Tell us about you…

I was a transaction lawyer and after 15 years of practice, I gave up my career for my first love, photography.I am self-taught and love to capture moments glistening with human emotions. I am a travel and documentary photographer. My hometown is Kolkata. I travel in pursuit of my quest for capturing the unknown. My work has been exhibited in India, Romania, Malaysia and Colombo. My works have been published in Life Force Magazine, Photojournale, Private Photo Review, JaraPorijayee, The Outlook Magazine, Classic Imaging Magazine and Photoarts and also form part of private collections. I am a contributor at the Getty Images Inc., USA.

 

When did you start photography…

I started photography in 2010, but since I was still a practicing lawyer then, I could not give as much time as I wanted to give to photography. I was juggling between law and photography, until one day I took a call and quit my legal profession.  

Yours gears - then and now…

I started with a fixed lens Konica Minolta and never left the camera even for a minute. On my birthday, two of my closest friends gifted me a Nikon D40 with its 18-55 kit lens. I was ecstatic. Over the next few months, I bought some lenses. I sold all my lenses and Nikon D40 and decided to upgrade. I bought my first full format camera Nikon D700 and eventually sold that too.
Presently, I use Nikon D800 and Nikon D750 with Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8, 16-35 f/4, 70-200 f/2.8, 24-120 f/4, 28-300 f/3.5-5.6,50mm f/1.8. For street photography, I use, Fuji X-E2 with 23mm f/1.4.

 

What do you love to photograph…

I love to capture emotions in its candid form. Since I am also a travel photographer, I travel extensively to freeze in time and bring back human existence in its traditional form.

 

Why do you love this genre that you practice…

Emotion is a basic element of our existence. Be it emotions in an animate object or inanimate object. It all depends on how well you perceive emotions and how well such emotions have reached the viewer through such frames.

 

Your most loved photo and why do you love it…

I draw inspiration from many legends and its difficult to talk about one particular photograph. There are many photographs which satisfy me.
My current project is on the celebration of life by the widows. I shot this photograph during the Holi celebration by the widows of Vrindavan. This photograph is very close to my heart because the euphoria coupled with the light from top makes it a photograph which immediately connects with my soul. I love to see the joy in this image despite the suffering of the widows in our society.

 

Your journey so far…

I just have 6 years experience as a photographer. So, as of now, my journey is very short. Nevertheless, in this short span of 6 years, I have seen India like never before. Photography and I have a soul connect. It’s the best travel partner in all my journeys

 

Difference in ‘photography then’ and ‘photography now’…

In my 6 year journey, there is no ‘Then’ and ‘Now’. Everything is now. However, what I feel is, with the technical side of photography becoming easier in the digital era (which includes huge expanse of easily available digital darkroom) than the analogue time, the new generation refuses to get to the depth of learning and they are happy floating on the surface. To say the least the social media is not helping much.

 

Your future plans…

To shoot and learn more. There’s no end to learning. I want to bring to the forefront a world lesser known by people.

 

Your suggestions for the budding photographers…

Always look out for something unique. Be a thinking photographer. Do your research well before going out to shoot.Learn to criticize your own work more than others. Be observant. Look for a frame that stirs an emotion within you. This could be nostalgia, happiness, melancholia, dejavous etc. Look for a story in the frame.