Exibart Street Contest 2018 Finalists – Interview to Sajid Shaikh
Congratulations Sajid! You are one of the 11 finalists of the first Exibart Street Contest. Can you tell us something about yourself?
I’m Sajid Shaikh from Vadodara, Gujarat, India. A photographer by passion & a Civil Engineer by profession.
What led you to begin doing street photography in the first place?
Well, it was YouTube video “Third eye by Subodh Shetty” which inspired me to do photography.
How would you define your photographic style?
No particular style. I like to capture RAW emotions of people around me.
“To me, social media is the cheapest way to showcase my work to the world without spending any penny for it.
In addition to this, social media also helps to learn and grow more by getting feedbacks fro the people who are already into this field.”
What kind of equipment do you use and what role, in your opinion, does equipment have in street photography?
I use Canon 700D with 18-55mm & 50mm for portrait photography. Sometimes, I borrow my friend’s camera Sony 6300 with 18-135.
And in many cases where I see a perfect frame right in front of me, I often use my mobile phone’s camera if I don’t have any other options.
Have you ever studied at a photography school or are you a self-taught artist?
I’m purely a self taught photographer 🙂
In my free time, I used to read photography blogs and visit different photography pages on social media.
I filled myself with whatever knowledge I get from the sources that I can access to. I think, the more we practice, the more we teach ourselves and it helped me to reach myself on such platform.
“I filled myself with whatever knowledge I get from the sources that I can access to. I think, the more we practice, the more we teach ourselves.”
How important are social media in your work?
I use to post on Facebook frequently but since last few months, I switched to Instagram as Instagram is trending nowdays. And apart from this, I regularly post on National Geographic Your Shot community & 500px.
To me, it is the cheapest way to showcase my work to the world without spending any penny for it.
In addition to this, social media also helps to learn and grow more by getting feedbacks fro the people who are already into this field. So, it helps.
If you had to choose one lens that you would have to be using for the rest of your life, which one would that be and why?
Undoubtedly 18-135mm.
Black and white and color? How do you decide which one to use?
If colors do not add the value in my image, then I convert them into Black and White. And personally, I do have soft corner for Black and White images.
Is there a country or a city that you like to photograph more than others?
I’m more into people’s photography and love to capture people around me. So, as such no particular city in my mind right now. But yes, if I get a chance, I would love to go to Varanasi in future.
Which differences exist between the different countries you visited?
To visit the different countries other than India is still in my bucket list. Will definitely update you as soon as I get to visit any.
When you take photos, do you ever have a theme/project in mind?
Well, not always… I used to do photography on particular theme earlier. But not now… As I work on single subject streets.
Are you currently working on any project?
No… Not yet…
Are there any photographers or artists who inspired you or influenced your way of creating street photography?
Rohit Vohra: his every Series inspired me how real life and your photography can be connected with each other.
Prabha Jayesh: She always corrects my mistakes in street pictures.
Subodh Shetty: As I mentioned earlier, my journey started with watching his series only. I always admire his work.
Thank you!
SAJID SHAIKH BIOGRAPHY
I am Sajid Shaikh, 27, belong to Vadodara, Gujarat India and a Civil engineer by profession. I love Street Photography. I like to visit mostly the local markets, outskirts of the city and some nearby villages. As my most of the time is spent in construction work, many of my clicks have been taken at my construction sites while working.
After my studies, I directly started working. That time, I used to surf different websites and Photography Blogs, Video series, etc. Those Blogs and Video series inspired me to start Photography. I started taking photographs in my mobile camera earlier in 2014. Afterwards, I bought my new DSLR camera and this way, my Photography journey began.
I have been exploring and experimenting new things in Street photography every now and then. Moreover, I also like travel photography and visit different places during traditional festivals.
My only dream is to start my own travel and street blog & to inspire people like me who like Street Photography.
Instagram: @Sajidshaikhphotos
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sazid.shaikh
