Subrata Mitra 1930- 2001
Subrata Mitra is perhaps the greatest ever Indian cinematographer who introduced Bounced Lighting to world and Indian Cinema
His techniques were designed to make light more realistic and poetic.
Subrata Mitra born to a Bengali family ,his early childhood days are filled with watching English films.
In 1950 the great Jean Renoir came to Calcutta to shoot ‘The River’. Mitra tried to get a job on the film but was turned away. With the efforts of his father he was given permission to watch the shooting. Out there he used to make extensive notes and meticulous diagrams detailing the lighting and the movements of camera and actors. In fact one day the cinematographer Claude Renoir asked for his notes to check lighting continuity before doing a retake.
Subrata Mitra began his career as a still photographer. His first assignment as a cinematographer, was with Satyajit Ray for Pather Panchali Later, he also worked for other directors, including James Ivory.
Indian cinematography was completely under the influence of Hollywood style lighting.