Iqbal Mohamed is one of very few photographers who considers photography his religion and not just vocation. It is evident from his work what the art form truly means to him. He is one of the few photographers who has actively given back to the community including the Light and Life Academy at Ooty. He speaks with Fotoflock about what makes him 'click'!

You have come a long way with your photography; how did it all start?
I still have a much longer way to go. Sketching and painting were my primary hobbies from childhood. During my college days at Loyola, Chennai, one of my dad’s friends gifted me a 35mm SLR camera, a Pentax K1000 with a 50mm lens. And the Photography bug bit me. To become a professional, I was told that I must study the subject formally and not assist a photographer (which would be limiting).

Eventually, after my postgraduate studies, I enrolled at the Brooks Institute of Photography in California. After the Photographic studies at Brooks, I assisted some of the leading photographers in Hollywood, basically car photographers and people photographers, before starting my photographic career.

When did you decide that photography was what you wanted to do professionally?
‘Art’ was the area I wanted to get into. Photography as a serious hobby happened at the right time, during my college days. At the age of 20, it was after seeing the fantastic black & white images of Ansel Adams, particularly “Nevada Fall, Rainbow”, “Mount Williamson” and “Tenaya Creek, Dogwood, Rain” that I decided Photography is my life.

Was it an easy decision to make a career in photography or did you ever feel that you were in the wrong profession?
The decision was from the heart and was instant. After that, I didn’t even think of a fall back option. Now, Photography has become a religion and a way of life for me. Music is another art form I always liked, but I did not have the opportunity to learn it. If I have a next life, I would do both Photography and Music.

How do you deal with the technical challenges of making a metallic, shiny car fit in harmoniously into a natural landscape?
The approach is that the car gets the prominence and the location only adds value to the car, rather than taking the attention away from the car. Usually, a location with no visual clutter and simplified colors is chosen. Where the camera is positioned in relation to the car and what focal length of lens is used, are very crucial for the mood of the shot. Often, lights and reflectors are used to enhance the car. All these ensure that the car fits into the natural landscape harmoniously. Other than cars, I shoot all types of moving machines.

Your beautifully finished automobile photographs make it all look so easy. Can you elaborate about what a typical, on-location automobile photo shoot involve?
In today’s digital age, very little of on-location car shots are done. The trend is to shoot the car separately (based on the location shot, either shot by the photographer or bought as stock image) and then they are merged together aesthetically. Doing a single shot on location is lot more fun. This involves traveling around and finding the right location based on the visualized image, checking the lighting directions there, working out the logistics including permissions, preparing the location in terms of cleaning up, preparing the car, do the required lighting and then do the shot. This involves a minimum of 15 people, a few days of planning and preparation time and a truckload of lighting equipment. Shooting time is usually very short, in the appropriate lighting conditions. Variables are many and it is really challenging, compared to merging two images. I have done both the types of images. But the fact is, Professional Photography is end-result-oriented and most people do not care about how the image was achieved. If the image has that visual impact, it is a successful image.

Do you recommend re-touching and enhancing your photographs digitally?
I believe in getting the shot right on camera. A lot of things take much longer time in the post-production. They are faster to do while shooting. As long as the end result does not look retouched, as long as we save time, money and effort, it is okay to do retouching up to that point. These days, a whole lot of retouching is done to correct mistakes while shooting, which is really sad and such a waste of time, effort and money. It should be done only to enhance an image and must be planned for even before the shot is done. Also, excessive retouching/enhancing the image is just not okay and it ends up looking synthetic.

Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful picture. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?
Every time a location shoot is planned, the weather conditions are checked ahead of the date of the shoot for that location. These days, with Internet, one can check this instantly. I always take powerful battery pack flash units and accessories. If direct sunlight does not happen, in most situations, I create sunlight effect and complete the shots successfully. When the subject is extremely large, such as a Palace, several movie lights are hired and the subject is lit at dusk or dawn for really dramatic effects. Only if it rains suddenly (which was never predicted), things tend to get delayed. We just have to wait.

What do you prefer: shooting a car with artificial lighting in the studio or doing the same outdoors?
Outdoors, for sure. In the studio, there is very little variable and hence whatever we visualize can be achieved. Almost everything is under control. After a week of continuous studio shoot, it tends to feel like a 9 to 5 job. On the other hand, the variables are too many on location, one needs to think on the feet and hence it is challenging. Moreover, location photography involves traveling to different places, meeting new people, eating the local food, getting up at 3.30AM, etc. which makes it very exciting.

What is that something special that sets a good Photographer apart from an excellent one?The pre-requisite for becoming an excellent photographer is to do a lot of personal photography, including experimental photography. The goal of “I must do better shots than what I did last time” is very important to grow as a photographer. ‘Newer vision’ every time is very essential; doing experimental personal works helps in this. Perfection in an image is really elusive; in a Photographer’s lifetime, there may be about five images, which are perfect classics. Also, clients like the photography to be done well within the planned time frame. To achieve excellence, the photographer has to strive for three things: newer vision, perfection and speed, every time he/she shoots. Finally, humility is a must. This makes one strive harder and not become complacent.

What advice do you have for budding photographers?
If you are really passionate about photography and would like to make it your career, let nothing hold you back. Be prepared to give it your 100% effort. Do not look for instant rewards and recognition. Stay focused on getting better and better and the reward will follow. Always follow your heart and pursue your area of interest as your photographic specialization; if you like eating good food, do food photography; if you like to be with people and socialize, do portrait/fashion photography; if you like traveling, do travel photography. Study the images of senior photographers. Learn the fundamentals of techniques & aesthetics of Photography and postproduction thoroughly.

General knowledge is very essential; so is the knowledge about the subject you are photographing. Practice a lot of Photography before starting to do any client work. After this, do a lot of personal and experimental photography throughout your career. I wish each and every one of you all the very best!

What are your future plans?
I have always felt fortunate to have the opportunity of pursuing my passion and have wished that others like me would be able to do so too. The reason why, at the peak of my Photographic career in 1999, I consciously chose to establish India’s first Professional Photography Institute at Ooty, Light & Life Academy (LLA), supported by several corporates, including Epson. I feel even more fortunate that I have been able to share all that I have learnt and continue learning with aspiring photographers.

LLA alumni are doing well in the industry, the Academy is well settled. I can now devote more time to doing my professional photography, concentrating more on Fine Art, Travel & Nature Photography besides authoring Photography textbooks and Coffee Table books.

Photos by Iqbal Mohamed | Fotosocial.