Consistency Will Lead You to Perfection

You all are going to face a lot of problems from not having proper gears to not getting proper support from your parents. I also faced these problems, but I did it anyway because it made me happy.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I was born and brought up in a small town Motihari, in Bihar. Where I came from we really don't take photography as something serious. All we were told to do is study.

Afterwards, I went Kota for JEE preparation and there I got my first smartphone. So I initially started clicking pictures with my smartphone. I used to click anything to everything. You usually don't get that much time in Kota.

So most of the time I used to click sunrise and sunsets. I haven't uploaded those pictures on any platform till now. But it really gave me a great understanding of photography.

Then I came to Kolkata for my B.tech, which I'm still pursuing and there I got my first camera and then I started clicking streets and landscapes. Also did a couple of event shoots. I'm still learning this art form.

2. How and when did you realize your passion for photography?

I had always liked the camera. Looking through a visor or on the display rather than directly looking at subject makes me happier.

Even at weddings or even birthday parties at my home, I'm the one who was holding the camera all the time. So from the very beginning, I liked clicking pictures and making videos.

As time passed I started learning about frames, composition and other stuff related to it.

And then Kolkata happened and Kolkata really inspired me to take it to whole another level. Kolkata is just so artistic and people over here value any kind of art.

3. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful photographer?

Well, I think the most important thing you need if you want to be a photographer is good observation capabilities. You learn the art of observation over time. Start clinking random pictures, and soon you'll realise you're getting good at it.

Your observation capabilities will drastically improve. The second thing is patience. Photography takes a lot of patience. It took me hours to get a single and perfect shot. Give it some time and you'll get at it.

4. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?

For this, you need to understand this thing. There's a difference between being a photographer and being a photographer on Instagram. If you're a photographer then you can do paid shoots which includes event shoot, marriage, portfolio and lot more.

If you're a photographer on Instagram you can earn through collaboration. You can work with different brands and do shoots for them.

You can also sell your pictures on stock photo websites or you can sell a print of your pictures directly to the client.

I think it's good to find a balance between both of them.

Strong online presence and good portfolio surely get you a lot of paid work.

5. What kind of books do you prefer to read?

I really don't read that much. Reason being I hardly got any time left in between my college and photography.

6. What are some tips you would like to share with aspiring photographers?

Be consistent. Click whatever you like and whenever you like. Consistency will lead you to perfection.

You all are going to face a lot of problems from not having proper gears to not getting proper support from your parents. I also faced these problems, but I did it anyway because it made me happy.

Remember your eyes are the best camera you've got and your observation is the key. I started with a mobile phone. I think if you love something, you'll do it. Keep your passion alive.

Harsh Prateek - Photographer

Interview by - Pallavi Surana