On herself: Confused. Curious. Daydreamer. Independent. Pigheaded. Love the smell of rain on mud. Love that my work lets me travel. Love my solitude and my sleep. Constantly amazed by the stuff life throws at me. Still find my happiness in the little things. Optimist. Over-sensitive. Love that I can laugh at myself (most times). Stupidity and incompetency irritate me. Love trying out new things. Like where I am at right now in life.

Why are you a photographer?
I love visuals. They speak to me a lot more than words. The colors, lines, splotches, and figures- I can look at a visual and always feel differently about it each time to interpret it in different ways…
Using photography to find my voice makes me happy and I can’t remember when I am more at peace as I am with a camera in my hand.

Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer?’
Post architecture school, working as an architect I felt it was never right for me. Wondering what I could do instead, it always came back to the camera, until one day it just hit home. I went on to do my post grad studies in Photography and I think it has probably been my best decision to date.

Were there any particular role models for you when u grew up?
My sister was a big role model for me. An extroverted and strong personality, it was her who instilled a strong sense of individuality in me. Initially a shy and introverted person I gradually came out of my shell and part of who I am today is definitely due to her.
The Outsider by Albert Camus had a lot of impact on my thought process and my other big influence was Bob Dylan. I started listening to his music/poetry since I was 12 or 13 and I find myself coming back to him even now.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in photography?
No one in particular though the work of a lot of artists has influenced me over the years

How has photography changed over the course over the last 2 decades? Is execution or art direction more important than it used to be?
Photography has changed dramatically over the last 2 decades with digital replacing film. Though on the positive side a lot more people have access to photography, it has also lost out on that exclusivity and personal touch where a deeper sense of commitment to the art of image-making is required.
But I also strongly believe that the camera/make/type whether digital or film doesn’t matter as long as you can translate the emotion via the medium.

Execution or art direction is just as important as it always was. Today advertising needs to have extremely strong visual appeal and is probably just as important as the idea. With proper execution strong content can be made such that it stops the layman and forces him to look at the idea behind the image.

What do you think of the current state of the print advertising photography in India? Is it at par with the work done worldwide?
There is a mix bag of really good advertising and mediocre advertising coming out of India just as it is the world over.
I feel in the past 5 years print advertising in terms of visual content has really improved and the whole ‘feel’ of taking the image to the next level is something all of us are working at.
Though TV has been gaining ground there are certain segments in advertising that still depend on print and hopefully in the future print advertising will make a bigger comeback.

There is a certain sense of stylization in your work. It’s almost like a signature. Where do you get your inspiration?
As far as having a signature style goes, I think I am far too raw to have developed any certain style and am constantly trying to explore new ways of seeing.
In the past year I have been developing a series with street photography juxtaposed with street style- that series I think has a certain signature thread running through it.

Was there any time when u wanted to quit photography?
I don’t think I have ever wanted to quit photography though there are a lot of times when I am frustrated when things don’t go the way they should especially when doing commercial work.

Any current work in Indian advertising that u find interesting? Especially print>
One just has to look at your blog and most of it is covered there. 🙂

What’s your dream project?     
I think a cover for National Geographic magazine would be a dream project for me.

Who would u want to spend a dinner with?
Nadav Kander

What’s on your iPod?
Lots of Blues and Jazz.

Mac or Pc?
Sigh. The argument never stops on this one  🙂

More of Radhika’s amazing work can be seen at her website  and her contact details here…