Blog Challenge, Festival of Words 2017 by Write Tribe

| Day-1 | A treasure that I cherish | WriteTribe – Festival of Words 2017 |

Mulling over the first prompt – A treasure that I cherish; it wasnt too difficult to decide what it is for me. As a child, I was always fascinated by the camera – yes I know all kids love to pose but for me it was the camera in my hands and not being clicked that was the high for me. I would be most pissed at not being able to get my hands on it.

If there was ever any award for the most grumpy baby pics, it would undeniably go to me πŸ˜‰

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You don’t believe me then check out this pic of me where my dad is cajoling me to smile while me……..

I got my first ever camera (brought with joota churai money) when I was 13 years. It costed 100/- and was a tiny weightless thing which I could fit in the palm of my hand. Yes people did laugh at me when I whipped it out to click them but once the pics were developed, the laughter gave way to admiration.

I guess this sort of built the way for my photography passion to develop and over the years I upgraded to better cameras (read expensive) till I could afford my very own DSLR in 2007 for a grand sum of 37,000/- Yes, I could have bought a piece of jewellery in this money, but then this is far more precious to me than the gold and diamonds.

I signed up for a photography workshop and havent looked back since. Over the years I have shot weddings for friends and family (and been told my pics were far warmer than the hired photographer’s), birthdays, puja havans, portraits, wedding portfolios, Interior shots, product shoots,etc.

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Heart of a sunflower

I even did a calendar of 12 of my best pics of the year and sent it as a new years gift to folks – the appreciation for this was manifold and I was on a high for days.

I also participated in a Architecture – Photo exhibition where three of my shots were selected and displayed, amongst terrific appreciation.

Even today, when readers of my blog leave words of praise on my photo-skills, my chest puffs up with great delight.

I collected the expensive lens/equipment by saving birthday/Diwali money and asking family/friends to give cash over kind to enable me to fund my hobby. Be it books, lenses, tripod – I have painstakingly done it all over the years. Yes in the process, had to give up on many luxuries!Β 

Is it a wonder that I consider this my most cherished treasure!!!!

To date I love being behind the camera and revel in the creative freedom it affords me. I have recorded memories of places and people as I wanted to. My camera is my best travel companion and I can while hours with it. Its my go-to hobby for relieving my stress. It’s what I turned to me in my darkest hours and it’s what helped me tide over my pain by setting me free. It lets me be in a world of my own!

The best thing I love about my treasure is how I can freeze moments to be cherished over eternity and somehow this gives me immense creative satisfaction.


So I guess that’s if from me folks! What did you think of my treasure? Did it resonate with you? BTW did you know I have an offer for portrait shoots for bloggers? So if you are thinking of upgrading your profile pic, you know who to call……. πŸ˜‰

Β I am taking part in The Write Tribe Festival of WordsΒ #6

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47 thoughts on “| Day-1 | A treasure that I cherish | WriteTribe – Festival of Words 2017 |

  1. I couldn’t relate to buying the best cameras, but I know many who might be able to. πŸ™‚ Your post did resonate with me in one way… I got my first camera when I was quite young too. Most of my first clicks were woefully out of focus.

    1. Thanks Vinay – I know how horrified peeps were when they heard I blew 37 K on a camera; so can understand your reaction to this quite well πŸ˜‰ I just love my camera and the freedom it affords me!
      I hope you are a better photographer now than as a child- it happens to all of us. I used to strut with pride with a camera in my hand as everyone around me would cluster to be photographed!!! Its the same today too!!! πŸ˜‰

      1. Wouldn’t say I’m horrified. I do know those who are passionate about photography look to buy the best. πŸ™‚ But yes, a bit surprised that that best camera cost that much. πŸ˜€

        1. When I upgraded to a new one, few yrs back – it costed 70 k πŸ˜‰
          Wonder what you will say to that now!!

  2. I tell myself I’ve never owned a camera, but that doesn’t square with a memory of being given one as a birthday present in my teens, and of a losing struggle with light, shade, aperture, distance, angle, focus. Cameras were more demanding then, and I hadn’t the patience. Other people did it better. Because I grew up around it, I assumed everyone could take pictures. Now, I realise that not everyone has the eye. It’s true that every kid can take pictures that you could use or publish, and there are a lot more being documented. But it’s still hard to do a proper shoot, or go into depth; it takes a lot of time and attention.

  3. I can so relate to what you are talking about. I am so possessive of my cameras and yes, I spent my life’s savings for buying it. I’m just happy πŸ™‚ Wonderful post, Shalz.

    1. Oh another Hi-five there gorgeous!! We seem to share so many similarities in our life! I really hope to meet you someday soonest – any plans in the offing for a trip to Delhi /gurgaon….?

      1. πŸ™ How I wish! I’m stuck in this hill for another two years. But yeah, will have to pass through Delhi to go home! Would love to meet you <3

  4. Wow Shalzz, what a lovely treasure! I admire your passion and zeal that makes a mere hobby into something bigger. I love clicking pictures too and though I am not too great with it I admire the thought and precision behind great photography. You go gal!

    1. Awww that’s such sweet praise Kala .. thank you so much. I am planning some photoblogs soonest and I hope you do check them out. Cheers

  5. A picture never lies πŸ™‚ Shalini, it is such an inspiring story with great teaching for kids in today’s times. Saving money for buying a camera and honing your skill is admirable. Would have loved to see the little you running around, taking pictures πŸ™‚ Loved your post.

  6. I would have loved to see this post peppered with pictures: that 100 Rupee camera that you held in the palm of your hand, the 37,000 DSLR (which model? what lens?), the pics that were selected for the architecture exhibition, the 12 best pics which became part of the calendar and perhaps a favorite pic or two.

    1. Thanks Rommel. I wanted to but then thought it would seem too self glorifying…. btw that sunflower pic is one of my most favourite.

  7. Camera was one thing I fought for. I used to love taking pictures of everything and anything. Once when in KG, when the films costed a bomb, I clicked an entire film of sky, rooms, utensils, dolls and such mundane things. The scolding i got when Dad saw them. Later on he gifted me a Digital cam. But someone the love for pictures took a backspace in me. But now gradually it’s seeing more light these days.

    Loved your post. And thanks for sharing and reminding me of some of my camera memories.

    1. I know what you mean Sheethal- I would zealously save the film, clicking only when something was really good. All that changed with the Digital camera and then I could just click click and click… I hope you get back to it and share pics soon…. Cheers

  8. The sunflower pic is just too good & that pic is so cute! Ofcourse now I know that I can call you, to have a shoot finally that’s been on my agenda for since forever!
    I even loved the pic you shared on Instagram- the one with the interiors. Keep clicking & on the other side of the camera too πŸ™‚

    1. Thanks so much Z…. I would love to shoot pics of you yaar, Call me whenever you are next around. Thanks for your wishes.

    1. Its not exactly my profession – more of a hobby!!! I just couldnt monetize it wholeheartedly and decided to pursue it as a matter of heart only!!

  9. Aww! You look so cute in that pic! And you have an eye for photography. Your pics are shot so well and are so imaginative too. Love your photography skills and it’s awe-inspiring that you have nurtured and developed your passion! Great going, Shalini!

  10. I love your photos and can totally see why your camera is your treasure. I have a point and shoot which I do love but I’m not anywhere near as good as you.

    1. Oh thanks Sanchie for the appreciation – I think your travel pics are good – dont put yourself down yet…… Practice is what makes it perfect in Photography!!!

  11. You know shalz, I can so much relate to you. I have this habit of clicking so much and my mom staring because I was wasting precious film. Those were days when you just dont know how you are going to look – the selfies these days makes the whole process so boring, no surprise when you get the developed print

    1. I hear your Menaka – the age of film processing was an expensive one for my poor parents too!! But yes the suspense of getting them developed was awesome though I died a million deaths over everyone that got overexposed or didnt come out well… πŸ˜‰

  12. It’s lovely that you developed this passion of yours over the years Shalini! And my gawd, the heart of the sunflower is stunning! Undoubtedly, a good camera with powerful lens can do wonders, but it needs human perspective to really produce a masterpiece. I have photographer friends so I can understand the immense value of an expensive camera, one of my friend’s saved up and bought a camera for INR 96 thousand!

    Lastly, your grumpy look is too adorable πŸ˜€

  13. I can somewhat relate to this post. While I can’t take pictures quite as well as you can, I do love photography and enjoy taking pictures whenever I go somewhere new and exciting. I even took a photography class in college, which I enjoyed because I learned a lot from it.

  14. Oh i can so relate to your post. My Camera canon EOS 60D; my beast (not the best in market but what i could afford) is love of my life. My heart would stop beating if somethings happens to my beloved camera. Infact took my former job at IBM just to be able to purchase my cam πŸ˜€ Silly i know :P.

    The picture u inserted , Heart of sunflower its beautiful!

    1. Thanks so much Keerthi – I can so relate with taking a job to buy a camera. Its called passion for something πŸ˜‰
      And yeah I hate to lend it and would die if “anything” happened to it!!!

  15. I was nodding my head throughout reading the post, Shalini. It was like you’ve written the thoughts on my behalf. πŸ˜€ I never knew that you’re so passionate about Photography. Your pictures always tells a great story and that’s what makes them so beautiful. I bought my first camera (Point and Shoot) in 2013 and that actually had changed my perspective of looking things in a whole new way . Though few months back, I bought a DSLR but my old Sony P&S is still my go to camera in all conditions (most of my insta pics are taken from that only). Like you, I always had the passion for Photography. It’s something that soothes me.

    Also, I have to admit that, I’m in love with your ‘Heart of Sunflower’ picture. It’s just amazingggg! πŸ™‚

    1. Saumy you made my day!! I love to hear my photographs being praised for I am in love with my camera and cant do without it. With the really nicer smartphone cameras, I have ben neglecting my trusted steed – the best results are with a DSLR and I intend to take it out and go gallivanting across the city to hunt for some photo stories for my blog now!
      Thank you for seeing such finer points in my pics; its takes another artist to appreciate!!!!
      I loved your architectural pics on some of your MP posts that I happened to sift through. Been meaning to head there and complete the series!!

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