Rohan Tulpule is a professional freelance photographer from Kalyan from a middle-class background, where even the thought of making a career in co-curricular space is abstract but Rohan made sure to turn the tables by putting rigorous efforts in the craft. His career started in the year 2012, after getting inspired by his commerce professor, who is a wildlife photographer. Apart from mesmerizing with his artwork, Rohan traditionally follows football and is an orthodox goalkeeper himself. He is also passionate about cycling and traveling. Rohan has achieved many milestones such as clicking the best photograph in Tamron Photo Challenge and stood at first place in Asian Paints Photography Competition.

His story is surely going to make the budding photographers aware of how to be consistent in this path.

We are keen to know; how did your journey begin?

I met Avirat Shete Sir, who is into wildlife photography and he has fostered my interest in the same. To be very precise, my journey began in 2012, probably after 2 years of graduation.

Know me Beyond Photography

What were the hardships/hurdles you’ve encountered and how did you overcome them in your journey?

I had to start from scratch as I had no one from my family who was into photography. I had no camera, and buying one also came with a lot of arguments to deal with. I spent all my savings as well as all that I earned during that period to buy my first camera. Also, the boudoir photography art form had a lot of judgments. I even had a tough time hunting for models.

Who has been your influencer in this journey & how?

Atul Kasbekar, Arjun Mark, Rohan Shrestha, Tarun Khilwal and many more. Their lighting, style, creativity and angle judgment has influenced me a lot in my career.

Tell us something about your GURU?

 My Gurus were Rakesh Kulkarni and Pranath at National Institute of Photography, Mumbai. They taught me about the better way to perceive things and capture the most of it in one go.

Success is incomplete without its share of setbacks. What advice would you give to others about handling them?

Indeed, climbing without stepping down is like a myth. I also had setbacks, the company I was working for though had weekends off, I always was over-worked, to be specific. I’ll suggest if you’re working for someone, keep them informed prior to your shoots and schedules for the same. Keep your work ready before deadline so that prior preps could be made. Always keep your point clear that, 'Don’t give up on passion'.

Do you think Photography and its learnings can be helpful in life even if one does not want to consider it as a career?

Yes obviously! ‘Moments are precious and captured pictures depict story’. Anything and everything seem better when it is in the form that could be witnessed. If not professionally, at least everyone should have some knowledge about basic photography. We all can’t keep a photographer handy at each place we visit. So, even if not as a career but basic learnings will always be helpful to capture tiny yet special moments.

What are the pre-coaching essentials e.g. Right age, mindset or any other?

Try to learn controlling camera in manual mode, go through concepts and keep brushing on them. Right age is a myth, all you need is a potential.

How has technology transformed the world of Photography?

Photography was expensive back in time because of the limitations of film rolls, irrespective of how assured you are of a good click. Now you can immediately have a look and delete what doesn’t fit your perception. Also, photoshops have evolved on a tremendous note.

What according to you is scope of Photography in India?

Photography according to me has a vast scope. Due to the evolving new digital concepts like E-commerce photography, Product photography, Travel photography, etc.

If you were to bring one big change in the way people get trained in Photography what would that be?

I would really appreciate if students are taught to have a structured approach and develop it in the best way and not just photograph for the sake of it. Also, inculcate the habit of doing homework, which includes going through concepts just to reassure that you make the most out of it. And, also the recce of the location.

Your piece of advice to parents who are skeptical about their children taking up a career in any co-curricular activities?

Working with no interest restricts the creativity and that is when extra-curricular activities peep in fostering our creativity. Growth is what matters though. So, let your kids explore what their soul craves along with whatever career they pick.

Your piece of advice to the youth of our country?

Technology is growing fast, stay updated, follow who inspires you, read articles and do whatever makes you feel content. In the end, it’s a competition that is won by whoever overtakes.

What is your success mantra?

“Experimenting and learning simultaneously. Do whatever you feel like without any second thoughts and stay updated, stay as a part of this path”

Which was “that” moment when you considered yourself as “I Am The 1”?

This question is contradictory to the thoughts that I hold. I will forever prefer learning and growing. I feel that this is enough, I am afraid, I will end up losing things that life has given me. Every moment I am growing, I feel as “I Am The 1”.

Any other thoughts you want to share?

Not really. Just, make sure you stop once a while to appreciate how far you have come and how fair you have been. Try to lift as many as people you can on your path cause knowledge and power is something that increases when you share.