Vijit is a freelance photographer based in Bombay. He loves playing with light and has been learning from the best (Martin Prihoda). Is a fitness enthusiast (mainly basketball and cross fit). Briefly did a client servicing internship with Lowe Lintas just after college and realised that he had to jump onto the ‘other side’.
Why are you a photographer?
Because photography allows me to express, travel, meet new people everyday, learn new things and have new experiences.
Do you remember any decisive moment when you felt ‘I want to be a photographer’?
After my stint at Lintas for about 20 months, I moved back home (Ahmedabad) to figure out what to do with life and picked up my dad’s old Pentax Mesuper and started shooting randomly trying to make use of whatever time i was wasting. It really got my attention and i quickly enrolled myself into a basic workshop at NID Ahmedabad. After meddling around with the camera for a few months i contacted my old friends at the agency and hustled an assisting job for Martin Prihoda. That was it.
Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
Michael Jordan. All the way!
Who was the most influential personality on your career in photography?
Two people. Prabuddha Dasgupta & Martin Prihoda.
How has photography changed over the course of the last couple of decades? Is execution/art direction more important than it used to be?
Its tough to point out really but i have definitely seen it go towards a more clean, minimal, organic kind of a vibe. Less is more seems to be the new mantra.
What do you think of the current state of Print Advertising photography in India? Is it at par with the work done worldwide?
It’s definitely getting there. Clients and agencies are pushing boundaries time and again and it’s a fortunate time to be in the business amidst this transition.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere. Artists, films, music, paintings, photographers, people, daily commutes, most of the times from my day-dreaming.
Was there any time when you wanted to quit photography?
I’m just starting to love it now…
Any current work in Indian Advertising that you find exciting? Especially Print?
Breakbounce Campaign. Each image is created with such acute attention to detail.
Whats your dream project?
Too many dream projects to list just one but i would pick something around photojournalism.
Who would you want to spend a dinner with?
Michael Jordan.
What’s on your iPod?
Sting, Jamiroquai, Judas Priest, Nicolas Jaar, Paradis, Ajja.
Mac or PC?
Mac.
What’s your Twitter Handle?
Vijitgutpa23
