Photography
Photography: My Journey in Capturing Life
Photography, for me, isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s a way of connecting with the world, capturing fleeting moments, and creating memories I can revisit. It all began in school, with a humble 35mm roll film camera from YASHIKA, the kind you have to load manually. I remember the thrill of holding it, feeling like I had a magic box capable of freezing time. My first solo venture with it was on a school trip. Without hesitation, I went through three rolls in one day—over a hundred pictures—and I was hooked. Looking back, I see this was where my journey with photography truly began.
The Evolution: From Nokia to Nikon
As technology evolved, so did my tools. My next camera wasn’t a traditional one but my trusty Nokia 5130 XpressMusic, a mobile with a grand 2-megapixel lens (felt that way at the time). That phone was practically glued to my hand; every scene, every friend, every sunset felt worthy of capturing. My phone’s memory, along with an SD card I’d add to it, was packed with pictures. It was around this time I first experimented with editing. Google’s Picasa became my playground where I tinkered with filters and contrast, making each shot look either more artsy or on a particularly experimental day surprisingly green! I was having fun, learning as I went, and discovering the endless possibilities photography had to offer.
Then, came a gift that seemed like a treasure: a little red camcorder. It wasn’t the highest quality by any stretch, but it gave me the freedom to play with video. I used it for everything, even Skype calls that were pixelated but priceless. Over the years, other digital cameras came and went, yet my mobile camera remained my faithful sidekick, capturing life’s moments until I upgraded to the iPhone 3GS. With a mighty 5-megapixel camera, I felt like I had professional gear! I even took the plunge and created a Facebook page, “HS Photography,” which drew a small, supportive following before I decided to take it down. But that experience taught me a lot about sharing my work and connecting with others who appreciated my photos.
Official Photography: From Events to Editing
Between 2013 and 2015, during my final two years at the International Islamic University Islamabad, I got a new camera NIKON S8100 and also I had the opportunity to serve as an official event photographer for a few university occasions. Standing behind the lens, capturing people’s expressions, the energy, and the little in-between moments, made me realise the joy of telling stories through images. This was also when I began dabbling with Adobe Photoshop, trying to add a little extra flair to my shots. Every edit felt like a learning step, each tweak a new discovery. Those were exciting times, and looking back, I can see how those experiences built the foundation of my photography journey.
High-Speed Imaging: Freezing Fleeting Moments
Capturing movement has always fascinated me. In 2016, I had my first experience with high-speed imaging during my time at NUST. Armed with a Sony high-speed camera, I remember trying to capture the exact envelope of a tiny flag flapping in the wind. I also worked on some wind tunnel tests, where I managed to shoot at 1,500 frames per second. It was like entering a new world, slowing down time and revealing details invisible to the naked eye.
Then, during my PhD, high-speed imaging became a regular part of my work, and I used a Fastcam Mini, capturing at speeds as high as 35,000 fps. I spent countless hours trying to observe human cells under fluid forces in microchannels, watching the tiny deformations. For teaching, I also shot high-speed videos to illustrate airflow over airfoils and the formation of vortices, adding to my growing library of high-speed footage. The technical side of this was thrilling, and it inspired me to think of all the possibilities this field holds. Someday, I hope to pursue even more projects with high-speed imaging, exploring concepts that haven’t yet left my mind.
Long Exposure Photography: The Art of Patience
Long exposure photography found its way into my life when I attempted to capture the moon, wanting to see every detail, every crater. With a limited budget, I couldn’t buy the high-end equipment typically used for this, so I had to get creative. I began reading, learning, and experimenting with whatever I had, figuring out how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings could help me capture these long, beautiful exposures. From light trails to star trails, and even light paintings, I discovered a new realm of lights. It felt like I had found a way to capture not just moments but entire periods of time in a still frame.
Landscape & Street Photography: A Love for the Natural World
Nature has always been my muse. Landscape and street photography hold a special place in my heart, and it’s something I’ve done for as long as I can remember. Capturing nature feels like capturing a piece of magic, a moment in time that, once gone, can only live on through the photograph. I’ve wandered the streets and parks of Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore, London, and now Sheffield, camera in hand, looking for that perfect shot. Often, I go on solo photo walks, allowing myself to connect with the world around me, finding beauty in everyday scenes. Some of my favourite shots, and even a few that sold as stock images, are from these quiet explorations.
Travel Photography: Capturing Memories on the Go
Travelling is in my blood, and my camera is my faithful travel companion. Every trip I take becomes a collection of memories I can relive through my photos. Travel photography is a unique challenge—it’s about being quick, nimble, and capturing the essence of a place with minimal gear and time constraints. But that’s the beauty of it. Each shot tells the story of a place, a moment, or a feeling I carry with me. Every photo is like a bookmark, a reminder of the places I’ve been and the memories I hold dear.
Photography is my way of slowing down, capturing a piece of time that I can revisit whenever I wish. It’s a journey filled with laughter, learning, and countless snapshots of life. Thank you for taking the time to explore this part of me—I hope you find a little inspiration here and perhaps a new way of seeing the world.
For more, you can visit my Instagram here.
Fun with Editing: Adding a Touch of Magic
My first experience with editing was through Google’s Picasa, where I learned to add filters and play with contrasts. Later, mobile apps like Snapseed became part of my editing routine, but it was Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom that truly opened my eyes to the art of photo manipulation. I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials, learning the tools, and practising. Although I’m far from an expert, I’ve created a few custom presets that I use to add a personal touch to my photos. Editing for me is the final step, where I can enhance the story my photos tell, and occasionally, I even create personalised edits as gifts.
