Sometimes I find myself too shy to use the word photographer while discussing my photography. In fact, the question that often rattles my mind is – who is a photographer? Is it someone who owns a camera? If it is, then what about all those wonderful photos that are taken using other devices rather than a dedicated camera? Or is it someone who simply takes photos? Naturally, the question that arises next is – is there a certain quality of photos that makes someone a true photographer? If it is, then who sets the standard? We all know that art is subjective; that makes it literally impossible to rank. So, I like to call myself “someone with passion for taking photos” instead.

From a very young age, I found myself interested in photographs. At that time, I did not have access to a proper camera. I remember having a point-and-shoot film camera, probably from the 90s, as my only way of photographing. As a teenager from a low income society, buying even a roll of film was luxury. On top that, developing them from the studios was even more expensive. So the only few chances I got to use the camera was either in a school trip, or in special family occasions.

As I got older, smartphones became fairly available – not the smartphones that we use today – but those old camera phones with a 3.2 megapixel camera and a huge keypad taking more than half of the phone. But that paved my way into taking photos more often without worrying about the cost.

From that time, I found myself more inclined towards landscape photography. There was no YouTube back then to teach me photography. I learned the rules of compositions all by myself only through practicing. For instance, I did not know the name “Rules of third”, I only noticed that photos look more comforting to eye when I put the subject little bit on the side of the photo rather than the centre.

Obviously, it was not possible to learn the exposure triangle in phones. So, I always wanted to buy a proper camera to practice photography. But given the part of society I am from, it was a luxury, sometimes even considered irrational, to spend so much money to buy a camera. When I was in high school, I was gifted a point and shoot digital camera by my aunt. That could have been the perfect kick start for me in my journey to photography, but the journey ended before it even started. I had an argument with my mother regarding my exam result, and she said something in the likes of “the camera affecting my studies”, even though I barely have used it at that point. I was so angry that I literally slammed the camera on the wall, over and over, until it was broken into several pieces. I did not regret it then, but I kind of do now.

From then it was mainly the phone. Although phone cameras did not have full control of the aperture, ISO or shutter speed, I used to use third party camera apps to twirl around with the settings. That helped me built the basic understanding of the exposure triangle.

After moving to the UK, life got too busy. I lost my connection with photography. But eventually, I bought a cheap Panasonic camera from the used market to start again. This time, I got more serious. Few months later, I upgraded to a Sony. I loved it. Some of my favourite photos I took was with that camera. But then I decided to slow it down, and switched to a MFT camera again.

MFT has given me the chance to go out with the camera more often. With a compact camera body and lenses, perfect ergonomics, I have fallen in love with Panasonic.

Living in the UK has given me more opportunities to explore. I have been wandering around Wales, England, and hopefully Scotland soon. Along with it, I have been documenting the journeys and all that came with it.

I believe photographs are the best way to document life. Every moment that is passed is lost forever, unless its recorded. I find photography as a tool to record the present to cherish it in the future. And this is the driving force behind my photography journey.

This is a repost ofthe original blog post published on my Portfolio Website.