Capturing Spaces: Atik Bheda's Architectural Photography Odyssey
Showcase is an effort by 58Miles to bring beautiful journeys of some of the amazing photographers of India & aboard . You will read about their journey , techniques , style and can see the outcome of their art in stunning frames. We asked them some questions to deep dive in to space and here we are....
Introducing 58Miles showcase photographer Atik Bheda from Navsari
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in photography?
I belong to a small town in western India - Navsari. As a kid, I was fascinated by the heritage buildings in my town, which added to my passion for buildings and led me to pursue architecture at an undergraduate level. This formal training helped me gain a sense of composition, proportions, sense of framing and understanding of light.
Being a student of the discipline helped me transform my enthusiasm for the built environment and creative imagination into systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding.Although I have had no formal training as a photographer, being an architect gives me an inherent sensibility that helps me connect to the space I occupy and document.
Around the age of 16, my parents got me a phone with a basic VGA camera. What started out as me fidgeting with the camera ended up being much more meaningful today.As a keen learner, I loved experimenting with the frames and gradually developed a curiosity to try and make seemingly everyday things look interesting. The teen years had me exploring the town fueled by my passion for architecture and photography, leading me to explore nooks and alleys of my native that I would not have otherwise.
With time the passion increased, and I looked forward to more possibilities of capturing the right frame with the right light. I believe that somewhere I knew this was my calling and that I might end up a patron of the passion for life.
What inspires your photography, and how do you choose your subjects or themes?
My subjects and themes are mostly constant i.e. An architect works really hard to realise the ambience of a space that was visualised at the initial stages. When that is achieved, the building shines in its natural self, which is what I love to capture; spaces as intended by architects, without any form of staging.
I feel inspiration comes from everywhere! Work of other photographers, movies, music, nature, anything and everything. The Internet has surely made the world a smaller place, making everything accessible, even inspiration.
Apart from that, I make sure to take time to go out on the streets and try out new things with frames and compositions. I believe that indulging in personal projects is equally necessary for me to channel my creativity. It gives me the freedom to make mistakes because there I have no restrictions or deadlines. This helps in finding a new approach to a particular context, which helps me hone my skill set, reflecting the finesse in professional shoots.
While for my personal projects, I perceive the space the way I want to; on an assignment, I try to put my client’s perspective along with my understanding of the space. The balance of these two is what, I feel, creates a good photograph.
What has been your most memorable photography project or shoot, or any inspiring story around it, and why?
Upon my first visit to the site, I was overwhelmed by its sheer magnitude. Capturing the entire space in photographs seemed daunting, especially balancing the architect’s vision with my perspective. The concrete structure had a poetic rhythm, but condensing its essence into photos was challenging.
On the recce day, I took quick shots to understand the light and scale. After discussions with the architect, I chose to shoot in March for better light quality in Ahmedabad. As the two-day shoot approached, I planned specific frames, focusing on the central double-height space and the front facade. I embraced the building’s strong geometric elements, aiming for simplicity in framing and capturing the organic movement of people. This approach added dynamism and a documentary feel to the shoot. One primary challenge was waiting for workers to align naturally in my frames, requiring patience and instinct. Often shooting handheld, I relied on a documentary mindset, which paid off by allowing me to capture the genuine essence of the space.
Through my photographs, I aimed to convey the architectural experience and bring the design to a wider audience. I use natural light exclusively, believing in capturing the built environment in its natural element. This project resonated with me deeply, and I wanted to highlight the materials used, especially concrete. In my photos, concrete shines in its modest glory, allowing viewers to appreciate its magnificence.
This project not only honed my skills but also deepened my appreciation for architectural photography. The experience of overcoming challenges through observation, adaptability, and spontaneity made it memorable and inspiring.
What is your photography kit ? or we would say, what is in your camera bag?
I mostly carry a Nikon Z6ii with 24-70mm lens. For some shoots, I additionally carry a 14-30mm lens. Other than that, I usually have my laptop and charger, camera battery charger, 3-4 filters
like ND, CPL, etc.
What advice would you give to photographers who are just starting out and looking to make a name for themselves?
I myself am starting out so I am not qualified to give any advice. I can rather suggest just to be patient. What has worked for me well is look and learn; many platforms publish beautiful architecture projects, keep looking at them, keep analyzing them, understand how it was framed, what went before taking this picture, how it is edited, what the photographer must have thought to take the picture at the position that they did.
You can find Atik Bheda on:
Instagram : atikbheda