Debrani Das: From Kolkata to New York City

4 Dec

Debrani Das is an accomplished street photographer based in Kolkata, recognized as a Fujifilm X Ambassador and a member of the Unexposed Collective. With a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering, she has successfully transitioned her analytical skills into a creative pursuit, finding joy in capturing the unseen and magical moments that unfold in everyday life on the streets. India, with its immense population and richly diverse culture, offers a vibrant backdrop for street photography. Debrani considers herself fortunate to hone her craft in such a dynamic environment, which inspires her to explore and engage with the world around her.

She believes that street photography serves as a powerful means of connection, allowing her to communicate without words. The process of creating these photographs is not just about capturing images; it is also a meditative journey that enables her to reflect and grow both as a photographer and as an individual.

In the summer of 2024, the Women Street Photographers (WSP) offered her a two-week artist residency as she was the winner of the Artist Residency call , which included the honour of holding a solo exhibition at the esteemed annual exhibition of Women Street Photographers Festival in collaboration with Leica Women Foto Project. Upon her arrival in New York City, Debrani experienced a blend of excitement and apprehension; however, she found the city to be welcoming and supportive. This unique opportunity represented a significant milestone in her artistic journey. During her residency, Debrani took the time to thoughtfully explore the city’s streets and alleys, embracing the belief that artistic expression flourishes amid challenges. She discovered that the true essence of photography in New York often resides in its hidden gems. Her exhibition prominently featured the Staten Island Ferry project, highlighting the city’s rich cultural diversity. Although she encountered some constraints regarding space and time, Debrani committed four intensive days aboard the ferry to craft a cohesive body of work that reflects her vision.

– We found it interesting to be able to compare your experience in two such different realities. Obviously, the two-week professional full immersion is very different from everyday life, which allows choices to be made over time, but it would be interesting to know, through your words, how you reacted to this total difference.

This was not only an artist residency for me but also my first solo trip. I was mentally prepared to accept all the challenges. I was positive and NYC welcomed me with open arms. It gave me a sense of freedom and I was enjoying photography 24*7 . A break from day to day life made me more focused and each passing day made me a more confident woman. Exploring NYC by myself means not only seeing but also accepting the city it is. It is the challenges , the differences we face that help us to make the person we are today. With the Guidance of Gulnara Samoilova, founder and curator of Women Street Photographers and Nina Welch-kling, NYC felt like my second home.

– You speak of the stillness of Milwaukee versus the hustle and bustle of Kolkata. We wonder if New York felt a little more like Kolkata because of its vibrancy or if the fact that it’s quintessentially the USA meant it was more akin to Milwaukee.

I stayed in Milwaukee for a few years and the stillness of that city made me realise how my home, my India is different from this city. Kolkata is the cultural capital of India, a melting pot of many religions that celebrates diversified cultures through its people. The vibrant colours of the lanes create a fantastic mood. Every nook and corner is busting with life and laughter. Staying in Milwaukee made me realise how lucky I am that Kolkata is my hometown and India my motherland. Then, I visited NYC, and it changed my perspective. Though the two cities have different vibes, they feel very similar. I realised the heartbeats of these two famous cities, Kolkata and NYC, rely on their people. It is the mixed culture which ties the knot between the two cities. The diversified culture makes NYC more similar to Kolkata.

– Keef Charles has been lucky enough to visit Kolkata and Varanasi and felt remarkably safe and at home in both cities. How does shooting in the USA feel for you in this respect? Is it any more or less comfortable than shooting back home in India?

A city is made with its people. When, as a photographer, you respect your surroundings and people, in most cases, you will be treated and greeted the same. Carrying a positive aura and smile always helps others to feel safe around you and you also feel safe.

Of course, home is where our hearts are, and it is the safest place for many of us. India is my home, and Kolkata is where I live. The people of India are known for being humble and welcoming nature. They know how to celebrate life irrespective of their financial status. Being a native Indian it always feels safe to be in the streets of India with a camera. But when you push yourself out of your comfort zone then you discover a new you. When I visited NYC this April, I was confident but nervous. This was my first solo tour after all and the pressure was tremendous as I had to produce a cohesive body of work for the solo exhibition. I started shooting from the day I landed as I had time constraints, and capturing a city that was the most photographed was a challenge. The more I explored the city the more I was amazed. New York is not only a city with a mixed culture but the people are so engrossed in their own world that they hardly pay attention. So, as a woman photographer in the new city, I felt I could use the magic wand to be invisible, and each passing day made me more confident. When you feel confident about what you do, you feel safe.

– What stands out when comparing your shots is that your narrative sensitivity remains unchanged. After reading some of your interviews, it's clear that photography holds a certain magic for you. You describe your camera as a bridge connecting you to the outside world, allowing you to be a witness who can capture those "magical" moments that might otherwise disappear. I was particularly struck by your description of the moments you seek: they are marked by "lyrical and often magical simplicity." I believe this was also evident in your work on the NYC Ferry, correct?

Of course

For me, holding a camera gives me a special power to communicate in a muted way, and I can see magic happening in front of my eyes. It’s been more than 7 years since I'm practicing street photography and I believe a sense of my own style has developed. So It’s the soul of the scene that I am always inclined to. The more simple the scene is, the harder it is to capture. The Staten Ferry project is all about Finding lyrical flow and telling stories through daily life scenes which we often miss to recognise and I hope viewers can relate and understand the project which I tried to tell in my way.