The journey to reach one’s passion is an exhilerating one. There are hardships, struggles but an undying passion that makes a person move towards their journey. Here is an interview with SK Sartaz Ali Barkat about his journey in the field of photography.

 Tell us something about how you started your journey in photography?

(A) I took science in 11 and 12 because I wanted to become an engineer first. Slowly I realised that I was not understanding what I was studying or what I was doing. At the same time, I was going through a rough phase in my life. So, after school, just to escape from everything, I’d skip my tuitions or after tuitions I would roam around in our city (Cuttack) and spend my time exploring places and watching sunsets. While I was roaming and fooling around, I’d click random pictures of the street, people, sunsets, roads and mostly everything around me. I was new on Instagram then, and I posted some of my pictures. I realized that people liked my work and slowly I started enjoying photography. It was like an escape, something that gave me meaning. I was clearly aware of what I was doing and I truly enjoyed the process. So, basically, I started photography as a whim/escape but slowing it became my passion, an integral part of my life.

What do you think is most important while capturing a shot.

Apart from the technicalities and basics, I think ‘what you feel’ when you capture a shot matters a lot. What/how does it feel when you saw something and decided to click? A photograph is a very personal thing and it holds meaning for the person who clicked it even if it makes no sense to a person who sees it. The pink tint in the sky? The bird feeding her kids? The old man with wrinkles all over his face? What did you feel when you saw any of it and decided to freeze the frame forever? That feeling matters the most.

A lot of youth has this question – They love doing photography but can’t afford a camera. What can you suggest to them?

Yes, I completely agree that ‘Photography is an expensive hobby’. But do you think I started photography with a high-end camera worth more than 50000 bucks? Every process is made of multiple steps. I have been clicking pictures for the past 5 years, but I bought my own proper camera last month. I have been clicking pictures mostly with a smartphone, so I would suggest to start with anything you have, even a basic smartphone will do the job. I have always said, “Gear is important, but just gear won’t make you a photographer”. A photographer is not just a person with a camera, he/she is a person who can tell stories through a picture.

Moreover, once you start, you will meet people, join a community, meet people who are crazy enough to let you use their camera. And that is how I clicked picture when I didn’t have my phone for a year as it was broken.

“Art will always come to those who love to create”.

Share with us pne of your favourite captures

I don’t have any favourite capture because everything I click is special to me. However, I like this shot as it took me a lot patience and hard work to get the frame. I used the water splash as a frame for Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata. This shot took me more than 30 mins and multiple tries.

 What are your future plans in this field? OR What advice would you give the youth who wants to take up photography as a career option?

Photography is a passion/hobby for me and I have not looked at it as a full-time job even thought I do freelance shoots and all. I’m interested in telling stories and also into cinematography so I have been thinking to try for film industry.

Honestly speaking, I don’t consider myself a professional. I’m still learning and gaining knowledge, so it will be foolish of me to advice anyone, anything about taking photography as a career option.However, I would like to share few things that I’ve learnt – If you love what you do, practice and enhance it daily and you’re never afraid to fail, your work will be acknowledged and you’ll do just fine in this world. There is nothing to worry about.

Interview by : Subhechcha Ganguly