"Consider your subjects as human": In an interview with Sandipan Mukherjee

 

Adamas University organized a photography competition and exhibition on August 30, 2022, on world photography day in association with SONY and the Photography Club of India.

We interviewed Mr. Sandipan Mukherjee (acclaimed Travel photojournalist and Author). Art and creativity are always much prior to him and his genre of work is street life, people, cultural environment, rituals, etc.

Sandipan Mukherjee [Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Sandipan Mukherjee]

What made you choose photography over anything?

It’s been almost one and a half decades since I started doing photography. Photography is something in which I had an interest all along. Even when I knew nothing about photography I used to click photos that I have submitted in various newspapers as a freelance photographer. But photography got to me seriously in the year 2007, when I came back from a trekking trip and a senior photographer from Kolkata had a look at the shots I clicked. He appreciated my photographs and asked me to take this hobby of mine seriously.

What made you fascinated with this genre as you chose photography over drama?

I still like drama but it involves a lot of xxx and a lot of people also which you cannot control. But photography is something that I can control sole-handedly. Whenever and wherever I want I can click the pictures and visualize them.

What would you like to say about the photographs we are presenting today?

These photographs are quite good actually. Perspectives, control of light whatever I am seeing I am quite impressed. I also saw the three photographs which won the prizes, literally I am quite impressed. I didn't expect this sort of participation, this quality of the image.

If you have to highlight one moment from today's event what will be that?

Apart from the photos which I always like when I visit this sort of institution is that the participation of young people like you, which always fascinates me. Because I am a teacher as well and I like the enthusiasm and the life which you people represent. Here I came across a very old friend of mine who is also your teacher. Personally, these are the highlights from today's event.

Any difficulties faced by you in your early days of being a freelance photographer?

See I don't do arranged window shots. So whenever I go out in the streets or wherever with the camera and shoot random people it is always a challenge. But it also depends on you. Don't try to still photographs if you don't have to and please also do not consider those people you are shooting as subjects. If your approach is correct, if you approach them with a smile and if you ask for consent you may get your shot. Sometimes it doesn't become possible to ask for consent as then the candid moment will be lost, in this case even after you have taken shots your approach will always do wonder. Don't consider those people as subjects but as human beings and approach them as such everything will become easy.

Authors

Chadrima Das
Debomita Dey

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