My First Abstract

Photography

Praveen Naik

With Canon EOS 40D

January 2008
 My First Abstract Photography

I had my first ever SLR experience when I was 9 years. My father brought a second
hand Russian made 35mm Zenith Single Lens Reflex camera. Hardly anyone at
home knew how to use it and the worst part was it had no owners manual, I
would have been happier even if it had a manual in Russian at least. The first
thing I noticed about it was its thick leather case and sturdy metal body
weighing almost 2kgs, put in down on its back and it looked just like a Russian
tank without a cannon. Made in Union of Soviet Socialist Republic is what was
printed on its bottom, so I guess it would have been made sometime during late
80’s before Soviet Union collapsed. No automatic mode means most of the photos
taken were on trial and error basis with the available shutter aperture controls.
Everything was manual, focus, moving between the films and even timer. Since
every photo costed dearly, I barely had any chance to experiment with it except
peeping from the view finder and zooming in and out for hours or playing with
shutter.

Twelve years later my brother brought his first ever SLR Camera, Pentax MZ-50
when he was on his Project assignment abroad, though digital camera was
available everywhere I’m still not sure why he preferred a Film camera. Of
course, same feature DSLR would cost more then five times the price of film SLR
then. May be he doesn’t want to buy a point and shoot digital camera that would
cost the same as that of his film SLR. So this was my first ever true experience
with a SLR camera. Though I took quite a few pictures, I still thought it was a
costly deal for someone like me to experiment with. First, it uses film next I had
to shoot the entire film roll on it for processing to see my fate and then there are
only few studios that would offer quality processing. So after shooting some
couple of rolls and some poor photos I gave up.

Now four years later, after lots and lots of reviews both on internet and
magazines I had my dream come true, I purchased my first ever Digital SLR
Canon EOS 40D. It costed me around 44000 rupees excluding other accessories
and comes along with EF28-135mm lens, I would dare not go for other lenses
until my maturity on photography says that I can’t do without. Though I could
buy the same camera for almost 15000 rupees less in grey market, I could not
dare get one considering the warranty limitations for such high priced
equipment. What I really appreciate about digital cameras is that you don’t have
to waste your money buying film or processing it. So I am free to click till I
think I had it enough…

Alright, let me not bore you anymore, the photos you’re about to see in the next
few pages are some of my first portrait photographs with my new camera. From a
perceptive of amateur photographer like me I rate these above average. My purpose
of sharing this with you is to let me know how you feel about it, your comments
and opinions is what I’ m looking for. So please do let me know.

In the time to come as my stint with my camera continues, I wish to share more
of my abstract photography.

Praveen Naik
January 2008
Most of the photos you’ve seen are taken on my way to Srisailam, a hill station
around 250Kms from Hyderabad, on my Honda Unicorn during last weekend. I
came across some beautiful landscapes and terrain which I would be sharing
with you pretty soon. Of course, I’ve also included few photos of my mother as
well, which I took a day before.

Let me tell you getting a perfect shot is never easy, what I realize from my
experience is that being a good photographer is not just about having a good
camera or understanding it better, it also means being at the right place at the
right time and above all practical experience that you gain over time no matter
how good you understand your camera. It becomes even harder when you realize
what you’re about to shoot would define your identity…

Praveen Naik
January 2008
praveen.ramavath@gmail.com