Photojournalism Interview: Anup Kar | Light & Composition University

Anup Kar lives in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India. By education he is a Civil Engineer, doing government job posted in his home district. Photography was his hobby at first, but recently he got some good friends who are quite serious about photography. Having such photographer friends, Anup has developed his interest, and giving time to photography more. Mostly he is interested in Landscape, Portrait and Street Photography.

In this “Exclusive Interview” section, today we have the opportunity to talk with Anup Kar, as his photograph was winner of Photo of the Month – 24th Month, 3rd Place. Let’s discover more about Anup Kar, and his forays into photography in the following interview with him.

Light & Composition: Hello, Anup Kar. How does it feel, being selected as the winner of Photo of the Month, 3rd Place, May 2012?Anup Kar: It feels good to be selected as 3rd in the Photo of the Month Contest in a prestigious magazine like Light and Composition.

L&C: The photograph, “Thinking Kid,” which was selected as Photo of the Month, is a beautiful Candid Photograph with an artistic perspective, and very well presented. Overall, this is a great composition! Tell us more about your experience of taking this photograph.

Anup: On 23rd of January I along with some of my friends went to Buxa fort by trekking to get some shots of Netaji jayanti. After reaching there we took some shots. Then for taking our lunch we started our journey to uphill, and reached our favorite place Lepcheka.

Just after finishing our lunch we were preparing to get back, and then I got this beautiful little girl standing beside the wooden pillar. She was not giving any attention to our activities, and was busy in her own thought. There were many portraits that I took from this location earlier, but this is something different. You can see the innocence, tenderness and simplicity in her face that is completely genuine.

Thinking Kid, by Anup Kar

L&C: Besides this winning photograph, many people liked and voted for several others of your photographs in the Photo of the Month contest. You must be proud. How do you see your journey to the world of photography so far?Anup: First of all I would like to give thanks all of them. Without their good wishes and blessing I cannot reach this place. A single like button is an accolade to me. Till now I do believe that many things are unknown to me. In my journey I have come across many good photographers friends who help me a lot. Beside that there are lots of blogs and photographic websites, and discussion over internet which provide useful information. I learn a lot from these also.

L&C: As we know, you are originally from West Bengal, which has its own rich diverse cultural and artistic heritage. Do you think depicting life in West Bengal portrays a different essence? How much does that influence your work?Anup: I live at Cooch behar which is a small city in West Bengal. The nature has given abundant opportunity for the photographers here. The great Mountain region provides the opportunity of landscape Photography, the forest of Duras and Terai provides wildlife and macro objects, the various tribal areas provide portrait photography. There are various religious activities go all around the year here. Every Photographer in Bengal can have a busy schedule all over the year. I really feel myself so lucky to be born n brought up in West Bengal.

L&C: We see so many different genres of photography in your portfolio. Do you like a particular genre of photography?

Anup: I love to preserve moments of our daily life. I like portrait or people’s expression, and their activity. But my dream is to be a wildlife photographer in future.

L&C: One of the keys to any style of photography is visualization. Please tell us how you started this process and what you did afterwards.Anup: I am a amateur till now, and I believe that there is no end of learning. I still learn from the others. There are great photographers who are featured in Light and Composition; really it is a great platform to learn. Preconception is somehow helpful for any photograph. I learn from others that before taking a photo it is necessary to visualize the frame rather to post process it later. It really works.

L&C: Anup, have you ever exhibited your work? If so, then tell us about your first exhibiting experience.
Anup: No, till not now, but hope to do in near future.

L&C: Are you involved with any photography organizations? How does this help you in your photography?Anup: I am still not a member of such organization or association. There are several association in my city but I have some good photographer friends who are quite serious about photography. I am learning from them. But more recently we are planning make such a platform where we can share our views and exhibit our works also.

L&C: What advice would you give our readers who want to take part in the journey around the world with Photo of the Day?Anup:I believe photography is continuous process. See the work of others, discuss with your senior photographers, and friends. Do not hesitate to ask a question. And do not be geek about your camera and lenses. Just keep clicking.

L&C: Thank you, Anup, for sharing your feelings and experiences with us.

Anup: It is my pleasure, and it is a great opportunity for me to share my views and experience, I would like to thank Light and Composition for providing me such a platform where photographer like me can share their work to the whole world. Thanks once again the juries and whole Light Composition Team considering me for this honor.