Decades ago, people were shy to stand in front of the camera. But now, attitudes have changed. There are no better 'posers' for the camera than our great 'netas'. They are so fond of 'posing' that they invariably look into the camera in the most artificial manner one can get to see. Keenness to show their faces for the picture seems to be more important than the purpose of their presence on stage. Not for nothing our 'netas' are staple food of cartoonists! A silly picture had appeared sometime back of some of our netas 'inaugurating' the city-cleaning drive. Lo, they were not sweeping, but standing one beside the other, brooms in thier hands. [nobody knows how many sweeping strokes they made!]
Some years back, I was at the 'receiving end' on one occasion. The prize was handed to me by the chief guest. Being not a neta, the hand-over happened naturally, which took the photographer unawares. He must have been unready for the natural event! Or his angle was unsuitable for it I don't know. But the event of handing over the prize was re-done on demand for the sake of the picture which made everyone laugh. The final (funny) picture shows both of us smiling and the ones in the background, laughing, looking at the camera. In the confusion, the chief-guest's hand was holding my hand at the wrong place and the prize had come in the way! And we both knew the funny thing!!
I wonder when our netas and the photographers (on such occasions) learn to give weightage to naturality! How I wish most of the photographers said " you carry on, I'll take pictures"!
Here are two nice examples from my collection: This is from Sport & Pastime magazine. The Prime Minister is presenting the trophy and the actual event is frozen! No drama here! All real and "real time"!
Another example from my album shows my grandfather accepting his trophy in Golf from His Highness The Maharaja of Mysore Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar at the Mysore Sports Club, in the early 1960s. Farrokh Irani applauds. This unknown photographer has captured this moment nicely!
Here are two nice examples from my collection: This is from Sport & Pastime magazine. The Prime Minister is presenting the trophy and the actual event is frozen! No drama here! All real and "real time"!
Another example from my album shows my grandfather accepting his trophy in Golf from His Highness The Maharaja of Mysore Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar at the Mysore Sports Club, in the early 1960s. Farrokh Irani applauds. This unknown photographer has captured this moment nicely!
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