As an Indian photographer, how does your cultural heritage influence your work?

As an Indian photographer, my cultural heritage serves as a rich source of inspiration that significantly influences my work. Growing up in India and Singapore, and having traveled extensively across continents, excluding Australia, has deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity. This exposure has enabled me to weave together a fusion of cultural references from different countries and cultures in my photography. Whether I'm capturing a Catalog, Wedding, a Celebrity photoshoot, or filming a motion picture documentary, I strive to infuse my work with the richness and diversity of global cultures. 

India, with its myriad traditions, festivals, and languages, truly is a land of diverse cultures and offers a particularly fertile ground for exploring cultural themes especially when every state boasts its own unique identity, reflected in its language, customs, cuisine, and attire. My photography endeavors often center around Mumbai, known as the Bollywood Capital of the World. I work with my team of fashion stylists, makeup, hair artists and designers. Together, we integrate cultural influences from diverse Indian states, creating visual narratives that celebrate India’s rich tapestry of heritage.

Through my lens, I aim to convey the complexity and beauty of India's cultural landscape, recognizing that understanding the ‘Idea of India’ as a nation is a lifelong journey. By incorporating a blend of cultural elements into my work, I not only pay homage to my own heritage but also contribute to a broader dialogue on cultural diversity and creativity in photography

Do you remember your first significant encounter with photography? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your initial interest?

Gosh, that's quite an interesting question. I apologize for the lengthy response, but I think you'll find it worth the read.

Reflecting on my journey, the seeds of my passion for photography were sown during my time at Whistling Woods International film school in Mumbai, India. Although I initially enrolled to study cinematography, I discovered a profound connection with still photography during our photography classes. Knowledge in the basics of Still photography is essential to understanding the complexities, science, physics and art of Cinematography. Little did I know that I was bitten by the Photography bug even after having moved on to the basics and advanced cinematography classes. Despite the modest beginnings with a basic Canon 550D camera due to financial constraints, I eagerly executed small photoshoots with friends, gradually refining my skills in composition, research, and post-production. For some shoots requiring advanced cameras and optics I used to rent them and split the cost among the team. That’s when I know that this is going to be my passion and my profession. 

As I delved deeper into the craft, opportunities began to unfold, culminating in a significant moment when the United Nations, Geneva commissioned me to record and interview the iconic Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan in 2011. This milestone not only validated my abilities but also propelled me into a whirlwind of cinematography and still photography projects.

From these experiences, I realized that photography was more than just a hobby—it was my calling. Despite the challenges, including financial limitations, I persevered, renting professional-grade equipment to execute projects with dedication and precision.

My journey, from humble beginnings as a street photographer to capturing renowned personalities and executing professional shoots, epitomizes my unwavering dedication to the art and science of visual storytelling. Each project fuels my passion further, reaffirming my belief that photography is not just a profession but a lifelong pursuit of creative expression and exploration.

Can you describe your creative process? How do you go from an idea to a finished image?

I usually work on two types of projects: ones that people hire me for, and ones I do for myself or with others for fun. For commissioned shoots, I start by understanding what the client wants. Then, my team and I come up with ideas and plans to achieve the desired look. We also discuss things like editing and the overall vibe of the photos. Sometimes, I plan the shoot based on how I want the final photos to look. Finding the right models or celebrities for the shoot is important, so we reach out to them or their agencies. Once everything is planned and the budget is approved, we set a date for the shoot. On the day of the shoot, my team and I get all the equipment ready and set up at the location. We make sure everyone knows what to expect and feels comfortable. I also talk to the talent(s) to make sure they understand the process and feel good about it. As the photographer, I try to create a fun and relaxed atmosphere on set. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but I’ve learned to handle any issues and keep everyone happy.

After the shoot, I review the feedback from the talent and client and make sure they're happy with the results. Then, I move on to post-production, where I edit and process the images to make them look their best. Each photo can take anywhere from 2 to 7 minutes to edit, depending on the complexity. If I have a lot of photos to work on, I sometimes outsource the editing to a trusted colleague who specializes in color correction. This helps me manage a heavy workload while ensuring the quality of the final product,

Of all your projects, is there one that you consider the most meaningful or personal? Because?

Undoubtedly, my favorite projects involve directing documentary short films or behind-the-scenes footage of famous personalities, where I conduct interviews while filming. Capturing candid moments of people is also something I love from a director’s perspective. While my colleagues may be surprised to hear this, I'm feeling a bit saturated with still photography and cinematography projects. I'm eager to be involved in projects that require me to interview eminent personalities, from CEOs and actors to comedians, crew members, fans, and celebrities themselves. I believe I have a knack for asking engaging questions on the spot, without needing to refer to notes. This allows the conversation to flow naturally, even while the camera is rolling.

7. Backup plans- When dealing with a team of creatives; for whatever reason if there are issues, be it technical or other external factors having a plan B is important. If its a big budget assignment then I might consider Plan C also. 

8. Providing services for free- Most freelance creatives have to provide free services as a trial or to build their portfolio. It’s the equivalent of a corporate employee being paid a miniscule salary at the early stages of their career. Photography requires huge investments in Equipment and the intangibles like time, knowledge and networking. Even after a few years I used to continue to provide services for free. Then later on in my career I made a conscious end to that practice even if it is an important celebrity/client. ‘If I am good at something I will never provide that service for free’. This has been my mantra for many years now. 

How do you hope your work impacts your audience? Is there a specific reaction you're looking to provoke?

I always carry my camera with me when I travel. And the projects I commission are the ones that I do for myself and my professional growth. I'm somewhat selfish in this regard—I prefer doing things in a particular way which I perfected through trial and error and by pushing boundaries. One memorable experience was capturing fellow travelers against the vibrant backdrop of Busan, South Korea, resulting in stunning shots that resonated with viewers. Some of these impromptu photography sessions are some of my best ones and some of my viewers love it. 

My aim is to impress the audience with both technical prowess and aesthetic appeal while provoking thought and inspiring younger generations. I strive to break away from the mainstream and carve out my niche because in today's day and age one only sees perfection on social media. I want to break that chain. My existing audience dissects my work, providing positive and reinforcing creative criticisms that motivate me to continue evolving. I also hope to inspire younger generations to delve deeper into photography by encouraging them to question my project execution and detailed shoot planning process. My images are intricate, with many layers and depth.

Are there any other artists or photographers, within or outside India, who have influenced or inspired you?

Not particularly photographers as I was always immersed in the world of Cinema. Though I always admired Photojournalism and conflict photographers and their works. It requires guts! 

With advances in photographic technology, how do you see the balance between traditional technique and new digital tools?

This is the most debatable topic of discussion among veterans in the filmmaking fraternity and film enthusiasts: to use film or not. Having studied cinematography and photography with traditional analog films, in my opinion, film will always have a place in the art of capturing images. Technology has still not replaced it. But it’s the sense of euphoria and nostalgia that makes shooting on analog film a more joyous and immersive process. I can write pages on this topic but to keep it short; I am of the firm belief that as we move into the future and technology advances, there is no way we can choose to use only digital. There are numerous factors involved when choosing a format. Hence, it’s the filmmaker or the photographer’s creative vision that will eventually fuel the desire to use analog film or digital censors. I personally photograph both on digital and analog film. The beauty and charm of photographing on analog film are far more exhilarating. That said, certain projects require me to use digital formats due to certain limitations, be it financial or thematic.

Lighting plays a central role in both film and photography. Are there film-inspired lighting techniques that you apply in your photography to create particular atmospheres or feelings?

Works of the above mentioned directors and cinematographers’ works influence my work. I must confess that when I was a full time cinematographer before moving purely onto being a Non-Fiction film director and Fashion editorial and Documentary  photographer, I would always fail to create a desired look. 

On most occasions I would struggle to maintain lighting continuity for motion picture projects.   Instead of sulking and feeling let-down I would listen to interviews of my favorite directors, cinematographers on how they approach it. Hence nowadays I film and photograph mostly using natural light. There is no better substitute for it. And when it comes to lighting for motion picture productions, which is my weakness, I always involve a lighting specialist or an experienced gaffer to help me through the process. Photography and filmmaking is a team effort. I alone cannot take the credit for my successes and failures. 

Director/Cinematographer Reed Morano sums it up well. She says “a lot of cinematography is intuition. It’s an art, not a formula”. The same applies to lighting in still photography for me.

Although photography cannot capture sound directly, how are you inspired by the use of sound and silence in film to add a layer of meaning to your images?

My intention is always to produce still images and make it look like it was a still from a film scene. That’s always my intention when photographing people from a documentary perspective or famous celebrities. How I end up doing that is something I have not figured out yet to be honest. But I do know that my friends and clients come back to me for more.

4. Visual Motifs- Being a big fan of world cinema, especially from the films mentioned above, my thought process works in a certain way, automatically looking for ways to add different layers and depth to an individual image

5. Character Traits- An example: when photographing an emerging artist, a series of still images or even just one image needs to evoke emotions so that the audience can grasp the subject's personality and character. I like to do this especially for emerging freelancers, whether it's a renowned nutritionist or an up-and-coming musician or an existing business tycoon, so that people understand what the subjects are all about. Filmmakers employ these techniques by utilizing colors, camera angles, lighting, and specific objects (e.g., the spinning top in the film ‘Inception’). Ultimately, it comes down to creating meaningful connections to convey the backstory, mood, and personality of the subject using such elements, which adds depth to an image, much like in cinema

6. Lighting: Light Creates Mood, adds Drama. Light and Shadow are Powerful Tools for Photographers to use. Playing with bright areas and darker parts of an image has the ability to make images more deep and add a layer of the subject’s feelings. 

7. Emotional Depth: I have to admit it’s hard to simplify this. So, I will quote cinematographer Shane Hurlbut (ASC); “If you make every choice as a cinematographer based on the emotions of characters, you will hit a home run every single time”.: 

8. Composition: I believe many fellow photographers, including myself, enhance our photography and the art of creating images with depth and meaning by learning from the masterful composition techniques used by eminent cinematographers. Key concepts like the rule of thirds for balanced compositions, leading lines to direct the viewer's eye to a particular part of the frame, framing such as the use of the ‘dutch angle’ to convey the sinister personality of a character, and the strategic use of negative space to emphasize subjects play a big role. Additionally, I pay close attention to how cinematographers and my professors in film school have taught me to manipulate light and shadow to create depth, set the mood, and drive the narrative of a scene – skills that dramatically enhance still photographic storytelling

After traveling through some countries, what led you to decide to live in Chile? Was there a particular moment or experience that influenced this decision?

As I was backpacking in South Korea after attending the Busan International Film Festival, I felt a sense of liberation and reduced stress, prompting me to extend my stay for a month. I confided in my good friend Jankee back in Mumbai about my newfound optimism and sense of freedom while in SK. Living and working in Mumbai was getting monotonous and boring. Upon my return she did the impossible. She bravely sorted through old belongings, including items from past relationships. Eventually, she transformed my tiny apartment into a mini boutique hotel suite. It was a fitting metaphor for my creative process, always striving to think 'outside the box,' even when confined within one. No pun intended.

Meanwhile, I had a Chilean school friend from Singapore whom I had known since 1996. She floated the idea of coming and teaching English and working as a photographer as well. It took me a while to consider my options. Photography is all about contacts and I already had numerous existing clients who used to give me constant work. Eventually I decided that I wanted to make this change.

Cultural Influences: How has the rich cultural diversity of Chile and Latin America influenced your work and artistic vision?

Having lived in Chile for just about a year, I am continually inspired by the vibrant colors, dynamic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage and diversity of the region. My decision to move to Chile was motivated by a desire to break free from the monotony of life in Mumbai. As an avid traveler and photographer, I am eager to further explore Chile and Latin America through the eye of a documentary and travel photographer, capturing its essence and sharing its unique stories, traditions, and landscapes. Through my ongoing journey, I want to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the continent not just on my own and by watching films but along with my diverse group of friends whom I now call my family.

When comparing your work in India to your work in Chile, have you noticed any differences in your creative or thematic approach?

When comparing my work in India to my work in Chile, I've noticed several differences in my creative and thematic approach. In India I often captured the diverse cultures of different states, especially in Mumbai, the Bollywood capital. There, I had many opportunities to explore and represent the cultural nuances of the film and television industry. Now that I'm in South America, I'm still exploring and learning. Despite being relatively new to Chile I hope to blend South Asian and Latin American cultures into my work. Moving here has given me a sense of freedom and new inspiration. It's not just about escaping the routine of  Mumbai, but also about embracing my cultural heritage in a new place and expanding my creativity.

Beyond traditional photography, my focus has shifted towards a more authentic portrayal of people, capturing their complexities, flaws, and insecurities in a raw and honest manner. This transition marks a departure from my previous work, which often involved extensive post-processing and documenting the exorbitant lifestyles of celebrities. Life in Chile offers me the chance to slow down, meet new people from a land I still consider enigmatic, and explore different places at a more relaxed pace compared to the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. You can explore more of my work on my Instagram account @ayushdas, where I strive to showcase the simplicity and intricacies of ordinary life through my lens.

Concluding our interview with Ayush Das, we have navigated through a journey that not only spans geographies from India to Chile and beyond, but also a creative journey that interweaves the rich cultural tapestry of these regions with the art of photography. The influence of cinema, the adaptation to new environments and the exploration of visual narratives stand out in his work, showing how photography can be a bridge between cultures and a window to diverse human realities.

Ayush has given us an intimate insight into his creative process, his inspirations and how his transcontinental experience has enriched his artistic perspective. His passion for telling stories through his lens and his ability to capture the essence of humanity in his photographs are a powerful reminder of the universality of visual art.

We thank Ayush Das for sharing his world with us, inviting us to appreciate the beauty in diversity and depth in every moment captured. His work is a testimony of how photography, in his hands, becomes a continuous dialogue between the artist, his subject and the viewer, transcending barriers to touch the universal. We look forward to the future narratives that Ayush will continue to share, always reminding us to look beyond the visible.