Third Exclusive Interview with Sanjoy Sengupta

An O&G surface facility designer by profession who loves to travel all around the world and capture memories and moments of life to cherish forever, meet Sanjoy Sengupta from Muscat, Oman. Starting from a hotshot point and shoot camera in late 80s to a Nikon FM10 film camera in late 90s, when he used to get most of the exposures wrong, Sanjoy slowly moved to the day of digital cameras like canon Powershot A520 and Canon hybrid SX20IS in early 2000. Then he finally could not resist the alluring pricy Nikon DSLR, and realized that his actual learning started from that very moment.

In this “Exclusive Interview” section, today we have the opportunity to talk with Sanjoy Sengupta, as his photograph was winner of Photo of the Month – 53rd Month, 2nd Place. Let’s discover more about Sanjoy Sengupta, and his forays into photography in the following interview with him.

Light & Composition: So, you have made it, giving your third exclusive interview to Light & Composition. This in an achievement that only very few photographers could do. How do you feel for this amazing achievement?

Sanjoy Sengupta: It’s a wonderful feeling for a learner like me. I feel good, sharing my personal experience with many other hobbyists and also learning from many others.

L&C: Until now you have won many Photo of the Day and Photo of the Month awards. We as well as our readers would love to know your experience for participating this award which only allows authenticate raw photographs.

Sanjoy: Yes, I guess, the most important thing for light and composition is doing things right first time. Slowly you realise how important it is to compose, study light and make settings right before pressing the shutter. It slows down the number of shots you click, but improves your photography skills.

L&C: Before we ask you about your photography secret, let’s go back to the winning photograph for which you are giving this interview. Will you be sharing with us your experience for taking this photograph?

Sanjoy: The photograph quite aptly named ‘mother care’ was shot in my native village back in India in Oct, 2014. It’s a small temple back home, where you see many monkeys and their young ones. They gather around devotees looking for food. This shot was taken at sunset with perfect diffused lighting and the baby monkey clinging on to his mother made quite a natural composition.

L&C: What do you like most to be a photographer?

Sanjoy: The best part for me is the learning. It’s a balanced mix between science of light and art of a creative mind and I am learning every day. I still remain more of a traveler and love to go around the globe whenever I get time, photography comes as a bonus, and it’s wonderful to capture moments which I can be cherish throughout my life.

L&C: Does your personal and professional life conflict with your daily photography workflow.

Sanjoy: For hobbyist like us, it is quite difficult to devote regular time for photography. However, in current era of technology, meeting and discussing with many other amateur photographers online does help to improve the knowledge level. Spending few hours on weekend, taking some pictures and developing them and sharing them with friends and websites like yours always helps. But it’s true that a balance has to be made between passion, professional and family life.

L&C: That’s wonderful to know. So, is there any secret to capture moments as they appear in front of you?

Sanjoy: I guess the trick is to be at the right place at the right time. So during my travels, I try to keep the camera always with me as there are plenty of opportunities all around. For typical landscape, it’s the time and place that matters.

L&C: Before we conclude the interview, tell us what would you do, if you became #1 photographer in Top 100 photographers list?

Sanjoy: It will surely be an honor for me though I feel all 100 photographers in that list are equally brilliant and we cannot rank them in any particular order. They have their own style and interest which is quite evident when I glance thru their work.

L&C: Very interesting! Thanks for sharing your perception. We hope we can take your interview again in future for your next winning photograph.

Sanjoy: Thanks to light and composition for this wonderful opportunity.

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