Chennai lensman’s snaps find slot in global journal

• One of Haksar’s works from the series ‘Divine Irony’ | EPS

Indian Express:By Sonali Shenoy / ENS - CHENNAI28th July 2012 08:50 AM

Sharad Haksar is a happy man. The Chennai-based ad photographer recently became the only lensman in Asia to grace the hallowed pages of Communication Arts Photography Annual 2012.

The Annual is the ultimate collection of the most creative images in the world. Brought out by the venerable journal ‘Communication Arts’, the book enjoys a coveted status among the creative community across the globe. The 2012 Annual featured 145 winning entries from a gargantuan 4,685 images submitted. Five of Sharad Haksar’s works will be showcased in the Annual.

“I am glad that it won,” says a jubilant Haksar. He adds, “Communication Arts is what every photographer dreams of. The last time I made it was in 2006. So you can imagine the standard.”

The series submitted by Haksar is titled ‘Divine Irony’. Simply put, the photographs are a pictorial commentary on every day India as seen through the prism of five Hindu deities. “I guess the contrast of rich and poor getting more and more extreme is what led to the idea,” he says. And while the brightly-coloured deities on the walls are pictures that one would come across on crossing a street, these images were ‘sets’, specifically set up for the purpose.

“It was quite a task,” Haksar recalls with a sigh. “Fifteen street artists were brought in to create the backgrounds.” This was apart from the models, animals in the shots and props. “The whole shoot took about a month to complete,” he states. Then recalls with a laugh, ‘I think the most challenging photo was the one with the elephant.” He goes on, “Every time we finished painting the set and positioned the elephant there, we realised the set was too small. On the third repaint, they finally got the set large enough,” he smiles.

So were the deities chosen for the concept to retain an Indian authenticity to his work? Haksar takes a moment to repond. Then states, “As an Indian photographer, I know that we’re strong in certain areas and weak in others,” the award winning lensman says simply.

“This is why I would never consider sending a stylised fashion shoot for an international entry.” Better locations, taller models...point taken. An elephant pushing a car, now we doubt anyone abroad could come up with that novel combination. In the pipeline, Haksar reveals that he hopes to focus more on fine art photography.

Although his next big project is under wraps, he does tell us this, “Its a concept-based fashion shoot with a social message.” He adds a little later, “The location that we have in mind is a dumpyard in the city.”