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ARCHER - photoseries

Dated- 17th October, 2018 | Clicked on Canon EOS 200D
ARCHER
I   cannot express how I feel when I stand on a shooting line and how empowering it is to be in charge of every single movement- from breathing to a simple blink of an eye that is natural to a human body. This is what every archer feels after executing each shot with utmost focus and precision.
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"This series was a casual attempt to capture the details of shooting an arrow from my perspective in collaboration with my older brother- Harish."
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| Focus |
 
Once an archer steps on the shooting line from the waiting line, he is quick to forget about every single thought within a fraction of a second. Being able to forget every single unnecessary though, ignoring every unnecessary sound from the surrounding within a mere blink of an eye- can't be learned or taught. Because Focus can only be learned and acquired. 
| The Grip |
 
Don’t let these relaxed fingers fool you- The fingers which appear to be gripping the handle of the bow are merely dead weights. As the archer is pushing the handle with his palm- hiding under the gently folded fingers. Even the slightest movement can deviate the direction of the arrow aimed somewhere above the bullseye- with both eyes wide open, within 3-4 seconds an arrow is shot from the shooting line which hits the target 70 meters away.
| The Click |
 
One Click-Consecutive push of the bow along with pull of the string underneath the chin; an archer has to match the movements of the hands, eyesight and breathing within span of few seconds- till the clicker gives the signal...
| Patience |
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Checking the wind’s direction and calming the emotional turmoil ongoing in the mind of an archer is quiet normal. It takes practice to develop such self awareness to be in-charge of his own trail of thoughts. The rust on the metal clicker is proof that this archer had to go through enough storms to become so patient and calm.
| The Aim |
 
Once the bow is drawn it’s a mere co-ordination game which, only a true multitasker can win. For an archer it’s a matter of 2-3 seconds; as the breathing stops at a certain point, the aim stabilizes for the arrow to click and leave the bow behind within microseconds. Focus and patience must be achieved to keep a steady grip on the Aim. The sharp lines on the steady hand- gripping the bow, are worn with pride by the archery who puts in the hard work to become better everyday.
| Followthrough |
 
Even a blink can deviate the focus from from the aim- that’s why an Archer never closes eyelids for even a fraction when the bow is drawn. Only when the faint thud of arrow hitting the target is heard, an archer allows eyes to take a momentary breather to take in the followthrough before going back to square- one.
| Memories |
 
The bow is not a piece of equipment that an archer simply picks up and draws; it is an extension of his soul. The physical manifestation of an archer’s soul is usually scarred and a bit wore out, occasionally needs a string change when it reaches breaking point or is already broken. Sometimes it requires absolute care, protection, and adorning to pass through a rough patch in its lifetime. In very few sporting activities can a viewer learn about the sportsperson's personal journey and the heart they put into the game through mere observation of the equipment they carry. It bears the marks of a tough journey which are more than mere memories.
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ARCHER - photoseries
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ARCHER - photoseries

After dreading photography as a subject for an entire semester I finally got a camera and decided to disrupt my brother's practice session to try Read More

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