Photography gains popularity among city youth

JAIPUR: In a visual-driven world, photography holds exciting career prospects for those-who wish to follow a career other than academics. In the past five years, the city has witnessed a rise in the number of youths who are opting for photography as a viable profession.
"These days Indian photographers have global prospects, many of our seniors have exhibited their work in international art galleries.This has motivated students like us to take up photography as a career," says Shine Bhola, a Jaipurite, who is pursuing an advanced PG course in photography design at National Institute of Design. A student of architecture at MNIT, Shine later realised photography as the call of his life.
The advent of digital camera and the awareness generated by the Internet on the possibilities of photography are some of the main reasons for the growing popularity of the subject.
"Earlier, a good technical knowledge about the operations of a camera was important, but digital cameras have made photography simple, and within the reach of the average individual," says Delhi-based Mayank Bhatnagar, graphic designer and photographer.
Internet is also providing online opportunities to amateurs to display their work and attract local as well as international buyers. "Stock photography is the buzzword for many youngsters who first start as amateurs and later take up professional photography. Many sites allow them to put up their photographs for sale," says Bhatnagar. Apart from fashion, the state with its rich architecture as well wildlife, offers immense potential to youngsters venturing in areas such as travel and wildlife photography.
"Many young professionals, especially those in advertising and designing, too, are taking up professional photography. It helps them cover various aspects of their project almost single-handedly," says Umesh Gogna, an advertising professional as well as commercial photographer.
While business prospects remain one of the primary considerations for the Gen-Next, the passion for art also steers many to take up photography. "I never left my job as an architect, but I felt photography is what I would want to do my entire life," says Shine Bhola.
"In the past two years, I have seen youngsters coming to this field, not for money but for their love of the art form," says Sanjay Goswami, a fashion photographer.
As Mahesh Swami, a photographer and a faculty member at MNIT, puts it, "I teach photography to architecture students, because to artists the camera provides them a different vision and develop their sensitivity to their surroundings."