For 22-year-old student Ridhima Shukla, taking pictures like a professional in the run-up to Diwali is pure fun - for she cannot resist capturing the colourful lanterns, diyas and lights that fill the air.
Busy photographing sale-hopping shoppers and bustling markets across the capital, what she loves the most is her new DSLR - short for digital single lens reflex camera - that she has just bought on a handsome discount.
To go by retailers, with heavy discounts on offer, DSLR cameras have been on top of the shoppers' list for the past few years during Diwali in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
"Since the last few years, sales of DSLR have been exceedingly good. No doubt the discounts attract buyers as they are costly," Irfan Ali, owner of Camarena store in Noida that offers a range of cameras, told IANS.
"We also organise various competitions during Diwali to encourage people purchase DSLR and show their photography skills. We also award cash prizes to the winner," Ali added.
Depending upon your budget, DSLR prices start from Rs.24,000 and go up to above Rs.100,000, with discounts ranging from 15 to 30 percent on offer.
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Companies like Canon and Nikon have not only come up with new DSLR models but have also slashed the prices of existing brands.
"Any festival is an ideal time for taking photographs but when it is Diwali, the mesmerising world of crackers, diyas, lights, sweets, decorations and, most importantly, the emotions on the street put your skills to real test", Tarun Chawla, a Delhi-based photographer who frequently organises workshops across the country, told IANS.
"Here, with loads of features, DSLR cameras come to your rescue. Digital SLR gives you a complete control," he pointed out.
For someone like Shukla, the DSLR camera has brought new life to her frames.
"The functions are so smooth and user-friendly that capturing a moment with the right amount of light and correct shutter speed is no more a rocket science," a beaming Shukla said.
"Not just for personal purpose, I take pictures to participate or send in various contests and none other than a DSLR fulfills that purpose for me," Arnav, an IT professional from Gurgaon, quipped while speaking to IANS.
With social media and smartphones now abuzz with photo-sharing platforms and devices, people are thronging to upload quality pictures on sites like Facebook, Instagram and Flickr, among others.
However, there is one piece of advice from Chawla.
"If your are investing in a DSLR, it is extremely important how to learn to use it. Although you do not need to be a professional to handle DSLR, learning a few techniques will add to the quality of your photos," he added.
So this Diwali keep capturing every moment with the myriad features of your DSLR.
(Somrita Ghosh can be contacted at somrita.g@ians.in)