Kaushik, is a Bombay based photographer, who has a decade’s experience in photography. He began his photography career as a writer/photographer and later branched out on his own. He now works with corporate clients and advertising agencies. His long cherished dream is however to explore photography as an Art form.
Why are you a photographer?
Photography is an opportunity to see things differently. To hold moments. I like to see things differently. My parents too had a big role to play in my choice of career.
My father, who maintained a  strict veneer thanks to a military mindset, had a sensitive side that he passed on to me. I remember once when I was very young and strolling with him in a garden, he pointed to a leaf high above and  said, “even leaves have eyes.” I took his word for it. I think it since then I have been observing things very differently.
My mother being a trained classical singer, I was  introduced to music rather subconsciously. Music being a regular thing in our household a sense of rhythm was infused into me.
Balance, rhythms, aesthetics, space, repetitions, flow, simplicity and an element of surprise are few of the very important senses in photography, like in life. How you amalgamate them, is what its all about. That’s why I am a photographer.

Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer’?
Photography was in my subconscious. I pursued it as a hobby when I was a schoolboy. It was during my college years at Fergusson, Pune that  I got a scope to improve my knowledge in photography by interacting with the photogarphy professors of Fergusson College. Being a hostelite I had the privilege of having endless conversations, with the resident professors at night. We discussed photography over cutting chai and cigarette puffs. Sometimes on holidays I would tag along with them on mindless shooting escapades. I also happened to borrow an entry card, from a friend into British Council Library. This opened me to the world of techniques in photography. All of this was a process of learning for me. I don’t know when I “chose” to become a photographer. Photography chose me. It gave me freedom.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
No. I only knew of my love of a camera. In the world I grew up in “photography” as career was unheard of.
Who was the most influential personality on your career in photography?
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Edward Weston, Anni Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier, Bharat Sikka, Farookh Chotia… the list in endless.. I don’t stick to any one genre of photography. I like all of them. From Fashion, advertising to Fine Art. Dayanita Singh who I was very fortunate to have interacted with had once told me, “Its not important to learn techniques in photography. To become a good photographer you have to read good books, listen to good music, become a good human being.”

How has photography changed over the course of the last couple of decades? Is execution/art direction more important than it used to be?
I think the biggest change has been the advent new genres of photography. Today there are various genres that are finding acceptance with a discerning audience.
Yes. Execution and art direction is of the highest importance today. They are the third dimension in a two dimensional photography and helps make the image series more intriguing and interesting.

What do you think of the current state of Print Advertising photography in India? Is it at par with the work done worldwide?
I don’t think I am qualified to answer this. But with all the awards coming in, India I am sure is at par or even better in certain cases.

How do you define your work’s style?
Quick witted, simple and result oriented. I don’t repeat my best shots or angels.  I find it very boring.  I like  to try something new with every shoot.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit photography?
Not yet.
Any current work in Indian Advertising that you find exciting? Especially Print?
The works of Farokh Chotia, Bharat Sikka, Tarun Khiwal, Tarun Tarun are good. There are many more of course.

Whats your dream project?
To be assigned a project by Magnum Photos.

Who would you want to spend a dinner with?
With the magnum photographers, one at-a-time.

Whats on your iPod?
Indian Fusion music and IDM – Intelligent Dance Music.

Mac or PC?
Mac