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ABHISHEK VERMA Photographer cum Videographer
Vineet
Hi and welcome back to Photosynthesis where we talk to some of India’s best photographers and videographers. Photography and videography art and culture and business. To discuss all three. Today we have with us Abhishek Verma who is basically He’s done photography, he’s done videography, he’s done landscape, he’s done travel, he’s done brand work. He has made reels which have gotten crazy amounts of views.
Abhishek Verma
Thank you.
Abhishek Verma
Hmph.
Vineet
and to discuss this journey and storytelling Hi Vishik Hi, welcome to the show I have a lot to ask a lot but let’s start one at a time that you have done your own landscape enough photography and videography landscape photography is one thing but in videography you are going to mountains or in a new city how do you pick the topic that I have
Abhishek Verma
Hello, sir.
Thank you, Saj.
Abhishek Verma
either.
Abhishek Verma
answer. Indeed.
Abhishek Verma
Deezer.
Vineet
I have to make clips, I have to make a story, I have to make a video from here. How do you think what I will shoot, what I will not shoot, what will come out? What is your thought process?
Abhishek Verma
Yeah.
Abhishek Verma
I will tell you the starting from there. When I want to go somewhere, I first see that place online. What is good there and what is not. Recently I went to Himachal, Manali side. I saw a place there like Sisu waterfall. And also famous place where most of the tourists go.
Abhishek Verma
I tried to cover more local things because people go out to travel, I cover mountains. I cover more local things because people go out to travel, I cover mountains. Everyone will know that I am a virtual third person. Mountains are everywhere.
Vineet
So what? Because this is also a thing, hidden gems. Everyone says hidden gems. And then after Mussoorie, they will take Kempty Falls. In hidden gems, they will take the most common places. Like Rautang Pass. Has anyone ever heard of it? So what… Yes, exactly. You go to the mountains. Everyone shows the mountains. So what did you think I would cover on this trip?
Abhishek Verma
Huh.
Abhishek Verma
Ha ha. Uh huh.
Abhishek Verma
Hey, that’s a needle.
Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
I went to the mountains and saw some locals working there. Like some horsemen. I made some videos of them. There was a small waterfall there. It wasn’t that big. Some aunts used to sit there. They were sewing some sweaters with their hands. Whatever is cold. It’s a cold season. So I took most of their videos and photos. I mean, most of the local things.
Vineet
Yeah. So, and is ke baad fir kya aapne socha, ma story kaisa banau gaya isme se?
Abhishek Verma
Story, I have shown that people go to such heights for their own purpose, for their living, for their work. I had put such stories in the film.
I mean, the woman who was sitting on the side of the waterfall was sitting alone and sewing there.
Vineet
So you took photos and made a video with this?
Vineet
Good?
Vineet
Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
Yes, sir. It happens like this too. I recently came back from Kerala trip. I didn’t have much time there because I went there for work. So I made random videos and shot them. But I don’t have any ideas to put it in storyline. So I have kept all the videos in PC.
Vineet
But how much does it matter if the story comes out first or later?
Abhishek Verma
So sir if you plan everything before the trip then the story will be good according to the plan you have recorded everything For example, I am planning a trip from here that I want this scene I will write down all the mountains scenes or the village scenes and if I record all that there then my plan will be made and if I don’t plan anything there then I just go there and make random videos
So I will have to do that. I will have to load the clip on the audio and add it.
Vineet
And I have seen that some people are expert photographers, some people are expert videographers. Now try both. Why? And which one is more fun?
Abhishek Verma
Yeah.
Sir, I enjoy making such videos. I want my videos to look like films. Like a film scene. I want to try making my videos.
Vineet
And how much shooting time and editing time is involved in this? Like a movie.
Abhishek Verma
Shooting time? Shooting time sir, if you do everything perfectly Like, I don’t need much shooting time to make one reel One, two days is enough For one reel, I mean to make according to the plan It takes more time to edit to get the color And to find the perfect music for it
Vineet
So if I think that I have a story in my mind I know the location, I know what to shoot I know everything And I think that I have to make this cinematic So what do I have to do separately?
Abhishek Verma
I’m sorry, you.
Abhishek Verma
Jesus.
Abhishek Verma
Mm.
First of all, you should not make the real vertical. You should make it horizontal. If there is a camera, then the background depth is not so much. It looks cinematic from the phone, but the depth is different. The subject stands out between them. So, a little… Yes.
Vineet
In portrait mode, we can do background separation artificially But in photo mode, it’s fine. It won’t work in video mode
Abhishek Verma
If you are taking video from camera, it will look more cinematic. If the subject is stand out. And second one is horizontal. Now try to get natural colors. And don’t punch it too much. So that it looks artificial. There are some who saturate colors too much in videos. I have seen so many cinematic movies. All of them have natural colors. Most of them are less than saturation. 100% saturation.
So I will keep the colors till 1995
Vineet
So basically, keep the contrast normal, don’t do too much saturation.
Abhishek Verma
Um.
Abhishek Verma
If you do more saturation, instead of cinematic, like funny pictures, like the one with the gold, comedy movies have more bright colors.
Vineet
Thank you.
Abhishek Verma
Because visuals look normal, people focus on the story instead of visuals. Like in DC movies, Batman movies, they mostly use dark colors so that the movie looks more cinematic.
Vineet
Actually, yes, explain this to me. It’s an interesting topic. Have you seen Game of Thrones?
Abhishek Verma
Yeah.
Abhishek Verma
Ha. Now you get more throne in the government.
Vineet
Last season, two episodes were so dark and my TV is near the window, I can’t see anything. So why do they do this? For a cinematic look, but we’ve been watching cinema for years. This is a new trend, everything is getting darker.
Abhishek Verma
Hehehe
Abhishek Verma
In cinematics people try to see only the subject. Other things are dark so that only the main subject is seen. And in foreign movies, most of the time the whole night is dark
Vineet
Hmm. So is this for storytelling or for technique? If we do it in a darker tone, it will look gritty and real. So from a storytelling perspective, is it a serious topic?
Abhishek Verma
Right?
Abhishek Verma
And there is a story.
Abhishek Verma
It depends on the theme of the movie. If a horror movie is made or a thriller movie is made, then it will have dark colors.
Vineet
Hmm, I have to scare people.
Abhishek Verma
So, if you don’t see too much of the main subject, you can quickly catch it. And all the comedy movies and TV serials have bright colors.
Vineet
So how do you learn these courses? If someone wants to learn, just keep watching movies
Abhishek Verma
No sir, I noticed it after watching the movies. I can find the rest on YouTube.
Notice is the main thing. If you are watching something, notice it.
Vineet
So, and the story telling you do while going on a trip, this is one is brand work, which is work, paid work, right. The second is for yourself. Right. It has happened that you have never gone to do brand work and the story has not come.
Abhishek Verma
Thank you.
Ah. Mm.
Abhishek Verma
Sir, when I was shooting for a Realme smartphone, I went to a forest nearby to make some stories. I mean, I went there to complete the videos I had written. But due to some reasons, I couldn’t complete the videos. I mean, I had thought of making some transitions in it. But according to the story, I couldn’t make it, so I thought of making it normal. Because later with the music, it…
transitions were not matching that is also a very important part when you are thinking about a transition video then the music selection should also be good according to that
Abhishek Verma
So, Storytelling.
Vineet
So how do you choose the audio? How do you choose the mood?
Abhishek Verma
Answer is, the video you want to tell people, for example, I am making an action video, which has fast movement, if you put slow music in it, people will get bored in the beginning. Even though there is more action in the beginning, but the music will be slow, people don’t pay attention to it.
Vineet
But what is the role of trending music in this? Especially when you make a reel. Like, I have to give this, but if it goes on trending, I’ll put it there. What is the role of this?
Abhishek Verma
No sir, these days I feel people make videos by watching music. I mean, first they select the audio, then they write the script according to the audio. Because these days everyone…
Vineet
Heh.
Vineet
Hmm. And if you are making a lot of music on Instagram, how much difference does it make from trending music?
Abhishek Verma
Sir, it does make a difference. Profile widgets increase. Sometimes it gets connected well with Instagram video. So, let’s increase followers.
Vineet
And I have seen two reels that became very popular. Right, one was, and we will add this video on the screen when it airs, that one was shot in Kerala for you.
Abhishek Verma
Thank you, sir.
Abhishek Verma
Yes. No sir, that is not from Kerala, it is from Nagpur, the one in front of my house.
Vineet
Sorry, sorry. Yes, Nagpur ka shoot for Oppo. Mujhe abriin storytelling dekh rahe hain. Second hai apka ek catch ka video jiska 4 million views. 4 million views. Toh iska what was your experience ye virality sota aage hain. Ek toh can you predict from your own work ki hain ye confidence hai mujhe ye bahot tagda bana hai. Ye bahot chalega. Right.
Abhishek Verma
Hanzer.
Abhishek Verma
Eh.
Thanks for watching.
Abhishek Verma
Uh huh. Set, huh.
Vineet
predict? Or is it luck?
Abhishek Verma
Sir, prediction doesn’t work on Instagram. Nowadays, their algorithm changes. But if I make a video, I show it to my family first. If they like it, they upload it. Otherwise, my family tells me. If it doesn’t look good, it’s okay. I get a public review.
I have selected a music for this video I will call it as I watch the video with the music I think the video is looking good I will upload it As you uploaded the video It took 1-2 minutes After that press Any unfollowed Their likes have come to me
Vineet
Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
Like, share and comment. If you don’t follow us, you can predict that the real one can go viral. Upload
Vineet
And what are the effects of this viral? Like follower count increases, brands contact, what have you seen?
Abhishek Verma
Followers count increases if your page is good. It is not necessary that followers will increase. If it is really good, then people will visit your profile. If your profile is good, then people will follow you. Your account should be good so that more people follow you.
Abhishek Verma
As I was talking about the Opok reel, when I uploaded the reel, I had almost three directors. They were not big, they were all short films. One was from Chattisgarh, one was from Bangalore and one was from Kerala. Three of them approached me for work. One of them told me full-time but I didn’t go there because of my college.
Vineet
Yeah.
Vineet
Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
A Kerala guy called me and I said yes for a week. He said that he had seen my reel. I thought he shot in Kerala. He also said that this is Kerala’s scenes. I said no, it’s Nagpur’s. It’s in front of my house. He said that he liked your video. I want to make something like that for my short film. So you come here in Kerala. I went there for his work. So that’s a little…
Vineet
Huh.
Vineet
Great.
Abhishek Verma
It’s a real violin that gives you a real exposition.
Vineet
Hmm. Oh, that’s very interesting. And this cat video is so popular, why do you keep it? So much more, like, okay, even with the… A lot of your reads have gotten popular. This is even more, like, next level. Why? What do you think are the reasons?
Abhishek Verma
So, uh.
Abhishek Verma
Yeah.
Abhishek Verma I had added music on it was also suited well on the video
Vineet
trending music was one reason according to you. So when trending music comes, now our editor Praveen, I tell him that a reel is being made for our company or a video is being made and at the last minute I tell him to change the music. He says that everything has to be changed. I think, in the beginning it was simple. You edited it, change the music. But he is like, the whole timeline, everything has to go.
Abhishek Verma
Uh huh.
Abhishek Verma
Mm.
Abhishek Verma
What’s the time?
Abhishek Verma
Mm.
Vineet
So you are picking trending music? What is your process? How do you do it? Do you download the music, edit it and then select the trending music? Or how does it happen?
Abhishek Verma
Hmm
Abhishek Verma
Sir, just like I told you earlier that people make videos after selecting the music. This cat video was my random video. I was shooting something else and the cat came in between. So I made a video of the cat. I didn’t think of music for that. I selected the random music and it looked good so I uploaded it.
Vineet
So there was no fancy editing, no timeline, just put it.
Abhishek Verma
No, there was only one simple video in that, nothing else was shown in the timeline. One adjustment layer of color grade, and a video of the timeline below. By the way, if you select an audio in trending, almost every person puts a reel in it for 30 seconds. In 30 seconds, a music beat comes out a lot, almost 4-5 videos are put in a reel.
Vineet
So, the personal learnings you do, like you get brand work, the brand has also said that, I need 20-25 lakh views from this reel, so make sure this reel is made like this, put the music like this, edit it so that you get so many views. Does that happen? Yeah, they are like, involved.
Abhishek Verma
Ah.
Vineet
Hm.
Abhishek Verma
That was also in my profile, it was around 250k So it was around 50k cross at the start, so I told sir that your first reel is 50k It’s up So he said let’s aim it to cross 100k So it was 250k So sir was saying to make videos that are more Means if you get more views, then their phone will get more promotion That this phone is made like this, that’s why he says so
Vineet
And how long have you been doing this brand work? Realme was your first client, right?
Abhishek Verma
Brand Works. First of all, I had Realme. Before that, I had a small one. The one that comes with phone skins. That was in Barter. After that, I had Realme.
Vineet
And why do you think this came in real life? Because your own reels were so popular till now or how did it come?
Abhishek Verma
I worked hard for Realme. I started photography in December 2019-20.
Vineet
Hmm. Hmm, right.
Abhishek Verma
He used to shoot silhouettes mostly during sunset. There is a river near my house. Sunset was good there. I used to go coaching after class. I used to come home at 4 pm. I had my dad’s phone. I used to take my phone and go to the river. I used to shoot silhouettes there like my brother.
Vineet
Yeah, yeah.
Abhishek Verma
I thought why I sent him the phone. Then I saw his account and gradually I filled all my accounts with 50-60 silhouettes. I mean, every day I would go and take a photo and upload it and tag the DLME daily. I would tag his hashtag on DLME and tag along. So, on stories, on posts, wherever possible I would tag him everywhere. So, I did some…
Vineet
Yeah. Uh-cha. Yeah.
Abhishek Verma
8 or 10 months. Continuous post. After that, I got a call from the manager of Realme. He said that we are having a competition. Travel with Madhav. This is the name of the competition. He said that you live in Bhopal. So we need some famous monuments, architectures and tradition of Bhopal. We will give you the phone.
Vineet
Okay.
Abhishek Verma
I will start on March, and you will be my first one to reach 7.
Abhishek Verma
I was selected for that competition.
Vineet
Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
I mean, I think I will have a collaboration after a year. When I think I want to collaborate with Realme, I will have a collaboration with Realme after a year.
Vineet
Yes, but we got the benefit of hard work. This is quite amazing. We worked hard for a year, but we got the return. And after that, we must have done paid collaboration. I guess. This was the barter.
Abhishek Verma
I mean, the big brands like Samsung don’t pay for their smartphones. Maybe Samsung does. I mean, I haven’t paid for my smartphone yet. It’s been a while.
Vineet
Hmm, it’s from the other brand, the other client.
Abhishek Verma
Other brands were also available.
Vineet
And is your college still running or is it done?
Abhishek Verma
College ka last year abhi fifth semester ke exams hongi December me.
Vineet
Hmm. And after this, I’m guessing, you’ll plan to enter full-time videography.
Abhishek Verma
After college, my whole plan is to do everything with the camera. I don’t feel like studying anyway.
Vineet
Hmm. Yeah, it took some effort, maybe 6-8 months, but it will come. Finally, people are… I mean, the videographers are also earning well. Hmm.
Abhishek Verma
Yeah, wedding is expensive but I can’t afford it. If I go to travel site, I can afford it.
Vineet
I have seen wedding, some people are very happy because they have steady income I mean all types of videography and wedding are here I think those who are doing the studies seriously But yes, I think a lot of creativity, many people think that after a point they are not that creative because clients also have the same thing after a while
Abhishek Verma
Ah, income, income is too much.
Ah!
Hmm
Abhishek Verma
wedding
Vineet
I want my aunt’s photo with me. What are you doing? What are you drawing?
Cut.
Abhishek Verma
So we can’t try too much creative things in that. If we have to do something different tomorrow, then we will have to bring a couple of people.
Vineet
Yes, and plus now we have event management. Wedding production. We need one drone, three cameras, we need so many assistants, now we have event production.
Abhishek Verma
Uh-huh.
Abhishek Verma
Mm-hmm.
Abhishek Verma
wedding products are also very expensive
Vineet
Paisa bhi hai.
Vineet
I had to invest in it. I needed a lot of equipment and a heavy one. I have a friend who runs a wedding photography company. In fact, I have a co-founder who runs a wedding photography company. Eventually, he also had the same problem that he is not getting a creative outlet. He did it. He did it for 4-5 years. And he is like, my creative outlet is over.
Abhishek Verma
Creative afterl is almost done in the entire field after a while. Like normal travel creators, once a new trend comes, they make it. They apply new transitions in their videos. After a while, everyone starts doing it, then it is not unique.
Vineet
Yeah.
Vineet
So how did it happen with you till now? That I got bored of this thing. This particular thing. I have done this thing for 6 months now. I got bored.
Abhishek Verma
I’m not even…
Abhishek Verma
Sir, this happened to me when I used to shoot bike videos. I mean there was a time when I used to shoot only 2-3 reels a week and all the bikes were down. So after some time I thought how many reels I will shoot for each bike. I didn’t have any other idea at that time. I had only bikes and I had good audio so I used to make only bike videos.
Vineet
Yeah. I’ve been taking pictures of cats for the past year. That’s it. And I think my specialization is done. I’m enjoying it. Take more pictures. Now I’m thinking of making reels.
Abhishek Verma
Thank you.
Abhishek Verma
Afrikaat prouge billi.
Vineet
Yes, that’s one thing. I have to model it. I keep buying and selling lenses on OLX. For fun. I have to try something new. I have to model it every time. I don’t have a choice.
Abhishek Verma
Thanks.
Hmm
Abhishek Verma
Let’s try gonna die. Billy gonna be mad at me.
Vineet
Because for me it’s clearly a hobby. My job is to run this business. For me photography is a hobby. So at least I have a choice that I can stay, that I can do whatever I want to do. I don’t have to stick to any guidelines.
Abhishek Verma
Huh.
Abhishek Verma
Maybe.
Abhishek Verma
Sir, I think everyone starts with a hobby. I myself started with a hobby when I was in 11th class in bhatinda. I saw a camera there for the first time. There was an event of college, a kid brought a camera with him. I told him to give me a camera, I want to see a photo. He refused me. He said, I can’t give you an expensive camera for something to use. What if something goes wrong?
I went home and at that time I only had one Android phone of my father. I used to take photos of him from that phone. At that time I didn’t have much hobby of taking photos. I just felt like taking photos outside. So I used to go to the garden and take photos of roses from the phone. Yes, everyone does it in the beginning. At that time I told my father that I want a camera.
Vineet
Thank you.
Abhishek Verma
So they said that you haven’t done anything yet. I mean I didn’t even do photography at that time. I didn’t even have an Instagram account at that time. So dad refused to take photos for the camera. Then I slowly took photos from dad’s phone. I had made an Instagram account in 2019. At that time I put some photos of flowers in the starting. Then dad shifted to Nagpur. So in Nagpur, there is a jungle in front of my house.
I would take the photos of flowers and leaves from my phone and upload them. Then I would upload the story of silhouettes photos. Then my work would start.
Vineet
So how did you get other work? So this is the story of Realme Smartphone is good after seeing your Reels because I think the marketing of smartphone is more active it is very active on social media shot on this phone it is very important for them because they need to see the strength of the camera that we are…
Abhishek Verma
Uh-huh.
Abhishek Verma
They told us that whenever someone is posting a photo, your smartphone should have a tag on it.
Vineet
Hashtag or tag the company?
Abhishek Verma
No, no, the one I wrote down below, the one with the short on BLME, that one. Yes, it should be a bottom mark.
Vineet
Hmm. Okay, we should put a bottom arc in the photo.
Vineet
So when you were tagging Realme in your photo, were you putting a watermark or a hashtag or tagging the company in the photo?
Abhishek Verma
I used to use only tag and hashtag because I didn’t have a realme smartphone. So it was not possible for me to use a shorter realme. I had a Jionie smartphone of my father. I used to take photos with it and I used to tag it.
Now he called me and I used the short-run in real life.
Vineet
Because this is something that any college student and all want to pursue a hobby, that if they get some income then I can think about it that if I get some income then I can think that I don’t have to do this job or that job People need the first proof point that someone is ready to pay me for my work The first proof point is very important So if you want to take that, then it’s a very interesting story for you
Abhishek Verma
Uh
Abhishek Verma
Ah.
Abhishek Verma
Uh huh.
Vineet
What do you recommend? How should we do it? Paid work, first project Converting first into second is easier I guess But to get the first paid project
Abhishek Verma
Yes sir. First of all, I want to check if you have any gear that is not high end. My father’s phone cost 7000 rupees. I used to take photos with that and I got a real brand. So sir, what do you call it? Product, means the gears, you don’t have to pay attention to them.
skills required for a good content. Because the brand first looks at the quality of the photos. How people take the photos, if we give them work, how will they do it. Because quality is the quality, if they have work of some brand, you can take the rent and do their work. If they pay you,
So if you start, build a good portfolio. If you don’t need a portfolio, just upload your good content on Instagram. So that if someone sees your brand, they like your account. If the quality doesn’t matter, it will come later. If the content is good, then you don’t have a brand.
Vineet
in second.
Abhishek Verma
I have done it myself. I had the real news in front of me. I was waiting for the other brand to come. I had emailed some brands in front of me.
Vineet
It seems like one will be accepted, no no, that means your portfolio is very strong because if one of the ten people accepted it like that, then yes yes, your work is good. So that means your portfolio is very strong.
Abhishek Verma
Yes, for that the portfolio should be strong. If the content is good, then brands will be accepted. There is no problem with that.
Vineet
And Instagram, is it your website or just Instagram? Just Instagram. So this learning is very important, this is what other people have also said. Instagram as a portfolio, tea,
Abhishek Verma
May serve you Instagrammer.
Abhishek Verma
Instagram is used by almost everyone nowadays.
Vineet
But people use followers. I have discussed this with people. And as a company, we were in this thing that we need 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 followers. And we were like no, we will do video production. Our portfolio should be good. So our page should look very good. Nobody cares. See, if we were running a marketing agency and we had 500 followers, then there would be some problem in life. But as a video production platform, our work should be good.
Abhishek Verma
Huh.
Abhishek Verma
Uh huh.
Abhishek Verma
Mm.
Vineet
And of course, our 6,000 followers.
Abhishek Verma
Sir, if your work is good, if your Instagram profile is good, suppose if a brand doesn’t come to your account, if a normal person comes to your account, they will also like your account.
Vineet
Yeah.
Abhishek Verma
some brands will also see your profile so if those brands also like your work, then they will give you a portrait to work with
Vineet
Brands will see, if the brand wants to send you a product, they will see that you should have 5-10k followers. They will also think that the work is good but there is no following. If you want to be an influencer, then absolutely that is very necessary.
Abhishek Verma
Follow us.
Abhishek Verma
Those who want to spread their brand to more people, they will see followers only.
Vineet
This is the difference in influencer level and in our personal portfolio. I think that is a good note to end this conversation. Thank you so much Abhishek, it was very interesting and I think it was very practical and useful advice for new people who want to join. We will share the videos you talked about on the video itself and thank you so much for joining us.
Abhishek Verma
Huh.
Abhishek Verma
Now, that’s it.
Abhishek Verma
Thank you, sir.
Vineet
Bye bye everyone, see you next week.
