You have to be on your toes always
Pramod Pushkarna, Group Photo Editor, Good Morning India Media Pvt Ltd in an interview with Vimal Chander Joshi.
What’s important for an aspiring photo journalist?
One must be extremely hard-working and should be on one’s toes all the time. Having spent more than two decades in the profession, I still go on assignments to click pictures. Photographic skills can still be developed over time.
After news channels came into our lives, has still photography lost its sheen?
No, it hasn’t. Still photography will continue to play a pivotal role, always. Still pictures are used even on the Internet, which is 
becoming as popular as news channels.
I see no reason why still photography would lose out. To my mind, the print media are a better alternative to photo journalists [than the electronic media] in today’s fast-paced life. Print is handy and is preferred by the educated middle class.
What changes have you witnessed in photo journalism over the past few decades?
A lot has changed. The present generation enjoys the technological boon, which has made lives simpler. Earlier, we used to click pictures and send the photographic rolls with an acquaintance so they could be developed the same day for publication. Now, it’s delightfully convenient to take pictures, save them on the computer and use them online for publication.
How is photo journalism different from other kinds of photography?
In photo journalism, a professional must have presence of mind and a nose for news. For this, he or she should also have an aptitude for journalism, while in other domains; it’s simply the love of photography that matters. There is more stability in the career of a photo journalist — many people can aspire to become journalists and they can be successful, too. In comparison, in wildlife or fashion [photography], very few are lucky enough to earn money as well as fame.
Author: Vimal Chander Joshi
Date: 16th Sep., 2009
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