Pictures Magic

Hi

There

It’s Firoz

#Based in Bengaluru

#Human

#Friend

#JNU Alumni

#Photographer

#Fimmaker

#Lyricist/Writer

 
 

The Journey of a Storyteller

Photography, filmmaking, and lyricism are my tools to narrate tales that motivate and move.

Four decades. A lifetime of stolen moments. My camera, a faithful confidant, has borne witness to it all. I was born in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of Bihar, a very fertile and densely populated area in India. My academic years spent in the hallowed halls of Jawaharlal Nehru University (MA) and Delhi University (M Phil). There, amidst dusty tomes and fervent debates, a spark of Intellectual humility flared up, giving birth to a passion—to reveal the world’s stories through the lens of the camera. With over five thousand mesmerizing photo stories and an array of evocative films, my lens has elegantly immortalized the vivid mosaic of life, from the serene rhythms of rural tribal India to the bustling energy of urban landscapes.

Film was my first love, a mistress of ethereal hues and timeless beauty. Ektachrome and Velvia were my palettes, Pentax 645 and LX my brushes. With them, I painted dreams on celluloid, soaring through the skies with UNESCO’s Taking Flights“. Then came the digital dawn. The Sony A7r4 and A7s, with their electronic eyes, replaced the magic of film. Yet, the essence remained the same – the hunt for the extraordinary in the ordinary. UNICEF and West Bengal Government’sThe Future is Ours” became my new canvas, a testament to the evolving storyteller in me. I’ve learned that a camera is merely a tool, an extension of the heart. It’s in the crinkles of a grandmother’s smile, the laughter of children, the stolen glances of strangers that true stories reside. These are the moments I chase, the ones that transcend time and space.

Now, a new chapter unfolds. Generative AI, a digital alchemist, stands as my partner. It’s a potent force, capable of conjuring dreams from data. But like any tool, it needs a human touch, a guiding spirit. For it is the artist’s soul, the dreamer’s vision that truly breathes life into creation. Together, human and machine, we embark on a journey to redefine beauty, to craft narratives that resonate on a personal level. The future is a canvas yet to be painted, and I, with my camera and my AI companion, am ready to add my strokes.

Collaborations for Impact

My notable photographic and cinematographic collaborations have been predominantly with nonprofit organizations, as evidenced by the following list of clients:

UNESCO Asia-Pacific Office, Bangkok

William J. Clinton Foundation

UNICEF

UNDP

Management Sciences for Health (MSH)

DFID funded PACS project in India

Tata Trusts CInI project

Tata Trusts CmF project

Water Aid

Action Aid India

Smile Foundation

Room to Read

Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)

Doosra Dashak

V.V. Giri National Labour Institute

CYSD

Lok Jumbish Parishad

MHRD Govt. of India

The Hunger Project (THP)

United Way Delhi

Social Watch India

SOS Children villages International, Vienna

Karuna Trust (London, UK)

West Bengal Government’s Kanyashree project and

Tech Mahindra Foundation (TMF) etc.

Publications:

Recognition and Reach

My “Social Geographic” collection on Flickr has garnered over 18 million views, a testament to the impact of my work. (Link: https://www.flickr.com/people/social_geographic/)

 

Testimonial

MabelAmber
MabelAmberArtist, Photographer & Writer, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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The photo-stream of Social Geographic takes us on a fascinating, aesthetic and eclectic tour of India. The images, almost exclusively of girls and women, speak of a wide spectrum of humanity. The viewer is drawn into the Indian environment and its myriad variety of humanity. There is an important message to be learned here. It’s worth the visit!
Chris Schneider
Chris SchneiderFresno, California, USA
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Social Geographic’s photo stream serves as a conscience of Flickr. Beautiful and powerful photos reveal injustices that abound. The commentaries always remind us that we have the power to make positive change in the world. The Flickr community is tremendously enriched through Social Geographic's work.
Steve Evans
Steve EvansAtlanta, USA
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I love the images Social Geographic posts. And I love the work they do. Social Geographic serves as a reminder to all of us on Flickr of the best of humanity and of the worst mankind can suffer. The images here are endearing. The stories are heartbreaking. Thank you for showing me your world and letting me be a part of it. Godspeed...
Niki Jackson
Niki JacksonWeb Developer, Chennai
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This is the first testimonial i am writing in flickr. This is really an amazing work. so far i have used this photography to entertain people but the approach you have taken is really an excellent thing. Hats of to all your work and effort towards this... This country has given us many things but what we have given to this country is reflecting in your photos. congrats.... keep click ing.
Lisa Victoria Gratton
Lisa Victoria GrattonWedding Photographer, Vancouver, Canada
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Photography at its most noble form: to help the next disseminating moments of life, dealing with the photographic lens most – too often – disadvantaged human conditions and offering in exchange endless smiles and so much Hope to the Needy. Thanks for what you do, you are teaching all of us a clear and strong message of brotherhood.
Bor Ortega
Bor OrtegaSpain
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Conocer esta galeria y la labor que hace tan desinteresada....ha sido todo un honor para mi encontrarla. Escribo este testimonio desde mi corazón. Nos muestra imagenes de la vida....de esa vida que muchos no quieren ver. Retratos que me han hecho sonreir .....y llorar. Nos muestra la existencia de la supervivencia .....olvidada por muchos. Lo básico de la vida.....la propia vida en si. Retratos magnificos...pasajes ...historias humanas mostradas por un corazón enorme. Cuanto mas se mira esta galeria ....mas crecen los corazones...mas se aprende de la vida., nos abraza con ellas. Nos muestra sonrisas claras, miradas inocentes..... transparentes... luchas por un mundo mejor. Nos deja ver horizontes de esperanzas e ilusiones....en las miradas. Inocentes dando la luz que necesita el mundo...... Social Geographic es alguien a quien todos deberiamos tener de contacto......para no olvidar que somos mas que nosotros mismos.
G. Rangel
G. RangelMaratea Porto, Basilicata, Italy
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I admire the work of this people...Keep it up! I'm very glad to be one of your contacts on flickr.
Len Radin
Len RadinNorth Adams, Massachusetts
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The photostream of Social Geographic takes us on a fascinating, aesthetic and eclectic tour of India. The images, almost exclusively of girls and women, speak of a wide spectrum of humanity. The viewer is drawn into the Indian environment and its myriad variety of humanity. There is an important message to be learned here. It’s worth the visit!
Richard
RichardMarietta, Georgia, United States
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I am deeply moved by both their images and their mission.
Lorenzo Cuppini
Lorenzo Cuppini Street photographer, Italy
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Photography at its most noble form: to help the next disseminating moments of life, dealing with the photographic lens most - too often - disadvantaged human conditions and offering in exchange endless smiles and so much Hope to the Needy. Thanks for what you do, you are teaching all of us a clear and strong message of brotherhood.
Banafsheh Hejazi
Banafsheh Hejazi Iran
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Dear Friend, words are useless you have said all yourself. Thanks too much. BIG HUG
Andy Hutchinson
Andy HutchinsonHertford, Herts, England
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Social Geographic's photostream blends wonderful photographs and imagery with an important and poignant message. It is great to see this talent being put to such good use and may we all learn from it.
Fred
Fred France
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Au delà de la qualité des photos, un humanisme sans limite et pour moi, un oeil différent sur le monde. Je suis très heureux de l'avoir rencontré et très fier d'être un de ses contatcs. thank you so much, and see U soon!
i_still_believe_in_u
i_still_believe_in_u Artist, New York, USA
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An inspirational & insightful talent!
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