Dashwatar Gopalkrishna Bade: The freedom of a surprising moment

Pediatrician and enthusiastic photographer, Dashwatar Gopalkrishna Bade lives in Ichalkaranji, India. His journey in photography, which began in 2013 as a hobby to record travels, became more serious in recent years, leading him to explore various genres, from landscape to portraiture, from wildlife to street photography. His lens is guided by the curiosity to explore unusual places and the desire to interact with diverse cultures and people, documenting the richness and transformations of the world around him.

The image “Freedom“, a finalist in the Single Image category of the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025, synthesizes this quest for the decisive moment. Captured in an old haveli (mansion) in the Blue City of Jodhpur, the photograph freezes an instant of pure surprise and movement: a tourist admiring the architecture bends over, surprised by the sudden flight of a pigeon. The spontaneous and lively composition translates a concept of freedom—both of the bird and the unsuspecting human reaction—creating a unique and exciting visual narrative.

Learn more about the work and trajectory of Dashwatar Gopalkrishna Bade in the translated interview below.

How old are you? Where do you currently live and work?

I’m 57 years old and reside in Ichalkaranji city, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, India. I work as a consultant pediatrician.

Tell us about your journey in photography. When did you start photographing and why? What role does photography play in your life?

I began photography in 2013 as an enthusiast travel photographer. Over the past 4-5 years, I’ve become more serious about it. I’m drawn to various genres, including landscape, wildlife, macro, street, portrait, travel, and abstract photography. Photography has allowed me to explore uncommon places, interact with diverse cultures, and meet people from different countries.

Tell us about your finalist work for the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2025. When and where was it created? What is its concept? How does it fit into your photographic practice?

My finalist piece, “Freedom,” was captured during a photography tour in Jodhpur. Specifically, it was taken at an ancient havel in the Blue City. The image features a tourist admiring the architecture, caught off guard by a pigeon flying away. The moment is frozen as she bends down in surprise.

What projects are you currently working on? What are your near-future plans for photographic production?

I’m currently documenting various cultures in India and abroad, focusing on traditions and cultural events. With the rapid changes brought about by the internet, even remote places are evolving. I aim to capture these moments before they disappear. My near-future plans involve continuing this documentation project, exploring new locations, and preserving cultural heritage through my photographs.