Your photography is very potent when it comes to evoking certain kinds of emotions; whether it ' s the inherent serenity of the magnificent landscapes or the beautifully etched character portraits. What is the creative process behind all of this? How do you place your subjects exactly where you want them and translate that onto film?
I remember my first editor at Tony Stone Images. She liked my work, and said it was detailed and portrayed people’ s real lives in a personal way. She then went on to explain how the advertising world and the commercial stock photography industry wasn’ t into“ reality”, generic images and eye catching snippets of the world were what they were looking for. It took quite some years to find my own style but in some ways I guess it found me. Whenever I visit a place, I instinctively piece together the local people, or sometimes tourists and the scenery in a way that I hope the final image kind of tells a dreamy but realistic story about the place or people. This can often become quite an extensive and sometimes complicated task. Clothing, is an essential make or break element. More often than not people just aren’ t wearing the right sort of clothing to represent that far off look which I am looking to portray in my final image. Unlike the props, the light cannot be ordered or arranged. For me that warm glow of sunlight, 15 mins after sunrise or 15mins before it slips away is as important as the subject matter itself; without it the image simply cannot work as it should.
Which country / region / people have you felt the most at home with, while on your photographic journey?
I think every country offers amazing photographic opportunities, experiences and different feelings of inspiration. In terms of people I have been lucky wherever I have travelled and managed to find individuals and teams who have assisted me in my photography. Given the nature of the project, with its logistical challenges, maybe remoteness, cultural differences, tricky locations, weather, etc, you soon build up a team spirit with the people involved in each shoot. I have often visited them years later. In fact I have stayed with the same family 4 times in a rural part of Vietnam and have had the privilege of shooting three generations on film. I am almost considered to be a part of their family now.
What inspired you to do what you do for a living? Do you have any heroes who might have unwittingly egged you on?
I think I kind of ended up living my dream, even though the goal posts have changed. I will never have the financial security that other people I know have, but the list of amazing memories and experiences go on forever. I guess the National Geographic photographers were my Icons, Steve McCurry especially. I was also in awe of Sebastiao Salgado with his documentation of people in less developed countries and always tried to attend his exhibitions in London. I also worked in higher education at a photography department in the U. K for 6 years which exposed me to fine art photographers, from Joel Sternfeld, William Eggleston to Andreas Gursky, and the list goes on. I think absorbing works of great photographers helps you to develop your own style.
Buddhism and everything related to it, seems to be one of the more recurrent themes in your photography. What do you think draws you in about this and helps you capture the subjects in complete harmony with their surroundings?
Well I am not a Buddhist, but I love Buddhist monks, and something about just their presence, well let’ s say a Buddhist temple without the monks is a little like a sky without clouds for me. I remember before I visited Angkor Wat for the first time in 2004, I found myself asking travellers if they had seen Buddhist monks within the ruins, it was important for me to feature them in my shots. That simply continued from Angkor to Bagan and other historical sites around Asia. It’ s something I would like to pursue actually, to build a more extensive collection of Buddhist monks. I think we all love them really.
Finally, If you had three necessary pieces of advice to give to any aspiring photographer, what would they be?
1. Try and gain inspiration from the greats. 2. Follow your heart and dreams as much as possible. 3. Try to adapt to the ever changing medium of photography without losing your sense of who you are and what you are passionate about.
Shreeja Chatterjee shreeja @ chiiz. com Shreeja Chatterjee is currently an undergraduate student of English Literature. She sees herself as an intrepid Ad mogul, akin to Don Draper, in the near future. Decidedly a pop culture addict, she has to watch two movies a day to get her bearings.
Cambodia, Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Buddhist Monks walking Along sunken tree, crossing river at sunset.
Cambodia, Angkor Wat, Buddhist monks leaning against library pillars.