Rahul Kumar Das
Still Life Photographer
Fazle Rabbi Khan
Rahul Kumar Das, 32, takes pictures of still life, through which he is trying to bring a unique art form into photography. He got passionate about photography when he saw photos by renowned photographer Eugene Smith at a young age.
Rahul did a three-year professional course on photography from Pathshala, the South Asian Media Institute in Dhaka. He is now a student of Bangladesh Open University. He dreams his photographs will be exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York some day. YI met with him for an interview recently.
How did you get into photography?
I would say, after watching the photographs of the renowned photographer Eugene Smith, I fell in love with photography. Then I started browsing the internet, mainly YouTube, on how to do photography. But I felt that was not enough for me, and so I got admitted to Pathshala for a three-year professional programme on photography. And that is how I started photography.
Do you think institutional training is essential to be a good photographer?
I think it varies from person to person. If a person has much talent or good sense in photography and is very enthusiastic about it, then he or she doesnt need any institutional training. Such a person can learn by browsing the internet or from books and practice. But if a person doesnt have that much capability, then he/she needs institutional training. Nowadays, we see almost everyone has a digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera and trying to be a professional photographer. Considering this, I think institutional training is necessary at least to maintain the basic standard of photography.
How would you describe your photography style? What is the challenge?
I am a still life photographer, which is basically capturing different types of still objects around us. Through this kind of photography, I want to express my world of imagination or thinking process. I want to establish that we can set or perceive different types of meanings from a common object around us. I believe, it is really very challenging because it is totally based on creativity and for that, it requires thinking very deeply.
What camera and lenses do you use?
I use Canon 550D, with 18-55mm lenses.
Do you use any photo editing software? If so, what and why?
Yes, sometimes photo editing software is needed for basic stuff, for example, for colour correction, controlling light and images, etc. That I usually do by Photoshop. But manipulation on a photograph by a photo editing software is strictly prohibited and unethical. I am firmly aware of that and obviously dont do that.
Tell us about your achievements so far.
Last year, I participated in Delhi Photo Festival and China Photo Festival, I feel like these are my achievements to attain my ultimate goal.
What are your future plans?
I want to establish myself as a renowned still life photographer, through which I want to represent my country. And I have a dream that my photographs will be exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
