Interview with Anik Rahman
Please introduce yourself
I was born in 1988 at Dhaka, Bangladesh. I am a self taught freelance photojournalist based in Bangladesh, represented by Nur Photo Agency, Italy. I am mostly interested in human rights, climate change, politics, social stories and environmental issues. These things dragged me to set my carrier as a photojournalist. My photographs have been exhibited in local and international exhibitions. I have also earned numerous publications locally and internationally for my singles and stories. I have won major photojournalism awards like NPPA, POYi, ND Photography Award, Black and White Spider Award. My work has been selected in Opendorder Festival and Fotorama Fest. I was the finalist in Photocrati Fund Competition and Magnum 30 Under 30. I was selected for Angkor Photo Workshop also. Apart from this I have done numerous private assignments with some local & foreign NGO. Now I am living and working in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
How did you get interested in photography?
It was happened within a glance. I love to watch documentary films. One night I had nothing to do without watching a film. I started searching for a war film. Then I found “War Photographer”. That documentary gave a big buzz in my inner side. And then suddenly I decided that photography is the best way to tell the untold humanitarian stories. And for this I have to be a photographer and then I took the camera.
Do you have an artistic/photographic background?
Not at all. At first I get help from almost every photographer around me. After that my works, my frustration, my success have teach me how to take a good photo. I’m still on the journey.
Which artist/photographer inspired your art?
James Nachtway is a big inspiration for me. His photos and words, he used to describe his works is still running in my vein. He somehow made me a photographer without knowing me.
Apart from this the work of Robert Capa, Kevin Carter, Victor Jorgensen, José Couso, Pep Bonet, Marcus Bleasdale, Javier Manzano, Francesco Zizola, Alejandro Chaskielberg and Kevin Frayer have inspired me a lot. I am also inspired by some of the photographers from Bangladesh. They are Rashid Talukder, GMB Akash, Abir Abdullah, MR Hasan, Khaled Hasan, Saiful Huq Omi and Munem Wasif.
How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph?
It depends where I am going to shoot. If its about shooting in my city then I prefer to go out with my camera and notepad only. When I go out Dhaka for a particular story then I study about the content and make a sketch to work on it. And take the proper gear and safety tools to complete the story.
Could you please tell us something about your technique and creating process?
The best technique about my work is my eye. I try to make the photos just what I see. I talk with people a lot to know their story. And I don’t think about the story line before shooting or my target audience or how I can get publication. My story line is depended on the story I see through my subject. I simply try to take the best moments I have seen. Then I sit with myself along with the contact sheet to put good visual shape into my story. And the best creating process of my work is “No Compromise”.
If I have to talk with my gear then YES I had a very frustrating time. I didn’t have the money to buy a good camera. I had a Nikon D40 and Nikon 18-55 mm lens for almost 2 years which I borrowed from a friend. This camera was a 6Megapixel camera. But these frustrations have taught me that camera is nothing. You can make photos with anything. But now I think good days have come. I’m using a Canon 5D Mark II with Canon 28mm f2.8.
What do you do in your life besides photography?
I don’t have any other job except photography. I mostly spend my time with photography.
What future plans do you have? What projects would you like to accomplish?
I have a dream about making a photo book and a solo exhibition in near future. But still I don’t know when. But I’ll surely do it. And at this moment I’m working on climate change of Bangladesh. And there are some other works in the pipeline. I hope I can publish them as soon as possible.
Website: www.anikrahman.com