Finding a Voice in the Noise: An Exclusive Interview with the Visionary Artist Pravin Tamang

Pravin Tamang is a seasoned visual storyteller who has spent over 13 years capturing the profound connection between people and the places they inhabit. Originally from Darjeeling, his journey has come full circle from the bustling energy of Delhi back to the serene landscapes of a rural organic farmstay, a transition that deeply informs his current perspective. Through his lens, he weaves intricate social narratives and visual stories that seek to find a meaningful place within the vast landscape of contemporary photography. His work is more than just imagery; it is an audacious attempt to leave a lasting mark on the craft by documenting the authentic essence of everyday life and heritage.

Thank you for joining us here today! could you please introduce yourself?

My name is Pravin Tamang, and I live in the heart of Darjeeling, a place that deeply informs my visual perspective. I started taking pictures over a decade ago, and that passion has evolved into a lifelong commitment to documenting the world around me. My work is dedicated to weaving visual stories and social narratives that capture the unique essence of both people and places. By returning to my roots, I aim to use my craft to leave a small but meaningful mark on the vast landscape of contemporary photography.

What first drew you to street photography—and how did you discover it? 

Street is accessible, free and it provides some of the best real drama of life woven by little details that are authentic and extraordinary at the same time. Street gives you access to real people and real moments and there is nothing more fascinating to me than the normality of life, the everyday mundane and create something special out of these simple moments.

I actually never planned to be a street photographer and i still do not really consider myself a pure street photographer, its just happened that my love for life around the street started getting manifested through my images.

Please share some of your memories of art & street photography?

I have always admired art, not just photography but art in general. I remember i used to buy cheap art book called the Great Artist Series from the streets in Kolkata and was introduced to some of the greatest painters and their work. I love paintings and works of the masters like Monet, Caravaggio, Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper and many more.

I like to instill some aspects of these painters in my images in some form or the other (unsuccessfully many times). It could be composition, exposure and and most times, the mood.

What makes street photography so special for you?

I like normality of life, the monotony and mundane. These moments are unique to everyday and every individual but never repeated exactly. I like to think that streets provide us with endless possibilities and opportunities to just observe and create something special through our images. It is like curating moments that will eventually become part of our history.

When did you start shooting and how did this love for photography happen?

I really started shooting over a decade ago. I bought a really cheap used film camera from the streets in Delhi and wasted a hell lot of films, but i got the hang of it eventually, i was quickly drawn towards digital cameras and how easy it was, not just using it but also made incredible sense financially in the long run. I was travelling a lot during the time and was taking pictures of everything, we all start with taking closeup shots of flowers and think it is rather artistic in the beginning and then we learn from our errors and much practice. Photography is an absolutely beautiful thing.

How does black and white vs color play into your work?

I take both color and black and white, but i am mostly drawn toward black and white. It is simply timeless. No distractions and you can quickly take your viewers to where you want them to be. However, as you learn a bit more about black and white, it is not as easy as it seems, you need to really start seeing things in black and white, imagine, compose and expose in monotone and that will eventually help you in your editing process.

White shooting color, i like to keep the colors to minimum, they are toned down a lot on my images. I honestly think i am not a great color photography guy and find some of the photographers work in color truly mind-blowing.

What was the proudest moment in your photography career so far?

I am yet to experience that however, i live my greatest moments when i am in the process of taking pictures, i love the process more than the outcome itself.

What is a good photograph for you?

Something that pulls you towards it, keeps you there for a long time and you remember it all your life.

What are some of your favorite books on street photography?

My all time favorite books are Fan Ho - Hongkong Yesterday, All About Saul Leiter, Marc Riboud in China, Elliott Erwitt - Personal Best, Alex Webb - Istanbul, city of a 100 Names to name a few.

What are your thoughts on working on single images versus projects?

In my opinion projects serves as a purpose to express a photographer's expanded feeling about a given subject. Whereas, single image serves as a feeling about a moment in time that a photographer shares with the viewers.

When you are out shooting—how much of it is instinctual versus planned?

They are both relevant. Sometimes i go out with an intent for an outcome. And many times i am out on the streets shooting what i feel at the specific moment, there is nothing planned about streets in general, the streets happen and you capture those moments that are presented to you. The beauty of spontaneous shooting is that those moments are never repeated ever again.

Who are some of your favorite classic photographers, and how did they influence you?

Fan Ho, Sebastiao Salgado, Hong-Oai Don, Marc Riboud, these photographers have inspired me to go out and shoot constantly. Their capacity to tell human stories are just incredible and so very inspiring.

Apart from photography, what are your interests and hobbies?

Travel.

The Street Photo Collective wants to thank you once again for this interview. Do you have some tips for budding street photographers?

Practice a lot. Go out and shoot everyday, you do not need to have a fancy camera, your mobile phone can take amazing photos and teach you a lot about exposure and composition but you can only sharpen your skills by doing it every day.

Pravin Tamang, Interviewed by Prashant Mishra, Street Photo Collective