We recently connected with Nipun Chowdhary and have shared our conversation below.

Nipun, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

My parents are my biggest heroes and drive me towards everything that I do today. They both have individually played a vital role in making me the person I am today. To me, more than anything in the world, becoming a good human being is of utmost importance. Since my childhood, my parents have been my role models and prime examples of what a human being should be. After my higher education, my elder sister took on that position of role model, and they all continue to do so even today. Even though my father is no longer with me today, his ideals, beliefs, goals, and dreams continue to live on through me. I have also been very fortunate to meet many good people in my life in the form of friends, teachers, other family members, and random strangers that we interact with. A lot of these humans continue to subconsciously guide me in different aspects of life towards that inherent goal of becoming a good human being. I remember that after I lost my father, the majority of my motivation to do anything just faded away. It was probably the steepest downhill slope of my life yet. However, these good people in my life, in the form of friends, family, and well-wishers, are what kept me going. They continue to help keep that flame lit, enable me to have goals and milestones, and help me move forward one step at a time.

As of today, my prime goal is to continue striving to be a good human being to all those around me, to keep hitting my milestones and goals in my career, and to remain a strong pillar of support and role model for all those that I hold dear.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since my childhood, I have always had an inherent love for technology. I used to fiddle with anything that had to do with technology. I believe I got this trait from my father, who seemed to be a tech enthusiast himself. I remember when he once brought home a new digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix, and I just started drooling all over it. My love for technology originally started here, which then grew into the love for cameras and the technology behind the functioning of cameras, which then grew into the love for cinematography and the art of visual storytelling. I did my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media with Direction and Cinematography as my specialization at Annapurna College of Film & Media, Hyderabad, India, and then further specialized in cinematography with a Master of Fine Arts in Cinematography at New York Film Academy, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

As a cinematographer, I work mainly on feature films, web series, short narratives, documentaries, commercials, music videos, concerts, and specialized projects. However, I am open and flexible with any and all kinds of projects, as they help me become a more versatile filmmaker. As a cinematographer, I am the eyes for the director. Often times, we hear this phrase: ‘Cinematographers bring the script to life’. While that phrase is true, there are many factors and elements that contribute to it. My job as a cinematographer begins when the script is finalized. I sit with the director to plan the visual look of the film based on the story. Once we decide what the film look is, we work on the shot lists and how to actually bring ourselves to film the shots. Throughout this process, many departments are consulted and brought into the loop, such as production designers, set decorators, VFS/SFX, colorists, editors, producers, etc., to make sure that the entire film is viable. As any working professional, there is a tight balance that you have to maintain between the compromises that you eventually must make, time management, creative choices, and technical expertise. It’s a completely immersive process where I give 100% to the story and production.

Being a cinematographer, I often deal with the camera and lighting departments during production. However, I have additionally started to practice the art of color correction and grading. It’s a skill that feels like a natural next step that I should master, so currently, I am also engaged in the practice of color correction and grading. When I first started working in the filmmaking industry, I was mainly based in Los Angeles, California. Having recently moved to India, my colleagues often FaceTime me for technical expertise, where I play a more advisory role or engage in problem solving remotely during an active production. I am also actively consulting crews during pre-production so that their production stage goes as smoothly as possible.

Having moved to India, I am slowly starting to build my network and get more projects underway.Throughout my short career so far, I have been extremely proud of doing seven feature film projects and several other projects in such a short span of time.

As a cinematographer, having an individual personality, a creative preference, and a good work ethic is very important. Everyone strives for perfection in everything they do, but to do it within time constraints and a tight budget and to do it consistently requires a certain level of creativity, which I believe I have. My proudest moment so far was when I was called by a DP I regularly work with as a 1st camera assistant (focus puller), and he said, I need you on set immediately. The current 1st AC is unable to pull off this intricate focus pull as it had a lot of movement and we were on a vintage anamorphic lens with the widest aperture. I simply replied, Alright, I’ll be there in 15  minutes.The director of the project was quite skeptical. He recognized the difficulty of the shot but was not convinced about calling in another person who had no idea about the shoot and would come just for one shot. The DP of the project is someone with whom I have worked on multiple projects, so he convinced the director that if he wanted this shot, this guy could give it to you no problem. Eventually, I arrived on set and set up my gear in about 5 minutes. I asked to see the actor and camera movement, walked around the set to get a feel of the distance from the camera to the subject and background, and so we started the shot. The director is standing by the monitor with me over my shoulder, the DP is operating the camera, the slate is in, and the director calls ACTION! We got the shot perfectly on the first try. The director was ecstatic, as the previous nine takes were unsuccessful with the other first AC. However, as safety goes, we went for a safety take as a backup, which was as good as the first, and well, that was that. I started packing my gear, and the director personally asked me to stay for the rest of the project. The DP then mentioned to the director that I had left another production on an emergency basis to come help them with this one shot, and eventually, I took my leave. Since that time, the director has contacted me about all of his upcoming productions, and I have had the pleasure of working with him on numerous projects. He continues to check in on my availability every time a new project comes up, even though he knows I’m currently in India. I feel this was my proudest moment so far—when someone has faith in your abilities and trusts your knowledge and expertise.

The beauty of my line of work is that we get to learn so many new things every day, meet new people, build working relationships, and travel regularly. Honestly, to me, this is a dream come true. It is everything that I dream of outside of my work, personally, as well as my love for cinematography as a career. I am open to traveling the world when it comes to cinematography or filmmaking in general.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to express oneself and evoke emotions in others through a unique medium. Filmmaking is a powerful way to communicate ideas, challenge perspectives, and leave a lasting impact on the world. This process of creation and connection with an audience is incredibly fulfilling and drives me to continually explore and expand my artistic abilities.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As a cinematographer, managing a team and maintaining high morale are crucial for a successful production. Some small pieces of advice that have worked out for me are:

1. Preparation is key: Ensure everyone is well-informed about the shot list, storyboard, and overall vision. A well-prepared team feels confident and motivated.

2. Effective Communication: Clearly articulate your vision, expectations, and any technical details. Encourage open communication to address questions or concerns.

3. Collaborate and Value Input: Foster a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and their creative input is respected. This can lead to innovative solutions and a sense of ownership.

4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer specific, actionable feedback on shots, lighting, and composition. This helps your team refine their skills and grow as professionals.

5. Acknowledge and Appreciate Efforts: Recognize the hard work and dedication of your team. Acknowledge their contributions, whether it’s a well-executed shot or creative problem-solving.

6. Empower Your Team: Delegate responsibilities based on individual strengths and expertise. This empowers team members and allows them to take ownership of their roles.

7. Stay Calm Under Pressure: Filmmaking often involves tight schedules and unforeseen challenges. Maintain a calm and composed demeanor to instill confidence in your team.

8. Lead by Example: Demonstrate professionalism, technical proficiency, and a strong work ethic. Your team will look to you for guidance and inspiration.

9. Encourage innovation: Foster an environment where experimentation and creative risk-taking are encouraged. This can lead to unique and memorable shots.

10. Provide Opportunities for Growth: Support your team’s professional development by offering opportunities for skill-building, training, and exposure to new techniques or equipment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/mr_chowdhary
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nipun-chowdhary
• Other: IMDb x Nipun Chowdhary

Image Credits
Swaroop Kunchum (Chitrakari Portraits),