Photobook by Vijay Singh Nathawat

PHOTOGRAPHY YEARBOOK - 2015

153, Santhome High Road, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 044 4273 7755

ACADEMIC TEAM

Mrs. Shaswati Choudhary Mrs. Nagalakshmi Mr. Alagappan Mr. Vinod Kumar Mr. Nigam Mukherjee

Academic Head Head of Research and Development Regional Academic officer Head of Photography Design and Photography Faculty

Mrs. Jayashree

Design Faculty

Mrs. Ananditha

Design Faculty

Mr. Anand Ra

Media Studies Faculty

The ICAT photography club was initiated with an aspiration and the will to learn the art of seeing and use of vision to see the universe.Photographs are now a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s used everywhere from mass media in fashion and the visual arts are exposed to understand the most complex ideas within our society. The ability to perceive and communicate this visual information is a basic skill for pupils wishing to convey themselves through the medium of photography. This students laid photography club is the life turning point or platform for many other young and budding photographers. You can upload your photograph, tip for any photographic discipline

CREATIVE IDEA’S IN PHOTOGRAPHy by Robert Gibbs

Robert Gibbs of Birmingham City University conducted a 3-day workshop titled, ‘Creative Ideas in Photography’ for the ICAT Photography Club Students. The workshop was held at the ICAT Design & Media College, Chennai campus on 18th of February, 2014. His session initiated with a presentation on various methods and sources for conceiving new ideas and the ability to translate them visually. During this interactive session, our students were taught to deconstruct photographs which were supported by a series of case studies. Students were also encouraged to take on a 24 hour assignment, wherein they worked as groups to photograph and visually communicate the relevant title chosen by them. Towards the end of the session, students wrote a 200 word brief that explains their best photograph. The workshop concluded on an inspiring note where Robert showcased some of the best works of his graduated students.

VARANASI THE ATHENS OF INDIA

Photo by Prem Shankar

A Photography tour to Varanasi was organized by ICAT Design & Media College for the UG Photography and Photography Club students of ICAT, Chennai. During the ten-day trip (8 Dec, 2014 to 18 Dec, 2014), the students enjoyed photographing one of the world’s oldest living cities. They enjoyed the morning and evening boat ride on the Ganges river and marvel at the Ghats, stone steps leading to the riverbank used for centuries by devotees as bathing and cremation sites. Along with capturing the beauty of Varanasi, the students interacted with the people of Varanasi and learned about India’s ancient spiritual traditions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism as they walked through Varanasi’s old city with an expert guide. The most challenging and highlight of Varanasi trip was photographing the Aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual of light. Watching the Hindu Aarti ceremony on the Ghats from a boat on the Ganges River was spellbinding. The students also visited the Banaras Hindu University and also explored the Sarnath Park, where Buddha devoted his inaugural discourse. Watching devotees chant Sadhu’s prayers while others extend the holy water of the river to the rising sun was an unforgettable experience for the students. Overall, it was a great experience for the Photography students as part of their academics.

Photo by Manikandan

Photo by Vigneshwaran

Photo by Vinod Kumar

Photo by Manikandan

Photo by Sarvash

by Vigneshwaran

Photo by Sabareesh

Photo by Vigneshwaran

Photo by Sabareesh

Photo by Vigneshwaran

Photo by Arvind

Photo by Roshini Kakad

A Fleeting Venture

The world’s most colourful species posed to our student’s camera — yes, the birds. Mr. Sabreesh of first year Photography went exploring the Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary to record the beauty of birds in his camera. Though this was his first professional project as a student, he has explored the areas of photography as a novice right from his standard six. A diploma graduate of Electrical and Electronics leaped into Photography after realising that one’s passion can only take them to great heights. His passion to photography, love towards the five sensed creatures, desire to work for world-class animal featuring media channels, and inspiration from the pioneering Wildlife Photographer Eric John Hosking OBE made him select this challenging work for his project. Sabreesh prepared for the photography trip by first learning about his subject (birds) from the e-media and in person from an Ornithologist. The 6 day trip to Mudumalai and Bandipur forests proved to be challenging, yet highly admiring and educative. The trip introduced the student to various practical challenges of wildlife photography and most alluringly to the uncommon beautiful types of birds. Sabreesh came down with around 3000 shots of most species of birds at Mudumalai, which is recorded to provide home for around 250 species of birds. The shots of Sabreesh captured common birds like Peacock, Wood Pecker, Green Bee-Eater, Eagle and Fly Catcher, and lot other birds that are quite uncommon to most people around the world. His photographs capturing the flying motion of a peacock startles us with the beauty that is framed right on a screen. With his highly skilled works as a beginner, he is sure to acquire

more professional perfection before completing the course at ICAT. When Sabreesh shared his experience, he said “It was an iconic experience to manage the bad weather, identify the right time when I could get the best from natural lighting and explore my camera options at real-time challenging circumstances. It is where I learnt the real meaning of ‘Patience’. Yes, I was to wait for hours to get my subject on the right frame. And the kind of birds that I saw....yeah really I was jaw struck. I don’t even know the names of most birds. I am now very inspired to learn about these birds from Ornithologists and ICAT has shown me the way for it. Overall, I am very thankful to ICAT for this wonderful opportunity to swirl in my real passion. The guidance from my HOD was just too much, right from technical guidance to providing contacts of ornithologists and forest rangers. Also, thanks to my friend Mr. Mithesh for rendering his support during the trip. I am sure I have got my first masterpiece works that could tell my skills to the world. I am now very confident about taking up higher challenges to take my skills to the next level. My heartfelt thanks to ICAT.” We are sure Sabreesh would leave his footprints on the world history of photography. All the best to Sabreesh for his future endeavours!

Fashion photography by Prateek Singhi

Mr J.Prem Shankar from Blur 16 Studio conducted a workshop on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Studio Lightingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, at the ICAT, Chennai campus on 24th February, 2014. A group of students from the ICAT Photography Club actively participated in this session, which provided them the platform to learn the fundamentals of studio lighting set up for a fashion photo shoot. During the workshop, the students were allowed to experiment with varied lighting positions and directing a female model during the a wshoot. In continuation to this workshop, we look forward to more workshops focusing on advanced studio lighting techniques.

Behind the Scenes

HAMPI The Advertising Department of ICAT, Bangalore organized a study tour to Hampi from 11th to 14th of December, 2014. The main objective of the tour was to enable the students to master their photography skills for the Photo Communication module, and also to understand the art and culture of the place. The students were very excited to photograph the spectacular natural view of river Tungabhadra, craggy hill ranges and open plains, with widespread physical remains. They also explored their photography skills with the Vitthla temple that has the most exquisitely ornate structure on the site and represents the culmination of Vijayanagara temple architecture. They also photographed the secular buildings like the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bath and the Elephant Stables that represent a highly evolved multi-religious and multiethnic society. The students used lenses of 5 mm prime, 18/55 nikon and 70/300. They clicked photos during different time of the day, to better understand the power of natural lighting. Even a star trail was planned, but it was cancelled due to cloudy weather. The students explored different kinds of photographic techniques like macro, landscape, low light etc. The students also enjoyed trekking to Matanga Hills, during which they got the beautiful aerial view of the whole ancient

Hampi and captured some outstanding wide angle shots using Go Pro Camera. Apart from photography, the students were also able to relish the sophistication of the varied urban, royal and sacred systems the place, which was evident from forts, riverside features, royal and sacred complexes, temples, shrines, pillared halls, Mandapas, memorial structures, gateways, defense check posts, stables, and water structures. Overall, the students saw this tour as an opportunity to explore their creative skills and made the best use of it. It helped them to get a practical approach towards photography.

Life of Fishermen

An ICATian took up a daring attempt towards documenting the life of humane amphibians — yes, the fishermen. Mr. Arjun Babu of VFX department at ICAT, Chennai took the opportunity of his academic project to face the real time challenges of a Cinematographer — which he wants to become in the future. His urge to take up the most challenging project and the flair to documentary works of Steve McCurry led him to select the Documentary type of Photography, which not many of the students around India had dwelled into so far. Also, while his early research on documentary photography revealed that no great publishing has been done on life of fisherman, especially inside the sea, he was highly enthusiastic to work on the untouched area of photography. And thus he decided to work on Documentary Photography on ‘Life of Fishermen’. Having born in a small town of Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, the creative career options were not out in the open for Arjun. He was a regular young chap with the dreams of becoming a Computer Engineer. But the adolescence made him realize what he was. The days at a famous Engineering college told him that is not his destiny. When one fine day brought him the vision towards his passion of seeing the world through a camera, he took a brave decision of quitting his college. He found the way to nourish his spark on creative fields and came to his right destiny, ICAT. This project on documentary photography made him relish his creative skills, in the way he was striving for years. It taught him how to approach common people and understand their point of life, which is very important to succeed in the creative fields. It also introduced him to fishing, which was a great outlook on something he never taught he would learn. The 10 day project experience proved to be highly educative as he could apply his theoretical learning, experience real-time challenges, and most importantly analyze his own pros and cons in applying the skills. He managed to capture around 900 shots in sea and at fishermen’s house. His 30 shots that were submitted for the project just unwrapped the life of fishermen in the right way and showed his skills towards documenting a lifestyle through photographs. When Arjun Babu shared his project experience, he said “It was the best professional experience as a student to dwell into realtime works. I had a great time getting along with the fishermen, whom I watch daily from my beach-view apartment. After few initial days of my project, I started helping them in their work and slowly learnt their job. I learnt the real meaning of ‘hospitality’, ‘coordination’ and ‘hard work’ from the fishermen. The days at sea were very exciting. The sun threw his hottest arms on me, yet the sea was courteous with low waves. My 5D Mark II gave hands to capture the best moments. It is where I learnt the importance of my camera accessories, especially the

flash light. I loved my snap that captured a fisherman riding the boat standing tall, conveying his pride of being what he is. I am sure the project helped me capture real photographs that any viewer would linger around. Thanks to my HOD Mr. Vinod Kumar and the Academic Head K. Alagappan for motivating and guiding me through every step of the project and making me create this wonderful documentary that is a near myth for most students in India. Also, thanks to my friends who were very encouraging and were accompanying me to the sea, just to help me. I am now very confident that I will be a person of envy for everyone who once thought I am a loser, just because I was not interested in their virtual world of computer technology.â&#x20AC;? ICAT is proud to have such students who wish to take up highly challenging works and give their best to match the works of leading professionals. We are sure such students will become a famous personality in their field of study and inspire future students. ICAT is happy to guide such young minds.

STUDIO LIGHTING by J. Premkumar Mr J.Prem Shankar from Blur 16 Studio conducted a workshop on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Studio Lightingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, at the ICAT, Chennai campus on 24th February, 2014. A group of students from the ICAT Photography Club actively participated in this session, which provided them the platform to learn the fundamentals of studio lighting set up for a fashion photo shoot. During the workshop, the students were allowed to experiment with varied lighting positions and directing a female model during the a wshoot. In continuation to this workshop, we look forward to more workshops focusing on advanced studio lighting techniques.

Behind the Scenes Girl gets her pose ready (below) photographer J. Premkumar prepares his shot

Mr. Vinod Vijay and Arjun Babu adjusting the lights for testing.(above)

pondicherry Street Photography

The Shooterz Photo club of ICAT Design & Media College, Chennai organized their photo walk in Pondicherry on 2nd March 2013. The objective of this visit is to educate andmotivate photo lovers of ICAT in Street and Candid photography. More than 15 students from various departments joined the walk to extend and implement their knowledge in photography.

Creative Fashion

PHOTOGRAPHY by Ms. Shamshad khan

Ms. Shamshad Khan teaching to the students about Creative fashion photography .(left)

A three-day workshop on Creative Fashion Photography was conducted by a professional Photographer and Graphic Designer, Ms Shamshad Khan, at ICAT, Bangalore during the 1st week of April, 2014.Ms Shamshad Khan is a former lecturer of Light and Life Academy, Ooty and has an impressive portfolio of varied photography projects.Students of L4 /L5 of Fashion Design and other interested students attended the workshop, in whichMs Shamshad taught the finer aspects of creativity in Fashion Photography. Through a presentation, she explained the art of lighting, composition, working around a theme etc, which was further demonstrated to the students through an actual photo shoot. The workshop included an indoor (studio) and outdoor model photo shoot, featuring garments which depicted themes such as tribal, retro, jazz etc, created by the students of Fashion Design programme.

INDIVIDUALS

Photo by kishore

Photo by Anas

Photo by Arjun Babu

Photo by Arjun Dass

Photo by Arun M

Photo by Arjun Dass

Photo by Kailash Choudhary

Photo by Ajay

Photo by Kishore

Photo by Manikandan

Photo by Nanda Kumar

Photo by Ravindran

Photo by Roshini Kakad

Photo by Sai Subbi Reddy

Photo by Santosh

Photo by Sourim

Photo by Sree Ram

Photo by Sourim

Photo by Sreeram

Photo by Satish kumar

Photo by Sridhar

Photo by Varun Adithyan

Photo by Varun V Dev

Photo by Vigneshwaran

Photo by Vinay

Photo by Vinod Kumar

Photo by Vijay Singh

ICAT TEAM “EYE LEVEL” FROM INDIA WINS 5TH INTERNATIONAL PHOTOCROSS COMPETITION CODUCTED BY RBIM IN RUSSIA

International Photocross is an annual photography competition organized by RBIM (Russian- British Institute of Management, Chelyabinsk, Russia) for students from various countries such as Russia, UK, Kazakhstan and India. ICAT students have been participating enthusiastically every year in the competition.

bound topics for global students. The position was acquired with diligent efforts by undergraduate student Sourim Pal, Sourav Pal and Kiran Pal from team “Eye level”. They had scored an amassing 295 out of 400 points to top the competition scoring 30 points more than the 1st runners up.

The competition is conducted every year on a particular date, where a set of ten topics are given on the spot and the registered teams should submit 10 photographs at the end of the day. This year the theme was to shoot for the covers of popular novels by renowned authors.

The team maintained a consistent “Film Noir” style across all the photographs submitted, which was very much appreciated by the International Jury members.

As much as 21 teams across the globe took active participation in the competition, among which, teams from ICAT won several topics as well as the overall ranking. ICAT had won the overall 1st place in 5th international Photocross 2015. The competition throws challenges on conceptual based time

The other ICAT team that did well in the overall rating is the “Lazy lens”- Aswathi NM, Badal Pithadiya, Sravan Chandran with 241 points. They stand at the 5th position separated from the team in 1st position by 3 Russian teams and 1 team from Great Britain. Apart from securing overall first place in the competition, ICAT students have also won in the following individual categories: J. D. Salinger “The Catcher in the Rye”: Ishika Bagchi, Nandini Bishnoi, III UG Animation -Team name: “Aficionodos”

F. Scott Fitzgerald “Tender Is the Night”: Shradha Shankar, Neil KC II UG Communication design – Team name: “ Scouting legions”

William Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet”: Ishika Bagchi, Nandini Bishnoi, III UG Animation -Team name: “Aficionodos”

It is also worth mentioning, Ishika bagchi had won 3rd place in 4th International photocross. Erich Maria Remarque “Three Comrades”: "Photo Galaxy"(India) Vinay Kumar, Sandeep & Arvind The winner’s photographs were displayed in an exhibition and are awarded with certificates and Books on photography.

ICAT Students Achivement

A photograph of Mr. Arjun Vijesh, a VFX student at ICAT Design and Media College, Chennai, appears in the cover page of The Hindu - Metro Plus on 20 May, 2014. Though Arjun is a VFX student, he is passionate about Photography, especially Fashion and Portrait Photography. ICAT helped him authentically learn his passion through the ICAT Photography Club.

Through the guidance offered at the Photography club and with continuous practice, Arjun was able to showcase his Photography skills to grab this opportunity. The photograph was originally shot in a white background and then made colourful by Arjun. The overall environment design and lighting was developed with an artistic focus to replicate the joy shared between

the four friends in the photo. Arjun had done the post-processing work with utmost professionalism, which is reflected in the work. All the best to Arjun for his future endeavours in his field of passion!

SPIE International Year of Light Photo Contest ICAT Chennai student A. Sadaipandiyan, II year UG Animation and member of the ICAT Photography Club, photograph is selected in 32 images as finalists in the SPIE International Year of Light Photo Contest. General public will vote for their favorite photo from among these finalists later this year. The SPIE IYL Photo Contest was held to raise awareness about the International Year of Light 2015 and the vital role that light and light-based technologies play in daily life. IYL2015 is a year-long celebration of the crosscutting discipline

of science that has revolutionized medicine, astronomy, and clean energy; opened up international communication via the Internet; and continues to be central to linking cultural, economic, and political aspects of the global society.

153, Santhome High Road, Mylapore Chennai -600 004