Art is a manifestation of emotion which people understand, admire and indulge. In some cases emotion is passed on to the younger generation. As the case of Pulak Kumar Dutta, who is cop by profession but a lens man by passion.
Photographers are visual artists whose creative impulses are replicated through their cameras and their creations with light and shadow create a mystic grandeur. Lensmen either instantly catch the moment of expression or wait for the right moment. As the painter creates his or her work of art on the canvas, a photographer decides the subject and accordingly manipulates the elements of the camera to capture the images seen by their eyes into their cameras, believes the Ofcer in Charge of Watgunge Police Station.
There are around 40 types of photographic elds, and people choose them according to their interests. Some are amateur photographers while the professional photographers capture images to earn a living. Further, a professional photographer might be a photojournalist who sends the images to a newspaper or a magazine. A good photographer requires diligence, determination and many other qualities to capture the perfect moment. Such qualities are embossed in Pulak Kumar Dutta, who also happens to be an eloquent amateur photographer.
A 1991 batch ofcer, Pulak Kumar Dutta has been serving in Kolkata Police since the age of 22. He rst started using his father’s camera at the age of 15 and then garnered his interest in photography from him. His father also had huge interest in this eld and so could mentor him well. He learnt a lot from him, from handling the camera to clicking the perfect pictures. Reminiscing that day, he said “In 1998, my father gifted me a camera, a Nikon F55, and my happiness knew no bounds. I used to take various shots with that camera and experimented with it. I loved clicking pictures of different bird species. It helped in raising my learning curve.” He wishes to train himself with a professional photographer to sharpen his skills. He consults his photographs for reviews with Ujjal Ghose, a forest ofcer and his friend.
He travels with his family and friends every year during the holidays to experience the beauty of nature. He has trekked in Sandakphu and other places. He uses a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera for his photographic ventures. He goes through many photographic publications as well. He said “In my years of experience, I have learnt that light is the key in photography. A good photographer must have a sound concept in mannerisms of light. Additionally, there are other aspects like Depth of Field and Depth of Focus, shutter speed, aperture, etc. to put emphasis on.”
Apart from capturing natural scenes, especially forests, hills and mountains, he also clicks photographs related to work occasionally, such as blood donation camps organized by the Kolkata Police and co-ordination meetings. He carries his camera with him and at times at his ofce. Whenever he gets leisure time, he switches his camera on and starts capturing. Such is his zeal for photography,he has received many compliments from his peers and friends for his skills. He has plans to take up digital videography after his retirement. When he was posted at Karaya Police Station, he visited the Ice Skating Rink regularly with his camera for capturing the events organized there.
The seasoned police officer said “My son is very much interested in photography as well. When he was just growing up, he wanted to borrow my camera for his ventures but I seldom handed the device to him. But now I have bought him a camera and we don’t have to jostle with one camera.” He laughs. Photography interests run in his family according to him. His wife too occasionally advises him during his shoots, pointing out what to capture.
Anirban Saha
