For many years, now, Zul Siwani has been shooting children and capturing their innocence on camera. After having a wide range of his work featured with editorial in renowned national magazines, he is turning a teacher.

We speak to the man about what his journey has been like and what he plans for the future.

How did you start photography?
It was a gradual shift from a hobby to being taken up professionally. When I was in school I was more inclined towards becoming a film-maker and my father was also in to making ad films. My father made many ad films and he used to bring the left over reels home which used to be a good 30 to 40 feet of unexposed reels. 

These leftovers from my father’s shoots became my material of experiment. I started utilising these reels for my use. I used to take them to my dark room. I used to shoot the neighbourhood, shoot story boards, so while kids my age were busy doing what they could do best as kids I was doing my best, shooting and taking pictures.

Have you had any formal education in the field?
While I was doing my graduation I had started working as an assistant to Siddharth Kak on a documentary film project. Later I also worked for a stint in Lintas (now Lowe Lintas) and worked on various ad films etc. However, I soon realised that I could not work for someone and decided to go solo. I started working as a wedding photographer since my second year in college. I was also toying with experimental film making. There were no other courses other than the one in JJ and my parents insisted that I complete my graduation in a subject that can help me make back up plans so I am a Bachelor of Arts’ in English.

No, I don’t have any formal education in the field. I learned all my photography from books, there was no internet then (smiles). I also indulged in aplenty experiments and I must say that I have gained a lot through the trial and error exercise.

Out of all the genres that you work in, which is your favourite? Why?
Since is started off as a wedding photographer and even as a kid I made a lot of story boards and I have also done a majority work in story board making, people have always been there in my shots and I really enjoy shooting people. I have also done table-top, children photography, fashion, etc. I have also done a lot of editorials and I enjoy that a lot more because I have a good scope to exercise my creativity.

In people also I love shooting kids in particular. I think it is splendid to shoot with kids. If one is fast and ready one can have a wonderful time shooting with kids. And if you have got the timing right going through the images after the shoot is over is a greater delight.

Well but don’t just limit me to the genres, there is another branch of photography that I enjoy, which is teaching. I have been teaching photography for a couple of years now and I enjoy it to the hilt. I enjoy being around the young ones and see them come up with new work day after day. I love talking photography and since my wife cannot always lend me a kind ear, my students are a good vent for my pent up talks on photography. (laughs)

Nowadays the kids have it easy with digital cameras, but I like to meet students who still make an effort and show capacity to work on their skills and not go for the easy way out – digital retouching.

How do you maintain a work life balance?
There is no such thing as a Sunday for a photographer. Photography is always there with you no matter where you are. Even when I am on a day off I tend to spend my time on a photography website or read up on the latest upgrades in the fields of photography etc. And after all, there is quite a lot to read about the latest models and developments in photography, after all a new model is introduced in the market every second day! (laughs)

I believe this is the difference between a nine to five job and making your passion your occupation! It is enjoyable no doubt and it remains with you all the time no matter where you are what you are up to. So whether I am with  friends or family photography, is what’s on my mind.

What according to you is the difference between shooting for leisure and shooting on assignment?If you ask me, editorials for me are leisure, I enjoy doing editorials and like I said before it allows me to use my creativity. It can be all the more fun to work on editorials with enthusiastic models who take interest in the shoot.

It is said that the camera is an extension of the eye. Your comments on this.
A lot of people around have begun to talk about latest equipment, upgrades and it is all about the mega pixels now. All the new photographers will be seen talking about megapixels! But I really feel that your camera models' competence should really be the last thing on your mind when shooting. How the image turns out or what you want to shoot depends on what you want to use the image for.

It’s all in the mind and one needs to think, see, compose and shoot. A good shot that reflects your thought behind the image can be taken with any simple camera. Yes, I agree that in a way the camera is an extension of the eye.

Which camera model are you using currently?
I am using a Nikon D 40X. However I don’t use it with the new lens I still continue to use my old lens.

Your thoughts on Art photography
For me a black and white image is a work of art! Whenever I look at a black and white image I really feel I am looking at a piece of art. It looks like art to me. I have not really experimented or tried my hand in the field.

I feel any image that touches you and can evoke a certain response from you is good photography regardless of the discrimination of art or commercial.

Any experiences during shoots that you would like to share with us?
I don’t know how funny it will sound if I had to describe it. This one time that I was shooting for a kid’s portfolio the child’s mother who had accompanied him on the shoot was the one who was more excited about the shoot and she was fun to be around also. So, there I was shooting a portfolio of an eight-month old baby who just won’t enjoy the attention and the mother desperate to get the shots right. The expressions and the sounds that the mother made to cheer the baby were material enough for an entire separate photo shoot. (laughs) Frankly, I was finding that more interesting than the baby that day.

Till date when I think about the shoot, I sometimes wish if I had a video recorder then, I would have video shot the entire episode and kept it with me for the rest of my life.

After an image of the baby had appeared in Femina magazine I received a very warm and kind letter from the lady and I must say that I was truly touched by her gesture and the content of the letter. The letter was so well written that it felt like an award in itself.

Photos by Zul Siwani | Fotosocial