WallMag: What made you interested in silhouettes?

At the start, I use to click random pictures and upload them on Instagram. Then, I came to know about a personality who clicked good silhouette pictures, and he is from my town. So, I

started going to my nearby beach and use to click silhouette images in which humans were the main subject mostly. After posting a few images on Instagram, some random people suggested to me that I should follow a particular theme. So, I stuck to the silhouette genre, and day by day, I developed my interest in silhouette photography. Also, I love silhouette photography because it artistically conveys a message and let the viewers' imagination to fill up the details and complete the story.

WallMag: We come across single subjects in your photographs. Tell us more about it.

I'm also interested in other types of photography like landscape, astrophotography, adventure, travel photography, etc.. But I chose silhouette photography as my main subject because I love to click pictures that depict some message or story. Through silhouette photography, I can convey a visual message through my imagination and creativity.

WallMag: What is your favorite subject to shoot, and why?

My favorite subject to shoot is of course; human elements in my silhouette pictures. Including human-elements into the frame helps to add the story to an image, and that is what I want. Even if I capture a normal image like of landscape or architecture, I try to include human elements as it gives more depth and life to the picture.

A few months back, I decided to capture a time-lapse of the milky way through my camera. While doing that, I witnessed a few meteors shower for the first time in my life. I know that watching meteor showers is very common for an astrophotographer, but, as I saw them for the first time, it was one of the rarest moments for me.

WallMag: How would you define your photography style?

I always try to click images in a creative way or with some different perspective rather than clicking the usual images. I believe in the concept that if we change our way of observation then we can also find something interesting in an ordinary thing.

WallMag: Do you usually make any further edits/post-processing onto your photos? If so, what software do you use?

Yes, of course, after clicking a photograph my second step is post-processing. It helps me to do color correction, improve detailing and dynamic range, and enhance the image so that the overall image looks exactly like as I visualized it. But, I also make sure that the image is not over-processed i.e. it does not lose its originality. The software which I use for post-processing is Adobe Lightroom CC and Snapseed.

WallMag: What have been your top 3 best silhouettes so far and why do you consider them as your best shot?

The first one is a boy sitting with a book under the bulb. The second one is a boy walking on the rope and balancing himself and the third one is a boy walking on the staircase to achieve success. I consider these shots as my best shots because they are creative and depict some message towards life. Also, a lot of people have admired these pictures.

WallMag: Tell us through your photography process. How do you complete your work from start to finish?

Whenever I click any picture with a concept behind it, then firstly, I think of it in my mind. Secondly, I do a rough drawing of it. Thirdly, I plan it accordingly and implement it. Finally, I do post-processing to get a perfect image that I had in my vision.

WallMag: As a photographer, how far do you think participating in awards/contests is important for a photography career?

Participating in contests is important because it helps us to know where we stand in this field. It enables us to compare our work with others and set a higher work standard for ourselves. We can learn and improve from the winners and also create a network among fellow photographers all over the world. Participating in contests gradually helps to build up the portfolio as well.

These shots make me feel proud because I had made lots of attempts while capturing these shots and the results were worth the efforts I made. These shots were admired by lots of fellow photographers. They had been featured in many photography pages on Instagram and also have helped me win a few photography contests.

I usually carry both my camera (Nikon D5600 with18-55mm lens )as well as mobile(Samsung M31) while going for shooting. But most of the time, I prefer my mobile for capturing pictures. Almost a half year back, I used to only carry my old phone (Nokia 6) along with me for clicking pictures.

WallMag: What is most important at the moment you take a picture?

While taking pictures, the most important factor for me is that the picture should be well composed and framed. The subject should be perfect according to the concept, and obviously, the background light should be shinier than the foreground if I want to click silhouette pictures. Also, one thing I always keep in my mind while capturing a picture is that the picture must convey a story to the viewers.

WallMag: Where do you think mobile photography is headed, and what are your thoughts on its influence on professional photographers in general?

Well, mobile photography has impacted our view of photography in monumental ways. There was a time when we could have never imagined carrying a powerful camera around in our pockets. Further, we could not have imagined editing photos in the palm of our hands and instantly sharing them with our friends. Technology has done amazing things for the world of photography. Speaking about its influence on professional photographers, it does have impacted them. As mobile photography is very convenient, easy to use, and provides almost all the features like a DSLR. But this impact is only up to some extent. Because at the end of the day, professional photographers are perfect in their place.Although mobile cameras fulfill almost every need as DSLR cameras provide people will still call professional photographers for their events, occasions, and all. As mobile photography is emerging, the DSLR companies are also trying to develop themselves like first, there was not direct sharing option in camera’s but now they provide wifi, Bluetooth so that photos are shared with the mobile on the go.

Not actually, until and unless he/she is not a professional. If I speak in terms of mobile photography then it is better to capture with an inbuilt camera app if the phone provides good decent features and settings in the camera. If anyone needs some external features like a manual mode that some phones don't provide then they can go with Gcam or Camera FV-5 for Android.

WallMag: With the rise of Instagram and iPhones, how photographs are taken and shared has changed drastically over the past decade. How has this, if at all, impacted the way you make work and are there any technologies emerging at the moment that you are particularly excited by?

Technology is increasing rapidly and along with it, the network with people all around the globe is also increasing due to social media. Apps like Instagram have made it very easy for people to interact and share their daily life stories or pictures with their fellow friends or other people. Also, Instagram led to a very interesting phenomenon that could possibly change the world of photography from one end to another. Almost suddenly people who seldom took pictures of their daily life encounters began to photograph the world around them on a daily basis, increasing and discovering a love for photography.

Actually, I started my photography journey from Instagram only so it has really impacted me a lot. I keep on learning from my inspirations who post their work there and I try to improve in my techniques and methods.

Mirrorless cameras are one of the emerging technology and I am pretty much excited to use them in the future.

WallMag: Could you please describe your experience of participating in WallMag Mobile photography awards 2020 and marking your presence as top 1st winner? What tips would you like to give to upcoming participants?

It's been a really wonderful experience with WallMag. Everything was managed well from start to end during the competition. Out of thousands of photographs in each category, WallMag gave recognition to the top 500 photographers by providing them certificates and discount coupons that were really a good part as it will motivate them. After securing the top position in the mobile photography category, I was really surprised and I am really thankful for recognizing my work and appreciating it by rewarding me with this honor.

Tips that I would like to give to the upcoming participants is that choose only one or two genres in the starting instead of capturing random pictures, keep practicing and experimenting with your work adding creativity in your own way which will help to improve yourself in this field, never stop learning and you will see yourself evolving in the future.

You can follow Deep Patel in Instagram, to stay updated with his work.

You can also have a look at his Winning Photography Submission at WallMag Mobile Photography Awards 2020.