Dabboo Ratnani is a name that is synonymous with celebrity and fashion photography. Celebrities swear by him and so do designers and fashionistas. His annual calendars are a thing that everyone waits for through the year and the who‘s who of Bollywood feature in them! We spoke to the brilliant and charismatic Dabboo regarding his journey of 25 years in the industry. Excerpts:
 

What do you think are the key learning that you have taken from your career over the years? You will complete 25 years in the industry this year. Are you thinking of something special to celebrate it in terms of photography/project etc?

Yes, this is my 25th year in the industry and it is going great. It has been an amazing run. I am still enjoying as much as I used to. I still take shoots like as if it is my first day at work. I feel that fire, the energy. I enjoy it as much as I used to in day one of my photography. So even when I shoot today, I always think ‘let’s try something new today. Let’s try something different, let’s try a new angle, maybe a new lens, maybe a new camera, a new lighting accessory, something that keeps me excited’. I feel that it has kept me going, something that keeps me really fired up with regards to my shoot, my profession.

One thing that I stress upon is that nowadays people have better access to equipment than what we had but that will not make you a brilliant photographer. It is not only about the equipment, it has a lot to do with the aesthetics of a photographer, it has a lot to do with how a photographer frames the shot, how he sees the model, how he is going to style the model. People are so worried about equipment these days – whether it should be a mirrorless or a DSLR, or should it be a medium format and so on. It has a lot to do with the vision of the photographer, the concept, the whole feel – everything is created by the photographer.

Having been in this field for so many years do you feel exhausted sometimes? How do you motivate yourself at such times?

It has been an amazing 25 years. I wouldn’t say I get exhausted, but I think travelling, watching movies or listening to music helps me to create and think differently every time. So, I feel that you need to inspire yourself. You need to find an inspiration, whatever that inspiration may be! It is very relative and may be very different for every person. I love watching movies, videos on the internet, I love watching TV shows. I get inspiration from everything and I think one must draw inspiration from wherever they can. So even something like walking down the street or at the gym on the treadmill – wherever I get some me-time, I am constantly thinking of concepts. So you should always be open. I think photography is pretty much in Manisha and my blood stream now! Our mind is always working around ‘Okay what can we do next for the shoot’. Every place we travel to, we are always looking- ‘Oh, we must come back for a shoot here’. It doesn’t exhaust me but if it does exhaust anyone, I think you need to find your outlet and inspiration.

What really goes on behind all the glitz when it comes to shooting and executing a shoot with a celebrity since most people feel it might be very glamorous?

Most people feel that shooting celebrities or a model or a fashion shoot, or a location shoot or an outdoor campaign, people feel that ‘Oh, wow! You travel to these exotic locations, you visit these amazing palaces, wherever you are shooting, you are really enjoying your life. It is so cool that you are hanging out with models, with actors.‘
But people do not realise the amount of stress and hard work that goes into it! Right from planning the whole thing, the whole responsibility, the pressures that we go through at a shoot – when it is outdoor – it could be the weather, it could be the sun, taking care of the whole crew, there is so much that goes into every shoot. Specially with celebrities, time management is very important. Photo shoots are just one of the things they do, they have so much more that they do in a day. You have to capitalise the maximum amount of time you get from them. There are times when we are time bound, there is pressure, there is so much going on. One has to be really really quick specially with shooting fashion and celebrities – you do not want to miss the moment.

In the last 2 years what is that one memorable shot (captured/viewed) that has really moved you?

I shot a photograph of Tiger Shroff hanging from a crane at a construction site which is one of the most memorable shots that I have taken in the last two years. The whole feel, the mood, the lighting, the impact of the shot and the way his attitude is, his body language, everything is completely beautiful in that shot. The response that I got when I published it in my calendar as well was incredible, because everybody, usually on a desk calendar, prefers to see more of close-ups and mid shots where you can see the celebrity clearly in front of you and in this case it was a full length shot and he isn’t even looking into the camera and although it is a full length shot, you can easily see it is Tiger Shroff. It was my first photoshoot with him ever, and he was a real sport!

Read the full interview in Asian Photography Magazine’s August Issue.

1. How did you get into photography being a full time engineer?

   I was working as an electrical engineer and looking for a creative outlet everyday after I got off work. Luckily I worked about 15 minutes from the beach in San Diego which made it easy to catch the sunset every day. I’d go for a run, surf, or just shoot almost every day! I was pretty fortunate to start sharing my work on Instagram and before I knew it, people were sharing my sunset shots all throughout Southern California. What started as an after work hobby somehow snowballed into the job I have today doing photo and video projects around the world.
   
   
   
   

2. Does the engineer in you have an affect on the photography you shoot?

   Even though engineering and photography seemingly use different sides of the brain, I’ve always thought there were more parallels than people realized. Looking for angles, lines, and calculating settings and their effects on the picture all require a bit of a technical understanding. One of the things I love most about photography is how everyone views the world differently. Taking photos is my way to share the vibrancy and electric energy I feel each time I visit a location.
   
   
   
   

3. What are your sources of inspiration?

   I’m inspired by the people and landscapes which make each destination unique from one another. When I’m on the beaches at home, there’s a genuine enjoyment amongst the people around me and it’s my job to try to capture that energy in a photo. Same goes for when I travel. I love trying to convey the feeling of the destination through my work. In terms of outside inspiration, I’m drawn to those who have a unique eye. I enjoy following photographers who are able to visit a place I’m familiar with, but through their creative eye capture it in a new way.
   
   
   
   

4. As a content creator, how much time you spend on planning, shooting, and editing?

   When it comes to planning out pictures, I spend less time than most others in my field. When I’m traveling to a new destination, there’s obviously quite a bit of effort that goes into researching which places to visit and what the best times to go are. When I’m at home, I wing it almost every time. There’s too many variables that I have no control over like surf conditions, changing light, subjects in shots, etc. which make planning a shot not really realistic. I also think the more you plan an exact picture and have expectations for an outcome, the more likely you’re letdown if conditions aren’t how you thought they’d be. I have a really run and gun style. I very rarely shoot with a tripod and I love running around and getting as many different looking pics from a variety of angles as I can. Editing is when I have the real fun. I love pushing the boundary of light and color in my work. I’ve always been drawn to neon colors and trying to recreate that energy in my pictures is always the goal!
   
   
   
   

5. What are the three new things you learnt in the past year about photography?

   I’m always learning new things about photography as I travel. I’ve learned that expectations doom trips. Go in with an open mind and eagerness to explore and you’ll never be letdown! I also learned that the people you surround yourself with are more important than the destination. I’ve had the best times ever in mediocre destinations and conversely trips to bucket list locations that weren’t that fun due to the people on the trip. Always build memories with those you care about! Finally, I learned to be appreciative of where I call home. I’ve been to remote islands and on top of some of the wildest mountains in the world, but I’d still pick a beach day at home with my friends and family.
   
   
   
   

6. What are the best memories behind some of your favourite photographs?

   I love capturing my friends and families in travel photos. Having a person in the scene really helps me remember the people I was able to share my experience with. Sometimes when I’m home and can’t find someone to shoot with, I’ll default to landscape photography. As fun as it is capturing a sunset photo at the beach, I’d much rather grab the pic with a subtle human element to it.
   
   
   
   

7. In order to be a good travel photographer what are the other areas of knowledgethat are critical apart from photography?

   One of the most important things is the ability to be flexible and adapt to changes quickly. Very rarely do trips go exactly as planned. There’s road closures, random thunderstorms, language barriers, and a myriad of other challenges that stand in the way of you and getting the shots you’re hoping for. You have to be able to pivot quickly from original plans and make new ones instantaneously. This all goes back to the important of having fewer expectations and living in the moment.
   
   
   
   

8. What’s the story that you like to communicate with your pictures and how do you get your photographs to do that?

   One thing I like to preach is the beauty in each day. Whether it’s a morning walk, taking a break in the middle of the day, or even just catching the sunset after work, I think it’s important to take a few minutes to yourself each day. There’s enough stressful things in life and I don’t think we all take the time to relax and take a deep breath. I try to have my photography be a visual escape for someone having a stressful day. Whether someone scrolls by for a quick second on Instagram or takes a minute to look at the scene, I hope to help people unwind a bit from the business of life and provide inspiration for anyone who needs it. I try to push my edits a bit more surreal to capture this. I emphasize light and color and try to transport someone to a relaxing and dreamy world.
   
   
   
   

9. What are the top 3 things you look for in a great travel photograph?

   I think it’s important to tell a story. Anyone can take a photo, but there a far fewer people who can captivate you with their work and make you think for a second. Building on that point, I look for photos that make me pause. We live in a world of quick attention spans and people scroll so fast through their phones. Photos that make me stop and think are the ones I always come back to. Finally, I look for creativity. Everyone knows the view at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park or Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park. I don’t think people should stop visiting these locations just because they’re overshot but I love it when someone can capture that view in a refreshing and creative way.
   
   
   
   

10. What are a few tips you would give someone who wants to pursue travel photography

    Start local and grow from there. Your own backyard is a great launching pad into the world. Next, go on road trips with your friends. This is an easy way to break in the feeling of being gone for days and the challenges of travel (keeping gear charged, being adaptable, chasing golden hour, etc.) Once you have a hang of some closer trips, it makes staying organized while traveling internationally that much easier.
    
    
    
    

11. What is your weapon of choice (Equipment)?

    As an engineer, I’m in love with everything Sony does. I think from a product evolution and evolving technology standpoint, they are progressing faster than all their competitors. I shoot with the Sony a7riii and also use the Rx0ii. I mainly shoot with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM lens but also use the 24mm f1.4, 12-24mm f4, 16-35mm f4, and 35mm f1.4. I also use a DJI Mavic Pro 2 for aerial work since the quality you get in that size can’t be beat.