Its always a good feeling to see a nice picture taken from a right angle with the best camera available in market.But thats not the only prerequisite to capture a good photograph. Your involvement with the subject and the virtual development of the image in mind much before it is developed chemically or electronically is what makes the best photographers sets apart from others. For last few days I have been observing the work of some best known name in photography industry which prompted me to write this article.
Starting with the history and meaning of the word “photography” which comes from the Greek word ‘phos’ means “light” and ‘graphis’ means “representation by means of lines” or “drawing”, together which means “drawing with light.”
History of Photography goes back to the 1820s with the development of chemical photography.
The first permanent photograph was an image produced in 1825 by the French inventor Nicéphore Niépce
first permanent photograph taken by Nicéphore Niépce
Though there were many world renowned photographers whose work was applauded and published for many decades
on various magazines,newspapers,internet and other platforms,there are certain legends like
David Seymour ,Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert capa, Bruce Davidson, George Rodger,Eve Arnold and Raghu Rai whose names are unforgettable and sculptured in golden words in the world of photography.
They were not only the best photographers but were also the founding members of Magnum Photos,a cooperative organization
founded in 1947 owned and administered entirely by its member with offices in New York, Paris, London and Tokyo for showcasing classic and unique work of world’s best photographer.
The first name which comes to my mind is Henri Cartier-Bresson who was born in 1908 and was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism,an early adopter of 35 mm format, and the master of candid photography. After trying his hand in music and painting he finally settled with photography as his last and only obsession.He joined the French Army as a Corporal in the Film and Photo unit when World War II broke out in September 1939.In spring 1947, Cartier-Bresson, with Robert Capa, David Seymour and George Rodger founded Magnum Photos.
Henri Cartier Bresson
He achieved international recognition for his coverage of Gandhi’s funeral in India in 1948 and the last (1949) stage of the Chinese Civil War.He died in Aug 2004.
David Seymour born to jewish parents in 1911 covered Spanish civil war and other European events.In 1947 he founded Magnum.In 1954 after Robert capa’s death he became president of magnum.while covering the 1956 Suez war he was killed by egyptain machine gun fire.
George Rodger was a brit journo .He was the first photographer to enter concentration (death) camps at Bergen-Belsen , a Nazi
concentration camp in Germany during second world war in 1945.His photographs of the few survivors and piles of dead human body were published in Life and time magazines and were highly influential in showing the reality of the death camps.
death camps at Bergen-Belsen
After founding magnum he worked as a freelance photographer taking pictures of people,nature and landscape which were later published in national geographic magazine.
Eve Arnold was the first female member of magnum and changed the myth that women can’t be good photgraphers and they can only pose for photographs.she was born in Philadelphia.She was best known for her intimate image of actress Marilyn monroe on the sets of Monroe’s last film,The Misfits.Currently she lives in Britain.
Marilyn monroe on the sets of Misfits
Misfits cast and crew
Raghu Rai born in 1942 is an Indian photographer and photojournalist who initially worked with The Statesman.
In 1976,he left the paper and became a freelance photographer. From 1982 up until 1992, Rai was the director of photography for India Today.He was the only Indian photographer to be a member of Magnum photos and joined it as correspondent in 1977.
Rai was awarded the Padmashree in 1971, one of India’s highest civilian awards ever given to a photographer. In 1992, his National Geographic cover story “Human Management of Wildlife in India” won him widespread critical acclaim for the piece.
Mother Teressa,God's messenger with God in a single frame
There are so many other photographers (though all the names cannot be mentioned here)
around the world who are working round the clock taking best shots for all our feel-good factor.
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