Techies raring to click in a big way

Madhapur/Gachibowli: Sai Kiran, a software engineer with Wipro, Anil Kumar, a data analyst with Rega Software, Sandhya Rani, a data mining expert and Durga Prasad, a senior vice-president at a software company, work in different time zones and in different locations but have one thing in common. On weekends, all meet up at a picturesque location in and around Hyderabad to follow their passion – photography. 

Sivaram Kondapalli, 43, vice-president (Business Strategy) at  Techzert Software, says, “In auto mode one does not have control over shutter speed. Thanks to online courses and tips from Venkanna Kolla, a renowned photographer, I am learning with each passing day.” IT employees increasingly taking up photography as it provides the much-needed respite from their exacting work, glued as they are to their cubicles, and allows one to travel far and wide. 

Many enthusiasts’ favourite haunt is Qutb Shahi Tombs, Golconda Fort and Ananthagiri Hills in and around Hyderabad. Many plan to visit  faraway places well in advance. In the last decade, several photography clubs have mushroomed in the city such as Sia Photography Club, Hyderabad Digital Photography Club, Twin Cities Photography Club, Hyderabad Photography Club,HyderabadDigital Photography Center, 9 Blocks Photography and Telangana Photographic Society. 

Why is photography as a hobby becoming popular? The answers are varied. Mohammed Irfan, a software professional with Accenture says, “The sheer thrill of the medium and to see a picture tell so many stories is captivating.” The advent of technology too has played a role as in the case of S K Madhavan Pillai. He says, “After I bought a smart phone, I started taking pictures and once I fell in love with the medium my interest in photography deepened and I bought a proper DSLR.”
 
For many, it starts with auto mode but once they find the charm of playing with light and shadow, one can never give up says Kishore Singh, a water colour artist in Hyderabad who first captures pictures on camera and paints on canvas. He adds, “I visited Patterghatti area several times during the day, early in the morning and at night. The old city has so much colour and vibrancy that every time I visit it, I come back with great material.