Copyright Narayan D. Patel
Why we liked it: Narayan’s picture is a lovely image of what childhood can be, it transcends the borders of India and seems to promote a universal message of happiness for children all over the world.
Narayan, can you tell us something about you? how long have you been a photographer for?
It was then in 1978, at the age of 20 yrs. having finished my Bachelors of Arts and was pursuing Diploma in Labour Laws Practice when the family asked me to opt for separate source of earning. Since childhood I always saw lot of positive energy and scenes around. Photography was always my prime idea of prayer to my inner soul.
The very time one studio gracefully offered me a part time job as a dark room assistent.
I started with dark room processing using various primitive tools of developing and printing a normal Black and White Photograph. Yashika Mat – 120 was my first ever camera. It was indeed great privilege and fun to educate and transform myself into a Pro-Photographer. With the passage of time, from black and white dark room processing to 35 mm colour film photography and now very much digital era of photography. I have grown by with techniques and the medium of printing.
In 1991, almost after 13 years of assisting experience, I started a small but decent venue of my own in birthplace Vadodara (Gujarat, India): Darpan Photography Studio. The word darpan means mirror in Sanskrit and several local languages of India, and I thought it to be an ideal name to reflect my inner soul.
What about this picture you’ve submitted to the contest? what feelings inspire you?
It was the 21st Day of October 2007 one of the most memorable day of my life, I was passing by a small village called “‘Bodeli” near Vadodara – Gujarat, India – I stopped over a shallow river bridge to take a quick break from my pictorial tour, I saw a group of village children enjoying the most beautiful time of their life-‘Childhood’, I wish I could be one playing with them but then I realise I can at least capture that moment and live it for ever. It is indeed my vision of hope to a very bright future.
Do you travel much?
I have never been out of India but had seen almost every small part of my country in search for great moments. I still find it a never ending journey because India is so beautiful and endless to generate powerful images.
What are your trying to convey with your pictures?
On the verge of retiring as a commercial photographer I have grown to a computer literate just to share my work and prayers in form of photography across the globe. Internet is the best medium to promote my ideas. To me photography is not about going places but it is about discovering and memorising it because every new step is a new place and I find it beautiful.
“India!”: 1000for1’s International Photography Competition is open until the 29th of December, join Narayan’s vision of hope by creating a profile and submitting your pictures!
