Let's start at the very beginning. Do you remember the moment photography first caught your attention and made you want to pick up a camera? Tell us what pulled you in.
My journey into photography began quite unexpectedly. I still remember being in college when I visited the college garden. Amidst the familiar greenery, a particular scene caught my eye—a tiny moment of nature that made me stop and look a little closer. An orange insect resting on a green stem, surrounded by delicate leaves and soft natural light, seemed like an ordinary sight to everyone else, but to me, it was something worth capturing.
I took my first photograph not as a professional photographer, but as someone who was simply curious about the beauty hidden in everyday life. I didn’t know much about composition, lighting, or the technical aspects of photography back then. I only knew that something about that moment fascinated me, and I wanted to preserve it.
Looking back, this photograph holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of where it all began. It taught me that photography is not always about travelling to extraordinary places or waiting for spectacular moments. Sometimes, it is about slowing down, observing your surroundings, and noticing the little things that often go unseen.
That day, in a college garden, I discovered a simple joy—the joy of looking at the world a little differently. And perhaps, without even realising it, I took my first step towards a lifelong interest in photography, especially nature photography.
You describe photography as a way of slowing down and observing. What does that slowing-down feel like for you when you're out with your camera?
For me, slowing down with my camera is a way of being truly present in the moment. I have always been drawn to literature, beauty, and the idea of Carpe Diem—seizing the day and appreciating what life offers us. Perhaps this is why I find beauty in the simplest things: an insect resting on a leaf, a bird looking at the sunset, or the delicate play of light and shadow in nature. When I am out with my camera, I become more aware of my surroundings. I observe details that I might otherwise overlook, and I begin to see ordinary moments as little stories waiting to be told. Much like literature, photography allows me to capture emotions, preserve memories, and find meaning beyond what is immediately visible. For me, slowing down is not about doing less; it is about seeing more, feeling more, and learning to appreciate the beauty of being alive.
Can you recall one early moment or scene you photographed that stayed with you, the one that made you feel 'this is something I love'?
One of the early moments that stayed with me was watching the clouds during sunset. I remember being fascinated by how quickly they moved across the sky, carried by the wind, while their colours kept changing with the fading light. What made the scene so beautiful was its simplicity. It was just the sky, the clouds, the wind, and the setting sun—something we witness almost every day. Yet, when I stopped to observe it, it felt extraordinary. The clouds transformed from one shade to another, creating a constantly changing canvas that no artist could reproduce in exactly the same way. I think that was when I began to understand what I love about photography: it allows me to appreciate the magic hidden in ordinary moments. Nature doesn’t always need to offer something spectacular to take our breath away. Sometimes, all we need to do is look up, slow down, and truly see what is happening around us.
You call yourself an enthusiast who is still learning and discovering your own visual language. How would you describe that visual language as it feels right now?
My visual language is still evolving, and I believe there is no need to rush the process of learning. I want to learn slowly, observe patiently, and allow my understanding of photography to grow naturally. When I look at something through my camera, I try to understand why it catches my attention, what makes it beautiful, and what I feel when I observe it. I don’t always need to find an explanation or give meaning to everything I see. Sometimes, I simply stand still and look, without judgment or expectation, allowing the moment to unfold in front of me. I am learning to notice the little details, the changing colours, the movement of clouds, and the beauty of ordinary things. Perhaps my visual language, at this stage, is about patience, curiosity, and mindful observation. I am not trying to become someone else’s idea of a photographer; I am slowly discovering how I see the world, one moment and one photograph at a time.
What draws you to photograph the sky or clouds, and what were you feeling as you framed this shot?
What amazes me most about the sky is how effortlessly nature creates something extraordinary out of ordinary elements. The clouds keep moving, changing their shapes, gathering, separating, and transforming their colours as the light shifts from day to evening. Sometimes, they appear soft and peaceful; at other times, they look dramatic and powerful. Watching these changes makes me wonder how something so beautiful can happen without any deliberate design or human intervention. Nature follows its own rhythm, constantly creating and recreating, and no two moments are ever exactly the same. The golden glow of sunset, the deep blue patches of sky, and the clouds moving with the wind remind me that beauty is not always something we need to create; sometimes, it is already happening right in front of us. It is amazing how nature works—quietly, endlessly, and in ways that make us pause and simply wonder.
What was it like chasing the moon for a photograph, and what do you love about it?
My first attempt at photographing the moon was an experience filled with excitement and a little struggle. As I zoomed in, my hands kept shaking, and the moon seemed to move within the frame. I didn’t have a tripod or any professional equipment, so I had to manage with what I had. Somehow, I managed to capture it, and that made the moment even more special for me. What fascinated me most was how gorgeous the moon looked as I kept zooming in. It felt as though I was getting closer to something so familiar yet so distant. We see the moon so often, but when we pause to observe it closely, there is something almost magical about it. I was excited not because I had taken a perfect photograph, but because I had tried something new and captured a little piece of that beauty. That experience reminded me that photography is also about curiosity, experimentation, and the joy of discovering what is possible, even with limited equipment.
What is it about simple, everyday subjects that catches your eye and makes you stop to photograph them?
I am often drawn to simple things that we see every day but rarely stop to appreciate. A tiny drop of water resting on a leaf, a flower covered in raindrops, or the way light reflects on a small droplet can hold so much beauty. These things may seem ordinary, but when I look at them closely, I discover details that I might otherwise miss. I love how nature creates such beautiful patterns and colours without trying to impress anyone. Sometimes, all it takes is a little patience and a different perspective to turn an everyday sight into something extraordinary. I think that is what makes photography special to me: it allows me to pause, observe, and appreciate the beauty that already exists around us.
Tell us the story of this frame—what was happening around you, and what made you press the shutter?
I remember walking through the narrow lanes of the blue city, where every corner seemed to have its own story. I was drawn to the colours, the closely packed buildings, the intricate web of electric wires stretching across the sky, and the everyday life unfolding in the streets. There was so much happening around me, yet each frame held something different. The colourful houses, the vibrant clothes, the movement of people, and the changing light of the evening created a beautiful contrast between the old and the everyday. I wanted to capture not just the appearance of these streets, but also their character—their energy, their chaos, and their lived-in beauty. For me, these photographs are a reminder that a place doesn’t need to be perfectly arranged to be beautiful. Sometimes, it is the imperfections, the colours, and the ordinary moments of daily life that give a place its true identity.
What were you experimenting with here, and how did it change the way the scene felt?
In this photograph, I was experimenting with close-up photography and the way a small detail can change the entire feeling of a scene. I focused on a tiny drop of water resting on a green leaf, allowing the surrounding leaves and shadows to fade into the background. The water droplet reflects its surroundings, almost like a miniature world held within it. The deep greens and darker background make the droplet stand out, drawing attention to something that might otherwise go unnoticed. This experiment helped me see how changing the focus and perspective can transform an ordinary subject into something fascinating. Instead of capturing the whole plant, I chose to look closely at one small detail. It made the scene feel quieter, more intimate, and almost magical. I realised that sometimes, photography is not about showing more but about choosing what deserves our attention.
You mentioned symmetry, silhouettes, and light and shadow as things you're currently exploring. What are you learning as you work with them in a frame like this?
As I continue exploring photography, I am learning to pay attention to light, shadows, colours, and the way different elements come together within a frame. In these photographs, I experimented with capturing the changing moods of the sky, from the quiet beauty of twilight to the warm colours of sunset. I also tried playing with silhouettes, using the darkness of buildings or a bird against the sky to create contrast and draw attention to the subject. Each frame has taught me something different. Sometimes, the beauty lies in a tiny crescent moon; at other times, it is in the soft gradient of colours on the horizon or the delicate shapes of clouds. I am learning that photography is not simply about capturing what I see, but also about understanding how light and perspective influence what I feel. I am still experimenting, making mistakes, and discovering what works for me. With every photograph, I am becoming more aware of the little details that make an ordinary moment worth remembering.
You said you want to move from capturing beautiful images to telling stories through them. When you look at your photos now, which one feels closest to carrying a real story or emotion, and why?
The photograph of the bird against the sunset sky feels closest to telling a story. There is something beautiful about the way the bird stands in silhouette, surrounded by the soft colours of the evening sky. It makes me think about freedom, solitude, and the quiet moments when the world seems to slow down. The bird is a small part of the frame, yet its presence gives the photograph a sense of life and meaning. I don’t know where the bird was going or what its journey looked like, but that is what I love about this image—it leaves room for imagination. For me, a photograph becomes more than a beautiful picture when it makes someone pause, feel something, or create their own story around it. I am still learning how to do this, but I hope to capture more moments that not only show what I see, but also express what I feel when I stand still and observe the world around me.
As you grow more observant and intentional, what kind of feeling or story do you most hope your photographs will hold for the people who see them?
I hope my photographs encourage people to slow down and notice the beauty that exists in their everyday lives. We are often so occupied with our routines that we forget to look at the world around us with curiosity and wonder. Through my photographs, I want to capture those little moments that make us pause—a bird against the evening sky, clouds changing colours at sunset, a tiny drop of water resting on a leaf, or the vibrant life of an old city street. I want my photographs to hold a sense of wonder, calmness, and connection with the world around us. As someone who is still learning, I don’t expect every photograph to be perfect. I simply hope that each one carries a little piece of what I felt when I captured it. If someone looks at my photograph and begins to notice something beautiful that they might otherwise have overlooked, I would consider that a meaningful achievement. For me, photography is about more than capturing an image; it is about learning to see, to feel, and to appreciate life as it unfolds.
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