Lensman with a magic 'I'

Famous for his World Press Picture of the Year for the iconic image of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, Pablo Bartholomew is a self-taught photographer. Inspired by his well-known photographer dad Richard Bartholomew, Pablo chose to be a photographer.

“You can say its a family influence. I am from a intellectual family which is actively involved in the world of arts, painting and theatre. I was brought up in an environment which was culturally rich. Plus, there was a darkroom at home to experiment and work in. When I left school in early teens, photography was my way out.”  

Was his father his teacher too? “I would not say that my father was my teacher but a quiet guide. So while he was the one who showed the way, one learned by observation, often by what he did. The rest were efforts of practice and learning by trial and error.”

Pablo believes that his love for photography was born during his years as an amateur. He wasn’t a professional granted assignments during this period but worked because of his passion.

His first trip to China came in 1987 where he had gone on assignment for ‘Time -Life’ to capture images for a book on South China cuisine.

He traveled up the coast from Canton to Shanghai “photographing cities, markets, homes, farms, villages and the way they grew, cultivated cooked and ate their food.”

Unlike some families where boys are usually considered mama’s boys, Pablo was held in deeper affection by his father.  Today, he is reciprocating that affection by editing a book on his father’s writings.

“I am editing my father writings on Indian Art, penned between 1950s until the 80s. It is called ‘Richard Bartholomew - The Art Critic’ and I hope to have it released this April. This is an important document about the birth of Modern Indian Art and needs to be brought out now. It is also a tribute to his life and commitment to his work.”

Awarded the World Press Award for his picture of a child’s face staring out from amidst the rubble taken during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, Pablo has evinced interest in returning to Bhopal once more. “When the time is right… I may go back to work there and see what the situation is like.”

Winner of several prestigious national and international awards, including Press Institute of India’s Best Young Photographer (1975); World Press Award: Best Picture Story, 1976 on ‘Morphine Addicts in India’; Picture of the Year, 1985 for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy; Pablo, also a Fellow with the Asian Cultural Council, New York is today passing on his learnings of the field to young, budding photographers. “After 20 years I still work as a photojournalist for the international press and I am having a nice time in this field.”

Pablo’s latest ongoing exhibition ‘Chronicles of a Past Life: ’70s & ’80s - Bombay’ is being held at Photoink Gallery, Karol Bagh. There are over 102 black and white works are on display. It is said that Delhiites rarely appreciate art.  Since his exhibitions have travelled the world, what is the difference between the Delhi visitors and visitors elsewhere? “Anywhere is good or bad. The question is whether people can read photographs. It does not have to do with sophistication but feeling and how people engage with the work. The problem is that there are very few places where people can actually engage with photography.”