Photos

We all are fascinated by stories and journeys. And to tell one through your perspective is one of the beautiful things to do.

And photos that happen to tell stories are just a close observation of the differences in perspective people hold. And the one who took the journey of that photo holds that one person's perspective of it. The intention and the willingness are what that journey entails.

Thereon is one such journey I took in the city of Jaipur, all the way back to Delhi.

One of the founders of Dawat-e-Hind, the very talented Jatin, was visiting Jaipur to host a workshop on food photography. Luckily I was in Jaipur too, and heard about it. I've always had a keen interest in capturing perspectives but kept myself in a more comfortable, introverted spot every time. So I told everyone I wanted to attend, so that even if I tried to back out, I'd have people pushing me toward it.

And (not) surprisingly, it worked. I attended the workshop and it was great. I learned a lot, but the one thing that set it apart from a YouTube video I could've watched lying in bed eating chips was the people I met. The interaction you have in that moment makes you want to do more — it makes it an experience. And what makes an experience good or bad isn't for you to predict; it's about taking the action that lets you learn from it.

So what happened then? Where did it lead to?

I'm still figuring it out, because it's a journey I'm taking myself — and, alongside me, the visual representation of my perspective, for you to understand it through yours. That answer stays the same regardless of when it's asked. The cycle of experience continues, generating fresh new perspectives.

And yes, there was a quantifiable result of the workshop too. I learned about splash photography, and this time I didn't need a push from anyone — I did it with my own little extra effort.

Now, how I actually took the shot:

I don't have a camera (still don't), nor the money to buy one right away. So borrowing seemed like the next best thing — I borrowed a Canon from a friend. But I had no studio, no lights, no gear. So, like every good Indian, jugaad came to the rescue.

Here's how I did it, and you can too:

I had a whiteboard and a black chart paper — I covered one portion of the whiteboard with the paper to act as a backdrop. Why black? Contrast.

Next, lighting: nothing beats natural light straight from the sun. I have a neem tree outside my balcony that acted as a natural diffuser, so I decided to shoot in the peak afternoon when the sun sat directly overhead, lighting the subject evenly.

Then came stability — you can't shoot handheld at a high shutter speed and expect a crisp result. I used a sofa cushionless seat as a resting surface for height. Shoeboxes leveled the camera and subject to an even horizon, and the front end of the camera's charging cable was used to tweak the lens height.

Once the setup was ready, it was time for some dry runs — playing with camera settings and understanding how it all worked (this wasn't my camera, after all).

Tip — use soda instead of a soft drink; you'll get more bubbles. Add a pinch of salt for even more.

I definitely should have noted the camera settings before taking the shot, but to prove I really am a noob, I didn't document it. Here's what you can experiment with instead:

A higher shutter speed, whatever your camera allows. An ISO around 100, though it's worth playing around since I was shooting in direct sun. And a low aperture, to create depth of field.

The final shot — Sprite splashing against a black backdrop, lemons frozen mid-air, the can tilted alongside the glass.

And that's how I got the photo I wanted, completing one phase of the journey I'd set foot on.

So value your efforts, but never stop the journey thinking your work is finished here.

Special thanks to Jatin for sharing his knowledge — find Dawat-e-Hind on Instagram @dawatehind. For more of my visual perspective, follow along @minimal_darkroom.