Photojournalist for Reuters, Arko Datta, urges others only to take up photojournalism if they’re madly in love with it. 

Why did you choose to pursue photojournalism as opposed to other forms of photography?
For me, the camera, unlike the painter’s brush, represents a tool for depicting reality and truth, bound by the images coming through the lens. Its very essence is realism - as they say, “the camera never lies”. While I definitely see photography as an expression of one’s creativity, and that’s what appeals to me the most, it’s also about the unrestrained and uncompromisable truth. Photojournalism is a very potent combination of creativity and being relevant, and that has drawn me towards it from a very young age.

Who do you look to for inspiration?
Excellent work inspires me, be it from well-known photographers or greenhorns. And to know of photographers who have pushed the limits of photojournalism is inspiring. Apart from that, my mother has been my biggest role model and my wife is my constant motivator.

Your photo of an Indian woman mourning a relative killed in the Asian tsunami won the World Press Photo Award in 2004.  Why do you think your photo stood out from the competition?

The World Press Photo Awards attracts the best photojournalistic work from professionals across the world. Not only would it be unfair on my part, but it would be too humbling for me to compare their work with mine. Photography is subjective and I am fortunate that the judges liked my work, but for me all the award-winning pictures are very powerful and awe-inspiring images of our times.

Your job has taken you to war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq.  What steps do you take to ensure your safety?
My office, Thomson Reuters, ensures that all journalists who have to work in war zones or any other hostile environment undertake a proper “hostile environment safety course” conducted by professionals.

Apart from that, experience in the field definitely counts. It helps a lot in risk assessment.

You are based in the Mumbai office of Reuters and covered the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November. Can you describe the experience?
Covering a disaster or violence, especially like the recent attacks in Mumbai, can be emotionally much more intense than covering similar events away from one’s hometown.  Anything close to home is much more unnerving, but one has to keep his or her emotions and fears under check. If you don’t, you can’t do a professional coverage. This job can’t be done in an emotional state. It’s all about apertures, shutter speeds, lenses, composition, deadlines and telling the story unfolding in front of you, with the utmost objectivity. Of course, at the end of the day, all the pent-up emotions come back to you and each person has to find his own way of confronting and overcoming them. 

Your job demands you to photograph others in times of great distress. Have there been times when you didn't take a photo because it didn't feel right?
There have been several times when I haven’t taken a photo because of either an ethical or a legal issue. We have to tread a fine line, balancing privacy issues and justifiable news coverage. Often, when we have felt that the coverage is moving from proper news coverage to paparazzi-style photography, we have pulled out of the coverage. However it’s a very subjective call as to what constitutes proper news coverage and what doesn’t. So this is a regular dilemma we have to face on the field.

Photojournalism must be emotionally draining. How do you stop yourself from burning out?
Yes, it’s true that photojournalism is emotionally draining and each assignment does tend to affect the photographer’s mind, especially when the assignment involves covering tragic events. And slowly, over the years, most photojournalists tend to become changed people, without even realising it. Each photojournalist has to find his or her own way to cope with negative emotions. In the case of Reuters journalists, our office also provides post-trauma counselling for those who have covered intense tragic events.

For me, talking to my wife about my experiences and listening to music work like very effective forms of therapy.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of becoming a photojournalist?
Become a photojournalist only if you are madly in love with it. It’s not just a profession; it’s a way of life.

All images copyright Reuters 

More photos by Arko Datta | Fotosocial