Clicking live vs clicking a shoot
Ever since the pandemic began, life has changed, and the art industry which is a completely visual and aural medium, is no exception. Not shattered by lockdown, artists explored various ways via social media to stay connected with rasikas. Being connected is the key.
As a performing arts photographer and a Carnatic music rasika, it surely was a big disappointment for me when the announcement came that concerts will be recorded live and streamed.
The usual euphoria among rasikas that emerges after the concert was surely missing. As a photographer, when the artists look at us, acknowledge and smile, it definitely gives a ‘josh’ or happy feeling—which in general I have missed during the past two years. Likewise, the quick snippets of conversation that we have with rasikas when they tell us about having seen our earlier photos posted on social media or be it the exchange of smiles of acquaintance are also greatly missed.
There is nothing equivalent to clicking during a live concert. The emotions that come automatically when the artists see the rasikas enjoying their music are the “real waiting moments” for a photographer—to be clicked and treasured. What we also get to enjoy is the unedited casual 10-second conversation among artists! As a ‘performing artist photographer’, the joie de vivre definitely lies in live performances. I sincerely hope that 2022 paves the way for the arts scene to get somewhat closer to ‘normalcy’.
By
Hemamalini S