What first sparked your interest in photography, especially using a mobile lens?
I've always seen the world around me and wished I could capture it to share with others. When I was younger, I thought you needed an expensive camera to take good photos, so I didn't take many. But recently, I realized that some forms of photography can be done with a cheap mobile camera as well. I want more people to realize this and share their own perspectives too!
How did your journey in product, architecture, and nature photography begin?
It all started when I joined college. I've always been interested in photography, but a course called 'The Basics in Photography' really brought out my talent. Without that course and my mentor, I wouldn't have realized my potential! I was asked to photograph various topics, from product to reflection, which motivated me to explore different editing techniques.
What's the most important lesson you've learned about mobile photography over the years?
I'm just 18 years old, and it's only been a year since I started. I know many photographers with years of experience, even longer than I've lived, but even in this short time, I've learned how much editing matters. It doesn't matter the quality of the camera as much as the editing that goes into each photo. Though color grading is something I'm still learning, fixing the image in terms of perspective and cropping really brings the change.
Describe a moment when you realized mobile photography was your true passion.
For the same course, I was asked to do product photography. I decided to photograph a perfume bottle. The setup and final result were full of trial and error. The background was my black overcoat held up by an exam pad, and the lighting was a flashlight. Without any help, I managed to get a good shot, which I edited and loved. That was my turning point.
What product photo best represents your style, and what makes it stand out?
It is a perfume bottle. What makes this stand out is that it didn't require any professional equipment. All it took was a black overcoat, an exam pad, a mirror to reflect natural light, a regular phone (in my case, a Samsung F17), and a flashlight for backlighting. I didn't have any helping hands to hold everything in place, so I took the photo with one hand. Avoiding my own reflection in the glass bottle was hard, but once the photo was edited, the final piece turned out wonderful and looked professional.
What story or feeling does your architecture photo convey?
To me, it conveys the color our current world lacks. The vibrancy of the temple shows our culture and tradition so well, and the plain blue sky enhances that beautifully. I want to show the little things we miss looking at every day in our busy lives and also showcase the ancient cultures that India has to offer.
What makes your nature photo special to you?
It's a frame-in-frame style of photography. I find this special because it shows how old the tree is. You can see all the way from its roots to the leaves up top. It really shows the grandeur of it. Instead of photographing the tree directly, I used the gap between the white pillars as a natural frame, which draws attention to the trunk and roots.
Walk us through your editing process for a before-and-after shot.
I use Snapseed to edit most of my photos. First, I fix the background using the healing tool. Then I adjust the composition, which includes perspective and cropping. Next, I play around with the tune image settings until I feel the watch really pops out. Since I take photos from my mobile, I use the dehazer to clear them up. Finally, I use the blurring tool to blur out the background, allowing the watch to stand out.
What approach did you take to achieve that unique perspective in your street photo?
This shot reflects how I like to experiment with different angles. Instead of taking a regular street photo, I pointed the camera upward to capture the sky, clouds, and palm leaves, while using the power lines to naturally lead the eye through the frame. I also liked the contrast between the cool blue sky and the warm-colored building, which made the image feel more balanced.
Describe the story behind your photo series of the same product.
These photos are all of the same product, but each with a different way of capturing and editing. The black and white one brings an elegant and dramatic attention to the watch, while the other two are different in terms of editing. One has direct lighting from the top and a blurred background, creating a brighter image with a vibrant pop, while the other uses natural lighting with a darkened background, causing a natural pop. Each tells a different story using the same product.
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Instagram: varsha._.photography
