#LetsMeet: Sandeep Sumal +

I try to be as engaging on social media as I can. A while back, the talented photographer Sandeep asked for a theme to shoot for that day. I couldn’t resist, jumped on the opportunity and we chatted a bit. Threw a couple his way for him to choose from but he asked me for a single theme, so we settled on “Rituals”. Low and behold, not soon after he got back to me with a beautiful set of images.

Sandeep is a keen amateur photographer based in London and the south East. He took up film photography 3 years ago, not just for the process or the look but also to learn how to take pictures starting with the basics.

 

Check out his work and follow along on Twitter.

Rituals

There are many different definitions of the word ritual, many linked with religious ceremonies. Others talk about a ritual being a series of actions regularly followed. I was tasked with theming a days shoot around the word rituals. I photograph generally in the City of London as this is where I work and it got me thinking what would represent the theme in this area.

Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal

I focussed on the definition of a ritual being a series of actions regularly followed but it intrigued me to also explore if there was a religious element to this. I started my thought process around what are the rituals in the city. The first thing that came to mind was commuting, the endless zombie-like way we move in the city, the cabs lined up on their ranks, the wait at the same bus-stop in the same place every day, but somehow this didn’t quite resonate with me.

Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
What occurred to me most, was that there was actually one ritual happening each time: it was my ritual behind the camera.

Walking around at lunchtime I observed there were there were two types of people out on the street and it occurred to me this is their ‘ritual’ every lunchtime. One set is always on the street getting their lunch, often sitting in the same place and nearly always on their phone. The phone has now become their focal point, it directs their behaviors and controls their movements (or lack of) most would be lost without it, indeed you could say it is the one thing they worship above any other.

Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal

The other set are the runners on The Embankment. Every day, kitted up, must get my run in, I know my route, this is what I do, this is what makes me who I am, this Is my ritual. However, what occurred to me most about the day and my thoughts, was there was actually only one ritual happening each time, in each and every shot. It was my ritual behind the camera taking the shot and these images are the results.

Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal
Let's Explore Magazine x Sandeep Sumal

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