Finding the angle, and capturing the beauty in a camera into a photograph is what a good photographer is capable of doing. Being able to notice, draw out and capture the perfect shot where a thing or a person looks most beautiful, is photography.
1. Tell us more about your background and your journey.
I was born and brought up in Alappuzha. The journey of my career begins back in 2002 when I worked as a news photographer at Malayala Manorama. Although I was interested in photography, the choice to take it up as a career was completely a coincidence. A few years later in 2008, I joined Vanitha (a regional fortnightly magazine) as a fashion photographer. My debut cover shoot was for the Indian Singer, K J Yesudas.
Apart from Vanitha, I also do cover shoots for The Week, Smart Life, Manorama Aarogyam, Manorama Varshika Pathippu, Paripidam, Vishu Kanni, Manorama weekly, Vanitha Paajakam, Vanitha Veedu, Manorama Fastrack, Karshaka Sree, and several other prints and digital projects of Manorama.
2. According to you what is Photography and what made you to choose this as your career?
I like this question. Everything you see in this world, anything nestled in nature, all of it has a beautiful side to it. We could call it an angle, from which the particular element looks most beautiful from. It could be humans.. animals.. and what not.
Finding that angle, and capturing the beauty in a camera into a photograph is what a good photographer is capable of doing. Being able to notice, draw out and capture the perfect shot where a thing or a person looks most beautiful, is photography.
The reason I chose this path births from my passion for photography. It gives me a purpose, to discover new things every day, to be the director of observing, finding and capturing immense beauty in all the little things and bringing it to life on a paper.
3. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful photographer?
Whenever you head out with a camera in your hand and find a shot worth capturing, do not look at the target with the camera lens. Try to see it with your heart. Only then will you be able to capture the beauty it holds. Glorify raw shots. Do not allow artificiality to sprout in the pictures you shoot.
4. What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers?
Well, a photographer should always be open to changes, especially a fashion photographer. At the beginning of my journey, I worked with a film camera. Later, digital cameras were launched. The field of photography involves constant sophistication and innovations that you need to constantly keep track with, in order to stay ahead of the crowd.
Photography is a beautiful, yet a never-ending journey. At the point where a photographer thinks he has become a photographer, his journey abruptly ends. It is necessary to realize that photography is a constant journey in search of beauty.
Even today, when I take a look at the photographs I've captured earlier in life, I begin to find flaws I've never noticed before. This shows, photography is a never-ending journey towards becoming better and better every time you take a shot.
5. Which is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
We find ourselves in that little boy who listens to his heart in every step he takes. It focuses on passion then resilience, an important and beautiful part of our journey. The idea that the most simple things in life are the most extraordinary, never fails to amuse me.
Instagram id : @syam_babu
Interviewed by : Adit Koul
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