Exploring Art in Photography Rid Burman

In the day and age of intelligent technologies and camera phones in every pocket, it takes someone truly exceptional to recognise the art of photography. Rid Burman has been a photographer for as long as he can remember. In this exclusive conversation, he shares his journey in photography and his love for this medium.

by Yatindra Soperna and Rakesh Agarwal

Growing up with celebrity artists Jayasri Burman and Paresh Maity, photographer Rid Burman chose to carve his own path albeit with significant influence from his talented parents. He credits the depth and poetic touch of his photographs to his parents’ art that surrounded his childhood.

“I think they hugely impacted my profession because I started looking at a commercial project from a largely artistic point of view. I want to bring that seriousness and discipline of good art to that project. So I think that foundation was built because I grew up with art around me.”

Travelling down the memory lane

Burman’s first assignment was for Kingfisher Airlines' in-flight magazine, Hi! Blitz. He had to photograph Kareena Kapoor for the cover. Naturally, as a novice photographer, he was nervous to be on the set with such a successful actress. He reminisces about how Kareena, despite her stardom, put him at ease. There has been no looking back since.

When asked what he would like to revive from the past, Burman excitedly mentions old cameras and printing images on film. “A lot of my work is all about printing interventions. It is going back to the darkroom and playing with light on light-sensitive surfaces and putting objects in the middle and creating these odd shapes. So initially photography started with exposing light to light-sensitive chemistry. I love playing with that. It's about energy exchange.”

Burman has taken up this habit from his father Paresh Maity, who also loves shooting on film cameras. The two together indulge in photography whenever the family goes on vacation.

Such is the influence of his parents that Burman would not have been a photographer had he been born in some other family. “I would have been an investment banker or something like that.” There’s another reason for his career choices. Rid Burman views photography as a dying art in modern times. While he prefers much seriousness in his projects, he believes others are not treating the profession equally.

Future of Photography

“People want to post pictures on their social media feeds. Now, when you're doing 50 pictures, you're compromising. You're not looking at it with a finer lens. I would like to take seven to eight beautiful photographs in one day. That strife for perfection doesn't exist anymore. Everyone calls themselves a photographer these days with a camera phone. So it's become commoditized. It's not an art anymore.”

People want to post pictures on their social media feeds. Now, when you're doing 50 pictures, you're compromising. You're not looking at it with a finer lens. I like to take seven to eight beautiful photographs in one day.

Rid Burman

Regardless, there are a few of Burman’s peers who are doing great work and have earned admiration from the photographer himself. He closely follows the work of Abhishek Khedekar and Bharat Sikka. “For an Indian photographer of my generation, Bharat is one to look up to, he paved the way for a new aesthetic. And that's the aesthetic that a lot of us are following today. And then more generations are hitching to the same trend. But he was the pioneer of that. Abhishek works with him while assisting others and pursuing his art. I love the stuff that they are working on.”

Seeing the distressing situation of photography, we pondered if Burman would like to keep the fire alive and become a teacher of the art. He instantly responded that one can teach the principles of photography, but the art itself cannot be taught. “I would love to teach because I like conversations and meeting people. If the aspirants know that the path is difficult and if they still choose to come on board because they're very passionate and they want to follow what their heart is saying, then it's a different story.”

Home of a Traveller

Even though he feels most at home in Mumbai, Burman is constantly on the move for some project or the other. His wanderer spirit has also contributed towards how he perceives art and photography. Years of travel, whether with his parents or his wife Laura Gavrilenko, have made him the man he is today.

“We're creative people. We need space. We can't be a factory of ideas or creativity. I just switch off for a month to wander, take a walking trip or go hiking.

Burman says his second home, Paris, grounds him and makes him slow down. With art all around, the city rejuvenates him and inspires him to implement new ideas. His philosophy is simple. He needs art around him to create art.

Evident in his vast portfolio from projects for Conde Nast and Elle to commercial shoots for Adidas and Taj Hotels, vivid contrast of colours and an abstract story find their way into every one of his photographs. Over the years, Rid has expanded his expertise and become one of the most sought-after modern photographers.

However, Burman’s skills go far beyond art and photography. He is currently working on a book on his marriage which he promises will be a cinematic experience for readers. Burman wants to release the story in different volumes aligning with his personal experiences and all the ups and downs of the relationship. We conclude on an enterprising note as Burman shares his plans to start directing soon. Being behind the lens for many years has given him an edge and an understanding of the medium. One thing is certain, for a driven artist like Rid Burman, taking anything from ordinary to extraordinary is par for the course. v

Burman’s skills go far beyond art and photography. He is currently working on a book on his marriage which he promises will be a cinematic experience for readers.