Paromita Chatterjee - My Pictures Are A Clear Reflection Of Who I Am (Documentary Photographer)

At the end of the day, my camera is my talisman which helps me tide over the undercurrent of ridicule for being "a woman working in a man's field" or the occasional lecherous glance.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

When I started out 7 years ago my parents had no clue what am I up to, how am I gonna handle this. There was no one in my family who was a photographer before that, I was the first one and that too a woman. 

So after completing my graduation from Calcutta University I insisted my father to buy me a second-hand DSLR camera so that I can teach myself the technical aspects and experiment everything that I have learned about photography then. 

Participated in several workshops but never found my soul in photography until I started working on the field myself. In 2015 I joined Tehelka magazine and worked as their staff photographer. I have learned professional aspects in photography mostly from there. 

When I started out at the age of 23 I was advised to hide my femininity while working on the field; that I should always have an androgynous approach as my femininity could distract my subject. However, through the course of my journey, I have realized that at the end of the day I can only be myself. 

My pictures are a clear reflection of who I am, so if I suppress my own identity then how can I be true to my craft; how will I find myself in those pictures. Besides, even inside the media industry, there seems to be a misconception that 'female' photographers can only cover softcore stories, that they are too fragile to work in adverse situations. 

Interestingly it has been my experience where I have more often than not worked under extreme conditions like severe weather, aggressive mobs, manoeuvering hostile crowds during political rallies etc. I don't remember giving up in any of those circumstances. Because I think photography somehow empowers me. 

The camera in my hand becomes a shield which helps me overcome any insecurities I might have. At the end of the day, my camera is my talisman which helps me tide over the undercurrent of ridicule for being "a woman working in a man's field" or the occasional lecherous glance.


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

Have always been interested in Art cinema, painting, photography. Also preferred to remain behind the camera. So found this to be my calling when I was gifted a small point and shoot camera by my father during my college days. 

We went for a vacation in Spiti valley and documenting things around me came very naturally to me and it was then I realized that this is something I want to pursue my career in. 

I started following legendary photographers and watching their documentaries, photo books, interviews. And like every other amateur photo enthusiasts I have also tried to capture that ' decisive moment' day and night.


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

Carry your camera be it a small point and shoot, cellphone camera or a DSLR everywhere. Don't get obsessed with fancy camera equipments, first get your compositions right. Follow the work of your favourite photographers, get inspired by them but don't copy them. Find yourself, your own style. And most importantly dream big. 

This is true that it can be really frustrating at times in the initial years but if you manage to sustain and stick to your plans without any distractions no one can stop you from achieving your goals. It’s just a matter of time. Hold on as long as you can. Work hard. Don’t be lazy. I keep reminding this to myself. 

First times are always scary. But once you taste the success you will fall for it. This is a sort of an addiction. That joy of getting your pictures published in esteemed national and international magazines or newspapers or getting recognized by your dream media houses can definitely get you on the road.


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

I answered a part of this question in the previous answer. What I would like to add here is to become a successful photographer you must have a huge amount of patience and faith in yourself. These two can keep you alive in any field you hop in. And also keep your eyes and heart open. Be open to any new experiment, style and venture.


5. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?

There are a lot of opportunities, workshops, open-calls, grants nowadays. Just ask yourself what do you want and choose the right opportunity for yourself. Nowadays many photographies take place all over the world. Try to participate in those. This will give you a perspective about your work.


6. Which is your favourite book and why?

Not one, there are many but right now there are few names coming to my mind like 'WORKERS' by the documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado. My all-time favourite. He was one of the reasons I aspired to become a documentary photographer today. Book by Roger Ballen 'Asylum of the birds'. 

Few contemporaries like Rohit Saha's '1528' and Poulomi Basu's 'Centralia'. The one I am looking forward to read is Cheryl Mukherjee's 'Shape of an answer' a book about her mother and mental illness. These books attract me mainly because I love all kinds of documentation be it social, political, environmental or personal.


- Paromita Chatterjee (Documentary Photographer)

I am a documentary photographer based out of Kolkata. My work has been published in various national and international magazines and newspapers like Tehelka magazine, The Hindu, The Wire, BBC, Aljazeera and more. I have a natural affinity towards women's issues, gender identity crisis, environmental concerns, and anything under the sociopolitical spectrum.

Website: https://paromitachatterjee.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paromita-chatterjee-a75714134


Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani