DAY 13 - THE DANCING GIRL

One of the best advice that I was given was - when you are down think of a moment in your life when you were at the top -recollect what you felt like and what you did to achieve that which made you feel a winner. AND then you will realize that you can do it again, and again and again.

I have held on to this piece of advice for my dear life. And it has always helped me bounce back with ten times more strength and success.

Each one of us have one such special moment in life. A moment that gives you the necessary adrenalin rush to fly. For me those moments keep changing as years pass by.

These days that special moment is tied to SMOKE PHOTOGRAPHY

As a self-taught photographer, I have always considered myself blessed to encounter professionals who have been generous with their knowledge and their willingness to teach me their craft.

It was three weeks after I picked up the camera and clicked my first shot. I was consumed by the urge to learn. I became a regular cyber-bum reading anything and everything about photography.

During this time I came across Steve Paxton, a US photographer's work. I was captivated by his SMOKE photography. I wrote to him and asked him how he did it.

I really took a chance here, because I didn't know whether he would be willing to share his knowledge. But he was more than willing.

He sent me a detailed, step-by-step, process of how to photograph smoke. It was fantastic. But there was a catch -I did not have an SLR and I did not have lights. Still I couldn't wait for nightfall, because a dark room is an ideal place to shoot smoke.

I decided to give it a shot with my semi-SLR camera and a pen torch. I was thrilled with my results. I sent Steve my shots. And he was more thrilled than I was. Such was his generous spirit. I still remember his words - you have done a great job with the resources in your hand.

Today, sometimes when I am plagued with doubts about my ability to take a particular shot or if I have fallen prey to any negative emotions about my ability to do what I want to do I always go back to my SMOKE PHOTOGRAPHY.

Today I understand lights and I can access the resources needed to shoot these kinds of pictures as a professional usually does. But still I go back and shoot SMOKE, using my agarbathis and pen torch. And the results are always like a booster shot for me.

This dancing girl image will keep me going for a long time.... :)