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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/betterphotoIs Periodical Servicing Good?
My camera is about to come to the end of
its warranty term. Should I get it serviced?
Do I need to do this regularly?
Srijith Phillip, Bengaluru, via emailIf you are the sort of photographer who does not
mind braving some dirt or rain on your gear to get
the shot, then your cameras and lenses probably
could use a trip to the service centre at this point.
Even if you are a careful photographer, check
your lenses for fungus on the elements, and dust
on the sensor. If you think there is grime, dust and
fungus within your gear, or if there are buttons
getting stuck or malfunctioning components,
getting your gear serviced would certainly
be beneficial.
However, if your gear does not need cleaning
or servicing, the general adage holds true—if it is
not broken, don’t repair it.What do I do with Old Gear?
I have a number of old cameras and film
holders that have been handed down by my
grandfather. Obviously, there is a certain
sense of attachment, but what do I do with
them eventually? How do I maintain them?
Advaitya Sharma, Bengaluru, via emailOld equipment can be sturdy and delicate at
the same time. You need to keep them away
from dust and moisture, and clean them once
in a while. The most delicate parts of a camera
are the leather trims and bellows, the rubber
hoods and gaskets (which dry out, come apart
or crack), and any exposed mechanical moving
parts. Be very gentle with old gear. Never force
a lever or a button if it appears stuck, because
you can cause permanent, irreparable damage.
Try loosening stuck parts by using a blower
bulb and thicker sable hair brushes wih shorter
bristles to get rid of particulate dirt, and byFlash Guide Number?
The guide number is the
product of the maximum
flash-to-subject distance
(in feet or metres, and for
a specific flash head zoom
setting), and the f-number
of the aperture that will
correctly expose a digital
sensor (at ISO 100).
Thus, GN = distance x
f-number, and this depicts
the maximum power of
output possible by a flash
unit. For flashguns with
zooms, the GN of a flash
increases as the flash
head zooms in.BrIeFlyIf your camera starts
looking anything like
this, and the warranty
on it is about to expire,
getting it serviced makes
a lot of sense! Now, if
only the service centres
for different brands were
as easily interchangeable
as DSlr lenses...Point of Departure
‘Point of departure’ is a term used quite eloquently
by a number of photographers including Ralph
Gibson. A look at some of his work will give an idea
of the concept of it.Making the Photograph Interesting
Point of departure is exactly what is sounds like... a
movement away from the norm. For a photograph
to appear interesting, one needs to follow basic
guidelines of subject placement, composition,
lighting, apparent movement, implied lines, etc.
A perfectly composed image might look very good,
but when there is a single element in the scene that
moves against these guidelines in an interesting or
odd way, it adds a sense of tension or drama to the
image. This is the point of departure.Be Mindful Of...
In a sense, the point of departure is a carefully
planned error, but because it is deliberate, it is
not really a mistake. Therein lies the distinction.
A mistake cannot be called a point of departure,
but on the rare ocassion it can be made to lookWhat ISthere’s nothing like
an old camera displayed
on a shelf to spark off
a good conversation.
Of course, it would be
better if there is a real
story to go with it!like one with creative cropping and editing. On the
other hand, having too many elements in the frame
break the rules will simply lead to a distracting,
confused image.One can create a point of departure not just by
breaking compositional rules, but also by showcasing
the subject in an unusual way, or doing something the
subject is not expected to.Photographs by Ambarin Afsar
this image of a petrol spill on the road and the neighbouring image of a face made out of the textures and elements
on the beach, depict how mundane subjects can be seen differently.Better PhOtOGraPhy96
March 2015