{"id":41158,"date":"2025-07-17T08:35:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T08:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muse.international\/?p=41158"},"modified":"2025-07-17T15:11:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T15:11:22","slug":"rudransh-nagi-on-the-challenges-of-telling-real-stories-through-images","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muse.international\/index\/rudransh-nagi-on-the-challenges-of-telling-real-stories-through-images\/","title":{"rendered":"Rudransh Nagi on the Challenges of Telling Real Stories Through Images"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rudransh Nagi was expected to follow the family business until a brief view of Saturn and Jupiter through a telescope sparked his passion for photography. That moment led him to discover astrophotography and a new way of seeing the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q1. Congratulations on winning in the MUSE Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for this lovely award. Thank you to MUSE and the jury for selecting my work. I call myself an accidental photographer because, knowing my family history since the 1780s, not a single person from my family has gone on to become a photographer or work in any art field. I was destined to join the family business, so there was no reference or guidance for me\u2014no one to inspire me or even own a camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it was a cosmic sight that made me a photographer. During a school trip in 2007 to a nearby astronomy observatory, we were allowed to look at Saturn and Jupiter through a telescope for only five seconds. That remains the most impressive image I have ever seen. Curious, I started searching on Google and found an article about astrophotography, where I realized that photography can be more than just weddings, which is the norm here. Those rotating Saturn rings, Jupiter, and their moons saved and changed my life, leading me to this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This award is very special for many reasons. As I mentioned, without any fallback or guidance, I navigated photography on my own. It took over ten years of constant failure to hone my craft. I came incredibly close to giving up multiple times, as recently as 2022. Building a compelling story that resonates and makes people think is a long, slow process, requiring you to restart and redirect yourself over time to properly convey your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It brings me great joy that this important series on religion\u2014which can be a dangerous and even life-threatening subject where I am from\u2014has been recognized. I am glad it managed to touch the jury\u2019s heart. This is my first documentary project to be acknowledged, so it means a lot to me and will always be special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I let the story choose the photos for me\u2014focusing on the message I want to convey and what best supports it. The photos should complement the story properly. Sometimes an image is excellent but doesn\u2019t fit well with the narrative of the documentary series. After shooting, I let the images sit for a couple of days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t look at or think about them during this time. Once the recency bias fades, I start viewing them in sequence and print small passport-size photos to see how they look together in print. That\u2019s when the final selection happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q4. What first made you pick up a camera?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was going through a rough time in my life, dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, and came close to taking my own life. That experience made me want to express my feelings in a different way, as words were failing to convey what I was going through. It happened gradually, but eventually, I realized that photography made me feel safe, grounded, and gave me confidence in myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q5. What\u2019s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is difficult for me to pick just one genre of photography because I absolutely love them all. But if I had to choose, it would be documentary photography. I love telling stories and spending time with the subject or topic to see how it develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ongoing process of finding ways to improve a series is immensely satisfying. However, I also enjoy and work in fashion, conceptual, product, architecture, and studio photography equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gods Belong on the Walls<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore the journey of Daniel Gilpin<\/a>, the Platinum Winner of the 2025 MUSE Photography Awards. He explores vulnerability, identity, and the balance between strength and stillness, capturing raw, fleeting moments to create images that feel deeply human.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rudransh Nagi was expected to follow the family business until a brief view of Saturn and Jupiter through a telescope sparked his passion for photography. 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