Pankaj Prajapati - Photography Is An Art Which Takes A Significant Time To Master (Photographer)

A photograph is composed of two parts, how best one can shoot the picture and how best one can edit the picture. A good photograph is the amalgamation of both and a good photographer needs to master both.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I am born and brought up in New Delhi but my ancestral home is at Bihar. I am currently working at Govt of Bihar as Estimating Officer. My Father is an Engineer at Govt of Bihar and my mother is a High School teacher at Govt. of Delhi. 

My schooling was from Jindal Public School, Dwarka-Palam Road, Delhi & I did my graduation (B.tech) in Civil Engineering from Amity University, Noida (2011-15). After that, I did my masters in Civil Engineering from School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (2016-18). 

I briefly worked at a Consulting firm in Gurugram for 2 months after my masters. Then I joined the Govt of Bihar in 2018 and working here since then. I am posted at Patna and currently stay here due to job requirements.


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

I had a slight interest in photography since my childhood days. My father had Kodak KB-10 point and shoot film camera which I used to click family events and family trips. 

In my college days, I joined the Photography club which helped me develop my interest in this field. I use to shoot on college events and other related events on behalf of the photography club. I wanted to own a DSLR but DSLR was and is a costly affair for a college student. I had a decent hands-on on the DSLR of college. 

I graduated and started with my masters. Photography took a backseat then as masters course was hectic. I bought One Plus 6 phone which use to give good picture camera considering it as phone camera. I continued my photography hobby with phone only. 

I use to click a lot of pictures but didn’t post them on any platform as I wasn’t much sure of my photography skills as well as didn’t feel the need for them to be posted. Finally, I installed Instagram in 2018. My friends and classmates encouraged and supported me with the decision. 

I had already roughly 3 years of Photography experience when I installed Instagram. I started posting regularly and most of my pictures got a positive response from the audience. 

After a year of Instagram, I felt the need to upgrade my gears. I bought DSLR in April 2019 and GoPro Hero 7 Black a month after that. Recently I bought GoPro Max & DJI Mavic Mini drone too.


3. What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers?

Photography is an art which takes a significant time to master. 

Firstly, one needs to stay consistent, have patience and practice the art as frequently as possible. I use to go out daily in my initial days for clicking pictures and hunting for right frame and light. 

Secondly, the orientation should be always towards improvement. Once you reach a decent level in photography, it's easier and even tempting to give up all the hustle, let go on improvement part and rely on things you already know, but that eventually stagnates the growth as a photographer. 

The third is a very practical tip for amateurs. It is to always look and take care of background while shooting. Initially, we focus on capturing the subject and totally forget the half cropped or tilted background but the pictures must be reviewed in between the shoot to keep framing and the alignment right.


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

A photograph is composed of two parts, how best one can shoot the picture and how best one can edit the picture. A good photograph is the amalgamation of both and a good photographer needs to master both. 

Regarding the first part, the photograph should be as per the composition rules. Even if one is breaking the composition rule, it is fine until and unless it is doing justice to the photograph. In the second part, the post-processing should be aesthetically pleasing and natural. 

Another part which separates a good photographer from a successful one is communication skills and work ethics. This is the art which can make or break one’s success in the field of Photography. One needs to establish trust in their clients that their work is in safe hands. 

The delivery of images should never cross the deadline. One may come across a variety of clients having a variety of mood and one should handle them patiently and with a positive attitude.


5. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?

As we are moving forward in a digital era, the need for talented photographers is growing by leaps and bounds. People want their moments to be documented whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, maternity, baby shoot or a fully-fledged wedding. 

With the number of stores going online on e-commerce websites, there is a shortfall of product photographers who can efficiently photograph the products for the online stores. 

Fashion Photography has a huge scope if one has a good understanding of lighting and post-processing. Similarly, Event Photographers are also in demand throughout the year.


6. Which is your favourite book and why?

Owing to the busy schedule, I don’t get much time to read these days but I really loved the last book I read “National Geographic: The Photographs”. The book showcases the skill and imagination of such notable Geographic photographers like David Doubilet, William Albert Allard, Sam Abell, Jim Stanfield, Jodi Cobb, Jim Brandenburg, David Alan Harvey, and many more. 

With works of such eminent photographers incorporated in the book, one gets the insight of how photography has shaped and evolved over the last century.

- Pankaj Prajapati (Photographer)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pankaj.jpeg/

Interviewed By Akshaya Rathinavadivel