It’s tough to be a lensman indeed

Warangal: In an era of electronic media where digital content is a crucial component, it’s no easy task for the photo journalists of the print media, especially those working in towns and district headquarters, to stay on par with the television.

Within the limits of his medium and grappling with the gear provided by his organisation, a photographer is like a conduit that disseminates the news and story images without resorting to any method of control that is not photographic.

Sheer passion that drives photojournalists is that the images they captured in cute angles of an event appear on the pages next day. This apart, the zeal among the lensmen to score over others in terms of capturing images that visualise situation fully, be it spot news or a story, keeps their passion intact.

Take the case of very recently concluded - nine-day Bathukamma fiesta and the Dasara – they testify the brilliance of the shutterbugs. Capturing the hues of various festivals in a country of diversity in race, region, caste, language etc. needs loads of patience, sharpness, time sense and traditional knowledge.

Speaking to The Hans India, Warangal Press Club president Gaddam Keshava Murthy said: “The images glorify our culture in ways both profound and deep. Be it a public meeting or a gathering, they had to wait for hours under the hot sun, at times braving the showers.

Above all they need the presence of mind.” Referring to the Independence Day celebration where Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari collapsed on the dais while delivering a speech, he commended the work of photojournalists, who captured the moments emulating the electronic media, which has the luxury of recording the footage.

The kind of acrobatics displayed by the lensmen to capture the images of the Saddula Bathukamma reflects how hard their job was. It may be noted here that finale of Bathukamma amid the scenic Padmakshi hillocks in Hanamkonda and the Ravan Vadh at Rangalila Maidan near Ursu Gutta, attended by thousands of people, are some of the breathtaking events that testify the skills of photojournalists.

Warangal Twin Districts’ Photo Journalists Association president G Shyam Kumar said: “The Warangal lensmen have carved a niche for them winning quite a few awards at the State-level. This, all because of the hard work they put in.” The association general secretary Sampeta Sudhakar urged the government to recruit the photographers in various departments.