What inspired you to start capturing the authentic spirit of places through your mobile lens?
Working in a fast-paced healthcare tech environment means balancing urgent priorities and tight deadlines. I chose mobile photography specifically because it matches that agility. It doesn't require heavy gear or extensive setup time; it utilizes the powerful technology already in my pocket. This efficiency allows me to capture the distinct, authentic culture of the places I visit during travel or commutes, blending my technical appreciation for mobile innovation with visual storytelling.
How did your journey from corporate coder to travel photographer begin?
While working in the corporate tech sector, I used my personal time to treat photography as a serious secondary project. My journey began when I realized that coding and photography actually share a common foundation: mastering a complex language to create an impactful output. Over time, I wanted to apply that same analytical discipline to visual storytelling. It is essentially my way of practicing mindfulness to stay sharp and energized.
What was the first moment you realized you had a natural eye for photography?
It happened when I found myself constantly noticing how light interacted with everyday spaces—the way a shadow fell across a street or how golden hour light changed the texture of a building. I started capturing these contrasts with my mobile lens. When I compared my shots to others taken at the exact same location, I noticed mine had a distinct depth and mood. Realizing that I was naturally tracking and utilizing light without formal training was the spark that made me take photography seriously. For example, a sunset with the golden light falling on the dark boat in Goa.
How has your perspective on capturing city life versus quiet landscapes evolved over the years?
My perspective has shifted from capturing what they look like to how they feel. I used to chase the loud energy of the city and the grand scale of mountains. Today, I look for the opposite: I hunt for quiet, intimate moments of stillness amidst city chaos, and I look for dynamic, powerful drama within silent landscapes. It's no longer about the location, but about finding the balance between motion and stillness.
Can you share a photo that captures the chaotic beauty of city life from your perspective, and tell us what story it tells?
A chaotic symphony framed in gold coated authentic bangle. Looking through the circular horizon of a traditional Hyderabadi bangle, the historic Charminar stands tall, completely untouched by the roaring, overcrowded streets below. This shot captures the true essence of the old city—where centuries-old heritage beautifully collides with the vibrant, messy, and beautiful chaos of everyday life.
Walk us through a quiet landscape or mountain scene you've captured—what makes it special to you?
Describing the pic that I captured in Leh Ladakh - this photo of Leh Ladakh so special to me is the humbling sense of scale. Standing amidst those colossal, barren mountains and looking at that impossibly blue sky, you realize how small you are in the grand scheme of things. Ladakh has a unique, almost spiritual silence that settles in your chest. This photograph captures that exact feeling—where the earth meets the sky in its most raw, untouched form. It's a reminder of a place where time seems to stand completely still, and looking at it immediately brings back that sense of absolute clarity and peace.
Tell us about a golden hour photo you've taken that tells a deeper story—what was the moment like?
1. Golden Sun set drowning into Seashells - “Standing at the edge of the map, where India ends and infinity begins. This golden hour shot captures the hauntingly beautiful banks of Dhanushkodi, Rameshwaram. As the sun dips low, it blankets the wet sand and the converging oceans in a warm, liquid gold. There is a profound, heavy silence at this 'Last Road'—a place swallowed by history and reclaimed by the sea. This photo isn't just a landscape; it's the feeling of standing at the very edge of the world, watching the day dissolve into the horizon.” 2. The Golden Hour at the "The Magnificent Silent Killer - The Mt Annapurna" - lethal beauty painted in fire. This sunset golden hour shot captures Mt. Annapurna—rightfully whispered about as 'The Silent Killer'—standing magnificent against the Nepalese sky. As the day bleeds out, the treacherous, vertical ice walls catch the final rays of the sun, turning the summit into a glowing wedge of molten gold. It is a terrifyingly beautiful sight; a reminder that the most dangerous places on earth are often the ones that look closest to heaven.
What photo represents your best work overall, and why did you choose it?
1. Andaman Water Land Scapes: “Lost in the blues of Havelock Island. Pure silver sands and pristine turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. The ultimate Andaman paradise.” 2. Waking up to the abode of Lord Shiva. Captured from 'The Excellent View Top' in Chhomrong, this photograph frames the magnificent, untouched peak of Mt. Machhapuchhare. Towering over the deep valleys of the Annapurna sanctuary, its iconic twin-peaked summit pierces the sky like a sacred trident. Looking at this forbidden mountain—where no human foot is allowed to step—you feel a profound, humbling sense of reverence. It is not just a landscape; it is a glimpse into the sacred and the eternal.
What editing techniques did you apply to the before-and-after photo you shared?
Before Editing - The pic is raw without any fillers. After Editing Pic: I have edited in my mobile with adjusting Contrast of 41, Brilliance - 15, Exposure - 50, Highlights - 40, Shadows to 20.
What makes the travel scene photo you uploaded unique?
Strings of colorful Buddhist prayer flags—traditionally in blue, white, red, green, and yellow—crisscross dramatically through the air. They frame the stupa, adding a dynamic, windswept energy to the otherwise still landscape. An atmosphere of pure, undisturbed serenity, where spirituality meets the sky, or a peaceful sanctuary at the edge of the world. The humbling scale of the Himalayas, a lone traveler in a vast, ancient landscape, or colossal glacial peaks framing a sacred haven.
Contact and Follow
Email: tanujamkrishan@gmail.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/me_ray_key
