Tanushree Bhakta- Photographer of the Month September'17
Introduce Yourself
Hi, my name is Tanushree and I am a Junior Doctor in the West Midlands. Thank you so much to Picture Frames Express for including me in this, I never thought I would get the opportunity to do something like this! I had been wanting to get a frame from yourselves for our wedding table plan and saw the post about the competition and thought ‘why not?!’ Thank you so much for the honour of being ‘Photo of the Month’ in July, and in the top ten again in August!
How did you get into Photography
When I went on a World Challenge Expedition to Namibia during my A Levels, I did not have a camera at that time, and I have regretted it ever since as I still remember experiencing some of the most amazing and dramatic scenery I have ever seen in my life so far, and it would be amazing to look back on these now.
Since then, I have made sure I photograph special moments, whether it is on holiday or out and about at home. I love making photo albums and books so that I can display my photos and look back on the memories. Over time, I moved from the non digital cameras to initially the Panasonic Lumix, and now I have been using our Nikon D3200. I do not call myself a photographer, as I have a lot to learn, but I have definitely noticed improvements in the quality of the photos I have taken throughout the years, whilst keeping with the same camera. With the rise of social media such as Instagram, and following accounts such as National Geographic and their photographers, I have been able to take inspiration from the amazing photography on display as well.
What can you tell us about your entry ‘All roads lead to…amazing sunsets!’ into our ‘All Road Lead…’ photo competition?
I took this photo on my Husband’s birthday. I had surprised him with a trip to Jamaica and we were staying in a resort in Montego Bay. We were on our way to a different gazebo on the beach for his birthday dinner but we walked to this one first as this particular spot was our favourite place to watch the sunset. That evening it was particularly stunning and I took shots at various stages and points along the pathway and under the gazebo itself, however I loved this photo in particular. I especially love the sunlight lighting up the path and the reflection across the water.
Do you have any particular style of photography you specialise in?
I am still in the learning stages of photography, and I love photographing everything from nature, buildings, weddings and events. At the moment, I try and take photos that are as natural as possible. I think nature is so amazing that I don’t need to use a filter or enhancements so I try and see what angle/timing/lighting can give me the best photo without needing to edit further. I would love to go on a course and learn how to use the camera properly, and be able to use the different features to optimise my photos. Winning this competition has definitely increased my confidence in pursuing something like this!
What do you enjoy about photography?
I most enjoy being able to capture moments so that they become memories I can look back on. It also helps me to use my mind and focus in a different way from my everyday work. It is a great way to de-stress too!
Tell us about one of your projects
As photography is a hobby at this stage and I have a lot to learn, along with work and upcoming exams, I don’t have any projects that I am working on. However, perhaps after taking a photography course I can start thinking about some projects I could do.
If you could offer one piece of advice to aspiring photographers what would it be?
Invest in a good camera. We looked at reviews and compared different models, budget etc before getting our current camera, which we have had for a good few years. We also invested in a good quality lens to improve the range of our shots.
Any plans for the rest of the year?
At the moment I do have an Instagram profile, however, these are photos from daily life. Winning this competition and coming in the top ten last month also has given me the confidence to pursue this more seriously. I plan to perhaps set up a blog or another Instagram profile where I can display photos I am particularly proud of and also take a photography course. Firstly though I need to pass my exams at work so that is the priority at the moment! But any photography developments I will let you know!
