How did your journey in photography begin?
During my teenage years, I discovered that my father was a retired local photographer. I've always admired the things around me that I found interesting. When I finally got my own smartphone—it was all I could afford at the time—I started by taking pictures of clouds. Simple, easy subjects. I was always mesmerized by their shapes and colors, especially during dawn, late afternoon, and the transition from afternoon to evening. Those different shades and shapes captivated me and became moments of peace. I found myself being truly myself in those times. Gradually, I started noticing things in my surroundings more carefully—flowers, the streets of the city, the transports, and the people. These also drew me to capture them in photographs, as little moments, as memories, so I could look back and reminisce whenever I wanted.
What first inspired you to capture nature and macro close-ups?
The simplicity. The beauty that nature holds just by being itself—its different life forms, colors, shapes, and the intricate, smallest details. Everything about it inspires me. Watching other photographers' macro shots always transports me into a different world, showing how creative nature is with its designs. It's subtly complex yet so simple.
How has your photography style evolved over the years?
I started by taking pictures of clouds for a long time, editing them in ways that felt beautiful to me—enhancing colors, working with shadows, white balance, contrast, and more. Now, my photographs focus on other things as well, like patterns in flora, the bustle of the city, and so on. I've shifted from heavy editing to minimal editing to preserve the raw essence of the subject.
What is the most memorable moment you've captured through your lens?
All photographs are memorable to me; each one is very dear. It's always nostalgic when I look at old photos. But if I have to name one, it's a photograph of a cloudscape with the sun flickering through the middle, making it look like a shining galaxy. Another worth reminiscing is when the setting sun's rays hit a shopping mall's glass wall and formed a perfect star shape. Nature truly works in wonderful ways.
Upload a photo that you feel best represents your nature photography style.
What makes that photo special to you?
The photo is of dried leaves of White Bauhinia (Bauhinia acuminata). The sunrays reflecting on them really enhanced their beauty, and I had to capture it. It felt like I'd found a gem that day as one of the subjects of my photographs.
Upload a macro close-up shot that you're proud of.
What drew you to that macro subject and moment?
The subject is common, and I had wanted to capture a photograph like this of my own. The honeybee hovering over the flower and collecting nectar always reminds me that everyone is doing their own thing, to the best of their abilities, while being part of a bigger system. Everyone has their own pace and time for activities—even the smallest insects.
Upload an image that required minimal edits and turned out beautifully.
Why did you choose to keep edits minimal for that shot?
This picture made me feel that it didn't need edits. It was beautiful as it is. I wanted to preserve the essence of the flower as I perceived it through my own eyes. It's a privilege to be able to see such gorgeous sights.
Upload a photo that showcases your use of natural light.
What were the lighting conditions when you captured that photo?
The photo was taken during late afternoon in a rice field. The spider's web immediately caught my eye as I was moving through the field, just like any other subject I photograph. The sunrays glistening and reflecting on the stems and leaves of the plants was a majestic sight. Another gem in my collection.
Upload a favorite composition of a subject in nature.
What compositional techniques did you use in that image?
The picture is a simple collage of two individual photos. The left one shows a tree filled with red flowers during spring, and the right one depicts the almost barrenness of winter with its yellow and brown shades. The pictures were taken at different times, but the idea of merging them into the structure of a single whole tree came later. The result was very satisfying.
Upload a behind-the-scenes shot of you photographing in nature.
Describe the setting and what you were trying to achieve that day.
The place is inside an educational institution. I was there to take part in a seminar and later toured the campus when I came across the flowers. It had rained earlier that day, and droplets were still stuck on the flowers. I simply wanted to capture that natural phenomenon and keep it in memory. To me, photography is more about preserving beautiful sights as memories to revisit and admire again and again.
Contact and Follow
Email: sourimachakraborty434@gmail.com
Instagram: @csourimaexpo
