Southern exposure: highlighting the work of photographers from the majority world

New Internationalist, August, 2005 by Gautam Narang

This picture was taken in a mosque where children read and learn about the Qur'an. I was walking around the class. When I saw this kid I just paused. There was something special about him. The picture was taken in New Delhi, near where I live--which shows you don't have to travel far to find something amazing.

What catches one person's eye, while another walks past? With photography I have learnt the value of detail. It has taught me to look. This requires more than clicking a button. The camera allows the user to catch an image, but it is the artist who sees it. Life is full of speeded-up days, clutter--and very special moments. The camera allows you to focus, to observe a moment properly.

In India, I see uncensored reality--real poverty, real madness--not the sanitized, cleaned-up, behind-closed-doors society of places like Britain. Photography raises questions without giving answers. In their quest for answers, artists simply find more questions. Everything can be doctored--even these words. Read them once, forget them--and go make your own art.

Gautam Narang, India By arrangement with Drik Picture Library Ltd www.drik.net