How did your journey as a street photographer begin?
My journey into street photography began with Kolkata's heritage walks. I was initially drawn to the city's magnificent old and heritage buildings, capturing their timeless architecture and the unique environment surrounding them. As I spent more time exploring these historic neighborhoods, I realized that the true essence of these places wasn't just in the structures themselves, but in the lives unfolding around them. Gradually, my focus shifted from the buildings to the people on the streets just outside them. Every passerby, street vendor, craftsman, commuter, and child carried a story waiting to be told. Their everyday routines, fleeting expressions, and spontaneous interactions became far more compelling than posed moments. That's when I found myself increasingly immersed in street photography—documenting the human stories that breathe life into Kolkata's heritage. Today, my photographs aim to capture not just places, but the emotions, culture, and narratives that make each street uniquely alive.
What was the first moment that made you realize you wanted to pursue street photography?
A turning point in my photography journey came during a photo-walk at the Ganga ghats in Kolkata. I captured three boatmen having breakfast while another was already out on the river, with the ghat's railing naturally separating the two scenes. To me, it symbolized two different rhythms of life—rest and work. When my photo-walk companion saw the image, they remarked that I had a unique way of capturing the essence of Kolkata. That moment inspired me to pursue street photography more seriously, focusing on the stories hidden in everyday life.
How has your experience in street photography evolved over the years?
In the beginning, I was often impatient. If a location didn't immediately present an interesting story, I would quickly move on in search of a better scene. Over time, street photography taught me the value of patience. I learned that if I stayed and observed a little longer, new moments, unique perspectives, and compelling stories would naturally unfold—angles and scenes that weren't apparent at first glance.
What unique perspective or style do you bring to street photography?
I strive to capture the raw essence of Kolkata's streets by documenting the city's diverse cultures and the everyday lives of its people. Along the way, I've also developed a keen interest in using shadows, reflections, and slow-shutter techniques to add depth, emotion, and a unique perspective to my storytelling.
What makes this photo a true reflection of your street photography style?
What makes this photograph special to me is the way it tells an emotional story through composition alone. The symmetry and dividing lines naturally separate a couple from a solitary individual, creating a quiet contrast between companionship and loneliness. I enjoy photographs that allow viewers to interpret their own stories, and this image is one that continues to evoke different emotions each time I look at it.
Tell us about a candid moment you captured with a stranger on the street.
This image compelling is the balance between simplicity and emotion. The worn textures of the wall reflect the hardships of daily life, while the brilliant red flowers symbolize beauty, celebration, and hope. Despite being surrounded by an ordinary urban setting, the vendor creates something extraordinary with his hands. For me, the photograph is a reminder that Kolkata's streets are filled with unnoticed stories, where resilience and artistry often exist side by side.
Walk us through how you achieved the lighting effect in this photo.
The dramatic lighting wasn't artificially created—it was already present in the scene. I noticed the strong backlight streaming into the alley and waited for a subject to walk into it. As the porter carrying the load crossed the frame, the light naturally transformed them into a silhouette, highlighting his posture and the weight he carried. Converting the image to black and white further emphasized the contrast, allowing the interplay of light and shadow to tell the story.
What was the biggest challenge in composing this shot, and how did you overcome it?
This was a challenging composition because I had to perfectly align the woman sweeping the street with the hockey player's silhouette on the back of the bus while maintaining balance in the frame. The bus could move at any moment, and the subject was constantly in motion, leaving only a brief window to capture the scene. What makes the image work is the visual dialogue between the real-life action of sweeping and the dynamic sporting silhouette, creating an unexpected juxtaposition that transforms an ordinary street scene into a compelling story.
What theme ties your series 'Colors of Kolkata' together?
Colors of Kolkata is a celebration of the city's vibrant visual identity, exploring how color exists not only in festivals but also in everyday life—from brightly colored clothes drying along the ghats against the backdrop of the iconic Howrah Bridge, to the glowing red and yellow canopies that transform a worksite into an abstract play of light and shadow, and even the yellow crisscross road markings where the fleeting movement of two legs stepping from one square to the next creates a striking graphic composition. Together, these images reveal how Kolkata's colors breathe life into its streets, its people, and the stories they quietly tell.
Describe the editing process for this before-and-after shot and why you chose those adjustments.
The editing process for this photograph was intentionally minimal and focused on enhancing the story rather than altering the scene. I converted the original color image to black and white to eliminate the distraction of colors and emphasize the interplay of light and shadow. By carefully increasing contrast, deepening the blacks, and subtly brightening the highlights, I was able to reveal finer details within the shadows while making the cyclist stand out more prominently against the surrounding light. The result is an image where the viewer's attention is naturally drawn to the subject and the dramatic patterns of light that define the composition.
What draws you to Mallick Ghat as a location for your video work?
Mallick Ghat is one of the places that continually draws me back. Nestled beneath the iconic Howrah Bridge, it beautifully captures the soul of Kolkata, where history, faith, and everyday life coexist. In this scene, two people take their morning bath in the Ganga as the bridge stands quietly in the background, symbolizing the timeless relationship between the city and the river. It's this seamless blend of human moments and Kolkata's iconic landscape that makes Mallick Ghat an endless source of inspiration for my street photography.
Contact and Follow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maverick_wayne/
Email: samraty92@gmail.com
