Sabir Ahmed The Analogue Photography Specialist

1. Would you tell us more about you and your interest in Photography?

I’m an engineer by profession, an entrepreneur by design and a photographer by choice. My interest in photography started very early, right from childhood. I was fascinated by my father’s photographs of our family, of landscapes and of people. There was a magical quality in the B&W prints of yesteryears. Over time, I learnt photography from magazines, books and by speaking to family, amateur and professional photographers.

2. Can you please tell us about the types of Photography you indulge with?

When I started photography, I experimented with all genres. I naturally gravitated towards topics of my interest. I now enjoy photographing landscapes, travel, people and culture. I still shoot on film, especially B&W and have my own darkroom where I develop and print images for personal use and as a professional service. I shoot digital as well depending upon the photographic need. [caption id="attachment_556" align="aligncenter" width="640"] KR Market[/caption]

3. What is the inspiration that keeps you going?

Each day is a new learning experience. I constantly look at daily situations that have photographic potential and am always clicking pictures using my mind’s eye. Mostly, I carry a small camera to capture those moments. I also follow work of my own friends and photographers around the world which is awesome and inspiring. Moreover, reading helps me to visualize and create new images.

4. How do you feel when your work is exhibited and viewed by tons of people?

It feels great when people appreciate my work and tell me what they liked about my photographs. The most important aspect is the valuable feedback I get and that helps me to improve my work. [caption id="attachment_559" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Savanadurga[/caption]

5. Can you tell us something about Photography and its inception?

The history of photography is well known. However, an important learning is how photography changed with the times from being art driven to being technology centric. [caption id="attachment_555" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Foundry Worker[/caption]

6. To you, what is Photography?

Photography to me is to visualize what the mind sees. [caption id="attachment_554" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Cubbon Park[/caption]

7. Please share us some of your achievements in Photography Profession?

I’ve exhibited my photographs in exhibitions and online forums. My work has been published in national and international publications. I enjoy teaching photography to students of fine art and mass communications at various universities.

8. Can you tell us something about your Photography community?

In India, we have a very vibrant photographic community having immense talent. I’m fortunate to be a part of the local photography groups which some of us started during our formative stages and I’m happy to continue to play a leading role in these communities in India and overseas. The insights I gained just by discussions with fellow photographers have proved to be invaluable for which I am very grateful.

9. Can you tell us about the general response you receive in exhibitions?

Most people look for a WOW factor from the pictures displayed in exhibitions while very few look at the story behind it. Vividly coloured pictures have a mass appeal and sell easily. Fine art pictures have a smaller market or fan following, at least in India. [caption id="attachment_560" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Lame Guru[/caption]

10. What do you think about the scope of Photography in the modern Digital world?

The digital technology has brought photography to the masses by making it convenient, affordable and instantaneous. It has opened up more opportunities, tools and techniques in capturing, editing and displaying photographs. There are millions of photographs clicked worldwide every day, yet only a few really stand out.

A quote from a French photographer Ken Van Sickle sums it up very nicely “What a great photographer does is, they are consistently able to make something in a style that’s personal to themselves.”

[caption id="attachment_557" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Mullayanagiri Peak[/caption]

11. How do you feel about your association with Honeycomb creative support?

My journey with Honeycomb started many years back for both exhibition and personal prints. I’ve found their print workflow to be very systematic and practiced by people having a trained background in imaging and printmaking. They are also in the forefront for event sponsorships and exhibitions which is a plus.

12. Can you share us your future plans and dreams?

Photography today has become technology intensive and it becomes imperative for a photographer to learn new techniques and skills but without losing focus on creative image making. I plan to continue my journey in this exciting domain by exploring new ideas and thoughts.