Interview: Photographer Rahul Chowdhury (India)
Can you tell us a little about you?
My name is Rahul Chowdhury and I have been married to Kajari for 3 years now. Apart from being a Software Engineer I am a professional fashion photographer as well. I hail from India and came to the Netherlands 3 months back. I love to travel and explore new places. I have a plan to travel to many countries in Europe. My parents and my wife are the most important people in my life. I always strive to achieve a balance between my personal life and professional life and I am good at managing this.
How and when did you get into photography?
A senior colleague cum brother gifted me a DSLR 6 years back. That’s when I started nurturing photography and soon discovered my love for portraits and other genres of this visual art. During my initial years, it was my brother’s marriage where I was asked to take a few snaps. That was when I first felt that I should start learning more and can make a living out of photography. Since then I am learning and trying new stuffs everyday. 6 years of rigorous learning and cultivating new stuff improved me as a photographer. Though I always believe that there is a lot more to learn.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography is a visual language which helps to express my inner self. It’s a constant process of creation, which gives an immense satisfaction. I believe that to be a good photographer, one needs to be a very good observer. Photography is my way of observing the world around me and expressing my inner soul. My photography is my way of witnessing the world around me.
Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.
Initially when I started photography, I used to click a lot of portraits of different subjects. Soon I discovered my undying love for fashion and eventually shifted to full fledged fashion photography. For each and every shoot of mine, I try to create a concept, a mood and an aura. Then I proceed with selecting an appropriate makeup, an attire, a model and suitable styling. For me the concept of the shoot is the foundation stone. I try to portray a mood or a story out of each and every shoot of mine. I try to put emotions and expressions through my model which helps in enhancing the aesthetic value of my image. Rather than doing simple glamour shoots, I try to design theme oriented shoots either by following a particular story or makeup or styling. Apart from these I try to stress on the framing and the colour contrast part as well.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Each and every day I spend a lot of time witnessing extraordinary work by other photographers. I love to watch pictures and different people inspire me in different ways. I believe there is always something to learn from everyone. I follow some of the pioneers of this industry and try to keep myself motivated by keeping track of their work. It is a constant process of learning as I already mentioned. Moreover my thirst for creativity inspires me a lot.
Do you think in advance what you want in the picture ?
Yes and No both. I definitely think about the basic concept and theme of the shoot. I pre decide some particular frames in my mind. For me framing is another very important aspect of photography. At the same time, while shooting I love to improvise and create something on the go. It happens with me always, that while I shoot, just by looking at the location, the model, something suddenly pops in my mind. So in a way I do think in advance, but I also give importance to my creativity while shooting.
Studio, on location or both?
For me location photography has its own challenges. Studio is a place where you can always adjust the light. One cannot do that with natural outdoor lighting. Moreover I retouch my own pictures and retouching is another important profession of mine. I feel that outdoor location shoot gives you more scope with retouching and helps you to learn more about the concepts of light, so for me its always outdoor location shoot.
Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?
During my initial years I was a hobbyist. Eventually I started earning out of it. So I guess I am a paid professional now.
What has been your most memorable session and why?
Actually there have been many. But I remember an outdoor shoot for a client during a rainy day, where I had to regulate my external speedlite for a backlit image. Definitely that one was pretty challenging for me. Though it helped me to learn a lot about outdoor lighting concepts.
Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?
Always a Nikon user. My favourite lenses are Nikon 24 -120mm F/4.0, Nikon 24 – 70mm F/2.8, Tamron 90 mm Macro.
What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?
It’s not easy to give tips on the business. Regarding photography I can suggest you to look at good pictures and train your eye to capture good frames. Colour concept is very important for fashion photography. Try to get a detailed idea about colour contrast as well. Be a good observer to be a good photographer.
What do you think of our new magazine?
I just love the new magazine’s look, feel and presentation as well. Some of the best photography I have ever seen. Thank you very much for your invitation.
Model - Priyanka Das, MUA - Rahul Nandy, Styling & Outfit - Rangan Papay, Hair - Abhijit Das, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Shrimoyee Ghosh, MUA - Rahul Nandy, Styling & Outfit - Rangan Papay, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Sensemielja Letitia Sumter, Designer - Zalure Home, MUAH - Fashinablestylistss, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Manjuri Dey, Makeup - Rahul Nandy, Styling and Designing - Rangan Papay, Hair - Abhijit Das, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Sensemielja Letitia Sumter, Designer - Duc Nguyen, MUAH - Fashinablestylistss, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Arpita Ghosh, MUAH - Surojit Sarkar, Styling & Outfit - Proloy Dasgupta, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Shrimoyee Ghosh, MUAH - Sougata Sarkar, Styling & Outfit - Somnath Das, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Parichita Singha, MUAH - Surojit Dutta, Styling & Outfit - Arpan Ziko Tarafder, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Sumana Sarkar, MUAH - Babusona Saha, Styling & Outfit - Soumya Nandy, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Priyanka Das & Damayanti Giri, MUA - Rahul Nandy, Styling & Outfit - Rangan Papay, Hair - Abhijit Das, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Damayanti Giri, MUA - Pritam Das, Styling & Outfit - Arpan Ziko Tarafder, Hair - Abinash Bhowmick, Photography & Retouch - Myself
Model - Arpita Ghosh & Shrimoyee Ghosh, MUAH - Surojit Sarkar, Styling & Outfit - Proloy Dasgupta, Photography & Retouch - Myself
