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Not a Professional, But Still a Photographer.

Street in Monochrome, Bengaluru, India

Believe me, I have not earned a single rupee from photography and that is by design. You’ll find a lot of people encouraging you to turn your passion into a money-making machine. But for me, photography is personal.

Yes, you read that right. Photography is too personal a matter for me. I’ve photographed almost everything - portraits, nature, wildlife, products, streets, and even weddings. But whenever I pick up the camera, it’s always to find that unique touch only I can see. I’m proud of my point of view. I’m not saying my photos are perfect. But the pictures I keep are the ones that gave me satisfaction, made me smile, or left me with thoughts long after looking at them.

I’ve often heard people say pictures tell stories. The way I see it, I’m not just capturing the story but I am part of it when I press the shutter.

I don’t earn, and I don’t intend to earn, from photography. So why am I still stuck to it? Deep down, it’s because I enjoy the process. The busy streets with countless emotions. The silence echoing at the top of a mountain. The constant waves crashing against the shore. Even the most common, generic scenes can feel different in that particular moment. And then there are the companions of every photographer: light, shadows, grain and what not. I enjoy being with them.

But there’s another side of photography I love even more: what I see, learn, and experience in the process. A stranger’s smile when I give a thumbs-up. Kids who rush to pose. A dense forest where every leaf seems to tell its tale. A mountain that teaches patience. Friends giggling when they try to be candid. I could go on and on about these little moments.

So why Exploring Obscura?

Because I know there are many people like me some who just want to take pictures for themselves, and others who want to make money but struggle with the pressures of being “professional” or working within boundaries. Exploring Obscura is my way of connecting with those souls, directly or indirectly, and seeing what this journey holds for me.

To be honest, I don’t have an agenda. I haven’t defined perfection, success, or metrics (yes, those corporate jargons). I’m here to experience this the way I’ve experienced my photography journey which is free, open and undefined. Not a professional, but still a photographer. Or maybe better put: a photo hobbyist.

Let’s start this journey.

– PS

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Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

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