Clicks for a change

Behind the lens

Photography, once an add-on to privilege, was a safehold for memories long gone. But as times changed, so did the face of clicking pictures.

   No longer confined to the hands of professionals and masters, it has become a tool to instigate change. More and more youngsters are taking to photography as a passion and to bring about a change.

Jeffery Dev, a professional photographer, says, “Since childhood, I have been interested in taking photos. It’s my passion in a way that I can’t put into words. It’s a very prominent field for youngsters in terms of a profession. In India, the sale of cameras has gone up by 50 per cent; this only shows the number of people interested in this field. With the rise of social media, it’s the perfect platform to showcase your talent and do your duty as a citizen. We come across so many mishaps in our daily lives that others are unaware of. Such events come into the spotlight because of the photos taken by bystanders.”

He adds that through photos, one can weave a story that is heart-touching. “I have come across many photos on social media sites that convey a social message. I truly believe that through photos, we can bring about a change.”

As photography is no longer restricted to just professionals, students are using it as a way to put forward their point of view. And some of these photos explain a story better than words. “I took up photography because it’s more than just capturing beautiful moments. One can document important events — stories of poverty, exploitation and discrimination become common knowledge through one click. A recent example is the photograph of the Syrian boy washed ashore by the waves.

It was a click that created waves of sorrow all around the world. I believe that photography can be a powerful agent of change,” says Anmi Elizabeth Sabu, a student of media studies.

Bheema Rao, another student, says, “I got into this field because taking photos is a liberating experience. When you see the world through the lens, your perspective changes. You shoot so many moments that you didn’t even plan on capturing. My camera is always with me and I capture anything that attracts my eyes. If you have complete passion for this field, you should take it up but don’t divert your mind from it later.”

Although he realised the role social media plays in creating this change, he adds that it is not enough. “Through social media, change can happen but only to a certain extent as everyone is not online.”