How Many Iconic Photos Have You Taken?
When discussing the masters of street photography, it is accurate to say that their portfolios often consist of only a handful of iconic images, regardless of their lengthy experience in the field. Personally, I can relate to this, as I have about three images in my own modest collection that I truly admire and consider to be iconic within my own sphere. This particular photograph is one of them. I captured it on New Year's Day, 2020, on the active railroad tracks at the Dhakuria Railway Colony in Kolkata. While the presence of a passing train at that precise moment would have enhanced the image, I cannot expect everything to align perfectly unless I resort to Photoshopping.
To me, this image represents more than just a timeless and memorable moment preserved in my mind. It serves as a reminder that even in places plagued by hardship, people can thrive against all odds, regardless of the danger, unsanitary conditions, or apparent chaos. Human beings are remarkably adaptable and resilient. Portraying locations of general hardship solely as gloomy and doomed overlooks the reality and does a disservice to the truth. Such portrayals are likely driven by personal narratives or opinions that are fundamentally mistaken. When I photograph documentary subjects, I strive to clear my mind of personal judgments. My focus is on capturing moments rather than constructing a predetermined narrative or story.
The last time I photographed the railway colony was in November of the previous year. I hope to revisit the area sometime this year, in pursuit of similar fleeting moments.
