Vipul dropped out of B.Tech and followed his passion for photography!

Vipul Tiwari- Lecturer (Photography), Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun 

"I am obsessed with photography since childhood. It has always been my passion. We had a reel camera when I was a child and I loved using it. I remember I clicked a picture of my village and everyone loved it. It is my favorite picture till date. When I was in 11th grade, a friend of mine bought a DSLR. I started using it and I soon became the photographer of my friend group. Everyone loved the pictures clicked by me and I loved clicking their photographs.

I was doing B.tech but I never had fascination in it. It always felt tedious to study PCM. My life was so monotonous. I've always been an adventurous person. Travel  and cookery shows have always attracted me. Whenever I used to see other children capturing photos or making videos, my heart wanted to be with them. I was not happy with B.tech. I wanted to quit B.tech and follow my heart. 

One day, I was travelling back home when I met a person. We had a casual conversation and that is when he told me about mass media and communication (BJMC). He told me how much fun it was to be in that course and how much they loved their work. I was so much mesmerised with every bit of it. Then and there, I decided I will quit B.tech and pursue BJMC. My soul could feel how much I belonged there. I told my parents about it and like any other Indian parents, they refused. I was upset at first but I continued my persuasion. They could see in my eyes how much I was dying to be there and eventually after about 15 days of struggle, they agreed.  Shahrukh Khan once said,"Agar tum kisi chee ko dil se chaaho, toh poori kaynaat tumhe usse milane me lag jaati hai" and I felt it that day. I finally got admission in BJMC.

The students of my batch already knew how to operate a camera but I did not know anything about it. I used to feel inferior in front of them. When I was in B.tech, I was the only one who used to click all the pictures of my friends and even teachers called me to click their pictures but here, in BJMC, everyone was perfect at their work. My morale went down. But then, I also started learning photography. Gradually, I became good at it and papa bought me a camera because he saw how much jovial I was after entering this course and how badly I wanted to make my career in this field. I would say, after one year of buying that camera, I actually started doing photography. Before that, I was just learning. Adding to it, I've been practicing photography from last five to six years, but its been just two years since I've understood it really well.

Photography is very easy for everyone. But the most important thing is what you want to convey with your photographs. Most people just click some pictures and call it photography. But the real meaning of photography doesn't mean just clicking good pictures. It is much more beyond that. According to me, photography is an art. But I think I'm still not capable to attain that art. It is so huge. For me, a photo is complete when I'm able to convey a message through it. If you go to my Instagram handle, every photo has a caption which wants to convey something. Photography is a source through which I express what I feel. Photography is my stress-buster. 

When I was a kid, I used to think I was the best in photography. But as I'm growing up, I think, as an artist there is much more to learn and explore about it. I know about the science of photography but the art in it is still unknown to me. I'm a professional photographer but when I'm doing it for myself, I think I'm still under the learning process. 

I'm currently pursuing MJMC and I'm a lecturer in the same college. I also do professional photo shoots. For me, no job is lesser than the other. If I've undertaken some work, I give my complete self to it. The madness I've for photography, is same in the case of all other jobs I do. I'm able to manage photography, teaching and also my studies because I want to do them. If I've no motivation to do these things, I won't be able to manage any of them. 

The biggest challenge I've faced in my career is financial condition. In my field, the equipments are most expensive. Another challenge was that we had ero experience of client dealing. But with time, everything was under control.

My parents are very proud of me.  I've a background of educators. All my family has been into teaching and now I'm also a lecturer. They're satisfied if I'm satisfied.

I just want to say keep doing mistakes because if you don't, you won't be able to learn anything. If you're ready to accept whatever comes your way but don't do anything for yourself, it will be wrong for you and you might have to regret all your life. People will keep telling you stick to one thing but till the time you aren't satisfied, keep changing and keep doing mistakes. Go where you find peace. Never run for money. Money will come to you automatically if you enjoy your work. Learn from your mistakes. Also, you need to understand what is your family background. 

I also want to tell all the parents to not force their kids into a course which is fancy but doesn't satisfy the child. If the child is not happy, he will never be able to give the maximum output. Please ask your children about their interests and let them pursue what they enjoy the most. Don't force your dreams on your children. Let them pursue what makes them happy. 

Life is a bed of roses. Sometimes, you get roses and sometimes its thorns. People criticise you in some way or the other but believe that if you're at some position, you're worth it. You always end up at that place where you belong. Also, you should never feel that you're supreme because it will lead to the death of your creativity. Listen to your heart, always. If you're satisfied with your work, just ignore what others say.

Instagram- @vipul_always

* The views expressed in the above article are of the writer and not Winged club.