I am keen on sharing my personal experiences on Group photography with you all, as you all are regular readers of my articles.
Almost two years ago, my mobile phone was continuously ringing. I was enthused and went to pick up the phone and realized that it is my good friend Dr. Anand. Just as I answered the call, he said that he was to seek a help from me. I was overwhelmed and offered my services then and there.
He continued to mention that they are organizing an event then and that they are amidst it. It only kindled my enthusiasm further. I took the liberty of enquiring about the Event.
He narrated the event to me then. He mentioned that Mr. Paraman Pachaimuthu, the Trainer of the great organization ‘Malarchi’ was engaged in the Event on ‘The Art of Living and Realization of Dreams’. Paraman is a Life Transforming Speaker, Voracious reader, and a Prolific Writer. For more info please browse through his website: http://www.malarchi.com. He added to say that if one participates in the training, one can definitely realize the truth.
I very keenly asked Dr. Anand, as to what kind of assistance is expected out of me so that I could rise to the occasion with full swing.
The Dr was quick to respond that I have approached you only because of the fact that he could rely on my capabilities. I once again assured him that no stone would be left unturned and that I would contribute fully. I involved myself further and asked for details of what is expected of me. Dr. Anand said that a Group Photograph was an agenda of the Events to come and that I should help him by organizing an effective Photograph of the Heterogeneous and Elite Group of Participants. I assured him of the desirable results and set forth my sequence of activities soon after.
Then only, he unfurled the Rules of the Game to be embedded in the Sequence of Events:-
The Photo Shoot is scheduled dot at 09:15 AM the next day.
The First Look Imprint should be shown to him before 1 PM.
The requirement of Photo frames that will be required will be indicated by 2 PM.
The size of the Frame was specified to be 12”x18”. The approved photograph should be printed and set well in the Frame.
The Number of Photo frames specified should be ready before 7 PM and handed over to them.
I knew that Dr. Anand has realized the tough demands in the requirement and has deliberately decided to hand over the task to my Team, because of the confidence he enjoys in my prompt efficiency. I had no second thoughts and decided to plunge into the Challenge Pool.
I then and there decided to share my experiences of meeting this stiff and High-risk Requirement with u all, consequent to the accomplishment of the same. It gives me great pleasure to be sharing the same with you all.
I needed to call my shots then and there and follow up its execution meticulously. There was no scope for any slip-up. It had to be on a WIN-WIN platform only. I carried out an immediate Mental appreciation of the impending Action Plan. I got through to my Rapid Action Team and did a quick briefing of the Tough specs from Dr. Anand. Briefed them on the Group Photo consisting a Hetero and Elite group of Eminent personalities. Above all, I emphasized the need for meeting the expectations of our Dr. Anand. Our’ Anand” in its Perfect execution will be the Ultimate. True to its spirits, the Team sprung up, assured their best performances. Asked for details of each artist’s contribution and likely snags if any. There was no major problem cited by the Team.
The Team started with Enthusiasm and Zeal from the very word GO. Collected all Lenses, Cameras, tripods, Monopods, umbrella lights, extension boards, electrical and battery backups, phone support devices, chargers, screens and the like. On the other Front, I had sounded our Driver Gopi, who executed his Battle Drills to perfection. Checking Roadworthiness of the Van, Filling Air and Diesel, a quick check of Oil levels and Lubricants, provisioning water, light snacks, and Flasks etc..,. I had spoken to the Dealer to arrange samples of Photo frames that were in my mind, to be delivered to us by 8 AM. The Dealer was also very enthusiastic about it, is a large order. Things were quickly put in place and we all left soon to catch up with some rest, thereafter.
The speed and perfection with which each member set about to Muster requisite items and the Spirit displayed were a Morale Booster for all of us. I gave time to RV for the move next day at 6 AM and disbursed.
We left at 6:15 AM as planned. While some were catching up with the much-needed rest, our man Gopi was alert on the Move. I was active with my mental appreciation of the Follow up on arrival at the designated Conference Venue, – GRT Regency, Kanchipuram.
Gopi knew my mind and reached the Venue in the Quickest of Times. I instructed them to unload the stuff with care and get them in an organized and sequential manner into the Photo Shoot venue. I Moved up ahead to take a quick look and appreciation. It was disappointing to see that the Hotel authorities had not done anything. It was in a Total disarray. There was no time to lament over the spilled milk. I gained strength to move upstream and quickly briefed the Team as though this is what I had expected and how to tackle swiftly.
As expected the Team did not let me down and contributed 200%.
We were happy to see that the Hall is a closed AC Hall and so the light was diffused and indirect, which is technically the most desirable and right environment. I thanked the Almighty for this favor done to us. In the meantime, the Team had collected all the equipment and other related stores in the Hall in an organized manner.
Realizing that we were short of time, I said, common everybody, let us get moving, sequentially.
We set about the arduous task in a very organized and sequential manner.
First, we set the Hall to seat 84 members, in four rows, as was specified.
My watch showed 810 AM, by then and clock precision was of paramount importance in executing this task. A couple of useful proverbs crossed my mind at this time. ‘Clock and Time spent cannot be unwound’, meaning that we cannot afford to waste time. Every second spent should be contributing towards the Goal. ‘You take due Care of the Time and the Times will take care of you’, meaning if one wastes Time, its tent amounting to Wasting precious Life. ‘Be a Worthy Worker and Time will ensure that Work continues to come to you’, meaning that one will get work only if he proves his mettle and finishes the tasks and work in time and in perfection.
StudioSri Photograhy
At the same time, we were setting the Lights and also the Cameras, in different positions. The appropriate zoom lenses were being fixed in the cameras. We had to cater for all possibilities and requirements and individuals. Just around the same Time, our Dr called me on phone and asked me if everything was going on well? And whether we are Ready?
With all confidence, I responded to him that everything is perfectly in place and we are ready for the Shoot. At the same time, my eyes were scanning the Hall to Fill in any left out blanks and to tie up any loose ends.
The Dr gave a ring again to say that all the eminent personalities, who participated in the Training, were moving down to the Waiting Hall. He said that he would be sending the participants one by one to be seated from the Waiting Hall and there he entered the Photo Shoot Hall at 0845hrs. He was surprised to see the difference in the condition and state of the Hall, Then and Now. He looked very satisfied at his First Look itself. We showed him the different samples of the Photo frames, out of which, he picked one. We had the order ready for the requisite number of pieces with the Dealer to be made available on exercising of choice. Gopi, our driver got the signal and carried on, to get the ordered number of pieces of the approved frame.
It immediately clicked to me that I could take my Trial Shoot with him. So I requested him for the Test Shoot and he readily came forward. I stabilized the situation, called for 100% attention and contribution from the Team and commenced my Instant Test Shoot. The Trial setting and shooting was done to get the best of all the settings in different cameras. The Aperture, the Speed, IoS, Lighting, Angling the Cameras, with special attention to the Corners, inclusion of the best of the Background, coverage and perfect Focus in all the rows, everything was set and perfect Trial setting and shooting were completed.
I requested the Dr that all the Members could be sent in Ones and Twos so that Sizing, the most important component could be done as they walk in. Realizing its importance and he took our request and complied. Some came in pairs, while some were alone. Some were Tall and a few were not so tall. Some were stout, while some were Lean. We took a quick assessment of the members as they entered and positioned them in appropriate locations and rows. This could avoid disturbance to them once they settled down. We hardly shifted anyone. They fell in place, because of our training to look for Details. It goes in alignment with the Lesson that the First and Most important detail In Photography that One must ‘Develop an Eye for Details’, to emerge successfully.
Studiosri Photography
By 09:13 Hrs we were well set with all the participants in the grand event organized by “Malarchi”. Mr. Paraman Pachai Muthu walked in at the precise Gong strike of 09:15 Hrs. His place was earmarked. He didn’t settle down straight in his slot. Instead, he exchanged a few words of pleasantries and said a joke which set the entire hall into a Laugh. That is the most desirable environment for a Photo Shoot.
As he was talking he appreciated the commendable efforts and said that everything looks Fine and Good. He also introduced us and said that Ganesh and Siva are the Official Photographers of ‘Malarchi’.
He asked us Are You Ready, because we are Ready, and before we said Yes, he settled down in his allocated seat as he had already assessed that we are Ready.
The Grand Click followed immediately and the session was over for the participants. Our work continued.
Processed the image on our Laptop with appropriate color settings and other minor corrections. No photo is perfect without an effect by the Edit Functions. A few ‘Cut and Paste’ and a few postural corrections are inevitable and part of the Game. The Game was over and we were ready by 1 PM with the output.
We forwarded the finalized output to Dr. Anand by What’s App and also by email. In a few minutes came the response: GO Ahead, its Perfect, as there was no requirement for any corrections. We had gone into the minutest detail possible and left No stone Unturned to get the Desired Result. Doctor’s comments were more than rewarding for us. But our task was not ending. The celebrations were still away.
We took 85 copies of the Photograph and checked each print out for its perfect and correct details. Then we got them set in the already received Photo Frames. By 06:45 PM, we handed over 85 neatly packed bags containing photo frames with Malarchi Training Group photographs.
Dr. Anand was fully submerged in his own ‘Anand’ and praised for the Excellent work and the perfection in its meticulous execution.
We took leave of him and set about our move back and celebrations.
We will continue with our contributions to the Future also with the same Zeal.
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