Cinematographer launches group to assist upcoming professionals in the field

Cinematography (photography and camera work in filmmaking) is still a rare career choice in UP, more so among women. But there’s one woman in the state who has made it her mission to popularise the term ‘cinematography’ and also encourage more girls to consider it as a viable profession.

Cinematographer Deepti Gupta recently formed a group ‘Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective’ (IWCC) to provide a platform to budding women cinematographers of the country. On the eve of International Women’s Day, she formally launched the group that’s been co-founded by senior cinematographers, Fowzia Fathima, Savita Singh and Preetha Jayaraman.

“It is the need of the hour. Our group will celebrate the work of its members through social media, online press and print publications. It will highlight the excellence of women cinematographers. We are sure it will encourage more girls to consider cinematography and its allied fields such as gaffing, grips and working as assistant cinematographers as viable professions,” said Deepti, who has projects like Rabbi Shergill’s ‘Bulla’ music video, and ‘Ranu’ (Bengali film) to her credit. She has also worked as a second unit cinematographer on a British film, ‘The Warrior’.  

Although Deepti was born and brought up in Delhi, she traces her roots to Agra. Her cinematic journey started when she was just five years old. “It was a coincidence. I asked my father to let me look through his camera and instantly fell in love with it. I remember, it was a Canon QL,” she said. 

Recollecting old times, she added, “I used to disappear from my grandmother’s house in Agra and go to the Taj Mahal on a tonga. There I used to spend hours, photographing the monument from every angle.”  

After completing graduation, Deepti headed to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune — the place she credits for honing her cinematographic skills.

Despite her talent, Deepti felt that sometimes she was ignored as cinematography has traditionally been a male bastion. “All I do is prove my mettle. It is for this reason that we have launched this group. It will not only motivate others like me but will also curb the discrimination that women cinematographers face in the film industry,” she said.

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