Through the Lens of Perseverance World Through the Eyes of Street Photographer

Photography is more than just a skill or talent; it is a passion that needs constant fulfilment. Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer, photography can bring out an essence of life visually that cannot be grasped. 

We take photographs to understand what humanity is and how rich reality can be. Through photographs, we preserve history - our child's first steps, a decaying landscape, or a rare and endangered species in the wilderness. Mothers laboriously decorate large scrapbooks just to protect their precious memories. Photographs evoke the longing to go to places we have never been, we perhaps will not return to or something we should keep alive in our memories forever.

Successful photographers with ground-breaking stories become idols for newbies in the field. Every photographer has a protege/ mentor or atleast a muse whether it be living or non-living to inspire the kind of photography they want to progress towards. It is always interesting to see them work their magic through a lens, to take a glance behind the scenes, and hear their unique stories on how they got into photography. 

Mr. Tariq is a Lucknow based Professional Photographer. He comes from a culture rich family from India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh. He did his schooling from a local school called Doon Valley and completed his Bachelor's in Journalism & Mass Communication from Amity University. Initially he had no plans of taking on photography as a career but with circumstances it somehow happened to be his first job. The job was working as a Google Maps Street View Photographer. He wanted to streamline journalism as his major and that is how he ended up with a Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication degree which also has a one-year photography core subject. After completing college, he found his way into a commercial photography job and never looked back. 

At first, his family was taken aback with him picking photography as a career but gradually with his paramount of hard work and devotion he was able to convince them regarding his decision. Amongst all the kinds of photography his favourites are street photography and documentary style of photography. The natural setting and occurring moments persuaded him to practice the art of capturing frames.

able to convince them regarding his decision. Amongst all the kinds of photography his favourites are street photography and documentary style of photography. The natural setting and occurring moments persuaded him to practice the art of capturing frames.

He believes that nothing comes easy in photography. If he were looking for the easy way out, then he would not be doing justice to his photography. His forte is capturing candid moments. For Mr. Tariq, photography is more about “seeing” people through and through, rather than just capturing them through his lenses. He would always make it a point to portray them in their natural lighting and setting, to create perspective. His photographs revolve around people and are a constant reflection of his passion and fascination for human nature. Mr. Tariq looks for the realness in his subjects and averts himself from random clicking. He waits and observes for the right moment to capture his desired subjects in desired place or location.

Mr. Tariq has taken great interest in photographing the Kumbh Mela. The Kumbh mela is a major festivity and pilgrimage moment in Hinduism. It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: the Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass feedings of monks or the poor, and entertainment spectacle. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to atone past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins. Though it is a challenge almost as great as the event itself. It is rare in the life of a photographer to have the opportunity to get in action at the largest religious spectacle on earth – India’s Kumbh Mela. 

He has shot the Kumbh Mela multiple times—starting with Haridwar Maha Kumbh. He was so enthralled by the energy and magnetism of the festival the first time. Since then, he has photographed the Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and Ujjain Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. His reason for returning to the festival time and time again? He says, “It’s like shooting all of India in one place.”

The Kumbh Mela in India is considered the largest religious gathering in the world and the world's largest peaceful gathering. This ancient northern Indian festival is what Indians consider a meeting of mystical minds. It brings Hindu holy men (sadhus) together to discuss their faith, disseminate information about their religion, and interact with worshipers.

A Kumbh Mela is attended by millions of people each day over the fair's two-month period. Up to 75 million have been recorded at a Kumbh Mela. For a major event such as a Maha Kumbh, which occurs every 144 years, more than a hundred million pilgrims have been estimated to attend over the fair period. People with different religions, countries and cultures including a lot of foreigners attend this with great fervour and gusto.

These photos of the Kumbh Mela clicked by him reveal some of the wonderful sights to see in ancient religious festivals that draw millions to its gaze.

Check them out!

Furthermore Mr. Tariq is highly influenced by legend Sir Steve McCurry. Steve McCurry has been his all-time favourite muse whose work has inspired a lot of his portfolio. Initially a part of Mr. Tariq’s pictorial journey was his real-life mentor Trilochan. S. Kalra has been an important person in introducing him to this form of art. 

Every year he is blessed with new favourites and that is how he grows in this field. Every photograph is close to him as he has invested hard work in capturing them. 

He never pre-plans a shoot or story behind those photographs; it all happens with spontaneity. As per him, "each picture has its own visual imagery and that's what I love about photography there's so much to see within a frame and all the openness to perceive."

It was our biggest pleasure in getting to know so much about him. We at Book A Photo thank him from the bottom of our hearts for sharing his story with us. 

About Book A Photo  (www.bookaphoto.org)

Book A Photo is an amazing platform launched by World Model Hunt to promote photographers and their art from all over the globe. We aim to 

provide outstanding service, an enjoyable experience in front of a glass lens that produces the best and realest memories.

We at Book A Photo believe that Photography and painting are the same, both art. Each renders imagination in tangible form. The difference is that painters can work completely from imagination. The process of capturing moments of magic, sharing them, celebrating them has come a long, long way. It has evolved in terms of devices, services, products and even user demographics. No longer for the early-adopters, or a privileged few. It is now for everyone under the sun. The only distinguishing factor being their device of choice, but the deep emotional need to capture a moment and a wish to store it for posterity is what binds them together.

With our website Book A Photo we want you to have the best online experience possible when it comes to your photos. We are connecting people and photographers across the globe. Our goal is simple. Our job is not done until everyone is thrilled with both our products and services. We guarantee it!

Get started with us today and grab ample exposure for your pictures