A shot captured by Kishor Sharma while living with the Rautes last year. Only 125 remain of the foraging tribe of Rautes in the western mountains of Nepal. KATHMANDU, June 25: Twenty-eight-year-old Kishore K Sharma has been a photographer for eight years, and he says, “I haven’t had enough of it.”
Working as a photography assistant at photo.circle, a platform for emerging and professional photographers in Nepal, and himself a freelance photographer, Sharma says that knowing one’s field is important for excellence.
And it’s his knowledge that’s is being acknowledged in the form of a selection of this work on the Nepali nomadic group called Raute for an exhibition organized by Majority Agency, in partnership with The Guardian UK, which will run from July 3 to 26 at the King’s Place in London.
Republica caught up with Sharma for a session.
How did you get into photography?
I was always interested in photography but I started it only after 2004. There was a workshop by an Indian photographer who inspired me and I took it on from there. Right now, because of my interest in photography, media and basically telling stories, I’m studying Mass Communications in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
How is the photography scene in Nepal?
The photography scene in Nepal has definitely gone up. It’s also because cameras have become cheaper and affordable and everyone has a DSLR. There are no film rolls, which makes it even cheaper. And there are platforms like photo.circle to show your skills off and there are a lot of talented people out there. I started with a Pentax (SLR) which I bought for Rs 8,000 and now I use a Canon 5D. Photography appeals to a lot of people and I’m one of them! However, I think a lot of them lack professionalism.
What are the projects you’re currently working on?
I work part-time with photo.circle as program assistant and I do a lot of freelancing. Also, I’m doing my project with the Rautes of West Nepal. It was a center-spread in The Week of Republica.
How rewarding is it being a photographer?
Before one tags himself as a photographer, he should know what he’s interested in. There are varied focuses in photography: newspaper photography, fashion photography, magazine photography, wedding photography, etc. So one needs to know where he wants to be and he’ll earn accordingly. I wouldn’t say it’s enough to pay your bills but things are changing and I’m positive about it.
What do you say to the youth who are interested in photography?
Know your field and then excel in it. It’s not easy being a photographer, and living in a city like Kathmandu is expensive. It’ll take some time to be recognized and you need to have a strong portfolio. It may take months to get a good photo story but it’ll be worth it in the end. Also, you can’t expect to get paid lavishly as soon as you become a photographer. So, again, decide and then move on.
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