How did your journey in photography begin, and what led you to leave your job to pursue it?
My journey began when I spent over six years in an IT job. During those years, I was clicking photos with my phone like everyone else, but slowly I found myself getting more and more interested in photography. So I got a camera and started learning, taking lessons on and off. My company's head office was in Paris, and they had only one office in India, which was in Delhi. Soon they decided to move the office and gave us the option to either relocate or leave. By my fifth year, I had already made up my mind to leave the job, but I wasn't getting the push. That decision from my company gave me the reason I needed, so I left and moved to my hometown with my family.
When did you first realize that photography was more than just a hobby for you?
During my time working and learning photography together, I wasn't very serious at first—I just enjoyed the art I was creating. But slowly, I came to know about different aspects of photography and started exploring the other side of it. That's when I realized it was more than just a hobby or a liking; it had become something I truly wanted to pursue.
How has your experience and approach to photography grown over the years?
Over the years, since I moved to my hometown, I've explored many types of photography. I found myself gravitating more toward street photography and creative storytelling shots, along with some commercial work. In the beginning, I always looked at photographs in terms of story or street, without paying much attention to the technical aspects of the tool. But then I started working more with my Nikon DSLR and saw improvement in the technical quality of my photographs. Together, it all started making more sense, and my approach became more balanced.
What do you enjoy most about street photography compared to other genres?
Each genre of photography has its own fun and creativity, but what I enjoy most about street photography is that it teaches you to see things in your own way. Over the years, I've learned that I enjoy living and working on my own terms, which was another reason I left my job to pursue this creative field. That's why my Instagram handle has 'dway' in it—it means clicking the way I see.
What are some of your favorite street photographs from your portfolio, and what stories do they tell?
Street_1 is titled "The Women," Street_2 is "Clarity in the Fast Moving World," Street_3 represents "Human's Journey Against Strong Colors of Life," Street_4 is "God Has Many Faces," and Street_5 is "Holding to the Faith Strongly." Each one captures a unique moment and emotion from the streets.
Tell us about a commercial photography project you've worked on.
This project was about covering a school children's visit to a farm. It was a fun assignment where I had to capture the kids' excitement and interactions with the farm environment.
What was a spontaneous moment you captured that you instantly loved?
What made that moment special was seeing someone standing alone with calm body language in the middle of a crowded place. It was a beautiful contrast that I had to capture.
Walk us through your editing choices for a before-and-after photo.
For this photo, I went with minimal changes—just cropping and keeping it on the darker side, as the scene demanded. I increased the vibrancy only slightly. For most of my street photography, my edits are minimal to preserve the raw feel.
What's a photo that challenged you technically or creatively, and how did you overcome it?
The challenge was to keep the faces in focus while still getting that slow shutter effect. It was a compact lane with a full crowd, so I had very little space to work with. After a while, I managed to get the shot by carefully adjusting my settings and waiting for the right moment.
Why is street photography your current favorite genre?
I started my photography journey with street photography, and it was the first genre where I saw my perspective change. So it will always be my favorite. I enjoy other genres too, but street comes first because it taught me to see the world in my own way.
What does a photo that best captures your personal vision say about you?
The choices we make define who we are. This path represents the choice I made to live life as a photographer and develop the style I love. It reflects my journey and the vision I have for my work.
Contact and Follow
Email: clickdway@gmail.com
Instagram: Dwayclick
Website: dwayclick.com
