Editorial Team at WallMag Updated on Jul 10, 2026 5 min read

Through the Lens: An Interview with Photographer Nikita Yazhini

How did your journey in photography begin?

I started taking photos around 2018 when I got my first phone. I used to capture a lot of pictures of the sky, but my family always made fun of me for it. I asked my parents if I could take a photography class, but they said no. It wasn't until college that I began to take more interest in photography, and thanks to Formula 1, it just made me want to take more photos and experiment with different types of photography.

What was the first moment you knew you wanted to capture landscapes or the sky?

It was during the lockdown in 2019. I was studying for my 10th-grade exams, thinking, 'Will they even hold an exam, and if so, when?' There was so much uncertainty. During that period, I decided to go to the terrace every day. Day after day, I looked at the sky and watched planes land. One day, the sky was beautiful, and I took a photo. From that day on, I've been taking photos whenever I can. After that, I got more into landscape photography—or should I say, I just love going to hilly regions. It's marvelous that there can be a lake hidden between mountains, and no one will know because it might be inaccessible.

How has your experience and style grown over the years?

I used to only take photos of skies and never edit them, just posting them as they were. Now, I prefer my photos warm. I still love capturing skies, but I'm delving more into sports photography and experimenting with street photography. I like to experiment with color when I'm editing now, whereas before I was scared to try new things. I've learned to never stop learning.

What photography gear do you currently use and why?

I use my Canon 200D Mark II with an 18-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens. I take a lot of telephoto shots, hence the need for the 75-300mm lens. For landscape photos, I use the 18-55mm lens, but I always stick with the 75-300mm lens—it quickly became my favorite. I also use my iPhone 17 Pro whenever I can't take my camera with me.

What are some of your favorite landscape photos from your portfolio?

The first photo of the surfer, fishermen, and kayakers is special because it shows three different groups of people at sea. I feel like it captures how our world works—some go to sea because they enjoy it, others because their family depends on it. The second photo of the mountain view I took during my trip to Ooty, one last trip before my training period started. I loved the trip because it allowed me to take photos I'd never taken before. The third and fourth are from the same Ooty trip; being able to take good photos like those on an iPhone 14, known for being worse than the iPhone 13, made me happy. The fifth photo I took at my university in Texas. I had the opportunity to study in the USA for a semester in 2024, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. This picture shows how calm it was there—not just the place, but also my inner self.

Which sky or moon photo are you most proud of?

The first photo I took during a lunar eclipse in September 2025. I remember running up the stairs to the terrace, carrying my very plasticky tripod I bought on Amazon with my dad because it was almost 12 AM. I sat there for half an hour trying to find the perfect camera settings. After struggling for 10-15 minutes, I finally set up the tripod, found the perfect setting, and took many photos. This one is the best from that night—the clouds perfectly on one side and the moon on the other made it even better. The second photo was taken after it finished raining on Diwali 2025. I went to the terrace with my mum to get the clothes, and I had my camera with me. The clouds were beautiful—I wanted to eat them because they looked like cotton candy.

What nature photo best represents your unique perspective?

I was on a trip, and the taxi driver told us there was a location nearby with a lake enclosed by mountains. We all immediately said, 'Yes, please take us there.' We walked down a narrow road to see this beautiful lake, with people fishing in the distance. The world is filled with beautiful places like this, and I want to visit all of them in this lifetime.

What was the experience behind the behind-the-scenes content you uploaded?

I probably wouldn't call this a behind-the-scenes footage—you can hear people talking in the video. I usually don't take behind-the-scenes photos or videos because when I'm taking photos, I get lost in the scenery and focus on capturing the perfect shot, even if it takes multiple tries.

Can you walk us through your editing process with an example?

The raw photo was a bit dull, so I wanted to add a cooler tone and more saturation. I started playing around with the color grading tool in Lightroom until I got the desired result. I'm still in my learning phase of editing because it intimidates me a little, but I've been experimenting with it more than I used to in the past.