Namya Chadha
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I remember this photograph vividly. My phone resting on top of my pink and grey crocs. The
bright yellow case of my phone stands out, and in the dark reflection of the screen, you can see
me. Hi, I am Namya and this is me holding my camera while my hair tousled slightly by the
breeze. Every frame, every scene, is a part of my story. The sand below, lightly scattered with
small stems, adds to the quietness of the moment. It’s not that dramatic shot, but it takes me
back to that calm, reflective space at Kalapathar beach when I was traveling to Andaman with
my parents.
For the past few months, I’ve been feeling creatively blocked. I’ve avoided my camera while
working on my film, and it’s taken a toll on my mental and physical health. But when my family
decided to go on vacation, I saw it as a chance to slow down. I brought my camera along as my
emotional support buddy, as I always do. Sometimes, even when I don’t feel like pressing the
shutter, my camera helps me see things from a different perspective.
Talking about my relationship with Photography, it has always been special to me in so many
ways. I didn’t realize its importance right away, but it took me time to understand it. I got my first
camera in 11th standard, at that time I thought photography was just all clicking at the moment
and moved on. I do like the idea of framing and making it ‘aesthetics’ .
As I grow up, my understanding of things evolves, and it shows in my photographs.
Being someone who is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids, I rely a lot on visuals, which has
also made me more aware of sound. When I think about taking a photograph, I think about the
moment where sound, air, colors, and light slowly fall into place. I believe my photographs want
to remember the moment and between that moment perfectly based on all aspects.
But I often question myself about my photography practices, how I take my photographs. What
is my thinking behind it?
Is there a ‘right’ moment to capture an image?
How do I find that ‘right’ moment?
Am I missing the moment while figuring out my frame?
Here is me, always questioning the moment by being in the moment. Come back to the present
Namya!
Well, you never know. The heart knows what it wants. There are times, I just want to live in the
space away from all my electronic gadgets. Yes, I even take off my hearing aids, to feel the
peace and breathe the space, to have a moment of introspection. I believe whatever I
photograph, nothing should feel forced. A right time to press the camera shutter is only when
you feel familiar with the space. One must listen to the sound of the breeze, feel how the space
changes its forms. My apt moment!
Back to my introspective journey with photography at Andaman. After reaching the beach with
my parents , which was crowded, my mother suggested I should go on a walk with my camera
further down the shore, away from the bustle.I walked along the quieter part of the beach, with
the sound of crashing waves surrounding me. The wind blew against me, making it hard to
move forward, and my hair flowed back. The breeze had a vibrating sound, and I could feel it
clearly through my hearing aids. The water molding around the mud as I touched it, the dry
patches of sand where the water couldn’t reach, and how my shadow danced and shifted in the
sunlight.
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I remember standing there, feeling the calm of the beach wash over me as I took a picture. The
scene in front of me felt so serene and timeless—just three simple elements: the sandy shore,
the rocky formations, and the ocean stretching out into the horizon. In the foreground, the sand
was soft and pale, with clusters of rough, tan-colored rocks breaking through the shallow water.
The water was so clear that I could see every detail of the rocks beneath the surface.
As I focused on the ocean beyond, the water gradually shifted from crystal-clear to vibrant
turquoise and deeper shades of green. Gentle waves rolled in, as if the sea itself was at rest. It
was one of those rare moments when everything felt perfectly still, yet alive with quiet energy.
Looking further out, the ocean met the sky in the distance, a seamless line where the blue of the
sea blended into the bright, cloudless sky. The sense of tranquility and peace stayed with me
long then I put my camera down and slowly walked ahead.
Even today, when I look at this photo, I remember the exact moment I felt and the color of water
just makes me so happy.
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Then I took another photograph. There I was, standing on a beach following the strong breeze,
and as I looked down, I noticed my shadow cast perfectly against the sand. The ground beneath
me was uneven, rocky, and scattered with patches of wet clay. It was as if the textures on the
beach mirrored the shifting emotions I felt inside.
In the shadow, I’m holding my camera, my constant companion. The sun was strong, casting
these deep, sharp shadows across the beach, the faint outlines of trees or objects in the
distance, quietly blending into the background.
I felt as if I was becoming part of the landscape around me.
Here I am feeling my emotions and moving along with the waves and the breeze as it flows.
I came a little away from the beach, it was calm, the wind soothes down, I came across this
small hole filled with water away from the beach. It looks so warm and you can feel the soft
textures of the water.
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This was a quieter spot, away from the crowd where the wind softened, and I stumbled upon a
shallow pool of water on a rocky shore, its warmth radiating calmness. The ground beneath me is covered with soft, rippled sand, and the water is clear, almost blending seamlessly with the
surface. There’s a large rock, half-submerged in the shallow water, its surface smooth and
slightly green from moss. The rocks around the water have a rugged, textured look, eroded by
time and the waves. I notice my shadow cast on the sand, blending into the scene as I observe
the calm surroundings. The light is soft, casting gentle shadows that give the area a serene,
quiet feeling. The ripples in the water mirror the patterns in the sand, creating a beautiful
harmony between the earth and water. It is strange that I wasn’t thinking of frames or technical aspects but more of how I am there with my camera, feeling my feelings and cherishing the moment as it comes.
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As I stood there, I zoomed on the mesmerizing water ripple effect to observe and clicked this
photograph. I could feel the soothing sensation of the shallow water, I put my feet down and
stood there. I could feel the textures of water flowing on my feet as it rippled gently around me.
The surface is so clear that I can see every tiny movement, the sunlight dancing across it,
intricate patterns that shimmer and shift with the waves. The water feels calm, peaceful, almost
like it’s whispering as it moves. There’s a small, dark object—a rock—just beneath the surface,
and I’m drawn to how everything looks magnified and sharp, yet soft under the light. It’s like the
water is its own kind of art.
I sat there, glancing at the crowded side of the beach, realizing how I had walked through the
bustle and strong wind, and now I was in a quieter spot. Just like that, all I had to do was
breathe and find my calm amidst the chaos. I reminded myself that I was going to be okay.
I must say, that day, walking around the beach with my camera after such a long time, I also
saw myself from an introspective lens. It also helped me process those confusing feelings about
life and uncertainty.
Photography holds a strong emotional and powerful impact on me. I know I sometimes feel
demotivated when I pressure myself to take photographs, but clicking pictures again brought my
motivation back. Sensing the world through my perspective—through visuals, sound, and
touch—I began to understand my emotional connection with beaches.
That day, I think I finally did, and I’m so glad I also made a photo story out of it.
Also, thanks to my dear camera—it’s you and me against the world.
About the Author: Namya Chadha is a filmmaker and photographer from Meerut, Uttar
Pradesh, India. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Film and Video Communication from
the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and was nominated for an exchange program at
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, where she studied in the Screen-Based Arts:
Video department.