Have Patience, Things Will Happen With Due Course of Time

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1. Tell us about your background and journey?

I am a Business Research Analyst by profession and have been practicing photography for the last seven years. I was born and brought up in a small cantonment of Darjeeling district of Bengal in an orthodox Bihari family. At the age of 16 arrived in Delhi and after doing odd jobs for a year I got admission in Delhi University.

After my post-graduation, I started working and simultaneously started travelling and photography. So far I have covered more than 100 cities in India and Nepal and mostly my work revolves around the stories of the people whom i meet while travelling and their respective socio-economic environment.

For the last few years, I am concentrating on my personal projects.

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

After, I stumbled upon a chance to work as a junior artist for a Bollywood movie

In the next few months, I gathered all the money I had including my previous company's PF and bought my first camera with it. But it took me 3-4 years to understand the impact and reach of this medium. I shifted my focus from capturing aesthetics to Storytelling.

I started documenting serious subjects like acid attacks, river conservation, plastic pollution, potters community, etc. Internet and Photography Magazines were my source of information back then and today.

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

Based on my experience so far I can suggest to-

Have patience, things will happen with due course of time
Get proper photography education, assist a photographer or get a mentor ship if feasible
Respect and observe the place and the people you are shooting
Read about Master's work and so as your contemporary counterparts
Practice, observe and enjoy the process of image - making

4. What is that one cause you care deeply about?

Two issues that are prevalent in our society bother me a lot, one being the crimes against women and second being the destruction of our sacred rivers. I personally believe that all these issues can be mitigated through better education system.

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

One should inculcate the skills such as Patience, Planning and Acceptance to Failure in order to move positively ahead in life.

6. What are the various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?

During these unprecedented times, it's difficult to explain the opportunities. However, one can explore the new avenues on Digital platforms and see the opportunities in the form of Grants that organisations provide to artists globally.

7. Which is your favorite book and why?

I don't read books or novels as much as i read articles and biographies. As a photographer, I tend to get attracted to photography books. I would love to have Alex Webb's '

Interview By - Sanjana Jain