Pallav Paliwal - You Are as Good as Your Last Photograph (Photo Journalist From India)

Paparazzi culture in India is on a continuous boom. It is here to stay. There is a big audience that consumes Bollywood Paparazzi content like what their favourite celeb is wearing, whom they are hanging out with, what they are eating etc. 

 

Tell us about your background and journey?

My name is Pallav Paliwal and I am a Freelance Photojournalist who is associated as a Freelancer with top national and international media organisations. Also, with the change and shift from Print to Digital I developed my own Instagram handle where I put up content for my viewers. 

 

The journey started because of my father Amlan Paliwal who is one of the top photojournalists in India. With him, I used to visit events where Bollywood celebrities appeared at press conferences, launch events etc. and from there a passion developed inside me to click good candids of celebs. Gradually, from frequent visits, it turned into a passion. 

 

The journey was very tough due to extreme competition, new changing methods and combining good photography which is apt for digital methods. You are as good as your last photograph so I try to focus more on exclusives. From, clicking just celebrities I learnt the art of photojournalism and shifted my focus to hard news also.

What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers? 

Just be honest at the moment. Whatever you are clicking or whatever is your subject, just observe and always realise the value of the moment. Do not try to hurry. Do not try to compete with anyone except yourself. You should always be better than your last click. Visualise. Imagine. Be creative and never hesitate to experiment. Try to learn from mistakes. Never be afraid to fail in photojournalism.

What do you feel about the paparazzi culture in India?

Paparazzi culture in India is on a continuous boom. It is here to stay. There is a big audience that consumes Bollywood Paparazzi content like what their favourite celeb is wearing, whom they are hanging out with, what they are eating etc. 

 

Here, Paparazzi is different from the West. There is no direct invasion of a celebrity's life. Everything is done from a distance. No lewd comments are exchanged between paparazzi and celebrities and their safety is ensured. There is mutual respect.

Who is your favourite photojournalist and why? 

My favourite photojournalist is none other than my father, Mr Amlan Paliwal. I learned a lot from him and I am continuously learning. He taught me the very basics of photography, the value of the moment, the role of light and the composition of everything.  

 

Every time I look at photographs clicked by him I am inspired to do better. And a particular photograph that I look up to him is ( An image of a Solar Eclipse that happens in 100 years )"You cannot directly look in the sun on an eclipse day else you will get blind". 

 

He clicked that image with a ring formation on the sun and won National Photography Award during his tenure in PTI (Press Trust of India). To click that particular image he measured everything the light, the angle and everything to make it perfect. This is insane passion and for the same, I admire him like no one else. He is just the best and I am blessed I am his son.

Which is your favourite book and why? 

My favourite book is "Who Will Cry When You Die" by Robin Sharma. It is a very simple book which gives life lessons. Reading this book manifests your talents while making difference in the lives of all around.

Interviewed By - Nimisha Dutta