WallMag: How did you become a photojournalist?
Having worked as a journalist for several years, I began exploring other varied mediums of story-telling. From my childhood, photography as an art has always fascinated me. I had been seeing my dad using expensive SLR cameras with fancy lenses. In the year 2011, I happened to meet photojournalist Arko Datta whose work influenced me to take up photojournalism as a career opportunity. Under Datta’s guidance, I started learning the technicalities of a camera, training the eyes creatively, and understanding the daily challenges of a photojournalist. In parallel to my study with Arko, I started shooting for several publications and agencies, courtesy a honed training imparted by Arko. Since then, the journey has continued, shooting for a plethora of publications, nationally and internationally.
WallMag: How do you balance that with the demand to “get the shot” for photojournalism? Have you arrived at a situation where you can just go out and make your type of pictures?
One of the rules which I always follow is - 'Reach first, leave last'. Whether it is a protest, media launches, rallies, or anything, I always try to reach the venue as early as possible and leave last. Apart from capturing the main event, you will be able to get most of the interesting images either before or after the event has taken the place. I always try to capture offbeat images apart from what's happening and are too direct. Your images should speak about the story.
To get the right kind of shots, one must be attentive all the time and always think before clicking the shutter. You should not just keep pressing the shutter just because you have a digital camera and you can erase images later. I always try to put a thought process behind every image I click. To start with, you can start learning composition rules, and once you master them, try breaking the rules. That's where the images will come out.
Pictures are everywhere. Right on the street where you are walking. You just need to train your eyes creatively to see them. There are a lot of things that you can do with the things around you. Maybe play with the dramatic light, create some mystery in the images, slow shutter, or any other technique. So, yes, anyone can move out and take pictures that they desire.
WallMag: How do you make emotions to flow inside the frames, how difficult is that and how do you achieve it?
Every artist, be it a writer, painter, or poet, connects with their work only because they put emotions into their work. The same is the case with photojournalists as well. You also need to fill emotions in it. And to fill emotions, you need to live in the situation or the life of the person who you are shooting. Till the time you don't place yourself in the other person's shoes, you won't be able to live the situation. Once you feel the situation, the same will reflect in your work as well.
WallMag: How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph or series of photographs? Do you have any preferences regarding cameras and format?
Preparation depends upon the kind of content which I am shooting. If I am shooting spot news or an accident, then maybe it doesn’t take much preparation. Instead, it will take regular photo capturing skills that you utilize on any other assignment. But, if you are shooting a feature, any special assignment, book, biography, etc., then it is well advised to do your research well and study your subject. Your research will reflect in the quality of your work. I believe that pressing the shutter is only 5% of a photojournalist’s job.
Apart from the research, I always keep my camera kit ready with spare batteries, memory cards, flash, etc. You should never run out of these when on assignment.
There are a lot of photographers who give preferences to certain format cameras, etc. But for me, I trust that all the cameras are goodgiven that where you can use them and know what their limitations are. For example, you probably cannot use a mobile camera to shoot sports but you can use the same camera to shoot a good portrait. So similarly, you need to understand the camera and its usage. Later, as per your need, you can always choose the camera, format, lenses, etc.
WallMag: Can you talk a bit about your approach to the work of photojournalism? What did you want your images to capture?
I believe everyone in photojournalism should follow a mental and physical approach to being 'ready to work' at any given point of time. Journalism, especially photojournalism, is something where you need to be alert all the time. You cannot afford to miss the moment. As a journalist, it happens that you may not reach the spot or an event for some reason, but you can always collect information later and file your story. But in the case of photojournalism, you cannot afford to do that. You have to be prepared to move out for work at any point in time. So you need to be mentally strong and have an attitude where you are ready to work round the clock. And remember, you have to be the best among the rest.
As I said before, I try to have some kind of story in my images. They should reflect my thought process and should be capable of leaving an impact on someone else's thought process. It should change the way one thinks, how you can show your feelings with your pictures, and give the world a new perspective on what they see.
WallMag: Is there any advice you’d give a young photographer starting in photojournalism?
It's not an easy path. Especially today, with the advancement of technology and inexpensive DSLRs. Having said that, most people are equipped with good mobile cameras. Most of the first or breaking news stories are mostly user-generated. Also, as DSLRs have become affordable, people have made photography their hobby without understanding it’s principals. So, you need to be well learned, have mastered the art, and have the ability to handle the situation on the field. The world of photojournalism is extremely beautiful.
WallMag: Can you share your achievements in life, regarding photojournalism?
My achievements in life regarding photojournalism include:
Winner of National Geographic’s Nat Geo Moment Awards, 2011Nomination for National Geographic Photography Contest 2012 Nomination for Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest 2012Winner of highly commended Drone Awards by Art Photo Travel 2019National and International Exhibition of workWork published by several National and International publications.
WallMag: What are your feelings about the digital manipulation of images?
They are amazing! People put a lot of effort behind it. There are a lot of apps that help people make manipulations. Sadly, they have next to no scope in photojournalism. When it comes to photojournalism, ethically, you are only allowed to do things that you could do with the films in the early days. Cropping, adjusting brightness, contrast, or slight color and light-adjusting functions can be practiced but nothing beyond that. They are beyond the rules and ethics of photojournalism. Photojournalism is an art of storytelling. Your work should come out as a story and not a piece of digitally manipulated job.
What’s the key to taking great journalistic or documentary photographs?
It all depends on your study of the subject, communication skills, and presence of mind. How well you have researched your subject, the capability of translating your thought process into images, understanding of camera technicalities, and ability to use them in the narrative of the story are some of the key skills which one should have.
WallMag: Is there anything you would like to share with our readers?
Be the best! It’s the survival of the fittest. Only your hard work can take you ahead and nothing else. Like there is no shortcut to success, similarly, there is no shortcut to being a good photojournalist.
You can follow Money Sharma on Instagram to stay updated with his work.
You can also visit his Website.
