We had the pleasure of connecting with Goutam Maiti, a seasoned professional in both the EdTech industry and the world of street photography. In our conversation, he shared valuable insights into his creative journey, the qualities that have shaped his growth as a photographer, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. We’re excited to share his inspiring thoughts with you below.

Goutam, tell us about yourself. who you are, what you do, and how you found your way into this creative career. Was there a defining moment or a gradual realization that led you to photography?

I am a Kolkata-based senior professional with extensive experience in the Indian EdTech sector, currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at Schoolnet India Limited. Alongside my professional career, I have been deeply dedicated to visual storytelling for the past nine years, specializing in documentary and street photography. My passion lies in capturing the raw, intimate moments of people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and showcasing the vibrant essence of street life.

My photographic journey began with an interest in wildlife and landscapes, but it was street photography that truly resonated with me. The fleeting, unique moments that capture the interplay of success and failure felt deeply connected to my own experiences, leading me to realize that street photography was the path I had been searching for. This genre of photography allows me to express my perception of the world while embarking on a continuous journey of self-discovery.

As a child, I was drawn to painting, and over time, my fascination with photography grew, especially as it offered the unique ability to freeze moments in time for eternity. I began with a fixed-focus point-and-shoot camera during my school days, which marked the humble beginning of my photographic journey. My interest then evolved into bird and wildlife photography, and for the last nine years, I have focused primarily on street photography.

I am fortunate to have had my work recognized and published by esteemed platforms such as the Paris International Photo Award 2024, Street Macadam, JPC, Nat Geo Daily Dozen, 121 Clicks, IPA Magazine, Lensculture, and Chiiz Magazine. My photographs have been featured on several international street photography platforms, which inspires me to continue capturing powerful moments that tell compelling stories and evoke deep emotions in viewers.

Your work goes beyond simply capturing moments; it unveils hidden stories. What thought process goes into selecting the narratives you present? Is it intuition, a sense of curiosity, or perhaps something more profound that attracts you to specific subjects?

As a street photographer, selecting narratives is more than just capturing moments—it’s about sensing the rhythm of the streets and recognizing the stories hidden in plain sight. Intuition is my guide. Often, I’m drawn to a scene before I even understand why. It could be the way light carves through an alley, the fleeting tension in a gesture, or the contrast between solitude and chaos in an urban landscape. These subtle cues compel me to raise my camera. Curiosity drives me forward. I walk through the streets wondering about the lives behind each face, the emotions behind each glance, the stories unfolding in a single second. Every frame is a fragment of a larger narrative—some universal, like love, resilience, and struggle; others deeply rooted in the culture of a place. But beyond intuition and curiosity, there’s an emotional connection. I don’t just document people; I observe, engage, and feel the energy of their world. The most powerful images come from moments that stir something within me—empathy, nostalgia, or even discomfort. If a scene moves me, I know it has the potential to resonate with others. Ultimately, street photography is about distilling raw, unscripted life into a single frame. It’s about revealing the poetry in the everyday, giving a voice to the unnoticed, and telling stories that words often fail to express.

People often say that photography is like a conversation between the person taking the picture and the world around them. How has your photography changed the way you connect with your environment and the people you photograph?

Street photography has changed the way I connect with both my surroundings and the people I photograph. It has turned everyday moments into meaningful encounters, where every street, every shadow, and every fleeting glance feels like part of an ongoing conversation between me and the world. At first, I was simply looking for visually striking scenes. But over time, photography became less about taking pictures and more about understanding. I started noticing the quiet poetry in daily life—a vendor lost in thought, a child mesmerized by the rain, an elderly couple sharing a silent moment amid the city’s rush. These aren’t just images; they are unscripted stories unfolding in real-time. This shift in perspective has also changed the way I interact with people. Some moments require silent observation, allowing life to unfold naturally. Others invite connection—a shared smile, a nod of acknowledgment, or even a brief conversation before I press the shutter. I’ve become more mindful of the space I enter, the emotions I capture, and the responsibility that comes with documenting real lives.

A lot of photographers use color to make their photos pop, but your “Shades of Grey” series dove into the richness of black and white. What draws you to black and white photography, and how does it shift the way you see a scene?

Black and white photography strips an image down to its essence—light, shadow, texture, and emotion. In my Shades of Grey series, I wasn’t just removing color; I was amplifying the rawness of a moment. Without the distraction of vibrant hues, the viewer is drawn to the depth of a scene—the way light carves out details, the contrast between movement and stillness, the emotions etched on a face. What draws me to black and white is its timelessness. It distills a scene into its purest form, allowing me to focus on composition, contrast, and storytelling. It also adds a sense of mystery—by removing the familiarity that color brings, it invites the viewer to engage differently, to interpret rather than just observe. Shooting in black and white changes how I see the world. I start looking beyond colors and instead focus on shapes, lines, and shadows. A sliver of light on a rainy street, the deep creases of an old man’s hands, the interplay of silhouettes in an alley—these elements take on a new life when color is stripped away. For me, black and white isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about clarity. It allows me to tell stories with a kind of raw honesty, where emotions, contrasts, and textures take center stage.

To capture the essence of street photography, you need a keen eye for those little details that most people walk right past. How do you teach yourself to see the amazing in the everyday? Does it come down to having patience, a good intuition, or just putting in a lot of time and practice?

Seeing the extraordinary in the everyday is something that comes with time—it’s a balance of patience, intuition, and constant practice. Patience is essential. The streets are always in motion, but the most powerful moments often happen in between the chaos—a fleeting glance, a quiet gesture, the way light and shadow dance on a textured wall. Learning to slow down and truly observe allows these moments to emerge. Intuition also plays a big role. Over time, I’ve developed a sense of anticipation—an ability to read body language, sense rhythms, and predict when something interesting is about to unfold. This comes from immersing myself in the streets, studying human interactions, and understanding the pulse of a place. But ultimately, it all comes down to practice. The more time I spend photographing, the more I train my eye to notice details that others might overlook—a reflection in a puddle, the contrast of emotions in a crowd, or the perfect symmetry of an unplanned scene. With experience, the ordinary begins to feel rich with hidden stories. Street photography is about being fully present, embracing spontaneity, and constantly looking deeper. The more you train your eye, the more you realize that every street, every passerby, every fleeting second holds something worth capturing.

Reflecting on your journey, what three qualities, skills, or bodies of knowledge do you feel had the greatest impact? And for those just starting out, what guidance can you offer on how they might best cultivate or refine these aspects?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have had the greatest impact on my growth as a street photographer: keen observation, patience, and emotional connection.

Observation – Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Street photography is about noticing what others overlook—the way light carves through an alley, the rhythm of a bustling market, or the fleeting expressions that tell silent stories. The more you train your eye, the more you begin to see layers in everyday life. To develop this skill, slow down and take the time to observe before you shoot. Look for patterns, contrasts, and gestures. Spend a day simply watching, mentally composing frames without taking a single photo. This practice sharpens your ability to truly see.

Patience – Letting Moments Unfold
The streets are unpredictable, and the best images often require waiting for the perfect alignment of people, movement, and emotion. It’s not about snapping quickly; it’s about anticipating and capturing the right moment. To cultivate patience, find an interesting scene and stay with it. Observe how it evolves over time. Be ready, but don’t rush. The more time you spend waiting, the more the streets will reveal their stories.

Emotional Connection – Photographing with Feeling
A strong street photograph isn’t just about composition or timing; it’s about emotion. The most powerful images resonate because they capture something real—whether it’s solitude, joy, tension, or resilience. To develop emotional connection, engage with your surroundings, even if it’s just through observation. Pay close attention to people’s body language and emotions. Ask yourself: What does this moment feel like? If a scene moves you, it will likely move others as well.

Advice for Beginners:
Shoot often, but take time to reflect on your work. Study the greats, but don’t chase trends—find your own voice. Above all, be patient. The streets have endless stories to tell, but they only reveal themselves to those who truly look.

Post-processing plays a significant role in photography today. What software do you use to edit your work, and what’s your philosophy when it comes to editing? Do you aim to enhance reality, or do you see editing as part of the storytelling process?

To me a street photograph should always depict the sense of place, time and people. And for that its very important to maintain the authenticity of the photograph. And since a street photograph does only capture the fleeting moment which cannot be enacted or reproduced again, it should be left to its authentic base. Hence, I do post processing only for the sake of composing, recomposing, maintaining the light and colour balance. And ideally I Don’t spend more that 2 -3 minutes for post processing a photograph. I use Adobe Photoshop and Camera Raw for the Post Processing.

What’s next for you? Are there any new projects, locations, or concepts you’re eager to explore? How do you see your work evolving in the coming years?

As a street photographer, I am always seeking new ways to evolve my craft and explore fresh perspectives. While Kolkata continues to inspire me, I am also drawn to capturing the essence of life in other cities, uncovering diverse narratives, and experimenting with new storytelling techniques.

In the coming years, I envision my work becoming more immersive, focusing on long-form projects that delve deeper into the human experience. I am also keen on engaging with the photography community through collaborations, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

At its core, my photography remains driven by the desire to document authentic human moments—capturing the beauty, struggles, and fleeting emotions that define everyday life. My aim is to present these stories in a way that resonates with viewers, sparks meaningful conversations, and brings unseen perspectives to light.

Website : https://www.goutammaiti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goutam.maiti

Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/goutamonstreet

Image Credits
Goutam Maiti

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