An Exclusive Interview with Shikchit Khanal

Since he was a young boy, Shikchit Khanal always found beauty in everyday life. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, he never realized that he had very little. He always longed for a life less ordinary, less conventional. Making photographs in his mind of the things he saw around him. He dreamed of one day being able to document the way he viewed the world. He dreamed of travelling and knowing the world through his own eyes and sharing his vision with others. In May 2010, he finally bought his first camera and for the past two years he has been living his dream of travelling and taking photos throughout India and his home country of Nepal where he is currently living with his wife and child to be.

In this “Exclusive Interview” section, today we have the opportunity to talk with Shikchit Khanal, as his photograph was winner of Photo of the Month – 29th Month, 3rd Place. Let’s discover more about Shikchit Khanal, and his forays into photography in the following interview with him.

Light & Composition: Greetings from Light & Composition, Shikchit. How does it feel being selected as the winner of Photo of the Month, 29th Month, 3rd Place?

Shikchit Khanal: It is really an honor. I was quite surprised to learn I was winning Photo of the Month. I am happy.

L&C: Your photographs, “Trail to Heaven’s Lake”, was selected as Photo of the Month, is a beautiful landscape photograph with artistic perspective, correct lighting, and very well presented. Overall, a great composition! Tell us more about your experience of taking this photograph.

Shikchit: I took this photo after a long trek in the Anapurna Circuit, Nepal. I was with a very close friend and we spent the day at Tilicho Lake as I took many shots from different perspectives working with the sunlight to capture this shot.

L&C: Besides this winning photograph, many people liked and voted for other photographs of yours in the Photo of the Month contest. You must be proud. How do you see your journey to the world of photography so far?

Shikchit: I am proud and touched that so many people are following my work thanks to Light and Composition. I am still a growing photographer and I feel honored that my work is being seen and liked by others.

L&C: As we know, you are originally from Nepal, which has its own rich diverse cultural and artistic heritage. Do you think depicting life in Nepal portrays a different essence? How much does that influence your work?

Shikchit: Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, I have seen great change in my country. It has changed from a lush green country where I could run as a boy through rice fields to now a very urban landscape of overcrowded streets and people. My country has very much shaped who I am as a person and how I see the world. In turn, this has strongly impacted the way in which I portray my work in that it has made me appreciate the natural world and the beauty of a moment knowing that it can change instantly.

L&C: We see so many different genres of photography in your portfolio. Do you like a particular genre of photography?

Shikchit: I love street photography most of all. In my opinion, it is the most authentic photography and the most difficult to capture because you must capture the moment before it is lost.

L&C: One of the keys to any style of photography is visualization. Please tell us how you started this process and what you did afterwards.
Shikchit: I am always looking for photos in everything that I am looking at. After this, I wait for the ideal light to capture the most natural photo working with my camera to give me the shot I want.

L&C: Shikchit, have you ever exhibited your work? If so, then tell us about your first exhibiting experience.
Shikchit: Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to exhibit my work, but I would love to some day.

L&C: Are you involved with any photography organizations? How does this help you in your photography?
Shikchit: I follow and participate in a few small social media photography organizations which has helped me in a small way to share my work with other artists as well as see the work of other aspiring photographers.

L&C: What advice would you give our readers who want to take part in the journey around the world with photography?
Shikchit: As Jack Kerouac said, “Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.”

L&C: Thank you, Shikchit, for sharing your feelings and experiences with us.