It’s tough to reprogramme years of ingrained belief that engineering and medical degrees are the only ‘safe’ educational bet, but some city students are making an effort to buck the trend and take the road less travelled. Wanting to bring passion to their careers, they sound like Aamir Khan clones from the film 3 Idiots, egging each other on, to follow their dreams. They’re hoping their futures click, literally, as many take up professional photography.
A recreational hobby for some, an amateur interest for others, photography is being looked on as a viable, fulfilling and potentially lucrative career option. “I discovered photography after I joined college and developed a passion for it. I took it up seriously as I wanted to do something that interests me,” says Noel David, a student of Loyola Academy.
The average student worries about pay scales, well-paid jobs and future prospects. But Kalyan Yasaswi, 19, currently writing entrance exams for photography courses, echoes what many of his contemporaries have to say, when he asserts, “I would be satisfied with a low pay for doing something I love, rather than a fat salary for something I’m unhappy doing.”
Bollywood reflects the feelings of creative asphyxiation in humdrum careers, students feel. Ranbir Kapoor’s character in the film Wake Up Sid is only one example. Noel enthuses, “To me photography is an art. I believe I can express a feeling with a picture beautifully.”
These budding photographers work hard even at low-return endeavours like competitions. Aditya Dittu, 19, an avid photographer says, “I participate in competitions in college and outside including the upcoming one at KBR park, so that I can get better each time I click a snap.” Some, like Kalyan are honing their skills on the job as they pursue a professional degree, enduring low-paying internships to buy better equipment, “As I freelance for an online magazine, I bought a Nikon D90.”
Sites like Flickr which give photography enthusiasts a chance to upload their pictures and browse through each other’s photographs are big favourites. Meanwhile, these young men and women go out, cameras in hand, hoping the lesser-known paths lead to the road to success.