The Drama of Light

An interview with Abhishek Masurkar

Abhishek Masurkar won 1st Prize in our Colors competition with an image judge Stephen Wilkes praised for its dramatic composition and luminosity of color. Keen to know more about the circumstances behind the image, and to delve a little more into Abhishek’s background, process and passions, we put some questions to him…

Dear Abhishek, congratulations on winning our Colors competition. What did you make of the judge’s comments?

Winning the Colors competition was such an incredible honor, and hearing the judges’ comments only made the experience that much more meaningful. The judges’ words truly inspired me to keep following my own creative instincts and to pay close attention to the details that make each shot unique. It’s such a rush to see your hard work pay off and receive recognition from your community, and that feeling only motivates me to push through any challenges that come my way in pursuit of those perfect moments.

Can you tell us a little more about the event depicted in the image?

I’d be thrilled to! It all takes place in the small village of Phalen in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It’s a celebration that’s been passed down through the generations, all starting with a powerful dream that one villager had decades ago. In this dream, he saw an idol hidden beneath the ground in a specific spot in his village. The very next day, he rallied his fellow villagers and they set out to uncover the idol. And what do you know, they found it! As a result, this villager and his family were blessed with an incredible gift: the power to be immune to fire.

Now, every year during the festival of Holi, the villagers of Phalen come together to honor this amazing story. One member of the family that found the idol fasts and meditates in the temple for 40 days leading up to the full moon night of Holi. And at the stroke of midnight, the real celebration begins.

What makes this event so special is that it involves passing through a massive, wild demon of fire – the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The priest actually has to climb on top of a burning “Holika” before sprinting over it! It’s a breathtaking sight to behold, and the whole village gathers together to witness and cherish this incredible tradition.

And what about the circumstances behind the shot itself? The aerial viewpoint really emphasizes the incredible feat this man is undertaking. How did you go about capturing it?

The circumstances surrounding this shot were nothing short of incredible! Let me tell you, it was no easy feat getting there. I had to travel miles and miles to even learn about this hidden gem of an event in India. And once I arrived in the small village of Phalen, it was clear that this was not your typical tourist spot. There were no hotels or restaurants in sight – just a tight-knit community of people who were eager to share their traditions with me.

The locals were incredibly welcoming and kind, always offering me food and a place to rest despite having no formal accommodations for guests. It was a true testament to the spirit of Indian hospitality – or as we say in Sanskrit, “Aatithi Devo Bhava.” This philosophy is all about treating guests with the same respect and kindness as a God.

But getting the perfect shot was a whole other story. I had to arrive early and do some on-ground research to figure out the best vantage point. And once I found it, I had to hide out above a temple just 5 meters away from the massive “Holika” that the priest would eventually run over. I spent a nerve-wracking 8 hours up there, playing a game of hide-and-seek with the crowds below to avoid detection. And to top it all off, the full moon night was bone-chillingly cold, with the flames of the Holika passing dangerously close to where I was perched. But in the end, it was all worth it to capture this incredible moment from such a unique aerial perspective.

The palette of reds and oranges from the flames are almost overwhelming. How do you typically approach color in your photography?

Color attracts great emotions in photography! For me, it’s all about capturing the essence of a moment and using color to enhance the emotion and drama of the scene. I always strive to keep my photos as true to life as possible, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to push the boundaries a bit to create something truly special.

In this particular shot, the palette of reds and oranges from the flames was absolutely breathtaking. It was overwhelming in the best possible way – you could almost feel the heat emanating from the photo! To capture these colors, I had to be careful not to let them overpower the rest of the scene. But at the same time, I wanted them to be front and center, showcasing the intensity and power of the ritual.

So, in general, my approach to color is all about balance. I want to capture the true colors of the moment, while also using them to create a sense of drama and emotion in the final image. Whether it’s a vibrant sunset or a fiery ritual like this one, I always try to let the colors do the talking!

Can you tell us about one or two other shots your particularly proud of?

One that really stands out to me is a series I recently shot on the Transgender community. For years, I’ve been passionate about raising awareness around Trans issues, and I finally had the chance to bring that to life through my photography. In this particular series, I merged Fashion editorial with social awareness, creating a powerful visual narrative that highlighted the experiences of transgender individuals. I worked closely with my subjects to capture their true essence and create images that were both beautiful and meaningful.

Overall, I think my proudest moments as a photographer are when I’m able to use my skills and creativity to make a real impact, whether it’s raising awareness around social issues or simply capturing the beauty of the world around us.

You’re primarily a fashion and advertising photographer. How did you get onto this path?

I was always excited about light. When it used to fall on the right subject at the right time. I could feel the drama behind it. Photography was the right medium for me to capture this moment and preserve it for the viewers, to make them feel the moment anytime they want to.

And how do you balance creative expression with the demands of clients and brands? Are there any favorite projects you’ve worked on?

It’s all about finding the right balance. While it’s important to understand and fulfill the client’s requirements, it’s also crucial to bring my own unique perspective and creativity to the table. I try to collaborate closely with the client to understand their vision and then add my own creative touch to it.

As for favorite projects, I recently had the opportunity to work on a project with Canon, where I was able to shoot a silk rope artist in action. It involved a couple of dozen lights, and the end result was truly artistic and visually stunning. This project allowed me to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of my creativity, which is always a rewarding experience as a photographer.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?

The best piece of advice that has stayed with me is to never stop experimenting. Even if you fail, you have nothing to lose. As an artist, it’s important to create something that inspires the upcoming generation to appreciate and pursue the right kind of art. To truly capture a moment, you need to experience it, feel it and only then can you freeze it in time. There’s a certain life and story behind every artwork that you create, and you can’t replicate that by just commanding a computer to do it for you.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

Perhaps my proudest moment so far has been when I captured an image that was truly aligned with my vision and passion, and it received international recognition and appreciation. It was a gratifying experience to see that my art could transcend borders and connect with people across the world. The validation and acknowledgement of my work was a proud moment that fueled my passion to create more meaningful and impactful art.

And finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2023?

The year 2023 is going to be a thrilling one for me. I’m all set to explore new destinations, put my thoughts on paper, and capture the world through my lens. I’m planning to hit the road and travel to exotic locations to capture unique stories that would make an impact. Along with that, I’m also planning to pen down my experiences and share them with the world. And, of course, It won’t be content with just a pen and paper – I’ll be wielding my camera to freeze moments in time and create beautiful art that tells its own story. So, to sum it up, my plan for the rest of 2023 is to travel, write, and capture the world in all its beauty.