My Thoughts

I do not want to be the PHOTOGRAPHER

Ray Goforth once said, “There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.” Well, it’s up to you to prove either of them right or follow the words of G.K. Chesterton who said, “I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.”

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. When this thought creeped up in my mind, I decided to add logic to my madness. The result, www.sudipbanik.com. When we talk of madness, it’s a proven fact more so endorsed by WHO that a good mental health improves the overall quality of life. On the contrary, a bad mental health may lead either to social isolation or emotional isolation or even both. Social isolation is an absence of social relationships. It is distinct from solitude, which is simply the state of being alone. Social isolation can occur in solitude or in the vicinity of others. Emotional isolation occurs when someone is unable or unwilling to share their emotions with others. Someone may be reluctant to discuss anything but the most superficial matters. Without emotional support, they may feel “shut down” or numb. I am one of you, this is me and this is my story.

I wouldn’t exactly use the word depression, for God has been kind enough to enrich me with a strong will power. My mantra of life being, ‘all that happens, actually happens for good’ and has actually seen me through turbulent times. But yes, even I was terrified at times, worried at times and not to mention definitely down at times. My eyes searched every nook and corner around with diminishing hope of finding an able shoulder to share the load of unsurmountable pressure dwelling upon me, pressure of deciding my future course after 10th, pressure of sustaining my expenses during my college days, pressure of running my family even though I was jobless, pressure of managing finances when my house was being built and last but not the least pressure of a private job with a constant fear of being terminated with the tag of a non-performer. Alas! I found none.

So what next? I would definitely not want anyone of you to be Sudip Banik, at the same time I would want you to be Sudip Banik. Confused! then this is definitely the right place to be in. When I say I don’t want you to be Sudip Banik, I mean the phase when I was in a delirium and had no one to guide me. At least, you have me if not anybody else. However, when I ask you to be Sudip Banik, I mean to say that create a space for yourself. Fight the odds, and create an identity of your own just like I did. www.sudipbanik.com wasn’t built in a day, it followed a dream, took years of dedication, undying passion and dogged perseverance to be where I am today. To all you beloved, I would like to share a simple philosophy of life. Follow it and definitely, you can do wonders. Just believe you’re not meant simply to be an occupant applauding a success story. Say to yourself, “I do not want to be a photographer, I want to be the person in the photo.” This is my journey and I welcome you aboard.