How I Started Photography | Abey Jose Photography

Back in early 2016, my friend Pavan Reddy and I decided to go on a night trek to Skandagiri, a famous peak in Karnataka known for its breathtaking sunrise views. We left Bengaluru at around 11:30 PM and reached the base of the hill two hours later. The trek was challenging, with an 8-kilometer stretch that took us four hours to complete. The stillness of the night surrounded us as we climbed, with not a soul in sight due to restrictions on night trekking in the area. It felt like we had the entire hill to ourselves, making the experience even more magical.

We reached the summit at 4 AM, exhausted but exhilarated. As we waited for the sunrise, the chill of the early morning air was filled with anticipation. And then, it happened.

The magical sunrise that started it all - A breathtaking view from Skandagiri Hills

The first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange, pink, and gold. The clouds below looked like a flowing sea, glowing softly in the morning light. It was a scene so stunning, so surreal, that words fail to capture its beauty. I remember standing there, mesmerized, feeling an overwhelming sense of awe. I instinctively pulled out my Moto G phone to capture the moment, but as I looked at the photo later, I realized something was missing. The colors lacked depth, the shadows were dull, and the magic I had witnessed simply wasn’t there. That was the moment I felt the urge to own a real camera—a tool that could help me preserve such moments in their full glory.

But dreams come with their challenges, and buying a camera wasn’t something I could afford at the time. Thankfully, my friend Pavan stepped in and offered to help. With his support, I purchased my first DSLR camera, a Nikon D5200, using a 12-month EMI plan. That camera wasn’t just a purchase; it was the start of a journey that would transform the way I see the world.

Old photo of me with my first camera

From then on, the Nikon D5200 became an inseparable part of me. It was no longer just a gadget; it felt like an extension of my being. Whether it was a family outing, a vacation, or even a simple walk through the streets of Bengaluru, my camera was always by my side. Capturing moments, big or small, became second nature to me. On the rare occasions when I found myself without it, I felt incomplete, like something essential was missing.

Looking back, that trek to Skandagiri wasn’t just a night of adventure. It was a turning point in my life, the spark that ignited my passion for photography. Over the years, photography has taught me to pause, observe, and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. It has become more than just a hobby; it’s a way of expressing myself, of preserving fleeting moments and turning them into memories that last a lifetime.

Today, I still cherish the lessons I learned on that hilltop and the simple realization that every passion starts with a single step—or in my case, a single photo.

"Photography is not just about capturing moments; it's about preserving feelings, memories, and the magic that makes life beautiful."