World Photography Day, 2013 … a picture is worth a thousand words

“I believe that photography has the power to tell stories, inspire generations and initiate change in the world.”
Korske Ara

World Photography Day originates from the invention of the Daguerreotype, a photographic processes developed by Joseph Nicèphore Nièpce and Louis Daguerre. On January 9, 1839, The French Academy of Sciences announced the daguerreotype process. A few months later, on August 19, 1839, the French government announced the invention as a gift “Free to the World”.

Another photographic processes, the Calotype, was also invented in 1839 by William Fox Talbot (it was announced in 1841). Together, the invention of both the Daguerreotype and Calotype mark 1839 as the year that photography was invented.

 Over 170 years later, we have chosen this date, August 19th to celebrate photography, It’s past, present and future, technologically and artistically.

What an inspiring day to begin the week. As a food blogger, I learnt one thing pretty early – we eat with our eyes first. There has been endless inspiration over the years. So much to learn. I can spend all day long flitting from flickr to pinterest to 500px  to tumblr and drown myself in images. Photography never ceases to amaze, creativity astounds!

“The photographer’s job is to cut a frame-sized slice out of the world around him, so faithfully and honestly that if he were to put it back again, life and the world would begin to move again without a stumble.”
Raghu Rai

… words that this hugely talented photographer proves each time he clicks. He has captured India like no one else.

I have had the privilege of being invited to Mumbai by the Google+ team for the Google+ World Photography Day event today. While I fly off to discover how Google has changed the world of photography and images, I leave you with some of my favourite food  shots. It’s a mixed bag  yet one thing runs common – there is always a story behind my shots, a memory, an emotional connect, a season, maybe a reason.

IMHO, it’s important to connect with the subject to lend the photograph a soul. Soulless photography doesn’t work for me. The image must tell a story. It must also arouse curiosity. The mind should look at it and say how, when, why, who? I ask these questions a hundred times a day as I look at inspirational photographs. So much to learn and so little time. I leave you with one last photograph … a non food one. It’s very ‘India’, it has a story, the monkeys have names {Ramlal & Chameli}. It reflects a poignant part of  Indian folk tradition …

“ Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”
Imogen Cunningham

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