Page 17 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 90 | MARCH 2018

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Millennium Bridge

Clockwise from left to
right: Doi Inthanon;
Evening in Hong
Kong; Central Park

o
of other photographers and creators on Instagram, and I can only hope that f other photographers and creators on Instagram, and I can only hope that
my photographs can perhaps one day inspire someone to travel somewhere,
my photographs can perhaps one day inspire someone to travel somewhere,
pursue some experience, or try something new with their own craft. The mutual
pursue some experience, or try something new with their own craft. The mutual
interdependence between the creator and the community that exists on online
platforms such as Instagram, has helped me personally grow my skill set, pushed West Coast Sunrise in New York
me to learn, and drives me to improve.
in with fresh snowfall, amazing food, the welcoming vibes at Park City, and most
What would you say sets your work apart from other photographers? importantly, the incredible #TeamPixel members who I now call friends, I can say
When photographing, I always ask myself, what it is that I can do to add to the the trip was nothing short of magical.
moment, or how would this look if it was taken in my imaginary perfect day? As
photography becomes more accessible, and camera quality improves, I think what You’ve travelled around the world, from Asia to the United States. What would you
sets one apart is imagination and the willingness to go beyond the technicalities. say has been the most fascinating place to photograph?
While I do believe without the proper foundation or base photo, you can’t really Apart from my home city of Bangkok, I would have to pick New York City. I fi nd
do much, editing and post-processing is where I see myself really adding value to the city to truly embody the spirit of dreamers, and the energy that the diverse
my photographs. population brings is just truly fascinating. New York has some of my favourite
restaurants, coff ee shops and dessert spots, and as a huge foodie, that is always
In your opinion, what is the key to an important factor to consider when travelling. The fi rst time I visited New York
taking the perfect picture? was six years ago, and since then I’ve been back 10 times, but each trip has always
In my opinion, there is no such thing as been diff erent. The city is just so big, and with the vast number of hot spots that
the ‘perfect picture.’ Photography, like all exist, I fi nd that I still have so many places in New York that I want to visit and
art, is very personal and depends entirely photograph.
on taste. If I went back and re-processed
a photograph I took a year ago, it would Any advice to other students on how to balance academic life with
look very diff erent, simply because I am extracurricular activities?
not the same person today as I was then. Education always comes fi rst, but education doesn’t always have to come from
Nevertheless, my advice for those starting school. It is important to focus on doing the best you can in your studies, but also
out is to always consider composition and equally important that you make the time to partake in a hobby, or be involved in
perspective. Think of how you compose a social setting, like joining a club.
your subject — where they are in the frame As an international student, it was also very important to me that I explored
and how they fi ll the frame. Next, think of the city, what it had to off er, and engage with the local community larger than
where you are as the photographer – are you that which exists on campus. For me, it was through photography that I was able
shooting straight on, or do you want to lie to go out and roam the streets of Boston, taking in all that it has to off er.
down on the ground and shoot upwards? By the Sea
What do you do to unwind on weekends?
How did you become a part of Google’s #TeamPixel? Unfortunately, while school is on, weekends aren’t always down time. A lot of
Last summer, I was contacted by an agency, who was fi nding creators to promote group projects tend to meet then, so I can end up working right through the day,
the release of Google’s Pixel 2 phone. Through this campaign, I created three but usually when I am free, I end up either on Netfl ix or reaching out to one of the
unique pieces of content that was shared on my account early to mid-November. friends that I’ve made through Instagram and heading out to photograph and grab
Late in December, I received an email from a representative at Google inviting me some coff ee.
to join the ambassadorship programme on a more long-term basis, because they
liked the content I had created for the release campaign. What keeps you motivated every day?
Externally, my family. My grandparents and parents are the hardest workers I
What does it mean to be a brand ambassador for Google’s Pixel devices? know and their relentless eff orts are what keep me striving for more. Internally, it
What are some of your responsibilities? is the drive to leave behind something that can be remembered by, and to know
As brand ambassador, I am expected to occasionally create and share content that perhaps one day I can make a mark on someone else’s life for the better, even
that promotes the hardware, as well as work closely with marketing teams at if it is just one person.
Google to develop co-directed editorials and campaigns for the product. Through
the programme, I am also very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend events In your opinion, where do you see the future of photography heading?
with Google, representing #TeamPixel, and additionally creating and sharing I think at this point, with the surge of photographers being able to reach larger
content from those experiences. audiences with social media, social photography and storytelling will really be at
the forefront of successful photographers. Taking beautiful photographs will no
Tell us about your experience at the Sundance Film Festival with Google. Did longer be enough — with a globalised audience, photographs will instead have to
you get to meet any celebrities? convey emotion, meaning and a story.
Sundance was truly inspirational. It was my fi rst time attending a fi lm festival, and
was also my fi rst trip with #TeamPixel. While the trip was only four days long, I What do you plan to do after university? Do you have any plans to move
truly had a great time enjoying the variety of activities Park City had to off er. I got back to Thailand?
the chance to attend premiere screenings of two incredible fi lms, as well as the Yes. I don’t think I can call anywhere else home. As for my plans, I am still
after-parties hosted each night by YouTube and Google. undecided at the moment.
Over the course of my time there, I was also lucky enough to see Nick
Off erman, Ted Danson, Tessa Thompson, Jack Black, Jonah Hill, Keira Knightley All pictures seen on these pages were taken by Sukrit. To fi nd out more about
and Priyanka Chopra. Some up close as I walked passed them, some from across Sukrit and his stunning portfolio, visit his Instagram: @sukrits_25
the street, and others at the premieres. Seeing these stars who I have always Offi cial website: www.sukritsrisakulchawla.com
admired in the setting of Sundance may have already been really great, but mixed

ALL- A C CESS INT O B ANGK OK ’ S C ONTEMP OR AR Y INDIAN LIFEST YLE