Tripod in Gutter Space

Looking at panels through the viewfinder­­, comics activists got an opportunity to sit on the rollercoaster of ideas leading to a fusion of skills, visual harmony and technology. 

A three-day intensive workshop on photography and video making had been organized at Comics Cafe on July 12 to July 15 2009. Pankaj Mehta a renowned cameraperson, who organized various workshops across many countries, conducted the workshop. The objective of the training was to enabl

e comics activists to document their work for themselves and made available for mainstream media.

The first day of the workshop began with an introduction to the medium of photography and video. Participants had been previously instructed to shoot footage and it was showcased. It helped the trainer to evaluate the level of understanding of the participants. Lectures were delivered on the steps involved in making of a movie. There was detailed discussion on Shots-its meaning and types. Following this the participants were shown the various parts of the camera, its technicality and how to handle a camera.  Basic lessons on shootin

g with tripods and selecting camera angle were rendered. The participants had been given an assignment to shoot 1 minute footage each, keeping in mind the elements of a shot.

It would be noteworthy to add that the monsoons in Delhi attended the workshop as well! Mr. Mehta in his own tactful way captured the droplets of rain on his camera, in the meanwhile magnifying them on the projector for the participants. The students were overwhelmed seeing him experimenting with the shutter speed, exposure and focus to produce a myriad of effects. By the time when the samosas came in for a break, the participants realized that there couldn’t have been a more practical way to learn it!

The Day two of the workshop began with Mehta’s exclaiming “It is difficult to shoot things as they are...” and the day followed for the participants discovering how. The videos shot were evaluated; however all the participants had exceeded the time limit of the footage. Lessons were conducted on Aperture, Shutter Speed and Depth of field.  Live demonstrations were conducted for better understanding of the concepts.

The final day of the workshop started with the screening of shots by the participants. These shots were analyzed and fac

tors like continuity and compositions were found not to be in order.  Continuity and elements were discussed including line of access and change in continuity.  After being given the basic ideas of composition the participants were able to relate it with their cartooning. However the most interesting part of the day class on Light.

The workshop has not ended here! It is just another beginning for the participants to explore new dimensions of creativity within them. The follow up on the workshop would continue on weekly basis.

Report : Manas Baruah, Illustrations: Amrith Basumathary