Retro Kolkata : First of all Heartiest congratulations for your selection in Retro Kolkata Magazine Green Edition. Please introduce yourself. Tell us about your background.
Arnab Dutta : Hi, I am Arnab Dutta, basically a wedding photographer but love to shoot all genres.
Retro Kolkata : How important is photography to you? How did you start photography?
Arnab Dutta : Photography has become an integral part of my life. I started shooting at my maternal uncles wedding at the age around 8. That time I had a small manual camera. Everybody appreciated my clicks and that motivated me. I am grateful that my parents always supported me for my love for photography, even though they wished me to do a 9-5 job.
Retro Kolkata : What motivates and inspires you as a photographer?
Arnab Dutta : I find inspirations from lights. Lights from any source, if its fall and illumination is dramatic then I gets a vibe to shoot.
Retro Kolkata : Which genre of photography do you like and What inspires you? Which masters of photography have inspired you in your photographic work?
Arnab Dutta : Street Candid is the genre I love the most. I love the works of Henry Cartier Bresson. Also my neighbour and a great photographer, Swarat Ghosh, keeps motivating me.
Retro Kolkata : What type of camera, lenses and lighting equipment do you use?
Arnab Dutta : At present I shoot with Nikon Z6ii, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. For lights I have a godox tt685, AD200 pro, LC500R and one continuous light.
Retro Kolkata : What subjects inspire you and prompt you to look for the shot?
Arnab Dutta : Any subject which have a story in them prompts me to shoot.
Retro Kolkata : What is the best project you have worked on and how did you get involved with it?
Arnab Dutta : Last year I got a call from a friend in Mumbai, who works in a production house. She said that their house wants me to be the DOP(director of photography) for a theatrical show. Later they gave me the opportunity to be the DOP for two independent movies as well.
Retro Kolkata : What qualities make a perfect shot for you?
Arnab Dutta : Understanding the subject, a good frame and a basic knowledge of light will make a perfect shot
Retro Kolkata : Could you please share the happiest moment in your photography life?
Arnab Dutta : My happiest moment in my photography life is when I got that call from my friend in Mumbai to be the DOP in their project.
