Navin Vatsa
A multiple award- winning street photographer from India, known for his storytelling imagery, Navin Vatsa is one of the most sought after personalities in the IndianPhotography Community.
Navin Vatsa started his journey in photography with a
simple point and shoot camera with the sole intention
to capture family moments about 16 years back. But
life’s plans, a tragic loss and destiny brought him much closer to photography.
Navin shares his beginnings and more about his
journey, achievements and learnings, in an interview
with BasicsFoto.
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Please tell us about your beginnings and how did you start photography?
My journey and beginnings in photography has somewhat been unplanned, per say. I bought a point and shoot camera Kodak K10 around 16 years ago, with the sole intention of capturing my family
moments. But life had different plans for you, when you are busy with your own. After suffering a
tragic loss of my wife to an accidental death in 2009, the loneliness and responsibilities towards my son as single parent consumed every ounce of my soul and that is when photography came to me as a rescuing hand. My love for photography lingered on and that is when I engulfed into photography
even more.
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Your works have been awe inspiring and a treat to eyes for everyone. Did you go through any formal training?
I have not been through any formal training as such. It was all destined I must
say. One day when I was flipping through the old family photos, I realised my
calling and decided to leave my 16 years long teaching and administrative
career. My experiences as an educator helped me find maturity to visualise and
develop ideas and implement them through the medium of photography.
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What inspires you the most as a visual artist?
The beauty of life, the colours of nature, diversity of cultures, emotions, life stories, details, patterns and moments inspire me the most when it comes to photography.
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Please tell us about your achievements in photography field?
My biggest achievement is the affection I get from photography Community on n off Instagram. Other than that, I am a GoPro awardee, Hipa annual theme verified finalist, have also been featured on major photography handles on Instagram, and because I love sharing whatever I know and inspire others I have conducted few workshops, meet ups, photowalks and lectures on photography too.
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What does Jitendra do when he is not clicking pictures?
I love to see sunsets, I love walking, meditation. I also read and listen to spiritual wisdom every now and then, when I am free.
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If you had to choose between creating photos and being on Instagram, what would you choose and why?
Creating photos will always be my choice, at the end of the day Instagram is only a platform to showcase my art, creating photos fills me with an inner contentment.
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What equipment(s) are there in your camera bag?
I have a Canon 77d, 18-135 mm and 50mm lenses, a GoPro hero5 and an Honor v20 mobile phone. That's it.
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What is your thought process when you are clicking photos? Are there any pre defined ideas or is it just spontaneous?
I love to get blown away by the beauty of change in light, the movement in daily life, the emotions, the architectural art works, incredible colours nature has, that's how I shoot. Following certain basic techniques of photography the rest is done by my instinct connecting with things around , I observe and plunge into the moment. Shooting also gets affected by my mood, energy levels, weather conditions and light.
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Is there anything else you want to share with your fans?
Do things for your inner fulfilment, engage in what you like and not what will fetch u material rewards.