Traces of Lenses

29 March 2025, KMIT Evening. 
A day that promised creativity and excitement. There I stood with a camera rig in hand, looking like someone who’d stolen expensive gear and had no clue how to use it. Barely five minutes into the shoot, disaster struck. The Sony Alpha 7 Mark 4 with the 35mm lens mounted on the DJI RS3 gimbal, overheated and turned off. It felt like weeks of planning had just gone up in smoke. The recording format, the colour profile, the resolution, the frame rate and even the lens choice all seemed to be working against me. However, with a few jugaadu fixes, I could finally coax the camera back to life. After shooting the event for over three hours alongside my fellow cinematographer, channeling our inner Nolan during 360 roll shots, draining two batteries, and maxing out three SD cards, we finally called it a wrap. The camera was exhausted, and so were we. But in that quiet moment, setting the gear down, I knew we’d captured something special.

These kinds of experiences aren’t unique at Traces of Lenses (TOL). SD card failures, drained batteries, wrong settings, overheating issues, or even choosing the wrong lens are more common than you’d think. This unpredictable chaos, strangely enough, unites all of us. But somehow, it's during these moments that we often produce our best work . The pressure, the uncertainty, and the last-minute frenzy pushes us to create something unforgettable. Banger outputs born from borderline disasters. Now, of course there are times we mess up. But we learn, we adapt, and we show up stronger the next time.

Whether it’s photography or videography, preparing for and shooting on location is only two-thirds of the job. The real grind begins in “post”. Days go by editing thousands of images, with a coffee mug in hand, music in ears, and sleep deprivation keeping company. For video editors, this phase can stretch on even longer, perfecting the soundtrack, blending it seamlessly with the visuals, and drawing the audience back into the magic one more time.

In the end, these experiences shape who we are. They remind us that every challenge is a chance to learn, and every setback a story to tell. And here at TOL, that’s what we live for.

I still remember that beautiful rainy evening when I had my interview to join TOL as a video editor. I waited my turn among several others until, finally, it was my shot. The seasoned seniors put me through a 45-minute grilling session on cinematography and editing concepts. Fast forward to the next year, and I found myself on the other side of the table, interviewing our next generation of recruits. From giving interviews to conducting them, the journey has been nothing short of transformative.

After nearly three years with TOL, I’ve come to realize one simple truth: the club exists for one reason and that is to learn together. There are no egos here. People come to discover what they don’t know and share what they do. TOL is a place where everyone learns, regardless of age or experience. By the time they leave, this isn’t just a club, it becomes family.

Covering KMIT’s events is one of our key responsibilities, and it’s when we truly feel in our element. At TOL, we don’t just cover the main event, we capture every heartbeat of the preparation phase. From early planning to final rehearsals, we document the energy and dedication of everyone involved. All of these moments come together in our behind-the-scenes video, which stands as a tribute to all those who make the event unforgettable. This is where the spirit of TOL truly shines, celebrating the people who work tirelessly to bring every detail to life. And once the show begins, we transition seamlessly from the backstage buzz to the excitement on stage. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of handling the latest cameras, lenses, drones, and gimbals and putting our technical know-how to the test. Every moment captured fuels our passion. It reminds us why we do what we do.

However, TOL isn’t just about covering KMIT’s events. There's a whole world beyond the campus lights. We go on photowalks, take on weekly challenges exploring different genres, and collaborate on passion projects that stretch our creativity. Some of us are drawn to the rush of live events, while others find their rhythm in the calm of nature, the precision of automotive photography, the wonder of astrophotography, or the intimacy of portraits. Not everyone here lives for the chaos of event shoots and that’s the beauty of TOL. It’s a space where every style has room to grow. Sure, we’ve been called “college photographers” before, but what we really are is a community of poets and storytellers, each with our own frame, our own perspective. We see light differently, chasing moments others might overlook. Photography is not just about what’s in front of the lens. Rather, it’s about what it makes us feel behind it. It’s like poetry, subtle, emotional, and open to interpretation. And videography? That’s our storytelling. It’s where rhythm meets narrative, where sound, visuals, and pacing come together to guide the viewer through a journey. Whether it’s a one-minute behind-the-scenes edit or a five-minute aftermovie, each cut, each transition, and each beat is intentional.

And what truly makes TOL feel like home is the people. Our seniors, including the original minds behind this club, still check in. They guide us through creative blocks, offer feedback on edits, and cheer us on from wherever they are. They're more than just alumni. They are mentors, role models, and living proof of how far passion can take you. 

Their legacy isn’t just in the work they did, but in the culture they built, shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and constant growth. They remind us of how much there’s still left to learn. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but always inspiring.

The same spirit lives on in us today. From impromptu tutorials in the middle of the shoot to long critique sessions late at night, we learn from each other, from our mistakes, and from those who’ve done it all before us.

If you’ve ever seen that video where we talk about how far we’ve come, how TOL helped us grow, not just as creators but as people, you’ll know what I mean. We are not just teammates. We are co-creators, critics, motivators, and most importantly, friends. I came here thinking we were just shooting frames. But every click, every cut, was stitching us into something bigger: a family.

So if you’re still wondering what it’s like, ek baar TOL mein aake toh dekho, abba maan jayenge.