Click for the canvas

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Belonging to a family of photographers has its advantages. The least among them is an inane knack for observing life and getting to click some outstanding photographs. “My grandfather, father and uncles were all great photographers. I think the sensibility just seeps in automatically.

By the time I was in Class 9, I knew I would want to be a photographer when I grow up. I was already contributing photographs to national magazines, tourism departments and even taught at workshops,” says photographer Amit Pasricha.
This September, his elegant range of museum-quality photographic art prints, “Archiva” will be on display at Indian Habitat Centre. The collection is large and modestly priced.
Under controlled conditions, these prints are guaranteed to last over 100 years without fading.
Formally, an English literature graduate from St. Stephen’s College, Amit specialises in a technique referred to as panoramic digital photography that has been used in books like The Monumental India Book, The Sacred India Book and Mughal Architecture. The Monumental India Book was voted as the top 10 coffee table books of the world in 2008. In 2010, he came out with a sequel, The Sacred India Book that even won the national award. “I feel books are a great medium for compiling work. A book immortalises your work for at least 10 to 15 years. It is accessible to numerous generations,” he says.
Most of his works are centred around well-known monuments in and around Delhi as well as any interesting architectural structures that he came across. His panoramic displays weave stories either through single compositions or by using a series of visuals.
Talking about his future projects, he tells us that his next work “India at Home” is due in the next six months. He is also excited about “The Sacred India” exhibition to be held in Germany as a part of Indian festival in Germany.
Over the last decade, photography has emerged as a preferred career option for many. Professionals from various walks of life have started steering clear of conventional path and pursuing their passion in photography. On being asked, what is it that draws young India, he puts forth “I think if you can make a profession out of your interest, every day becomes worth living. To this day, I get reasonably excited every morning about my work. And photography is a beautiful way of observing life. I feel it is meditative.”