Meet Raghav Rai Ralhan: A Person known to shoot Splendid Travel Photographs

WallMag: How did you break into travel photography?

Well as a Creative mind, I'm always looking for something new. When I did my first photography tour, I realized how amazing experience it is to go to new places and document everything with your camera. Being sure enough of my skills, I captured some great images on that tour and one of which got published in a magazine as well. So After that, I was pretty sure that Travel Photography is going to help me out satisfy my hunger for new things.

I have won several photography awards & an Honorable mention at theInternational Photography Awards 2018, got published in Chiiz Magazine Volume 16 with a full-page feature & Chiiz Magazine Volume 28, been featured on many accounts of Instagram including some big brands like Sony Alpha India, Sony Alpha Turkey, Oneplus India, Condé Nast Traveller India. I have also worked with esteemed brands like Panasonic Lumix Cameras, GoAirlines, Uber India, Hotstar, and many more.

Each and every-time my works get recognized It is a motivation itself. I mean, I don't click pictures because I want to get published or receive awards instead I click pictures because I love doing so, but yes whenever it reaches a certain place that's a motivation in itself to go out and create some more amazing content.

WallMag: How has photography enabled you to connect with local cultures?

I personally believe that the camera works as a universal language. Even if you don't know the local language, you can just walk up to the locals with a camera in your hand and a smile on your face and that's enough. They will welcome you in their lives, share their daily routine with you and you can learn a lot about their culture just with the help of your camera.While this works most of the times I'll still recommend learning a few locals words before going somewhere new.

WallMag: Do you agree with the adage ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?

Absolutely. In my opinion videos often tell stories in a less interesting way than a picture does because in a video you have a narration, you are learning what is been spoken, so all the viewers know the same story. But a picture can have so many stories because the photographer tried to give a certain message through his/her photograph but that doesn't mean that a viewer can't have their own version of it. Every viewer read a photograph differently. Which I personally find very interesting.

WallMag: How has Instagram changed travel photography?

I think Instagram is the perfect tool to search images. Many people (including myself), search for the pictures of the place they are visiting beforehand and that really helps you out to scout out locations to shoot. It is also helpful for showcasing your travel work rather I will say Instagram is the best platform right now. Many brands specially the travel industry is focusing more to advertise on Instagram. they can reach a much wider audience as compared to a traditional Travel magazine which in return results in more and more people Travelling. So, yes Instagram is actually boosting Travel Industry including the travel photographers.

WallMag: When you’re out photographing beautiful scenes , how do you enjoy the beauty that’s in front of you while still getting the shot you want?

A very important thing about visiting beautiful places is that you often get so overwhelmed with the beauty of the place that either you go crazy running around and clicking everything that you can see or you just keep your camera aside and enjoy the scene. It's very hard to find the right balance. So, what I do is that I don't start clicking pictures right away. I observe my surroundings, try to find a spot which from where I can click the best shots, reach there, click a few shots and then just sit there and enjoy the beauty of the place.

WallMag: What advice do you have for photographers looking to get into travel photography?

Start small in the beginning, try travelling to places which are budget friendly and a bit familiar to you. Even if you have visited that place before if you go there again with a camera, I'm sure your perspective will change. The Most important thing is to Plan Ahead, not just for your travels but for your future as well. If you want to get into something like Travel Photography, it is very important for you to secure yourself and people that depend on you financially as you won't start earning from this right away. So make sure you can survive in that period when you will travel and try to make a name for yourself.

WallMag: What value do portraits have in travel photography?

Portraits for me are as important as other pictures. A single portrait can speak volumes for the culture, heritage and local life of the place. Also you get to connect with the locals and they also get excited to get themselves clicked which is nothing but amazing for any photographer.

WallMag: What is your favorite lens for travel photography?

My 24-70 f2.8 SONY G Master lens. The focal length is so versatile that I can click Landscapes and portraits with a single lens. Also the quality is outstanding and it's weather sealed which makes it perfect for travelling.

WallMag: How would you describe your photographic vision? What kind of feel do you try and create in your photos?

I usually try to find new and different perspectives, but some time the things look best in their simplest form so I click them like that only. I mostly try to show my version of things what I see. So you can say I try to keep them as close to the real thing that I saw but with a little touch of my vision in it.

WallMag: Photography equipments can be heavy – when you travel, what equipment is essential?

For me, my camera with my 24-70 lens, a GoPro and my Laptop (to backup data). These thing are my essentials.

Photography is a form of Art, so feel free to express yourself in the way you want. There are rules in photography but don't mind breaking them every now and then to create something new. If you are new to this, take full advantage of platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Use Instagram to showcase your work and observe other's works as well. Use YouTube to learn anything that you want to know about photography.

You can follow Raghav Rai Ralhan on Instagram to stay updated with his work.

You can also subscribe to his Youtube Channel.