Photographers are like psychologists
Rakesh Shrestha
He recommends photography as a profession to everybody all the time. In the past 20 years, he has captured more glamour in his camera than anyone else. Meet Rakesh Shrestha. His dream now is to start an academy where he can train the future photographers of
Why did you take up photography?
The reason is simple. I did not want to get into the family business that had been going on for such a long time. I had been brought up in that environment and had seen everything. I was ambitious. I always wanted to do something that gave me a lot of mileage as far as my field of profession was concerned. That left with only two choices- fashion designing or photography. In those days it was tough to get into fashion designing and so it was photography for me.
I was in fact taking a chance. I told my parents to give me a chance for two years. If I make it, fine, otherwise, there was the family business to fall back on.
It wasn’t technically an assignment. I used to shoot a lot of the models at the shop we had in the Oberoi. My first real assignment would be the one I did for Eves Weekly and Star and Style. They liked my photos and chose them for the cover. That gave me a lot of confidence. I was actually trying to get into film distribution.
I knew a lot of photographers and also a lot of people from the industry. But it was tough. The first star I shot was Neetu Singh. She gave me a torrid time. But once she got into my camera, things were smooth. We never looked back and today, we are best of friends. Ultimately, it’s like this- come what may; you have to go through these tough times. Photography is an art. A lot of times, you can adopt a lot of things and then learn them. But in today’s world, you have to learn. Things are technologically so advanced, that its amazing.
Creatively, talent-wise we are getting much more exposure and so much knowledge. With today’s technology, you don’t even need to be a photographer. You can take a very average picture and make it look good. In 1979, when I started, Indian photographers were at least 10 years behind in terms of technology as against their European and American counterparts. But today, we are right there.
When I started, I used to be a Canon user. Then I switched to
I have shot everyone. Most of the celebrities, models… you name them, I’ve shot them. I have monopolised it. It’s a specialisation. So why should I switch to anything else? I am doing fine. I still deliver the goods. Moreover, film’s is the kind of business that never fades out. The exposure, mileage and the fan following is tremendous.
Films was however, not intentional. It just happened. It’s not easy either. It’s very difficult to work with film personalities. You have to understand their temperament, the magazine’s temperament, and the producer’s temperament… its something challenging and you make it happen… in a big way.
Twenty years ago and today… it’s a different work culture. That’s another art. You have to understand their psychology, culture, upbringing, and thinking, match their wavelength and only then will they be comfortable. It was entirely different in the late 70’s and 80’s and it’s a whole new ball game today.
That is a part of my success story. I have always dealt with good people. People who are disciplined, professional and who believed in doing good work. So many photographers came and went. I am still standing.
Preity Zinta by Rakesh Shrestha
Do you think you are the best?
I don’t worry too much about that. What needs to be seen is how long I’ve lasted. Delivering the goods for 20 years constantly and consistently is not easy. But that’s what matters. I’m just doing my job and a good one at that. All I worry about is whether my clients are satisfied or not.
It’s myself. It’s all in the mind. You have to adapt. I work with Preeti Jhangiani and at the same time deal with Subhash Ghai. It’s not just about the young one’s. It’s about dealing with all ages. Photographers in that respect are a bit like psychologists. We understand the mind and then manipulate it and operate. The comfort level has to be there. It’s important how well you can look after them.
The very reason I am here after 20 years is that I have no favourites. My favourite is only my camera and my work. But if I have to name a few, it would be Neetu Singh, because she gave me the break. Then there are Rekha, Sridevi, and Manisha Koirala… Manisha is one person who I gave a good push.
Urmila Matondkar by Rakesh Shrestha
It’s not that I don’t, but I find it too tedious. It’s too long drawn. I haven’t been brought up in that kind of a scenario. I cannot deal with so many people to get one picture. There’s an art department, a visualiser, a meeting with the client… too long drawn. You tell me what you want and you’ll get it.
Don’t make me run around. Money was never my priority. I always believed that if you keep doing good work, the money would come your way. I had to choose between money and name, I’d choose name. It lasts longer.
After so many years in the film industry, are you planning into diversifying and doing film direction?
I was thinking about it. I wanted to do it. But it’s not all that easy. You have to have it in your system. For the effort you put in, the money that has gone in, if you don’t like what you have done, it’s difficult to go back and correct it. There are lots of loopholes in filmmaking. Maybe a little later I will get into it. Now that’s surely something to look forward to.
Posted by Scribbler at 9:16 PM
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