PHOENIX PHOTOGRAPHY

In a telephonic interview with the editor Dr.Devdoot Roy Choudhury, this upcoming talented street photographer talks about his photography journey so far in detail.

Featuring the immensely gifted Deepbrata Dutta in this special series of PHOENIX PHOTOGRAPHY interviews. He has been participating in many photography competitions and his work has been featured in some of the leading photography forums.

The Kolkata based youngster started street photography recently and within a short period of time he has made a mark for himself. He is a star in the making in the field of street photography.

Deepbrata tell us little bit about yourself.

I am from the city of Kolkata, India. I am a 3rd year student of B.Sc Media Science at NSHM Kolkata. I am very passionate about Street photography and when I am not doing photography I love to watch football.

When did you started doing street photography?

I bought my Nikon D5600 in the year 2018 and started taking street photography seriously since 2019 when I started shooting with my 10 – 20 mm wide angle lens. This particular lens provides me a good opportunity to compose my photographs according to my taste. I also use the 18 – 55 mm kit lens too whenever required.

Which processing tool are you using?

I generally use Snapseed and Photoshop Express. I do all the editing in my mobile phone only.

What are the difficulties you faced while shooting in the streets and how do you cope with it?

Shooting in the streets is not always easy. It’s a common scenario for every street photographer to encounter people who gets offended or gets conscious.

I just smile back at them after taking their pictures. I have an added advantage of being a student of media science. If I see trouble coming on my way I show them my identity card and people think it’s part of my college project, so I escape with my pictures that way.

Do you attend photowalks?

Yes, I do attend photowalks sometimes but generally I try to avoid mostly because in large groups of photographers there will be no difference between their frame and mine then. And secondly in large groups I have seen less work and more chit-chat. I prefer to walk alone or sometimes with fewer friends of mine.

How did social media platforms influenced your photography?

Yes, social media helped me grow a great deal as a photographer. My work has been recognized by many National and International groups and forums including your esteemed platform.

I believe everyone should showcase their work in social media. It’s a great source of reaching out to the world.

If given a chance to go out shooting with a special photographer alive or dead who would that be?

I would love to shoot with Steve McCurry, Raghubir Singh and Alex Webb.

Talk about the rules of composition.

Yes I try to follow the rules of composition whatever applicable. While shooting I keep in mind the rule of thirds, leading lines, golden triangle, layers etc. Following the rules makes the photograph more interesting and visually appealing.

Monochrome or Colour- which style of photography suits you ?

Actually I prefer both. I always shoot in the color format and then convert into monochrome later on if I feel that a particular photograph is giving me the desired feel which I am looking for.

Do you have any memorable photograph which has become your favorite lately?

Yes I have one. I clicked this photograph called ” Colours of Kolkata ” in an alley of M.G. Road. I had a composition in my mind but couldn’t frame it in my desired way. For this composition I went to the same spot for four consecutive days till I framed this shot. I love the vibrant colors of the building and the rickshaw puller gave me the perfect human element for the photograph.

Your most frequently visited places for street photography ?

I haven’t got the chance to shoot outside Kolkata so much. Generally I go to Howrah,Mullick Ghat, Koley Market, Canning, alleys of Girish Park, Kumortuli and Shantipur to name a few interesting places.

Whenever you go out to shoot, do you keep any theme or subject in your mind?

Yes, I do. I try to work on a particular theme or subject. A subject in mind keeps me focused and alert in the street. It gives me a direction. But every time I may not get my desired shot and when I come back home I find photographs which are clicked during the day are completely different or having no subject at all.

What did COVID 19 taught you?

Previously I use to think that photography can only happen if I hit the streets but this pandemic has taught me that photography can be done on interesting subjects inside your home premises too. I have created a small series in this lockdown which I would like to show.

The Lockdown series by Deepbrata Dutta :