Focus Puller

Wary of Instagram and a ‘fast Food’ Generation of Photographers, Padma Shri Raghu Rai Worries for the Fragile State of Indian Photojournalism.

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Written accounts can be rewritten, but photographic history cannot.” Raghu Rai ardently defends documentary photography, from those who call it “lazy”. “They haven’t stepped out of their little box. As documentary photographers, when we say we’re capturing a ‘moment in space’, every part of the environment matters. Your awareness has to be so acute that you’re in touch with every subject in your frame; only then will you be able to understand it.”

In March, the 75-year-old photojournalist and Padma Shri awardee added another accolade to his burgeoning collection: he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th National Photography Awards, held by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Weeks later, he released his latest book, Saint Teresa Of Calcutta: A Celebration Of Her Life And Legacy (Aleph). We met the veteran in his New Delhi home, where he discussed the current state of documentary photography in India and explained why it isn’t important for newbie photographers to be ‘the next Raghu Rai’.

ELLE: What does a Lifetime Achievement Award mean to you?

Raghu Rai: I’m not really the kind to get excited about something like this… it isn’t my first award. But it’s nice to be recognised at different points in your career, as well as for the different kinds of work you do.

ELLE: Is it possible for a photographer to pick a favourite photograph?