Your journey began during a difficult phase, and you joined a college photography class. What initially drew you to pick up that camera?
It all began during quiet study breaks, when I would sit with a cup of tea, listening to The Lumineers and simply observing Mother Nature outside my window. What started as peaceful moments soon turned into curiosity — I picked up a camera and began capturing the birds that visited my balcony, never realizing those small moments would slowly shape a passion within me. In college, a friend came across my photographs and encouraged me to join the photography classes. That one suggestion opened a new world for me. Since then, photography has become more than just taking pictures — it has become a way of feeling, observing, and connecting with the world around me.
When was that first moment you realized photography could be such a powerful form of expression for you?
During my first year of college, I realized photography had become something much deeper for me. Every day while walking from the hostel to the Biotechnology department, I couldn't stop thinking in frames. Even when I was running late for class, I would pause for a moment just to capture what I saw — the light through the trees, people passing by, fleeting emotions, ordinary moments that felt extraordinary to me. I slowly understood that photography was not just about taking pictures; it was about preserving moments before they disappeared forever. Because once a moment is gone, no one can truly bring it back again. Through my lens, I found a way to hold onto those little pieces of life — raw, honest, and beautiful in their own imperfect way.
How has your perspective as a photographer evolved from those early days to now?
Earlier, I used to be quite impatient, always rushing through life without truly pausing to notice it. But photography changed something within me. It taught me patience — the kind that comes from waiting quietly for the right light, the right expression, or the perfect fleeting moment. Through photography, I learned to slow down and observe life the way I once naturally did as a child. In a world where everyone keeps saying 'don't slow down' because life is busy, photography became my reminder that some of the most beautiful things can only be seen when you pause for a moment and truly look around.
What's the most meaningful milestone you've achieved so far, and why does it stand out?
When my photographs were first selected for an exhibition by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, it felt surreal. Soon after, I secured first place twice during the annual fest of the Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences. One of the most memorable moments for me was winning first place in the photography competition conducted on the occasion of World Photography Day by the Journalism and Mass Communication Department. But beyond the certificate or the frame I received as a prize, what truly mattered to me was the journey behind it — the silent hard work, the countless moments I captured purely out of love, without ever thinking about winning. Every photograph carried a piece of my perspective, my patience, and my emotions. Another special milestone was being selected for Wild Clicks Season 10 at Bharat Our Bird Sanctuary. That moment made me realize how far I had come from simply photographing birds from my balcony to being recognized for the way I see nature through my lens. Photography, for me, has never been just about images — it has been about preserving feelings, stories, and moments that would otherwise fade away with time.
Walk us through a photograph that represents your best street photography work — what's the story behind it and what made you press the shutter?
Most of the photographs I have captured are from the streets of Kerala — streets filled with life, warmth, culture, and stories hidden within ordinary moments. What always touched me the most was the kindness of the people there. Instead of feeling uncomfortable in front of a camera, many of them welcomed me with smiles, conversations, and curiosity. They genuinely loved that someone was noticing and capturing their everyday lives. For me, street photography was never just about documenting faces or places; it was about preserving human emotions and the quiet beauty of real life. Every time I pressed the shutter, it was because something felt honest in that moment — a glance, a laugh, the rhythm of work, or the simplicity of people just being themselves. The story behind these photographs is deeply connected to connection itself. As a photographer, I wasn't just observing people from afar; I was being invited into their little moments and trusted enough to frame them through my lens. That feeling — of being accepted by strangers and turning fleeting moments into memories — is what truly made me press the shutter.
What about your wildlife work? Tell us about a specific species, the location you captured it, and the biggest challenge you faced in getting that shot.
My wildlife photographs are deeply connected to the places where I spent most of my time — some were captured in the peaceful surroundings of my campus at Banasthali Vidyapith in Rajasthan, while others were taken amidst the rich natural beauty of Kerala. One of the species I frequently photographed was the Black Drongo. Their sharp movements and alert nature made them challenging to capture, as they would fly away within seconds if disturbed. Another photograph very close to my heart was of two Rose-ringed Parakeet appearing as though they were missing each other on my university campus. That image felt emotional and human in its own way, even though it was simply a natural moment between two birds. One of my most memorable captures was of an Oriental Garden Lizard from my Rajasthan campus. What made the photograph special was its near-perfect camouflage with the surroundings. Capturing that frame required patience and careful observation because the lizard blended so naturally into the environment that it could easily be overlooked. That particular photograph later became one of the reasons I won a photography competition. Another meaningful photograph was of a squirrel quietly foraging for food. It was such an ordinary yet beautiful moment of wildlife existing naturally without interruption. I waited patiently to capture the exact frame where its movement, focus, and surroundings came together perfectly — and that photograph also earned me first place in a competition. The biggest challenge in wildlife photography for me has always been patience. Unlike posed photography, wildlife gives you only a few unpredictable seconds. Every image I captured came from slowing down, observing silently, and respecting nature enough to let the moment unfold on its own before pressing the shutter.
You shared a pair of photos showing your editing process. What changes did you make, and what was your intention?
For editing, I wanted the subject to stand out naturally from the background while still keeping the photograph authentic and close to the original moment. Since the image was already captured with a great depth of field, the details were naturally sharp and well-balanced. I mainly enhanced the clarity slightly so the subject could separate more beautifully from the background and draw attention without looking over-edited. I also adjusted the contrast, temperature, and a bit of saturation to make the colors and atmosphere feel more alive. My intention was never to change the reality of the photograph, but simply to enhance what I already saw and felt in that moment through my lens.
What emotion or feeling were you trying to convey in the candid street photo you shared?
The photograph was captured during a very ordinary waiting moment while I was waiting for my car. As someone who loves observing people and everyday life, I found myself looking around the busy streets of Kerala, especially at the people getting in and out of the private buses. There was something so alive and real about those small interactions happening within seconds. At that moment, I noticed a bus conductor talking to a few people nearby, and his smile instantly caught my attention. It felt completely natural, effortless, and full of warmth — the kind of smile that disappears quickly if you don't notice it in time. I felt it was too beautiful and genuine to let pass without capturing it. Through that photograph, I wanted to convey the beauty hidden inside everyday moments — the humanity, simplicity, and emotions we often overlook in the rush of daily life. For me, candid street photography is about preserving those fleeting expressions that silently tell stories of their own.
How did natural light play a role in composing that photo you took in natural light?
Natural light played one of the most important roles in composing this photograph. I was simply getting ready when I opened my cupboard, and the sunlight naturally fell onto the mirror in such a soft and beautiful way. The way the light entered the frame felt very raw, calm, and cinematic without needing any artificial setup. When I looked into the mirror, the combination of light, reflection, and the quietness of that moment instantly felt special to me. It was one of those spontaneous moments that lasts only for a few seconds, and I immediately felt that it deserved to be captured. What I love most about natural light is that it creates emotions naturally — it adds warmth, depth, and honesty to a photograph. In this image, the sunlight itself became a part of the composition and mood, turning an ordinary everyday moment into something visually meaningful.
What story or mood ties together the sequence you uploaded?
The sequence I uploaded is connected through a shared feeling of observing life in its most natural and unfiltered form. Whether it is wildlife, streets, reflections, or everyday human moments, every photograph carries a sense of quiet emotion and realism. I am deeply drawn toward moments that happen naturally without being staged, because I believe the most beautiful stories often exist in ordinary life. Most of my photographs focus on emotions, expressions, light, and fleeting moments that people usually pass by without noticing. Through this sequence, I wanted to create a feeling of warmth, calmness, human connection, and the beauty hidden inside everyday surroundings. At present, I am working more on understanding frames and composition deeply, especially through candid moments from the streets of Kerala. I enjoy capturing real people in real moments because candid street photography allows me to preserve emotions exactly as they are — honest, imperfect, and alive.
Contact and Follow
Email: lsrbt25005_mansi@banathali.in
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visionary_lens1010?igsh=MW9oM2d1djVhMW1pbg==
