In our popular series "In the Spotlight" , we bring you another inspiring interview with Shoba Jolly. Without saying much, let's hear about her in her own words...
1. About you: Tell us about the place, where you were born; your education, and profession.
I was born in Chennai. I have done my B.com (Hons) from Lady Shri Ram college, Delhi. I then ran a plastics manufacturing unit in Okhla, Delhi for 22 years. After that i wanted to give vent to my creative side and decided to express myself through photography.
2. Your photography experience: Tell us since when you've been taking pictures. When did you start taking photography seriously?
I began my photography career in 2010 . After doing a short course at Apex (Academy for Photographic Excellence) in Vasant Vihar Delhi, I taught myself photography through workshops in India and abroad.
3. What are your key areas of photography - travel/street/landscape/
wildlife/wedding/portraits/
I specialise in Street photography, portrait, travel, and fine art photography. I have had many exhibitions in Delhi at renowned galleries. I also took part at the India Art Fair 2017 and 2018, which is the largest international Art Fair in Asia. My latest achievement is to be awarded the BR Ambedkar Award for my contribution to the Arts and Photography, August this year.
I use a Canon 5D Mark 3 DSLR camera with a variety of lenses. This camera, though heavy gives superb results technically including in low light.
4. What is so special about your city/country and its life/culture? Has photography changed your outlook/vision about your surroundings?
My country , India is a boon for photographers from all over the world. We have very diverse cultures from different parts of the country and there is so much history ,tradition, festivals, colour and stories to capture wherever you may be. Yes photography has made me intensely aware of my surroundings and i have recently completed a project on Street Children called "UNSEEN" . More about this can be seen on my Facebook page at shobajollyphotography and on my Instagram page by the same name.
5. What are your sources of inspirations? Do you have some favorite photographers? How do you keep yourself motivated? How do you approach people for their pictures?
My list of favourite photographers keeps evolving as time goes on, but i have drawn inspiration from Raghu Rai, Steve Mc Curry, David Alan Harvey, Prabuddha Dasgupta to name a few.
6. What piece of advice do you wish to give to aspiring/budding photographers, fans, and readers of the post?
My advice to budding photographers is "Just Do It!! " meaning the more you photograph the better you will become. Taking inspiration from renowned photographers, and learning through practical workshops also helps. Mostly, one should,over time concentrate on photographing a body of work on any topic that you believe in, and develop a style of one's own to express that.
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