1. Tell us about your background and journey.
Well, I am an IT professional with a passion for photography. I am from Asansol, West Bengal and did my school and Btech from there itself, currently residing in Kolkata. My journey is somewhat easy and tough. A mixture of both. Going through tough times makes things easier later.
2. How and when did you realize your passion for photography?
My interest in photography dated back to 2007 when I started using Nokia N72. Later I learned more and more about photography but was unable to buy a DSLR as its expensive. I loved how a photo is portrayed and how real moments are paused only via a photograph.
I kept taking various shots and I felt I was good at it with a lot of learning to do. I bought my DSLR last year with my own hard-earned money.
3. What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers?
The most important tip I would recommend amateur photographers is just to keep clicking pictures and read the scene and surroundings carefully. If you keep clicking you are bound to improve. And at the same time keep adding more photography tricks in your arsenal.
Photography is not an easy task as taking a good picture takes a lot of effort and patience. Try to learn from YouTube of various photography tricks and learn on your own. Self-learning is the best learning.
4. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful photographer?
The most important skill which I mentioned in the earlier point is patience. Have patience and a calm mind. Always check your surroundings. Taking expensive equipment with you alone sometimes can be dangerous as there is a chance of theft. So try to stay in the crowd and if you want to venture into some unknown place, then take someone with you.
Keep clicking and analyse your photo for improvements. To sum it up about the skills, believe in yourself, have patience and try to learn new things. A successful photographer should be able to click all genre of photos. So practice and believe in yourself. It will take time to ace it.
5. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?
Considering in India, photographers aren't valued much. Opportunities are less, and the competition is more. But in other countries, it's very much valued. My advice for the aspiring photographers will be to have patience, click, click and click. Engage in Instagram, write blogs, create content on Youtube (if you have the luxury of time).
Don't be only dependent on any contract job. If you work on the above things mentioned, someone is bound to notice you and you will get photography offers which you are good at. It can any commercial photography, wedding photography, fashion photography, wildlife photography, photography for magazines, photography contracts for parties, get together, or any special occasion.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
I am not much of a book reader, but I do love reading travel blogs. Although the best book which I have read is 'Lord of the Rings'. It's because of the rich landscape, cultural diversity and the people. Based on the book there were three movies released in the early 2000s. Since then visiting New Zealand is in my bucket list as the trilogy was shot there.
Interview By - Suhani Mangleek
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