Retro Kolkata : Please introduce yourself. Tell us about your background.
Ribhu Chatterjee : Just like any other boy, I was expected to complete my degree and do a job. But things changed during college days, as I got more involved in photography/videography. Though I got my first camera after plus two but started using it more when doing my bachelor’s in management studies. I started working as a freelancer and changed my stream to mass communication in my master’s, which eventually helped me learn more about this field. Currently I am working as video journalist for The Quint.
Retro Kolkata : How important is photography to you? How did you start photography?
Ribhu Chatterjee : I liked clicking photos, but never expected that I will be going forward with it. Even before getting my first DSLR, I used to take pictures from my father’s reel camera and my inspiration was my uncle. After joining college, my interest grew more into this, due to one of my seniors. I eventually joined the photo/video club of my college and started freelancing which gradually helped me to understand and work better in this field.
Retro Kolkata : What motivates and inspires you as a photographer?
Ribhu Chatterjee : What I like the most about photography, it helps me to tell many untold stories. Everyday one can create and shoot something new, thus one can never feel bored of it. The happiness, of telling someone life’s story through your perspective is what inspires me a lot to shoot continuously.
Retro Kolkata : Which genre of photography do you like the most and What inspires you? Which Master of Photography have inspired you in your photographic work.?
Ribhu Chatterjee : Telling about a specific genre I have tried to put my hands more on photojournalism and documentary photography. Other than that, I have a keen interest on travel photography also. If I start taking name of the people from whom I have been inspired over the years, it will be a long list. I have been inspired, not only by the masters, but by my contemporary photographers. Even till now I, have friends and seniors who mentors me and I love their inputs.
Retro Kolkata : What type of camera, lenses and lighting equipment’s do you use?
Ribhu Chatterjee : I usually shoot with my Nikon D3300 with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lens and if I am not carrying the camera, I shoot with my Samsung A52. I don’t have any lighting gears.
Retro Kolkata : What subjects inspire you and prompt you to look for the shot?
Ribhu Chatterjee : I don’t any fascination for subjects. Everyone who is front of my camera is a subject for me. I try to shoot it candid and whatever unique moment which I find in street I capture it. For the documentary, since it depends upon a particular story, so had to go accordingly, which varies, from portraits to wide and creative shots.
Retro Kolkata : Do you prefer black and white shots or colour?
Ribhu Chatterjee : I think, both black and white or colour gives a different feel to photos. For me it depends on the situation and the mood I want it to be. Usually its colour for me, but I try varied combinations of both the profiles.
Retro Kolkata : What is the best project you have worked on and how did you get involved with it?
Ribhu Chatterjee : Other than projects from my organisations, I have been working on many personal projects. One such project I did is on The New Normal, based on how the lifestyle of people changed during the pandemic time. I don’t know whether it is best or worst, but I covered it as I wanted to show my perspective of the pandemic.
Retro Kolkata : Where would you like to be in 10 years’ time and what are you going to do in the next 6 months to get closer to that goal?
Ribhu Chatterjee : I aspire to see myself as an established photojournalist and for that I still need a lot of practice and experience. I am trying my level best to polish my skills and fill up my gaps by the guidance of my mentors and taking more shots.
