For the first time, and for the very very first time, Alex & me actually agreed on something. I have know this guy for about 9 yrs or so I guess and we just don't see eye to eye on any issue, subject or topic that we talk about over the table. Our discussions have always been on trying to prove a point in someway or the other, until finally we realized we had the same opinion actually a super strong opinion on something we were discussing on our trip to Delhi.

Every 3rd person who is working and earning a decent compensation pack, within 18months of his/her work life will end up buying a brand new D-SLR camera after having realized the beauty of the art. Well photography no doubt is a fantastic art, but one that needs only a fair level of theoretical knowledge and a decent budget to start getting trigger happy.

I am in no way undermining the skill required and used by the photographer to take the lovely snaps that he/she showcases and shares on his/her blog/Fb and website, its just that I wonder whether the art has been taken for granted. You cant paint a decent portrait picture or sketch a decent profile without 3-4 years of rigorous practice and everyone knows this. Taking a decent snap which would get few likes from your friends and overall appreciation from colleagues requires a good camera, a 10 day photography workshop, 200-300 days of practice. Some more practice, few more workshops, will increase the skill level which would reflect on the snaps in a span of few additional days. So well, why not photography, its an easier start than theatre, dancing, singing, playing the guitar. For god sakes, it takes 8 months to dish out a tune close to recognition on the guitar not forgetting the bleeding finger tips. If you don't have the musical ear, your hobby and interest in music stagnates after 2-3 years (ask me I know). 3 years to get your act right in theater, nothing less in animation and other types of art (performing and non-performing)

When too many people start walking around with SLRs and D-SLRs hanging around their neck or shoulder, the art looses its specialty and exclusivity in a way and instead makes it feel easy and cheap. This is not a trend, its a fad. When the blend between photography and poetry known as Visual poetry brings out the best in the artist, I think its the breaking point when the artist gains maturity in this skill, so does his work.