Naina Redhu : Blog » portrait http://nainaredhu.com/blog Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:55:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 How to become a photographer… http://nainaredhu.com/blog/2009/01/01/how-to-become-a-photographer/ http://nainaredhu.com/blog/2009/01/01/how-to-become-a-photographer/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:50:55 +0000 Naina Redhu http://nainaredhu.com/blog/?p=54 Shoot. Photoshop. Shoot. Network. Shoot. Talk. Shoot. Smile. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot. Shoot.


That’s me in the mirror with my Fuji SLR film camera. I’ve used it for two commercial shoots.

  • When you’re starting and have no experience doing a commercial shoot, don’t diss another photographers work in THEIR face.
  • You don’t ever have ‘nothing’ in your portfolio. No commercial shoot? No trouble. Ask someone getting married if you can shoot their wedding. Ask someone who has a pretty house if you can spend eight hours shooting their living quarters – don’t forget to spend time first observing the place. Ask. Ask. Ask. The worst that will happen is that they will say ‘No’.
  • Photographers had their own darkrooms earlier, they used film and they were good with their art. You have the advantage of technology. You don’t need to invest in rolls of film or developing and printing costs anymore. You don’t need physical space for a darkroom. You do need to have the ‘eye’ for good composition & color. You do need to be more observant and you can carry your camera with you all the time.
  • Equipment DOES matter but only when you’re shooting for an advertorial that will finally be put up on a billboard or hoarding. If you’re starting out and investing in equipment, you’re wasting your money.
  • Don’t be a prick with all the supposed ‘attitude’ and arrogance. Be nice.
  • If you like the way something or someone looks, shoot. Wherever possible, ask for permission – nicely.


    • That’s me taking a break while shooting an Annual Conference for ICICI at Kumarakom, Kerala. On a boat in Lake Vembanad.

    You can learn most of the technicalities involved in photography, but you can’t learn the art in it [ that's my personal opinion ]. You can’t learn how to breathe soul into a photograph. If the capture is no good, Photoshop isn’t going to save the photograph. And once you do get that commercial shoot and that first client who trusts you as a photographer, shoot. Industrial shoots where you’re shooting a factory floor, advertorials where you might be required to shoot a model or a spread for a magazine, food photography, portraits, being a wedding photographer – find what makes you passionate and focus – but don’t stop shooting everything else – the insights or ideas you sometimes get while shooting your least favorite setup can give you brilliant openings in your favorite setup. Shoot personal projects. Photograph your friends. Shooting flowers doesn’t mean you’re a sissy photographer – take what you get and make an opportunity out of it.

    And I’m one more day closer to getting my Nikon D90 in my hands. Thanks Jaideep!

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