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Electro-Chromic Glass will be the future: Siddhant Narayan from OnePlus

Electro-Chromic Glass will be the future

As a brand OnePlus has always been committed to its community, and if you’ve followed their journey then you would know what an important role they’ve played. Last year OnePlus introduced their Shot On OnePlus (SOOP) campaign with its second edition starting this year. Bhavya Desai spoke to Siddhant Narayan, Head of marketing – India, OnePlus on the story of the second campaign and more. Excerpts:


What was the objective behind initiating SOOP?

At OnePlus, our community has played an essential role in our journey in India. They have been instrumental in shaping our identity across several aspects. Our strong and diverse community of 5-million Indians are tied together by their passion for great technology. With a powerful smartphone camera in hand, we wanted to empower our community to capture images like a professional and also provide a platform to share their photos. 



How is the 2nd campaign unique and different from the previous edition?


The current campaign is about how crucial every second is to the pursuit of greatness and how OnePlus cameras help you gain an edge over the others with its features. The current campaign is designed around 3 professionals from various disciplines and entails the decisiveness of a single second and how it tells a story. It completely depends on every individual on how they want to utilise it as, and with a OnePlus by their side, it gives them the added advantage to hold every second and utilise it to the core. 


While having the 3 professionals chosen for the 2nd campaign is great, do you feel if pushing the boundaries of photography was the objective with SOOP then a photographer would’ve been the more logical/natural choice?

The Story of a Second campaign is not limited by profession, we wanted to showcase achievers in diverse fields to really bring the campaign to life and resonate with a wider trajectory of people. The pursuit of greatness in any profession demands years of hardwork and perseverance. The culmination of this hard work and passion through the years can often be narrowed down to some of the most crucial moments that sets apart true achievers from the rest.  The entire story and the journey of success can be attributed to that one decisive second in the life of an athlete, a musician, a gamer – This is the story of that second. By showcasing the stories of these 3 different people, in 3 completely diverse professions, we could best highlight the importance of a second. 

While these professions are different from photographers, however, they also use their smartphone cameras to click their special moments and couple as photographs which eventually are used for professional purposes. 


The Three Achievers featured this year:

The film describes how a gamer – Zara Rebello – uses the OnePlus 8 Pro and its 90 FPS feature to better her skills, while the drummer – Tom Liben – uses the OIS feature to record his videos while drumming which captures every beat, whereas Bharath Pereira – the climber – has his profession inclined towards how he times his journey to the top using every inch of muscle and energy at the right time. 


With the cameras of smart devices becoming increasingly important and one of the key USPs for customers, what is the weightage in terms of importance given to the camera while developing new devices?

Community feedback has always been at the crux of all OnePlus offerings as well the features that we improve and develop on. The camera on our devices has been a key focus area for two reasons, its significance to our community and its importance in elevating the overall user experience. For this reason, The India R&D team has a dedicated camera software team that has diligently worked towards creating unique, customized tuning for specific scenarios for the Indian customer base. 

According to CIPA, a Japan-based industry group, worldwide camera shipments dropped by 84 percent between 2010 and 2018. The single most important factor to have triggered the slump is the rise of the smartphone camera. Also, as per a research by GWI, top frustrations with the current mid-range smartphone segment has been the camera quality (16%) and with the most recent launch of the OnePlus Nord, we wanted to address current user frustrations with mid-range smartphones, especially in terms of the camera. 

Our growing community of users, that had shown a strong desire for a more affordable smartphone that incorporates OnePlus’ flagship-level product and user experience standards, and that is what we gave them with the OnePlus Nord. Hence, providing the best possible camera at an affordable price was a focus for us as per the requirements we gauged from our community. While our flagship series – the OnePlus 8 series – and our legacy devices share the same philosophy of providing the possible camera experience, the need to further enhance our offerings in line with our community feedback has been integral to the growth of OnePlus. 

Even though the OnePlus Nord fits within the affordable segment, it was the first OnePlus device to offer a front ultra-wide selfie. The R&D team worked tirelessly towards developing software solutions that effectively utilized camera sensors to their highest capacity, thereby helping acquire great quality selfies for larger groups. Another example of delivering a supreme camera experience to our users would be the focus on optical image stabilization on the OnePlus Nord. The Nord is one of the only devices equipped with OIS at a similar price point as it’s competitors. 

Our team of specialists at the India R&D facility have and continue to be committed to conceptualizing  breakthrough developments in terms of camera technology with the aim building on our inherent promise  of a burdenless user experience.


While OnePlus is extremely appreciated by the community and customers, there still seems to be some room for improvement when it comes to the camera performance. What are your thoughts on the same?

The camera will always be a key focus area for us at OnePlus given its importance to our community. Our aim is to improve on every feature and aspect of our device with the launch of new generations. We work very closely with enthusiastic community members by hosting focus group sessions as well as try to engage with several of them individually in order to acquire valuable feedback on how to improve, further innovate and enhance our user experience. 

For our recently launched flagship series, the OnePlus 8 Pro was equipped with the company’s first quad-camera system to cater to the needs of even the most demanding photographers and videographers. Also, the OnePlus 8 equipped with a Spectra 480 Image Signal Processor, which processes four times more pixels than before, the OnePlus 8 can take even clearer shots with advanced image processing like HDR. 

And our latest offering, the OnePlus Nord, we worked towards providing the Optimal Image Stabilisation (OIS) feature which makes the video feel it had been shot with a gimbal, reducing the stutters and recording 4K video at 60 FPS, a feature only available on the OnePlus device in the price segment.


OnePlus 8 series in different colours

How has the response been thus far for the 8 series and the Nord?

We are excited with the response we have received for the OnePlus 8 series as well as the recently launched, Nord. Targeted towards the premium and ultra-premium smartphone market where users opt for devices with the best of technology, the launch of 8 series helped OnePlus claim the top spot in India’s premium smartphone segment Q2 of 2020.


The Nord on the other hand targets OnePlus enthusiasts and value shoppers who are not as focused on specs but prefer a smartphone that fulfills their essential daily needs. Living up to this promise, the Nord continues to receive extremely positive feedback from not just our community members, but also from users, outside our customer base.



OnePlus Nord, the newest entrant to the affordable segment


What would be the next stage of features according to you that cameras in smart devices can offer?

As we showcased during the launch of the OnePlus Concept One, that the future of the camera will be the electro-chromic glass which enables the camera setup to be hidden until the camera is not in use. Also, during this period, we received a lot of feedback for the ND filter and have some great ideas coming up for the same as our R&D teams continue to explore possibilities for it. 

We at OnePlus are most excited, passionate and most inspired by the pursuit of making better products. As a company, users should be paramount and based on the products and services that you create, users have an impression and association with the company. Keeping that as our focus, we will keep striving towards creating something more unique and interesting to engage the community together, and that’s really the spirit of it.


Canon’s looking to move forward

With the launch of the EOS R5 and R6, Canon is looking to move forward in its full- frame mirrorless range. With the first of its kind launch, Bhavya Desai spoke to C Sukumaran, Director, Consumer System Products & Imaging Communication Products, Canon India on the impact (if any) during this time on the products, their availability and more: Excerpts:

How has the response been for the new products launched?
We have launched the new imaging marvels – EOS R5 and EOS R6, keeping in mind the requirements of wedding photographers, fashion photographers and cinematographers. As a game changer in the mirrorless segment, the launch of these new products is a testament to the increasing demand in the industry for superior imaging quality.


The cameras boasts several industry firsts such as mechanical shutter of 12 fps, live AF coverage and industry’s highest performance 8.0 stops in-body image stabilisation, allowing the user to take better pictures in low-light. With the highest movie resolution at 8K, the new EOS R5 camera aims to be a delight for the videographers expanding the boundaries of visual expression. The EOS R5 features Canon’s first and newly developed 45.3-megapixel advanced full-frame CMOS image sensor, Canon’s first in the industry.
Additionally, we have also launched a series of lens including the RF 85 mm F2 Macro IS STM, RF 600 mm F11 IS STM, RF 800 mm F11 IS STM, RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM, Extender RF1.4X and RF2X along with other accessories to provide its consumers with a complete ecosystem.


What is going to be the strategy to make these products available to the consumer under the current scenario?
We will be actively looking at CIS network as the main engine, along with multi-brand outlets across the country for distributing the new cameras. With a 360-degree marketing approach, we will also be aggressively focussing on digital campaigns and social media platforms to reach out to our customers. The lockdown has made social media more relevant than ever before and makes it an ideal platform to connect with our consumers spread across India.
Sales for EOS R5 have already started and we are offering a 2+1 year warranty along with a complimentary 3-way Canon bag as well as a Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and the EOS R5. Whereas, EOS R6 will be available from end of August at Canon Image Squares and all authorised retailers. Going forward CIS will be the preferred choice for professionals and solution sales.


How has the current ongoing pandemic affected the business so far?
It is true that the pandemic has impacted many industries and businesses at present. To turn around the tide in our favour, it is imperative to be agile, more than ever and emerge as winners in the long term. While the market is picking up gradually, we are also constantly studying customer sentiments and their purchase pattern to better strategise our mid-term and long term targets. We are optimistic that going forward when the situation eases, we will see a good momentum in the industry.
The need of the hour is to be innovative in our approach and gauge the new business potential that has emerged in the photography segment. There has been an increase in demand from content creators, vloggers, and the category is expected to grow substantially in the coming year. We will continue to focus on these new emerging segments by introducing new products specifically designed for content creators.
Also, both EOS R5 and R6 have been much anticipated and with their revolutionary features, we are confident that we will see a great response from the audience which will make 2020 a great year for our camera business.


Do you think it might be difficult to sell products in this category without having the customer touch and feel it?
Similar to how all businesses and brands are restructuring their strategies to reach out to consumers during current times, one must not undermine the abilities of consumers to re-adapt as well. While e-commerce and online shopping have gained momentum among consumers, offline channels also play an important role to reach out to customers.
For the entry and mid-level camera, consumers may rely on either online or offline depending on their purchase requirements, but professional grade cameras like EOS R5 is meant for professionals who would prefer to experience the camera, look, touch and feel the same before the final purchase decision.

Do you anticipate a delay in the availability of stocks of the products or any disruptions in the supply chain in the months to come?
We have been able to cater to customer demands so far with no major hiccups. However, we will be cautious for the next few months and observing the new developments that may emerge.


With the launch of the new lenses what are the plans to expand the portfolio further?
Our objective is to have full line-up in RF lens category. We have already launched some amazing lenses along with R5 and R6 like RF600 mm F11 IS STM, RF800 mm F11 IS STM, RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM, RF85 F2 MACRO IS STM. We will continue to expand the RF system.

Fujifilm India extends its support to Healthcare workers by sharing comforting smiles and spreading positivity

Fujifilm is known for its imaging and healthcare technologies, in line with its ‘Don’t Just Take, Give’ motto has engaged to spread positivity and joy in these pandemic with its new campaign ‘Connecting Hearts’, a CSR initiative to help improve the disconnect between patients and doctors. To cut down the anxiousness among patients and help them combat COVID with congeniality and affection, Fujifilm has introduced a unique patient-focused program by sharing instax cameras and films at hospitals to spread smiles across doctors and nurses working on the frontline during these tough times.


The digital film titled ‘Connecting Hearts’ dives into how the healthcare heroes treating COVID-19 patients are required to wear a significant amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard themselves from the threat of the disease. The film conceptualized in association with m/SIX India, highlights that in many cases, doctors and nurses treating patients have to obscure everything but their eyes, which in turn results in not being able to form a proper connection with their patients. The video iterates how healthcare professionals all over have been trying to find ways to connect better with patients in order to lessen the anxiety and stress induced by the disease.




With Fujifilm stepping up in providing instax cameras and films, this initiative lets the doctors use the simplicity and accessibility of instax instant photography to help easily distinguish themselves on their PPE. With Instant cameras, doctors or nurses can now effortlessly take a photograph and quickly attach a credit card-sized instant photo print of themselves to their medical gowns.


Commenting on this, Mr. Haruto Iwata, Managing Director, Fujifilm India Pvt. Ltd. said, “In line with our initiative to spread joy with our Instax range of cameras, this program is our subtle way of releasing stress in these unprecedented times. While photography may not be able to help in curing patients or protect healthcare staff, at Fujifilm, we believe it may actually cultivate a closer engagement between doctors and nurses and the patients they are treating. With this, we can share friendly faces of our health warriors from behind their PPE and remind them that there is a human on the other side of the gown, gloves, goggles and N95 mask.”


Adding to this Mr. Tribhuwan Joshi, Lead Brand Communication, Public Relations & CSR said, “With our campaign ‘Connecting Hearts’ we wish to pay our salute to the healthcare professionals all over India fighting the battle at the frontlines to minimize the growing nervousness for COVID-19. With our initiative quickly revealing the happy and comforting face behind the PPE, healthcare staff and patients have noticed a sense of calmness, relaxation & empathy in the most challenging of circumstances that these patients are currently facing. With this we aim to take our motto, ‘Never Stop, believing in Smiles’ forward and spread a ray of positivity and hope among the people combatting each day with the unparalleled disease.”


Speaking on the campaign, Saket Sinha, Senior Vice President and Head of m/SIX India said, “The last few months have been very challenging and overwhelming for every individual globally. We are all coping with the ‘new normal’ and adapting to a ‘masked’ life together. We had the opportunity to work with Fujifilm India and as part of this collaboration our teams reached out to multi-specialty hospitals across Delhi & Bangalore and connected with the health workers. Our team along with Fujifilm did a stellar job in capturing the happy faces of the health workers just to put a smile on their faces when they needed it the most. Amongst us all, they are the ones who are fighting at the frontlines to save people’s lives. The m/SIX content plus team and Fujifilm with this small video, shed light on our warriors through this great initiative and proved that humanity can still be alive while facing a pandemic.”


The instax products offered so far have been prioritized to healthcare teams working in intensive care units and care on the Coronavirus frontline. Till date, approximately 20 instax cameras and 400 instax prints have been shared with hospitals in Delhi and Bangalore, and there are plans on extending this number further. Fortis, Vasant Kunj, Hindu Rao hospital, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad and Maharaja Agrasen hospital are some on the hospitals in Delhi and Medirad diagnostic, Whitefield, Chinmaya mission hospital, St. Martha’s hospital are some of the hospitals in Bangalore where Instax cameras and prints have been contributed, among other reputed hospitals.


With this film, Fujifilm aims to spread positivity across fearful & negatively filtered digital mediums, and spread optimism with such campaign.

Riding into the Astral through Photography

“These worlds in space are as countless as all the grains of sand on all of the beaches of the Earth” – Carl Sagan. Only a few things are as beautiful as the sight of a clear star-studded night sky. What is even better is to be able to see celestial bodies which are otherwise impossible to witness with our naked eyes. Thanks to technology, astro photographers over the years have been able to capture detailed images of deep space objects adding to our limited idea of the universe.




Motorcycling as a genre has powerful synergy with Photography. At Royal Enfield, they understand and hence, they curated Astral Ride – a seven day excursion for photography enthusiasts. In the first edition of Astral Ride which happened in October 2019, aspiring photographers from around the country rode across the Himalayas to the Indian Astrological Observatory at Hanle in Ladakh riding their #REHimalayan to learn the meaning of astro photography. With professional guidance provided to amateurs that ride Royal Enfields, this ride has been perfect for expanding the scope of knowledge of photography, especially Astro photography. Like the Himalayan Odyssey, Astral Ride is Royal Enfield’s way of organising a riding experience which was infused with life-changing photography destinations and a classroom full of throttle riders learning how to capture the night sky.




Having said that, Royal Enfield has been endlessly encouraging its community of riders to explore different aspect of motorcycling and curate experiences that last for a lifetime.




Photo Credits – Royal Enfield 

Interview with Cory Richards: Breaking down Ambition versus Reality

Not many can call themselves a Photographer and an Adventurer. Not because they can but probably because they won’t put themselves in a situation that stretches them to their limit and beyond. Cory Richards on the other hand seems like a photographer who is born out of adventure. Bhavya Desai speaks to him about his innate sense of adventure, his personal journey, mental toughness and his recent collaboration with a car manufacturer.
Excerpts:


What is the level of preparations that an adventure photographer undergoes ahead of any expedition?
These trips are months, if not years of making. Often times before a large expedition, like the one with the Rolls-Royce Cullinan I spent a few months in preparation, learning about the place I was going and doing research, then a couple of weeks of packing, making sure I had all the equipment I needed from a photography perspective. These things are logistical puzzles, some people would call them nightmares, some people would call them an absolute dream. I tend to think of them more as nightmares and I am always blown away by the capacity of the teams that come together and orchestrate these massive endeavours.
If you look back at all the time that I am putting into my next adventure, which I’m embarking on in spring, it is literally ten years of work. The acute preparation is around three months while the training period is about a year.

Despite vigorous preparation factors like isolation, fatigue among others take one to the edge of their mental toughness. Do you think any level of prep can do that?
I mean you can’t prepare for the rapid shifts that may or may not happen in an assignment or an expedition, because all you can do is adapt to the moment as it unfolds. That’s the nature of expeditions or exploration. The only thing that prepares for that kind of decision- making is doing that decision-making. You will not know what those decisions are going to be or what is going to predicate them.
I found that pushing through hard things have been radically trained by small things that I do at home which include my day-to-day workouts that I really push myself through. That could be incremental like pushing yourself to do more reps? Those little mechanisms we teach our mind to do in our day-to-day lives have profound impact on your morality out in the field. Also, setting goals and achieving them, accomplishing small digestible goals. When you finally reach that end where you push through your absolute limit, it will be by breaking down that final goal into digestible pieces.


What are the practical difficulties that a photographer faces while shooting in such extreme conditions?
The practical difficulties I encounter are usually environmental. Either extreme cold or extreme heat, wind. For example, when I was shooting with Rolls-Royce, we were taking the Cullinan through the Empty Quarter and we were hit by a massive sandstorm in the middle of the dessert that thrashed one of my best cameras. That’s one of those things we have to adapt to and those are sort of the environmental challenges that I encounter. On the other hand, in extreme cold conditions you are trying to keep things powered up, like your camera battery. But really, the things that are hardest are the mental hurdles, being away from home, being away from loved ones, being in life-threatening situations and accessing the risk and breaking down ambition versus reality. Those things are much more taxing, they don’t have the same acute challenge as the environmental hurdles that I often face. They are bigger life decisions and often require more attention.


What is that one thing that you cannot do without when it comes to these sort of expeditions?
Apart from a camera, any camera, it doesn’t have to be the best thing in the world. It can be a phone camera. But otherwise, a kindle or reading tablet, for me, is pivotal because it allows me an escape and allows me to stay educated and keep my mind engaged. That’s one thing that I find really powerful, keeping your mind active when you are on these long expeditions or explorations.
Having a way to diversify your thought process, be it through music or reading, so you are not constantly fatiguing your brain thinking about the objective. Another thing that is very helpful for me is my meditation practice. Again, it gives my mind a hard reset. It is something I can do on a daily basis that requires nothing but my own willingness to engage with it. I think it functionally helpful in engaging the creative process as well as to continue to foster that curiosity throughout the expedition.


What is the best and the worst memory from your expeditions/shoots?
I think usually the best is usually is the worst. Because usually a really difficult situation that comes up or something that is really impactful ends up pushing you towards growth. I can point to one that is very well known, and that is the avalanche on Gasherbrum II years ago. That was one of the most unpleasant, horrific, scary experiences of my life. But it was also a moment that pushed my career into a new trajectory. It opened a lot of doors, it made me examine myself and my own experiences with climbing and my identity and pushed me down a path towards bettering myself.
Here’s this moment that was horrifically frightening, a near-death experience, it put me through a cycle of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and I also got divorced. I started drinking too much and all of that ends up being this gateway into this new life, which has allowed me to grow and push beyond certain areas in my life I never thought that were possible. It has allowed me to excel and evolve as a human.


Given the current challenging scenario globally, how do you think this will change this genre, especially since travelling might be challenge for some time to come?
I don’t know that it will change the genre. I think what it is going to do is slow it for a certain period of time. I think we are going to see a dramatic reduction in the rampant travelling that we were enjoying for so long and honestly, it is a healthy pause for the planet. I think it is a healthy pause for all of us, but I don’t think it will change the genre. I think we need to be more intentional with the trips we take, with the stories we want to tell. I hope that if it changes, it would move us to adventures with purpose versus adventure for adventure’s sake.


While covering war-affected or unfortunate areas, how do you as a photographer isolate your emotions to capture the moment as is?
Honestly, there is a lot of emotional feedback, especially when you are in an area that is affected by conflict or you are in a more impoverished area. First and foremost, I try to interpret the experience by not shutting myself down emotionally and feeling what comes up for me. Quite often, those feelings are amplified or sourced from my own ignorance, my own naivety, my own privilege. So again, the emotional upwelling, when it happens, is kind of a source of information, so I never try it shut it down.
Infact, I try to use that emotion to move me towards a better picture. If I can feel and engage with the emotional response that I am having, that can direct me towards more meaningful photography, and more meaningful art. The art should be informed by the emotion, and not outside of the emotion. If I am affected, ultimately the goal is to photograph what it feels like, not what it looks like. That’s the key for great photography. I don’t mean to show people what it looks like, I need to show them what it feels like. If I can accomplish that, then I think I can accomplish something more transcendent. The only way I can do that is to be in touch with what it actually feels like: good, bad, hard, heart- wrenching at times. But those things are informative.


Any tips that you would like to give the upcoming and young talent?
Actually, you are absolutely right, there are more story-tellers on a much more global scale than we ever have. I used to think this was a very euro-centric endeavour, and I think that that is tied to the history of how the world was when it comes to exploring. I am being kind in the way I am describing that right now. I am excited to see the very faces in the diverse group of story tellers that are coming up all over the world.
My encouragement is the same with any young storyteller: Find what you are actually passionate in talking about, not what you think looks good or getting likes on social media. Find a story or stories that move you, genuinely move you, that really does ignite your limbic resonance, or your emotional response. Pursue those. Find what drives you and find a cause that you are passionate about and pursue those. If that is adventure, then great. But make sure your adventures have some purpose behind them. Try to find that purpose and with that driving force, pursue them all the way to the grave and keep pursuing them beyond when you think they are already done. Pursue those long, big stories. But pursue what you are actually passionate about, not what you think is going to get you recognition or likes, not what you think is the thing to pursue in that moment. That’s not helpful, what’s helpful is your passion.


What was the objective of collaborating with the Cullinan and did a camouflaged SUV help during this adventure?
I don’t think the wrap of the Cullinan helped at all, in fact if anything it made us more visible. The wraps are designed to make the car more difficult to photograph. The car itself, absolutely facilitated an amazing adventure, a global exploration that I could never have anticipated. The fusion of National Geographic and Rolls-Royce in this context made a lot of sense. What we were doing was trying to test how far the car could go. We were essentially field-testing and trying to break it. We didn’t break it, so it says something about it. We were also using it to facilitate truly a global exploration of the Scottish Highlands, into the Empty Quarter, in Middle East and all across the American West. It was really about testing and seeing how far I could push the automobile and the drivers, to see how much the car can take. It was just a luxurious and comfortable ride I have ever had on any other assignment.


What are your weapons of choice?
My weapons of choice are always Nikon. I love their Z system, they are the mirrorless cameras, their big D-8 cameras are amazing as well. Those are my workhorse cameras, the Z6 and the Z7. The Z6 is really great for videos and the Z7 is unmatched in terms of mirrorless performance in terms of still photography. They are light, they’re robust, they are unbreakable. That is my arsenal. But again, I always have to promote, you don’t have to have the best and the greatest. You can shoot film, you shoot on your camera phone or whatever you want. Just shoot. If you don’t shoot, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, to quote Wayne Gretzky.