY! Ace fashion and celebrity photographer, Anil Soman shares his success mantra. Excerpts from an interview… ON DISCOVERING HIS PASSION: I loved gadgets since childhood, especially the camera. I enjoyed carrying a camera to school picnics and clicking lots of pictures. Gradually, my passion for photography developed and intensified. HEADSTART INTO PHOTOGRAPHY: I bought a semi-professional camera when I was in class X. I began reading a learner’s guide to photography to understand the basics of shutter speed aperture etc. Once I completed class XII, I decided to pursue my graduation through correspondence so that I could focus on photography full time. It was an experimental endeavor for me as photography was not appreciated as a mainstream career choice in those days. I was 16 years old when I began assisting a professional photographer to puruse my dream, I took training for four years until I started practising on my own. FROM BASIC TO PROFESSIONAL KNOW-HOW: While training under someone, you cannot expect to be taught every minute detail. Know the basics in advance. Self-study is very important. I didn’t join any photography school. Keep a camera handy while reading on photography. I used to do my homework by reading a lot of books to know technical terminology and camera parts, before heading to my guide. Books like Michael Freeman’s The Photographer’s Eye, The Photographer’s Mind and international magazines like American Photo, Popular Photography are very helpful to hone one’s photography skills. ON OPTING FOR THE UNCONVENTIONAL: It is important to have faith in yourself, especially if you are trying something unconventional. I took a bold step by choosing photography as my career 25 years ago, when it was very difficult to set up my own studio and buy expensive camera equipment. But things fall in place if you are good at your work and keen to learn too. Don’t be afraid to face challenges. Read, explore, improvise and evolve. Attending a professional photography school helps but it is not mandatory. Self-help is the best way to excel. Don’t choose photography as a career for the sake of money/glamour. Enjoy the art and take it up as a profession only if it goes beyond the framework of a mere job for you. It should be your passion. You can’t afford to stagnate. Compete with yourself. Learn as much as you can. Keep a camera handy while reading about the basics of camera and photography. Practise a lot to polish your skills at still - photography. Remember that self-study is the key to success. Read a lot, explore and improvise. I feel that attending a professional photography school helps but it is not mandatory. Self-help is the best way to excel. Hard work pays if you pursue your goal with zeal and vigour.

Answer 1

Do it yourself.