一䤀䬀伀一 䔀堀倀䔀刀䤀䔀一䌀䔀 娀伀一䔀

䌀䄀倀䤀吀䄀䰀
䔀匀匀䬀䄀夀 䔀一吀䔀刀倀刀䤀匀䔀匀
匀䠀伀倀 一伀ⴀ ㄀㄀㐀Ⰰ 嘀䤀䬀䄀匀 匀唀刀夀䄀 匀䠀伀倀倀䤀一䜀 䴀䄀䰀Ⰰ 䴀䄀一䜀䄀䰀䄀䴀 倀䰀䄀䌀䔀Ⰰ 匀䔀䌀吀伀刀 ㌀Ⰰ 刀伀䠀䤀一䤀Ⰰ 䐀䔀䰀䠀䤀ⴀ ㄀㄀　　㠀㔀 
⬀㤀㄀ⴀ㄀㄀ⴀ㐀㜀㌀㌀　㠀㜀㜀   ⬀㤀㄀ⴀ㤀㠀㄀　㄀㤀㤀㈀㜀㜀  攀猀猀欀愀礀攀渀琀攀爀瀀爀椀猀攀猀挀瀀䀀礀愀栀漀漀⸀挀漀洀
 THOSE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE

DISCLAIMER: ALL PHOTOGRAPHS PUBLISHED BY CHIIZ MAGAZINE HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE RESPECTIVE ARTISTS AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE COPYRIGHT
LAWS. IT IS FORBIDDEN TO COPY THE MATERIAL OR RESELL IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE ARTIST. ALL PRODUCT NAMES, TRADEMARKS, LOGOS,
BRANDS AND OTHER DATA PUBLISHED IN THE MAGAZINE ARE THE PROPERTY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. EDITORS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT IN
THE ADVERTISEMENTS. CHIIZ BELIEVES IN PROMOTING THE BEAUTY OF HUMAN FORM AND BODY. WE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, PROMOTE VULGARITY OR OBSCENITY
IN ANY FORM. READER'S DISCRETION IS ADVISED. FOR ANY FURTHER DETAILS VISIT US CHIIZ.COM OR WRITE TO MAGAZINE@CHIIZ.COM. PUBLISHED BY MANSA INC.
CONTENT PROVIDED BY CHIIZ.COM.
 EDITORIAL
Editorial
Tarun Khiwal
Prakhar Garg

Chief Visualizer
Sheetal Mann

Design
Priyashi Negi
Yasmeen Sheikh

Analysis
Prateek Kashyap
Noopur Sharma
Fashion is about something that comes from within
Writer you. – Ralph Lauren
Meenal Singh
I am sure Ralph not only referred to the creativity
Shreeja Chaterjee
that a designer craves or finds within himself but
Karishma Rana also something that many individuals always strive
Ankit Tyagi to find- a level of satisfaction in being themselves.
Sana Singh When people stand in front of the mirror to have a
Kamana Singh good long look at themselves, they always hope to
see a better reflection of themselves than what they
Technology have seen previously and with all this, they have grown conscious of how they
Sachin Arora appear and how comfortable they are with what they wear.
Ashvin Gajbhiye
Not only their clothes, but also their comfort level, express the sense of style and
Rishabh Jain
their conformity to the outer world. A world that we humans have come to fear in
Bharat Bhushan our own true self and have taken shelter in nuisances which have created gaps
among the civilization of humans and here we stand at crossroads with our very
Business Development
own self being.
Rajesh Basu
Amit Ghosh In this issue, what we have focussed on might not be the mainstream fashion and
Dimas Fajar people might not get the hype that revolves around the fashion world but what we
have here is something that is responsible for all that we have achieved so far in this
Sales industry. Be it natural beauty by Lynn Theisen, backstage brilliance by Ishaan Nair, or
Insaf Khan the street fashion by Rohit Arora which is now gaining popularity among the more
Krishna Srinivas prominent photographers.
Amit Gupta
The interview with John Rawson is an eye opener. He is has been through it all and
his experiences form a great lesson for all of us. The series of Roshini Kumar with
Marketing Suhail Nayyar is also a masterpiece in itself which is a true symbol of comfortable
Kanika Maurya fashion statements. Rod Klein and Jorge Gonzalez’s underwater fashion
Anurag Khaneja photographs present an altogether different approach to see things.

Public Relations Another mesmerizing story is that of Michael Lee, a street photographer who has
Barkha Chandra done a commendable job with the expressionism and Zina and Zoya tries that out
Dimple Chaudhary on the fashion front. This pair gives a totally different level of satisfaction to the
viewer.
Staff Photographer
I have come to believe that there is a very fine line between comfortable fashion and
Susana Gomezmoreno the nonchalant way of expression and fashion is also a little more than just being
Urshita Saini comfortable, it is about presenting a style of living to the world. A style that is yours
Tarundeep Singh but makes you of the whole world. The chauvinism you display is the statement you
make every time you step out of your home. Be careful what you portray but also, be
Finance free, because you are.
Neelu Singh
Regards,
Consultant
Apratim Saha
Mansa Inc.

CEO
Mukesh Kumar

Cover Photo
Thom Kerr
 CONTENTS
Thom Kerr and the Talk of the Town 24

Gear Review
30
Nikon D850

The Terrible Two’s

31
Zina & Zoya Singh

In Talks with John Rawson 36

Old is Gold - Begum Para Shoot

46
James Burke

Fine Art in the Streets

49
Michael Lee

Tips and Tricks

56
Your Guide to Fashion Photography

App of The Month

58
Darkr

Durga
60
Sharmishtha Dutta

Bringing Bappa Home

64
Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi

Being Beautiful
68
Keeping it Natural

The Backstage Brilliance

Ishaan Nair
70

Movie Review
74
High Art

Nicotine Soaked Lives

80
Meriç Aktar

Beyond the Normal Imagery

88
Rod Klein

Current Mood
Arjun Mark
94
Photo by John Rawson
Florian Ledoux
Florian Ledoux, 28, is
always in search of
places where nature
is queen and savage,
where the colours of
the earth are never
the same, where men
have a history, where
encounters forge the
spirit, it is alone or
accompanied that he travels the world to share
with us this passion and above all to make us
aware of the fragility of Nature. He spenat last
summer photographing Arctic wildlife in Nunavut
(Baffin, Devon, and Somerset Island) bringing
unique drone images of the different species that
live there.
This year he received the 3rd pla wce at the
international drone photo contest organized
by National Geographic, for a photo he did in
Greenland. Insta: @florian_ledoux_photographer
Scattered Flights
Nikon D5 400mm F/7.1 1/640s ISO2000
 Brothers-in-Arms
DJI FC6310 9mm F/8 1/15s ISO100

Another Sloppy Day

Nikon D5 400mm F/6.3 1/160s ISO2500
 Bridging The Atlas
DJI FC6310 9mm F/8 1/640s ISO100

Park Stroll Just Another Day

DJI FC6310 9mm F/8 1/800s ISO100 DJI FC6310 9mm F/8 1/160s ISO100

Bloodshed Waters
Nikon D5 400mm F/9 1/1000s ISO500
 Snow Owl - Focussed Red-throated Divers - Duck Love
NIKON D3S 600mm F/5 1/1250s ISO1250 NIKON D500 600mm F/5.6 1/640s ISO400

@terjekolaasphotos
N o r w e g i a n
photographer, Terje
Kolaas has been a
keen birder since
his early childhood
and started his
photographic career
with an old analog
Nikon FE2. Since
then, both Terje and Nikon has evolved,
and from being a typical snap-shot
photographer, he has now specialized
creating clean, intimate and artistic
images of birds that actually can
decorate any living room wall.
“A clean background leaves the bird’s
personality undisturbed. Therefore I
love to shoot in pure snow or clean
desert sand. In Norway, I have access
to snow 6 months a year, making it the
perfect country for photography in my
opinion”, Terje says. He runs his own
company, guiding birdwatchers and
photographers to the best birds and
photo sites in Norway.
Snow Owl - Lunch Tales
NIKON D3S 600mm F/5 1/1000s ISO640
 White Pelican - Gulping The Shot
NIKON D4S 24mm F/6.3 1/2000s ISO320

Waxwings - Chatter Boxes European Shags - Black in Blizzard

NIKON D3S 600mm F/5 1/1600s ISO800 NIKON D3S 420mm F/6.3 1/1250s ISO640
Rockhopper Penguins - Demanding Screams
NIKON D4S 14mm F/2.8 1/250s ISO500

Arctic Skua and Kittiwake - Rustle Over Fish

NIKON D700 500mm F/6.3 1/1250s ISO200
 S ezer Çekin always loved
natural beauty of earth
and the touch of history within
humans. His vision is to stir
the emotions of viewers. He is
passionate about capturing the
moments of human conditions,
cultures, and humane interactions
with the natural world. According
to him, photography is an art of
flawless observation.

1. Cappadocia is a result of erosion of volcanic layers which are

spread through the area with the eruption of mountains about 60
million years ago. It is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage
list. It’s an open air museum at Nevşehir Province in Turkey. (Left)

2. Hierapolis is an ancient city and it is located above the incredible

Pamukkale Travertines. Hierapolis and Pamukkale both earned a
UNESCO World Heritage Site title. (Below)

3. Konya Women’s Bazaar, is a historic bazaar which is host

to ladies who sell their food or vegetables from their very own
garden. (Right)
Canon EOS 60D 21mm F/3.5 1/30s ISO400

Canon EOS 60D 11mm F/14 1/100s ISO100

Canon EOS 60D 21mm F/3.5 1/30s ISO400
 L @fun
U JRA foo
d
G
an
A

d fr
HIN

olic

Tiffin Box Series Tiffin Box Series

Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/4.5 1/30s ISO200 Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/3.2 1/30s ISO100
dle

PHO
han

TO
m

ra RA
HER @Instag P

Tiffin Box Series Tiffin Box Series

Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/3.2 1/25s ISO100 Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/3.2 1/30s ISO100
 Open House Curry Candid Lollipops
Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/4.5 1/30s ISO100 Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/4 1/60s ISO100

Kesari Thaali The Traditional Ways

Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/5 1/40s ISO100 Canon EOS 550D 50mm F/5 1/40s ISO100
 Aisha - Cottoncandy Mia - Spaghetti
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 70mm F/3.2 1/60s ISO800 Canon EOS 5D Mark III 57mm F/3.5 1/100s ISO800

Pasta Glossary
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 70mm F/13 1/4s ISO200
Lucy Schaeffer
was a painter
and printmaker
before discovering
she preferred
photography for
telling stories. Five
years as a photo
editor at Food & Wine
magazine trained her eye
to see the yummiest aspects
of every dish and bring that out in every f o o d
shot. Lucy is just as comfortable shooting kids
in muddy puddles as she is lighting a highly
technical drink shot in the studio. She sees both
as part of the same whole— showing life well
lived. Her photography captures real moments
full of boldness, whimsy and color. She lives with
her husband and two daughters in Brooklyn, NY.

Yuka - Shellfish
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 59mm F/2.8 1/60s ISO1250
Thom Kerr and the Talk of the Town
T
hom Kerr is known for his bold
experimentation and vivid use of
color. His work acts as a bridge
between the realms of fashion and fine art.
DIMPLE from Chiiz gets chatty with him
around his career and fashion. Here is an
excerpt.
Being an artist, where do you draw most of
your inspiration from?
Probably music and cinema. I’m a storyteller
at heart. Sometimes, there is a message I want
to communicate politically or spiritually so
I’ll think of a visual way to tell the story or
make a point. I also identify ideas in other
artist’s work that I think, can be explored or
reinvented. I’m a big fan of curating different
elements together - it’s often how you land
with something brand new. You develop
your own formulas for pictures then break
away from them again.
When did you first decide to turn to
photography? Were you facing difficulties in
directing the photographers?
I did a fine arts degree specializing in
writing and directing. As I was finishing my
final year I made a lot of friends who were
designers, models and creatives. I started an
artist collective called Rufio Creative where
we would all collaborate together. I would
conceptualise the shoots and build the sets
but other photographers would capture
the ideas. I started toying with the idea of
taking the photos myself as I wanted to take
the images further, but was hesitant to take
the leap of faith. However, after a psychic
24 Vol 7
told me I was meant to be a photographer
it validated those desires and I bought a
camera that week. I think I already had a
point of view before I was taking pictures,
so my photos stood out. It was lots of hard
work, self belief and asking strangers how
things worked to get to where I am now.
To what level, do you retouch your photos?
Anything that you would like to do in
particular with your photos?
I retouch most of my personal and editorial
work. Some of my advertising is with
retouching teams but my clients usually
want my involvement in the direction of the
final look. In terms of what I do, it’s a lot of
trial and error - I like finding unusual ways
to accomplish things in Post-production.
What is the greatest lesson you’ve learnt
so far, in regard to reaching success and
maintain it?
I think you have to remind yourself to be
grateful for what you have and constantly
remember that you are not defined by your
work - even though the world wants to
define you that way. I’ve had lots of fabulous
and horrendous moments - so I feel pretty
level headed about my approach to all my
opportunities these days. I’m appreciative to
have made it this far and I’m curious to see
how far I will go. I would say that longevity
in my career is about constant evolution and
following what interests you and takes you
out of your comfort zone. Working with
people who have different ideas will always
push you to new heights with your art. That
Jordan
NIKON D3 66mm F/4.5 1/100s ISO100
translates into people staying interested in
you.
You’ve worked with wide range of models,
any tips that you have for models who want
to expand their portfolio?
Study up on all the successful photographers,
not just the models. Develop a stronger
understanding of what you think will work
for your look and seek out the creatives
that can make that happen. Figure out your
strengths and use them to your advantage
- that’s something I consistently see in the
most successful models.
What advice would you have for aspiring
fashion photographers?
It’s a constant dance between art and
commerce. Doing things for strategic
reasons verses doing things for artistic
purposes. Both voices are important - I think
you have to have a balance and keep faith in
what you’re about and what you represent.
In the beginning, you need to think equally
as much about what someone needs from
you rather than it being all about what you
want. Being a professional photographer is
a service industry - so if you deliver what
people want, more opportunities will be
presented to you.
Dimple Chaudhary
dimple@chiiz.com
A journalism graduate from Delhi
University, Dimple loves to act in plays
and is a part of Nirantar Theatre group.
She believes that ambition is the first
step to success, action is secondary.
 Runway Pit Stop
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50mm F/5.6 1/80s ISO100
 Lighting Up Avatar Redefined
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50mm F/6.3 1/100s ISO100 Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50mm F/8 1/100s ISO100

Jenny
Canon EOS 400D 37mm F/7.1 1/100s ISO100
Rohit Arora
Bridal Stories
Mumbai, India Canon 5D Mark II 91mm F/4 1/250s ISO400

Rohit Arora
Mumbai, India Hopes and Dreams
Canon 5D Mark II 104mm F/4 1/250s ISO200
Rohit Arora
Banarasiya
Mumbai, India Canon 5D Mark II 149mm F/4 1/250s ISO200

Rohit Arora
Mumbai, India Roadside Glamour
Canon 5D Mark II 50mm F/4 1/160s ISO100
 Gear Review

T
he Nikon D850 is Nikon’s latest high-resolution full-frame
DSLR, boasting a 46MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor.
But, in a fairly radical departure for the series, it is also one
of the company’s fastest-shooting DSLRs. This combination of
properties should significantly widen the camera’s appeal to high-end
enthusiasts as well as a broad range of professional photographers.

Key Specifications:
• 45.7MP BSI CMOS Sensor 7
• 7 fps continuous shooting with AE/AF (9 with battery grip and
EN-EL18b battery)
High Speed
• 153-point AF system linked to 180,000-pixel metering system
In addition to the increased speed, the D850 also gains the full
• UHD 4K video capture at up to 30p from full sensor width
AF capabilities of the company’s flagship sports camera: the D5.
• 1080p video at up to 120p, recorded as roughly 1/4 or 1/5th
This includes all the hardware: AF module, metering sensor and
speed slow-mo
dedicated AF processor, as well as the full range of AF modes and
• 4:2:2 8-bit UHD uncompressed output while recording to card
configuration options, which should translate to comparable focus
• Battery Life rated at 1840 shots
performance combined with high resolution.
• 3.2” tilting touchscreen with 2.36M-dot (1024×768 pixel) LCD
• Illuminated Controls
Impressively, the D850 can shoot at nine frames per second if
• 19.4MP DX crop (or 8.6MP at 30fps for up to 3 sec)
you add the optional MB-D18 battery grip and buy an EN-EL18b
• SnapBridge full-time Bluetooth LE connection system with Wi-
battery, as used in the D5. As well as increasing the camera’s burst
Fi
rate, this combination also ups the battery life to a staggering 5140
• Advanced time-lapse options (including in-camera 4K video
shots per charge.
creation)
Video capabilities
In terms of video, the D850 becomes the first Nikon DSLR to capture
4K video from the full width of its sensor. The camera can shoot at
30, 25 or 24p, at a bitrate of around 144 Mbps. It can simultaneously
output uncompressed 4:2:2 8-bit UHD to an external recorder
while recording to the card. Our initial impression is that the video
is pixel-binned, rather than being resolved then downsampled
(oversampling), but we’ll be checking on this as part of the review
process. This risks lowering the level of detail capture and increases
the risk of moiré, though it’s a better solution than line-skipping.
There also seemed to be a fair amount of rolling shutter, but again
High resolution
these are only first impressions from a camera running non-final
The D850 has gained a more usable electronic front curtain shutter
firmware.
option (EFCS), which can now be used quiet shutter modes, as well
as live view and Mirror-Up mode. To get the full benefit, though,
As you’d expect from a camera at this level, the D850 also includes
you need to turn on exposure delay (which has had two sub-second
the Power Aperture feature that allows the camera to open and
delay settings added). However, exposure delay persists across all
close the lens iris smoothly when in live view mode. There’s also an
shooting modes.
‘Attenuator’ mode for the camera’s audio capture, that rolls-off any
loud noises to avoid unpleasant clipping sounds.
The D850 has no anti-aliasing filter, which should allow for slightly
finer detail capture but with added risk of moiré, if any of your lenses Reviewed by Editorial Department of Chiiz.
are sharp enough to out-resolve a 45.7MP full-frame sensor. Gear Support: Nikon Experience Zone, Capital, Esskay Enterprises, Delhi.

30 Vol 7

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 60mm F/4 1/100s ISO250
The Terrible
Two’s
Zina and Zoya Singh
“S eeing beauty in imperfections
thus, terrible and channeling
our twinness through arts and
creativity with our love for fashion,
we came up with Terrible Twos.
The ability to take our interests
which varied culturally and
personally, coming together to
create a platform which accepts
all that’s terrible. Terrible for us
isn’t something negative. It’s a
connotation which can be made
beautiful with the right suffix.”
Journey Reminances
Zina & Zoya
C
hiiz interviews the sisters, Zoya and
Zina, on their evergrowing popularity
and the message that is being portrayed
through their fashion statements and the style
they express. SHEETAL got the chance to catch
them for a quick chat. You can check out their
instagram page @touchandbe.
Hi, First of all, you both are very beautiful
and the way you portray the said terribleness
in your images is somewhat another form
of expressionism. Explain your ‘terrible’ in
Terrible Twos?
We have always believed that terrible isn’t a bad
word. Having being called terribly naughty,
terribly fun and terribly nice at times, we think
with the right kind of connotation, terrible
can be any oxymoron, just like the two of us.
We are the yin and yang together. I hope this
explains it. Being twins we have always played
pranks on everyone around us and had fun
with this nature’s gift.
Adding the fashion element in your
expressionism, there is a very wide gap
between where you are and what you want to
portray. People might see it as just a lifestyle or
fashion thing but it’s much more than that. Can
you please elaborate on this?
Initially it started as something fun and
spontaneous. Ephemeral even. Developing
keen interest and passion combined, we started
living our work through each creative aspect.
Be it photography, editing, styling, writing,
direction and stories- it all was a challenge
Journey Reminances
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 47mm F/4 1/100s ISO320
and was not expected to be understood by
all. Only those who want quality and reality
in surrealism would have! Slowly, people are
opening up though and through various ways
and mediums we have achieved that target
of relating to people and interaction. We can
proudly say we know our followers and know
what they like!
There is this great love that reflects in your eyes
for each other. Are there times when you guys
are annoying to each other?
We do love each other not just naturally but
for unexplainable reasons as the bond we have
cannot be. Sometimes we fight like it’s the end
of the world but minutes later we will be fine.
Since we work together too, it’s sometimes
difficult to manage personal and professional
lives, though we won’t have it any other way!
A fashion advice that you would like to give to
the masses. Something that you believe in and
think that this is where it can all be right?
Please stick to yourself and your own style, no
matter how minimal, simple, exaggerated or
kitsch it is! Don’t follow trends, they aren’t for
everyone and be comfortable and real!
Sheetal Mann
sheetal@chiiz.com
A silent tigress working up her way
against the societal norms. One hell of
an interior designer for your beautiful
homes and thoughts, she is quite an
introvert and serenity drips from her
face.
Vol 7 31
 Bonding Over Food
Canon EOS 550D 43mm F/5.6 1/160s ISO100

Superdry Retro
NIKON D810 56mm F/2.8 1/2500s ISO200

3 Women
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 47mm F/4 1/500s ISO100

Swinging Along Life Reflecting Souls

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/4 1/250s ISO200 Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/4 1/640s ISO400
 The Differences Playtime Bonding
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 47mm F/2.8 1/500s ISO100 NIKON D800 24mm F/6.3 1/2000s ISO100

Happy Hours
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/7.1 1/1250s ISO100
 In Talks with John Rawson
G
etting up
close and
p e rs ona l
and being
as candid as
somebody like
him can be is
surely not an easy task. Here is a short
interview where KAMANA SINGH from
Chiiz gets in talk with John Rawson.
Being one already, what role do you think a
hair stylist plays in getting the right picture
that you look for? Do you sometimes find
it a little difficult to choose even ​the ​right​
model ​for ​a ​shoot?
It’s all about team work on shoots – we have,
over the years, built fantastic relationships
with hairdressers/stylists/make-up artists
and models so when we receive a brief it’s
easy for us to co-ordinate the right people
for that specific brief. Every single element
is equally important so if one thing is not in
line the ‘everything’ would fail.
With ​the ​rapid ​pace ​of ​advancement ​in
technology, ​is ​it ​hard ​to ​keep ​up ​with ​the​
amount ​of energy ​and ​time ​you ​have ​to ​put​
into ​your ​work? ​Tell ​us some ​really ​significant​
change ​that ​you ​have experienced ​from ​the​
time ​you ​started ​working, something ​that​
you ​really ​miss ​about ​the ​90s?
Technology is amazing, however, it doesn’t
make good pictures! We were sold a dream
when the digital revolution happened and it
really just meant far more work than when
we shot on film. In many ways, it makes
36 Vol 7
people lazy and reliant on retouch. I love the
new camera’s etc. but they are in constant
flux and very expensive! i.e. the current
system we use cost somewhere around
£40,000 and that is hard for many to recoup.
I think the 90’s was a very liberating decade
and lots of what occurred was ground-
breaking and will be looked back on with
great fondness but when you revisit a time,
which seems to be happening more and
more from an inspiration point of view, it’s
never the same.
When ​I ​see ​your ​photographs, ​I ​see ​a ​form​
of poetry ​flowing ​through ​all ​of ​them. ​Is ​it​
something ​that you ​want ​to ​acknowledge ​to?​
Which ​is ​your ​favourite one?
I don’t have a specific favourite image –
other than the most current one I’m working
on at the time. We constantly try and move
forward so don’t like looking back too much!
Poetry? Well we do try always to make it
beautiful – even if it’s extreme and radical.
I want it to have a flow and move where
possible.
From ​a ​hairdresser ​to ​a ​world ​renowned
photographer, ​such ​a ​transition ​is ​an​
outcome ​of ​hard work, ​and ​absolutely ​not​
just ​some ​smart ​luck. ​Some advices ​to ​the​
budding ​artists ​out ​there.
Funnily enough, it happened by mistake!
I never thought I’d be able to make it as a
photographer but worked hard and took
many risks and it paid off!! Being “safe” and
comfortable is not a state that’s creative – so
gamble and see where it takes you.
How ​much ​time ​do ​you ​generally ​spend ​on
retouching ​a ​photograph ​when ​you ​are ​not​
satisfied with ​the ​outcome? ​Or ​you ​go ​for ​a​
totally ​different alternative?
Retouching is a large part of an image but
the concept and lighting must be right or the
retouch can’t fix it! I have an amazing team
that retouch for me and we spend as much
time as it needs!
What, ​according ​to ​you, ​makes ​a ​perfect
photograph?
I doubt there is a ‘perfect’ one and if it was
it probably wouldn’t be very beautiful –
perfection rarely is! A great team/models
etc. is probably the closest you’ll get to it!
The Rawson Partnership is a photographic
consultancy which specialises in the
fashion and hair & beauty industries. They
are a committed team who prides itself in
developing and understanding your brief.
They organise every stage of the shoot
process from concept to booking models and
castings through full post production and
high end retouch and print. You can check
out their website: therawsonpartnership.net.
Kamana Singh
kamana@chiiz.com
Kamana Singh is a 2nd year Literature
Student at Delhi University. She is a
self-proclaimed wanderer. You will find
her mostly shuffling books in the library
or binge watching some netflix series.
Mostly writes to calm herself and never
to share it with the world.
 Black Territory Haus Salon Team Collection 2017
Phase One A/S P65+ 120mm F/6.3 1/150s ISO100 Phase One A/S P65+ 125mm F/10 1/150s ISO100

Wrapped Around Killer Look

Phase One A/S P65+ 140mm F/10 1/150s ISO100 Phase One A/S P65+ 80mm F/5.6 1/1250s ISO50
 Golden Hour The Whole Collection
Phase One A/S P65+ 80mm F/10 1/125s ISO50 Phase One A/S P65+ 80mm F/10 1/125s ISO100

Bare Lies XRay Waiting

Phase One A/S P65+ 60mm F/10 1/150s ISO100 Canon EOS 1Dx 67mm F/5.6 1/100s ISO1000
 Winning Collection NAHA2017
Phase One A/S P65+ 80mm F/10 1/125s ISO50
Tarundeep Singh Makkar Tarundeep Singh Makkar
Royal Stance Can’t Keep Away
Ludhiana , India Canon EOS 600D 50mm F/7.1 1/125s ISO100
Ludhiana , India
Canon EOS 600D 50mm F/7.1 1/250s ISO100

Tarundeep Singh Makkar Peace and Fashion

Tarundeep Singh Makkar
Just a Moment
Ludhiana , India Canon EOS 600D 50mm F/4 1/250s ISO50 Ludhiana , India Canon EOS 600D 50mm F/6.3 1/125s ISO100
Tarun Khiwal
Mumbai, India
 Designer - Sabyasaachi
Models - Anuj Choudhry, Adhiraj Chakrabarti, Arshia Ahuja, Apurav
Nautiyal, Diva Dhawan, Divya Menon, Kanika, Kushal, Namit Khanna,
Natasha Ramchandran and Rouhallah Quazim , Archana Akil Kumar
Hair & makeup - Mickey Contractor
NIKON D810 85mm F/16 1/160s ISO400
 Phase One P 25 ISO100 Phase One P 25 ISO100

Tarun Khiwal
Tarun Khiwal is among India’s
leading fashion photographers
and a true maverick. Recognized
and featured internationally, his
experimental style and finesse
transformed fashion photography
in India, and gave it a global edge
while also ushering in a new era of
exploration. His journey with the
art form began 25 years ago, and
without any formal training, his
undying passion and commitment
have led him to become one of the
world’s leading photographers.

The strongest, most defining aspect of Tarun’s aesthetic is that he

never conformed to the conventional ‘rules’, but made his own. His
visual style is unmatched because it stems from his Indian roots,
and yet transcends them to speak a contemporary language. Instead
of following western trends and masters, he crafted his own rare
style by drawing inspiration from his personal treasure of memories
and experiences in his own country India; small anecdotes of his
childhood years, or places he’d visited, or celebrations he’d seen,
the culture and traditions that influenced him while growing up.
Each image by Tarun Khiwal carries this signature backdrop, this
unmistakable sense of heritage and pride in one’s own culture. He
combined this sensibility with the technical and artistic sophistication
of modern photography to deliver images that are distinctly his own
and so unique that they have won him appreciation and accolades
Phase One P 25 ISO100 the world over.
Designed by: Manish Arora
Model Credits:
1. Bhavna Sharma & Carol Maria Gracias 2. Michelle Innes 3. Michelle Innes
Makeup: Ambika Pillai

44 Vol 7
 Phase One P 25 ISO100 Phase One P 25 ISO100

Phase One P 25 ISO100 Phase One P 25 ISO100

Designed by: Manish Arora

Model Credits:
1. Bhavna Sharma, Michelle Innes and Carol Maria Gracias 2. Bhavna Sharma 3. Michelle Innes 4. Bhavna Sharma & Michelle Innes(Right page)
Makeup: Ambika Pillai

Vol 7 45
 Old is Gold An intimate photo shoot with India’s first glamour
queen - Begum Para - James Burke - 1951

T
he film industry of India,
that is Bollywood, has always
been somewhat of a magical
mysterious land for those of us
who stand by the sidelines and watch the
most ordinary people being turned into
stars that ooze glamour and showbiz.
The Bollywood that we see now hadn’t
always been tolerant, especially towards
James Burke the actresses. Today, an actress doing a
bold photo shoot is not something out of
the blue. It is more of a regular occurrence and the internet flooding
with sensual pictures of the actresses is a testimony to that.
The rebellious actress was infamous for smoking and carrying
a glass of whisky in public events. She would laugh at her female
counterparts who despite enjoying alcohol would conceal their
drinks with cola. Her sensuous intimate photo shoot was yet another
blow to the hypocrite industry of Bollywood who would objectify
women and at the same time vilify them for it.
With all the actresses posing to be the next sex symbol, none
compares to the stunning beauty of Begum Para- India’s first oomph
girl. Even today, the black and white, sepia tinted photographs serve
as an ode to the bold and beautiful Begum Para and her irrepressible
spirit.

Now rewind to the era of 40s and 50s where actresses clad and
covered from head to toe in six yards of sheer elegance, presented
a demure image- both on and off screen. It was then that James
Burke, a legendary photographer of the prestigious LIFE magazine,
and Begum Para, the Bollywood actress, shocked everyone with her
sensuous photo shoot which earned her the title of “Bollywood’s
pinup girl”.

The busty beauty dressed in a gorgeous plain white saree and a white
blouse, was 24 when she posed in front of Burke’s lens in 1951. So
sensuous were her photographs that she has been likened to actress
Jane Russell and has been called the Indian version of “The Outlaw”.

James Burke was one of the few photographers that got to capture
what goes on behind the silver screen and also stunning profiles of
actresses. Begum Para’s intimate photo shoot was one such story of
the hypocrisy in Bollywood. In one of the photographs she is seen
as lighting up a cigarette and smiling as if in open defiance of the
existing norms of how the Bollywood actresses should behave.

Priyashi Negi
priyashi@chiiz.com

Trekking to the top of the hills through tiny little paths and between
pines is nothing short of paradise for Priyashi. Books and poetry are her
refuge. She is a foodie at heart and seems to be blessed with a sweet
tooth and a love for all things cheese (pun-intended).

46 Vol 7

Fine Art in the Streets
“A
ll my photographs are created on
site and in-camera. It is crucial to
me that they are not re-worked
in any image software. Only adjustments
to light, dark and cropping are made on
computer afterwards. Eavch one is made
using a technique that contradicts the
proper functionality requirements for High
Dynamic Range imagery.”
Michael Lee is a British visual artist, living
and working in London. Photography
was always a passion and mainly served to
inform Michael’s painting. Michael taught as
a full time art teacher before travelling Asia
and training in oil painting. He returned to
the UK, working as an art and photography
teacher while studying a Masters Degree in
Fine Art at Middlesex University. NOOPUR
SHARMA from Chiiz gets in talks with Lee.
Below is an exceprt.
In what genre would you like to put your
photography? If it is street, then what is your
concept of street photography?
I would like my work to be considered
fine art and/or abstract photography. In
truth, it probably occupies a space between
those genres. My street photography is
Happenstance Crossing
As people cross the road entering Piccadilly Circus, an elaborate camera movement
drags colour and texture across the scene. Fortuitously balancing static and stationary
with photographic and painterly elements.
about capturing the energy, vibrancy and
essence of a place rather than the telling of
a particular story.
Your photographs are like a set of paintings
that seem to be in motion within themselves.
Is it something that you are trying to make
a point with?
Drawing upon and referencing painting
is central to my practice. Exploring the
painterly qualities of my photographic
technique has always been a driving force
for me. It is the fact that the photographs
are generated through real events, my
performance and the camera, as opposed to
on a blank canvas that I find so exciting.
What is the technique you use? How do you
process them on site?
I shoot in HDR mode where the camera
automatically combines three consecutive
exposures. Typically for HDR, one ought
to keep the camera as still as possible to
avoid peculiarities, however, I will look
to perverse this by introducing elaborate
camera movements and shooting moving
subjects.
Something that inspired you to pick up that
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 33mm F/20 1/50s ISO200
Michael Lee
brush and that camera?
I have an innate desire to create. I find
immense satisfaction and sense of
accomplishment making something I can
be proud of. Originally, I had only seen
photography as a means to inform my
painting, however these days it is the other
way round.
When a person starts with photography, it
is generally the street photography. What
should he look for in his pictures and why?
Typically, a narrative. I am most interested
in seeing a personalised aesthetic to illustrate
the narrative.
S ince developing a unique technique
for creating abstracted photographs,
he now only paints with his lens, though
painting greatly influences and inspires his
photography. Michael has exhibited widely
across London, the UK and Europe. He is
represented by galleries in the UK and Italy.
Noopur Sharma
noopur@chiiz.com
Noopur Sharma, is a content writer whose articles
have appeared in Asian School of Media Studies
newspaper and others. She has worked as a Public
Relation Executive for Bang On Target PR and Media
solutions, and is a blogger on social media as well.
Vol 7 49
West End Ghosts XXVI:
Captured on London’s Oxford Street towards the end of the day, unusual outlines are
generated from the considered abuse of the HDR function. A passer-by becomes
ghosted into the composition as the late sunshine lights their profile.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 28mm F/14 1/40s ISO250
 Prevailing Dusk I
Captured near London’s Liverpool Street Station one pleasant evening, a bus
passes by reflecting elements from the street. The camera leaves just remnants
of the reflections and the bus, allowing space for the lights and colours of the city
to permeate towards the front of the picture plane.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 28mm F/8 1/10s ISO2500

Old Delhi II:

Approaching an opening to an incredibly busy road in Old Delhi brimming with
countless people, bicycles, tuk tuks and animals, all jostling about. From nowhere,
a luminous motorbike speeds headlong into the fray. Unbelievably, the motorcyclist
weaved his way through the melee without slowing down and disappeared from
sight without disaster. Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/22 1/20s ISO5000
Vinay Javkar
Lost in the scape
Mumbai, India Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/20 1/250s ISO100

Vinay Javkar
Urban Fashion
Mumbai, India Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/7.1 1/250s ISO500
Vinay Javkar
Mumbai, India Werewolf Dreams
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/20 1/160s ISO400
 Tips and Tricks
Your Guide to Fashion Photography
1. Preparation
In my opinion, this is the most important part of the work. And
the most important advice that I can give to you is never prone to
prepare for shooting. It’s better to do more, and do not waste extra
nerves on the shooting. Form your team - make-up artist, hair stylist,
stylist for clothes. Prepare references and make a moodboard. So it
will be easier to visualize the idea. And remember - every detail is
important. So make a list of everything you need to forget nothing.
I, as a photographer, always make myself a check-list - What camera
should I take, what kind of lenses, flashes and ancillary things I need.
The same list should be made by other team members.

2. Locations
In advance, always check the locations - better in a day or at least
a couple of hours, so in case of unforeseen circumstances you have
time to find a backup option.

3. Experiment
Sometimes, being already on the court, during the shooting, you
realize that what you are shooting is not quite what you need. Do
not be afraid to deviate a bit from the concept and experiment -
remember that the final picture in your camera should suit you

4. Be ready to take a picture any second

The most masterpieces are sudden. Your finger on the shutter button
should always be ready to take a picture. At that moment, nothing
exists except for you, the camera and the model. Concentrate.

5. Light
Light Light, light, light and once again light. Light is our everything.
From the right light, your frame will be steep or floppy. Remember
this. The photography means- “I write with light” and you must be
able to correctly write with this light.

6. Model
Do not trust the photo in the instagram! Often, models in life look
very different, and when choosing a model, make sure to do a model
test before shooting. To see how it works in the frame and whether it
fits the concept of your shooting. NIKON D700 105mm F/14 1/125s ISO200

7. Atmosphere
Friendly, comfortable atmosphere is the key to successful shooting.
Take care of the good mood for the whole team. Music, wine, jokes -
everyone has their own individual recipe for success.

8. Postproduction
Correctly processed image - can “save” any frame, even if it was not
very well shot. But do not overdo it with processing, in everything Tina Sokolovskaya
there must be a measure!
Starting with night clubs and ending
up with Playboy Ukraine’s magazine,
9. Inspiration this isn’t just luck, but sheer hard
Read more magazines, see as much as possible fashion filming of work and Tina Sokolovskaya surely
famous photographers. Study them, arrange them, and remember: has her way with it. This Ukraine
“Steal like an artist” based photographer now works
with celebrities, famous artists,
and singers all over the globe. A
10. Update your portfolio and social networks all the time. pro at fashion photography, Tina
Activity in the network is very important! Do not forget to share shares the ins and outs of Fashion
backstages and the results of work with your subscribers. Photography with Chiiz.
56 Vol 7
 NIKON D700 50mm F/3.5 1/200s ISO200

NIKON D700 105mm F/3.5 1/640s ISO280 NIKON D700 50mm F/5.6 1/1250s ISO200
 App of the Month
Darkr - Analog Retro Film
Category: Fine PortraIt Editing
Rating: 4.6/5
Platform: iOS
Cost: Free (offers in-app purchases)
Version: 2.6.1

Here are the thoughts that Marcus shares with us regarding the
Darkr App.
‘I have used analog cameras for over twenty years. I have even built a
couple of large-format cameras in Teak-wood myself. I have always
loved the true feeling when standing and looking at a huge negative.
For many years, I have had this project to photograph young
children with my large-format cameras. I also noticed that by using
a large-format cameras that really slows down the session, the better
images are made. For quite some time, I wanted to let other people
be able to try how it’s to shoot using large-format cameras and to
develop in a darkroom. So, I created an app called Darkr. It took
almost a full year with several hours every night building this app.
Darkr has been featured by Apple since day one and all over the
world. Darkr is divided into two sections. Firstly the camera-section.
Here you can choose to use a normal small camera, medium-format
camera or a large-format camera.
The darkroom is as close as a real darkroom can be. In a real
darkroom, one works with different strips. These strips are made
to find out how long the enlarger should put light on the paper. Just
as a real darkroom, you can make parts of the image brighter or
darker – which is called dodge and burn.
You have probably seen where one holds a hand, blocking the light
that hits the paper, making that area brighter. Instead of holding
your hands over the iPhone, you draw the mask the hand would
have created. The mask combined with the strip, makes the changes
to the image.
The goal is to understand that even the smallest change in local
brightness or darkness will improve the image very much. One can
add how many dodge or burn-layers as one wants. Darkr is only
for black and white-photos, however one can tone the images using
Sepia, Selenium or Cyanotype-tones.

The cameras are only manual, so you have to set the shutter-speed
as well as the ISO (in an iPhone one cannot change the aperture, but
you can change the ISO instead). One also has to focus manually,
but just to be sure you really nail the focus, you will see a loupe that
magnifies the image three times. Naturally as one does when focus
in a medium and large-format camera.

You can also add different film-emulsions like various Ilford-film

and Kodak-film. One can also add red, yellow and green-filter to
improve the contrast in the image.

The viewfinder is as real as it can be, that is, the large-format

camera’s viewfinder is upside-down and mirrored and the medium-
format camera is mirrored. After you have snapped an image you
can develop it in a darkroom. Naturally you can develop the images
you have in your camera-roll.
To make the darkroom a bit easier, you will be presented with a
couple of tutorials. Both on how the darkroom actually works
and the comparison between Darkr and a real darkroom. By
understanding how a real darkroom works, it will make Darkr’s
workflow more understandable. There are also a couple of tutorials
of how I’m thinking when developing images. The app is made
exclusively for iPhone and iPad and are updated on a regular base.

For this issue, rather than reviewing an app,

we present you the idea behind the app and
its developer, who being just a regular guy at
work, created this amazing application. Marcus
Carlsson has been running his app-business for
two years now and he’s totally alone in it. ‘I just
love the whole piece’, says Marcus. Right now, the
business is his side-job, but he aims to quit his
day-time job and go full-time with app making. Marcus Carlsson

58 Vol 7
DURGA
Gender Bias and Discrimination Against Widows in India
|| Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu, Shakti rupena sansthita ||
The Omnipresent Goddess is the embodiment of Power.
From times immemorial, Indians
have celebrated Goddess Durga as the
embodiment of Stree Shakti (woman
power). According to Hindu Mythology,
when the celestial gods or devas could
not control the menace of the demons or
asuras, they convened with the powerful
trinity of gods, Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh.
Thus, did Durga the invincible, come into
being. With eyes that drained the strength
of the demons, her ten hands brandishing
ten different weapons, she slaughtered the
Sharmishtha Dutta infamous Mahishasur demon and restored
Photographer
balance to the world. This is how she’s
celebrated even today, in India and all over
the world.
But a woman, born of man! That is certainly a man’s
perspective! Indians, the world over, have been celebrating
Goddess Durga as the embodiment of ‘Stree Shakti’. It
becomes crucial to see how a woman in the present world,
finds her place in an increasingly patriarchal society of
India. It is a place where her voice is deliberately muffled
and she has to fight for an equal status - social, economic
& even sexual– which the man so takes for granted.
Perhaps, the biggest case of social injustice till day is
one that is faced by widows. Their plight portrays a fine
picture of neglect and social irresponsibility. Despite our
60 Vol 7
Durga Series-1
Canon EOS 1000D 62mm F/20 1/250s ISO1600
motherland making exponential progress, the matriarch
is target to stigma, superstitions and social dogma.
Widowhood is a curse, still, in our country. She is forced
to give up all worldly pleasures, wear only white and
have her hair cut off. Little do we know of her abject
conditions and a life of endless hardships; not to mention
humiliation?
The Government of India has taken steps to provide them
a nominal pension. Several NGOs have set up shelters,
providing them with a respectable life in their sunset
years.
But not much has changed over the years in terms of their
social acceptability. It must be strange for a society, such
as ours, that idolizes Ma Durga and yet turns a blind eye
to a million destitute mothers and wives, treating them
with so much indifference and hostility. It makes us all
look a tad hypocritical, don’t you think? A society that
propagates respect for women only in relation to her
status with a man!
It is time we realized that there resides a DURGA in every
woman, whether she is the well-educated lady from the
upper echelons of society, the quintessential middle class
working-woman, the village simpleton or the old and
abandoned widow in Vrindavan.
 Durga Series-2
Canon EOS 1000D 24mm F/3.2 1/160s ISO160

Durga Series-3
Canon EOS 1000D 24mm F/6.3 1/5s ISO1600
 Durga Series-4
Canon EOS 1000D 18mm F/11 1/0.6s ISO800

Durga Series-5 Durga Series-6

Canon EOS 1000D 18mm F/5 1/5s ISO60 Canon EOS 1000D 18mm F/4 1/40s ISO200

Durga Series-7
Canon EOS 1000D 24mm F/3.2 1/160s ISO1600
 Durga Series-8
Canon EOS 1000D 44mm F/2.8 1/40s ISO400

Durga Series-9
Canon EOS 1000D 24mm F/3.2 1/40s ISO400
 Bringing Bappa Home
celebrating ganesh Chaturthi
Sachin Khot
Mumbai, India
T
he god of wisdom as they call him in the Hindu culture, Lord
Ganesh helped Bal Gangadhar Tilak to bring people together
in the pre-independence era not only to worship him but also
discuss their strategies to take down the East India Company. After
70 years of Independence, it is still celebrated with the same zeal and
enthusiasm all over the country especially in Maharashtra. In case
you didn’t’know Lord Ganesh is the Hindu god with the head of an
elephant and body of a human. According to Hindu mythology, he
is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is of twelve
days and huge pandals, with varied themes, are erected all over the
country to welcome Lord Ganesha. With the various global issues in
the picture, some pandals are using this festival to spread awareness
about problems like pollution, women safety, deforestation etc by
64 Vol 7
One of the Top 30 in Chiiz Photography Contest
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/5 1/80s ISO3200
basing their themes on them. Many religious people also like to
bring the idol home and offer their prayers for twelve days. The last
day the entire Hindu population bids goodbye to their lord and the
Idols are immersed in water bodies. But nothing is perfect and this
festival also has its cons. With the increasing number of idols being
immersed the water bodies are getting toxic and polluted with the
plaster of paris. Also, some pandals are taking it as a competition
and using loudspeakers to attract crowd causing nuisance and noise
pollution. But the new age artists are using various biodegradable
materials like paper, organic soil etc to make idols and reduce the
adverse effects. In all the chaos this festival brings the entire country
together, even if for twelve days, which is much needed with the
communal tensions going on.
Rajiv Malu
The WonderWomen
Mumbai, India Canon EOS 5D Mark III 28mm F/4.5 1/400s ISO250

Rajiv Malu The Last Dip

Mumbai, India Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/6.3 1/160s ISO50
Ammar Netarwala
Mumbai, India
 Procession of The Lord
Canon EOS 760D 18mm F/5.6 1/250s ISO100
Being Beautiful-Keeping it Natural
W
ith the promotion of natural
beauty by Kim Kardashian and
other celebrities, the idea of a “no
makeup” makeup look, skincare has become
an important factor in daily life. Good skin
makes a perfect base and requires less makeup,
just a bit of enhancement, appealing to people
as everyday life continues to become busier and busier. Having
a natural glow, evenly toned skin is now a standard many work
towards through the use of various skin routines. In America, the
average women’s skincare costs 8 dollars a day. This is also inspired
by the K-beauty trend. Many Koreans find their skin as one of
their most valuable assets. They practice rigorous ten step care skin
routines on a daily basis, have specific clinics for skin care and are
mainly inspired by K-drama stars and Kpop stars. As the fame of
these idols from Korea spread all over the world so did their daily
routines, their beautiful skin pulling in many people all over the
world. As skin care becomes more popular people are also becoming
more aware of the consequences of the chemicals present in skincare
products, with the help of the internet. Many exfoliators contain
beads that are non degradable, causing a lot of harm to the earth.
68 Vol 7
Lynn Theisen
@lynntheisen.com
Natural Covers
SONY SLT-A99V 105mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO100
Some of the chemicals found in skincare products actually cause
more harm to skin than cleanse them. Through this research and the
growth of veganism comes an entirely new form of skincare. It is still
attempting to achieve the same goals but naturally. Many companies
are beginning to make skincare products from all natural materials,
such as clay, avocado, tea and many other materials. People are
trying to push away animal cruelty, the use of animal products
and return to their roots. Everyone is working backwards, back to
when everything humans used came straight from the Earth. Many
natural oils achieve the same effect as chemicals and are able to cater
to all types of skin. The diversity of natural products, their ability to
help all skin types and their ability to achieve skin standards without
guilt make it very appealing to consumers.
Karishma Rana
karishma@chiiz.com
Karishma Rana is a 15 year old high school student with too many
passions and too little time to decide what to settle on. She enjoys
capturing moments around the world and has way too many photos of
her dog. She is attempting to dip her toes into the world of photography
and writing.
 Beyond The Leaves Natural Beauty
SONY SLT-A99V 105mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO100 SONY SLT-A99V 105mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO100

Natural Series-1 Natural Series-2

SONY SLT-A99V 105mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO100 SONY SLT-A99V 105mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO100
The Backstage Brilliance
Ishaan Nair

Ishaan Nair, filmmaker and photographer, has been working since his
education in direction and cinematography from New York. In his search
for himself, he discovered an innate talent for photography. Without any
formal training he has shot covers and editorials for Harper’s Bazaar,
L’Officiel, Marie Claire. His skills have led him to photograph some of the
best-known faces of the thriving Indian film industry. With a stronghold
in fashion, he has shot advertising campaigns, films and shows for the
most celebrated designers.

‘Kaash’, a film written and directed by him marks his directorial debut. After having it’s world
premier at Tokyo International film festival, it is now slated to release this year. More recently
he has directed commercials for Dove, Puma, Lakme, Taj Palaces, Apple Music, Jaipur
Jewels and more. Website: ishaannair.net

B
right lights, ravishing dresses, enchanting smiles of beautiful models and
hardworking stylists. Fashion show, a place where the level of talent is quite
high and is a place where beauty is showcased with pride. Fashion designers
participate and their work is enhanced by charming models. But have you ever seen
the backstage of a fashion show? Well, one will think that models just stand in line
and wait till their turn comes to perform, but is that so?

There is an army of people working in full potential to showcase their talent to the
fans and guests. A backstage of a fashion show is a place where final decisions are
taken models are munching and stylists are making changes. The fun part is, stylists
are never satisfied with their setup, and they make last-minute adjustments and work
under a lot of pressure to make the show a success. It is an organised madness where
makeup artists are running behind the models and they even get their dresses ready
seconds before their ramp-walk.

The stylists face a lot of issues, sometimes the models get late due to traffic or because
of their last show somewhere. They come running with makeup and it becomes
challenging for the makeup artists to work at the last minute. But when all these
challenges are overcome, the fashion show becomes successful. Well, fashion show
is one thing and fashion week is something far more hectic with so many things to
be taken care of.

All the models are getting ready at the last minute makes it difficult deciding who
will be walking first. There are times when the models go to other shows making
the designers call their backups. The models get limited time for their walk and the
time spent returning, changing and walking again. Ramp walk is also one thing
that enhances the designer’s outfits. Models, managers, stylists, makeup artists and
fashion elites make a fashion show successful but most of the hefty work is done
backstage.

Backstage is one place where there is no time to relax or even take a break. It is a place
where fun can’t be missed. There are a lot of photographers too who get the best shots
right before the models walk. The look on their faces some scared, some thrilled and
some of them are just in a hurry to finish the work. The best part is that you will also
find fans, a lot of them just to have a glimpse of their favourite artists. The fans also
play a vital role in the fashion business because they are the ones who take their work
to another level by buying the outfits the designers showcase in the fashion shows all
around the world.

Ankit Tyagi
ankit@chiiz.com
Ankit, a journalism student, with intense love towards photography.
He writes for a digital marketing company and believes in the power
of words. The dream is to explore and find different perceptions in
life. He likes watching classic movies and follows Alfred Hitchcock.
Facelift Stage
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 50mm F/7.1 1/160s ISO160
Vol 7 71
 Eyes Don’t Lie
Canon EOS 5D Mark III 32mm F/6.3 1s ISO250

Brilliance Behind The Stage Heels Reels

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 50mm F/3.5 1/6s ISO100 Canon EOS 5D Mark III 28mm F/9 1/60s ISO320

Mexican Touche
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 28mm F/5.6 1/50s ISO6400
 Bright Lenses Highway of Hell
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 24mm F/5 1/60s ISO125 Canon EOS 5D Mark III 24mm F/5.6 1/30s ISO500

It’s Me Right Here Graced All Over

Canon EOS 5D Mark III 32mm F/6.3 1s ISO250 Canon EOS 5D Mark II 24mm F/4 1/4s ISO1000

Lookout Indifferent
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 85mm F/1.8 1/60s ISO500
High Art (1998)
Movie Review
Duration: 1hr 41mins
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
Released: 1998
Written and Directed: Lisa Cholodenko

M
aking her debut through HIGH ART, Lisa Cholodenko,
more or less, gives the audience what the trailer promises.
The trailer commits Ambition, Seduction, Sacrifice and
other career moves which the movie fulfils to a great extent. Lisa’s
career hasn’t been much productive as she directed just four films
in all, though, her debut movie won 7 awards and made it to 18
nominations. Let’s have a look at its storyline and review the cast,
crew and the message of the movie.

Story: High Art is about an assistant editor Syd who is an ambitious

woman. The movie is about Syd’s discovery of her sexuality: from
living with her boyfriend to her falling in love with a lesbian
photographer Lucy Berliner. Lucy Berliner stopped working 10
years ago and lives with her German girlfriend Greta. Syd revives
Lucy from her hibernating period and persuades her to work for
FRAME, the company Syd works for. Lucy agrees to it. It is while
working on the cover for FRAME do these two women discover
Lucy, on the other hand, starts getting attracted to Syd. On their
their love for each other. High Art is not just about love, seduction
weekend trip, they get intimate with each other and Syd confesses
and ambition, but also about drugs, addiction and lot more.
her love for Lucy. Lucy seizes their intimacy and Syd’s beauty
in a photograph and offers the same to Syd for the cover she was
Review: Featuring Radha Mitchell as Syd and Ally Sheddy as
doing for FRAME. Syd is afraid at first, to make her personal life
Lucy Berliner, High Art is a romantic drama portraying a lesbian’s
public, but, later on submits Lucy’s work to her boss Dominique.
sexuality, relationships, ambition, addiction and what not. Syd is a
She receives a lot of admiration at work. Lucy, on the other hand
career driven enthusiastic woman who is trying to find appreciation
is tensed with her situation with Greta and then her addiction. She
in her job. She meets Lucy Berliner who is a retired photographer
decides to move out.
living upstairs. Syd seems to be bored of her life and her relationships
and Lucy is already lost.
Lucy’s mother walks away from her when she tells her about her
Lucy’s life is a mess as well. She lives with her lover Greta who is
situation. She says, “I have a drug problem and a love issue. Or
a washed out German actress. Both of them are heroin addicts,
maybe, I have a love problem and a drug issue. I don’t know.” In her
especially Greta who rarely is in her senses. At one hand, Greta’s
weak moment, she surrenders her inner-self to her mother, but, her
words reveal her love for Lucy, but, on the other hand, they reveal
mother walks away. Apparently, it seems she had a drug problem
her lost state of mind as well: “I’m Greta. I live for Lucy. I mean I live
and a love issue, after all.
here with Lucy.” Greta become jealous of Lucy’s friendly relationship
with Syd and loses control. She even puts her life at risk. Likewise,
High Art highlights lesbian intimacy and seduction along with drug
Syd’s boyfriend James is critical of Lucy and is afraid of Syd getting
addiction, through the intimacy does not have much of nudity. Rated
laid with her.
6.7 by IMDb, the movie was provided with “R” certificate and below
seventeen kids were allowed only under a parental supervision. The
movie did well on the silver screen but could have been a little more
relatable to the audience had it been that Syd’s character was a little
more refined.

The characters, overall, were fine and the story brought out a new
concept in its time. Greta’s character was well-portrayed as she
represented drug-addiction in the best way possible. Her addiction
makes her forget things and lose track of time. All in all, Lisa’s Greta
is what the younger generation needs to learn from.

Meenal Singh
meenal@chiiz.com
Meenal Singh is an undergraduate student of Miranda House, University of
Delhi. She aspires to be a lecturer in English Literature. Meenal wishes to
fight for the equality of women worldwide through the power of her words.

74 Vol 7
David Espinosa
That Stare Is Killing
Puebla, Mexico
NIKON D800 28mm F/3.3 1/125s ISO320
David Espinosa David Espinosa
Dreaming All Over One Last Breath
Puebla, Mexico Puebla, Mexico NIKON D800 48mm F/3.5 1/60s ISO320
NIKON D800 66mm F/2.8 1/125s ISO400

David Espinosa
Puebla, Mexico To It And Beyond
NIKON D800 48mm F/5.6 1/90s ISO640
 Rosh x Suhail Rosh x Suhail
Canon EOS 60D 18mm F/18 1/50s ISO100 Canon EOS 60D 19mm F/18 1/50s ISO100

Rosh x Suhail Rosh x Suhail

Canon EOS 60D 20mm F/18 1/50s ISO100 Canon EOS 60D 22mm F/18 1/50s ISO100
 Rosh x Suhail Rosh x Suhail
Canon EOS 60D 22mm F/18 1/50s ISO100 Canon EOS 60D 22mm F/25 1/80s ISO100

Roshini Kumar

R o s h i n i Kumar is a
professional photographer
who’s equally passionate about
styling, digital art and creative direction. Art, Fashion and
Photography have always been her platform to express
her opinions, share experiences, experiment and address
social issues, specifically those regarding body positivity
which is why all her work has been left purely natural and
no skin retouch has been done. Bold colors and ideas
are what defines her and her work. ”I like to create new
things on the regular, break boundaries and experiment
with my art.”

This was a creative collaboration between Roshini

Kumar & Suhail Nayyar with model Sony Kaur from TFM
360 India. Styled by Manka Malik and makeup by Vimal
Gudka.Creative direction/Concept and post - Roshini
Kumar.
Rosh x Suhail
Canon EOS 60D 22mm F/18 1/50s ISO100
Vol 7 79

Nicotine Soaked Lives : A Glance into
The Tobacco Farming Industry in Turkey
Meriç Aktar
@mericaktar is a 32 years old hobbyist
photographer who lives in Samandag,
Hatay, Turkey. He began chasing light
and capturing moments in 2012, since
then, picking up the camera gave him
an opportunity to capture a specific
vision to share with others. Ultimately,
a well captured image represents a
moment in time that is expressed
infinitely, and that’s enough of a reason
for him to hang the camera around his
shoulders every time he steps out of
his home. As such, with a greater
appreciation of the documenting
people via photography, he has also
developed a greater connection with
people and life.
80 Vol 7
F or most of us the word “Tobacco” triggers
one of these two probable reactions, a) A
strong abhorrence (generally associated with
the detrimental effect it has on our health).
Or b) An even stronger urge, fuelled by years
of addiction and/or decades worth of popular
culture, to light the nearest cigarette. If it’s not
one of these two things, it’s probably some
botanical inquiry into the structure of the
plant itself.
Yes, Tobacco is all of those things and more.
But for about a few hundred families living
in Yayladagi, in the Hatay province of Turkey,
tobacco isn’t death or grave addictions; it is
life. Tobacco, for them, is neither some means
to placate an oral fixation, nor is it the tiny font
and the skull and crossbones that warn against
its consumption. These tobacco farmers are
in no way associated with the ongoing power
struggles between “Big Tobacco” and the
organizations against it, when quite ironically,
they are intrinsic to the production of the very
“thing” governments, business conglomerates,
Dwindling Lives
NIKON D610 50mm F/8 1/250s ISO200
and activists tussle over. Tobacco for them is
what puts bread on the table; what sends their
kids to school ; and what puts them on the
map.
For the uninitiated, which is quite frankly
most of us, here is a brief history of Turkish
tobacco. Tobacco, of course, originated in the
Americas. It was introduced to the Ottoman
Empire (modern day Turkey, Republic of
Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece) by Spanish
traders. The Ottoman Turks devised their own
way of cultivating, harvesting, curing, and
later, using the tobacco - and thus a distinctly
“Turkish” variety came into being. Turkish
tobacco dominated the global markets for
most of the 20th century. It peaked during
the 1960s when the Turkish kind was the
most sought-after variety. Turkish tobacco
is highly aromatic and being specifically
“sun-cured” adds to the flavour. Ideally, this
type of tobacco is used exclusively for pipes
and cigarette manufacturing. In fact, most
of the early brands of cigarettes only made
use of Turkish tobacco. The location of the
Hatay province on Turkey’s Mediterranean
coast is particularly suited to favour the
growth of this crop. Interestingly, Hatay
was historically a part of Syria; but with
European interference (in the form of
French colonialism and the failing League of
Nations), the native Turks in Hatay initiated
reforms to unite with Turkey as part of an
elaborate anti-Hitler alliance in 1939.
On a more health-conscious note, the Turkish
fare of tobacco is significantly milder than
other varieties and consequently, contains
less nicotine and fewer carcinogens. Most
cigarettes now are primarily blended, but
all of them incorporate the use of Turkish
tobacco in some way or another.
Harvesting tobacco in Hatay has been honed
for generations. The process is laborious at
best and downright torturous at worst. The
men and women painstakingly pick, cut and
cure the crop to meet the standards their
produce is known for. Tobacco harvesting,
like tea, requires a lot of patience and a lot
of attention to detail; and maybe that is why
much of it isn’t automated or mechanically-
assisted, because machinery cannot possibly
emulate the skill and dexterity of these
farmers, at least not at this point in history.
Incidentally, in Hatay, there are two ways to
go about harvesting their prized crop. The
first, aptly named “priming”, as it entails
NIKON D610 85mm F/8 1/400s ISO-160
NIKON D610 85mm F/2.2 1/2000s ISO-100
selectively picking individual leaves as they
come into their prime. About five to six
pickings are harvested during five to ten-
day intervals. The leaves are then carefully
strung on specifically designed sticks or
handled loosely in bulks and is then taken
for curing. This method of harvesting
results in a higher total yield than the other
method, and thus it is primarily used in the
production of flue- cured tobacco, shade-
grown cigar wrappers and several other
cigar-specific tobacco types.
The other method of harvesting, stalk-
cutting, is done by, well, cutting the stalk at
the base. The tobacco farmers skilfully split
the stalks in half to hasten the process of
drying and to facilitate their placement on
wooden stands for curing.
For those who aren’t well versed in the jargon
of the tobacco industry, which again is
admittedly, most of us, curing is the process
of drying, chlorophyll decomposition and
other natural chemical changes in the
composition of the tobacco that produces
the desired flavour. Curing is integral to
tobacco production and is often the sole
determinant when it comes to identifying
the quality of the produce.
Turkish tobacco is famously air- cured. The
farmers in Yayladagi cure their produce
for four to eight weeks before they are
shipped to manufacturers. This type of
Laying DeathBed
Honest Efforts
curing incorporates the use of sunlight as
the primary catalyst in the early stages. This
results in a lighter colour and an overall
milder tobacco.
Sometimes it is difficult to come to terms
with the fact that most of the work that is
done around the world, no matter how
glorified (or vilified), ultimately amounts to
nothing in the grand scheme of things. And
this can be exemplified by all the week’s and
month’s worth of hard work that goes into
something that eventually goes up in flames.
All that remains of the tobacco farmer’s hard
work is the cigarette butt discarded without
a second thought and the occasional
cough or wheeze by a passer-by. There is,
however, an important takeaway from this:
the tobacco farmer labours on tirelessly
expecting not to be credited or even thought
of when consuming something he or she
helped make. Everyone that is a part of
civilization has a role to play in it, it may
not be significant, or large or both, but it
is a role nonetheless. And for the people of
Yayladagi, it is sustaining the dregs of the
20th century’s last great addiction.
Shreeja Chatterjee
shreeja@chiiz.com
Shreeja Chatterjee is currently an
undergraduate student of English
Literature. She sees herself as an intrepid
Ad mogul, akin to Don Draper, in the near
future. Decidedly a pop culture addict, she
has to watch two movies a day to get her
bearings.
Not Just Cabbages
NIKON D610 85mm F/2.2 1/1000s ISO100
 Burden Rides Along
NIKON D610 85mm F/2.8 1/250s ISO250

Rare Smiles
NIKON D610 16mm F/5.6 1/125s ISO250

Working Hours Fun Takes Place

NIKON D610 16mm F/4 1/1000s ISO200 NIKON D610 35mm F/4 1/320s ISO160
 Working Women
NIKON D610 85mm F/5.6 1/800s ISO200

Abstract Hopes Puppy Love

NIKON D610 23mm F/7.1 1/500s ISO100 NIKON D610 23mm F/3.5 1/200s ISO320

Blooming Smiles
NIKON D610 85mm F/3.2 1/640s ISO320
 Heavenly - Lauren Marsh
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/7.1 1/200s ISO100
 Pink Dress - Maude Gorman
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/2.8 1/30s ISO100
Underwater Angel - Morgan Berard
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/2.8 1/100s ISO100
Implied Pink - Brittany Romano
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/2.8 1/50s ISO100
The Wedding Dress - Brittany Romano
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/2.8 1/100s ISO100
Jorge is an artist who specializes in capturing
dramatic art portraits with the whole scene
of beauty. His easy-going attitude and
enthusiasm keeps the portrait experience fun
and energized. His work blends colors and
motion making a special recipe for classic
portraiture with modern lifestyle imagery. His
work has been published in various magazines
and websites. He is an advocate of underwater
Jorge E Gonzalez marine conservation and ocean preservation.
 Dream Ballerina - Maude Gorman Her Aura - Danielle Crawford
Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/2.8 1/50s ISO100 Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/4 1/25s ISO400

Underwater Rainbow - Kate Graves

Canon EOS 5D Mark II F/4 1/40s ISO400
 Imagery Series-1
Phase One A/S IQ160 28mm F/12 1/200s ISO100

Beyond The Normal Imagery

Rodger Klein is an artist & photographer specializing in objective and non-objective underwater
imagery. Mr. Klein has an Master of Fine Arts Degree. He is also a certified scuba instructor with
over 3000 dives. He lives and works in Venice Beach, California. Contact: rhkuw.com.

88 Vol 7
 Imagery Series-2 Imagery Series-3
NIKON D800E 16mm F/9 1/250s ISO160 Phase One A/S IQ160 28mm F/10 1/250s ISO100

Imagery Series-4
NIKON D800E 20mm F/14 1/250s ISO100
 Imagery Series-5
NIKON D800E 16mm F/11 1/200s ISO100
 Folds of Body
Canon EOS 7D 44mm F/16 1/250s ISO100
 John Edwards
The One Glance
Canon EOS 7D 70mm F/6.3 1/200s ISO200
 Current
Mood Arjun Mark

A
rjun Mark is currently an advertising photography can reflect and reveal us to Indian Cricket team,
and fashion photographer working ourselves Rahul Khanna, Irfan
from Mumbai. However, he frequents His photographs have been featured in several Khan, Rishi Kapoor,
other cities within the country and abroad prominent magazines including GQ, Vogue, Vivek Oberoi, Aditya Roy
on assignments. Almost 7 years since his L’uomo Vogue-Italy, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Kapur, Arunoday Singh,
professional debut, Arjun Mark is recognized L’Officiel, Grazia and Marie Claire among others. Alia Bhatt, Chitrangada
as one of the most creative photographer’s of Arjun’s has shot several notable campaigns Singh, Mandira Bedi, Amy
his generation. Arjun has been awarded and for brands like Reebok, ITC, Cadbury, Nike, ICC Jackson, are a few of
chosen as Luerzer’s Archive’s 200 Best Ad World cup 2011 worldwide campaign, Titan, those captured through
Photographers Worldwide, Volume 2012/13. Lee, Tanishq, Nirav Modi Jewellery, Farah Khan his lens.
His work embodies his love for the art form, Fine Jewellery, IPL Campaigns, Wills Lifestyle, Arjun has also closely worked with fashion
people, places, aspects of the world around, Ford and Amazon just to name a few. icons in the industry like Tarun Tahiliani,
the way each reflect their attitudes and the way Arjun’s body of work includes portraits and Narendra Kumar, Rohit Bal, Shivan & Narresh,
light acts upon those physical characteristics commercial assignments with numerous Wendell Rodricks to name a few.
to reflect the absolute integrity; the way each distinguished personalities like Sachin Website: arjunmark.com
moment produces a change and the way Tendulkar, MS.Dhoni, Matthew Haydon, The

High Art
Canon EOS 5DS 47mm F/13 1/125s ISO100
 Current Mood
Canon EOS 5DS 24mm F/5.6 1/125s ISO100
 Current Mood
Canon EOS 5DS 24mm F/4 1/250s ISO50
 Crumbling Fears Intimate Feelings
Canon EOS 5DS 24mm F/11 1/125s ISO100 Canon EOS 5DS 24mm F/11 1/125s ISO100

Fantasy Relived
Canon EOS 5DS 105mm F/11 1/125s ISO100
 design is y life

MILANO
FIRENZE
PARIS
LONDON
SHANGHAI
SHENZHEN

ISTITUTO
MARANGONI
.COM