INTERVIEW
February 16, 2025
SPONTANEITY AND SERENDIPITY
Photography by Meera Nerurkar
Interview by Melanie Meggs
Street photography is a constant negotiation between observation and instinct, where the photographer navigates public spaces in search of moments that reveal something essential about human interaction, spatial dynamics, and the passage of time. For Meera Nerurkar, the streets of Düsseldorf are both a subject and a stage, using her camera to engage with its shifting patterns.
An ode to spontaneity and serendipity, Meera captures fleeting moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed — gestures, expressions, or quiet moments of humor. By returning to specific locations, Meera immerses herself in a process of visual research, exploring how light, activity, and perspective shift over time. The street, in her work, is not simply a backdrop but an active participant, influencing and shaping the outcome of each frame. Photography becomes a method of recording these interactions, preserving moments that would otherwise disappear. Her images encourage prolonged viewing, prompting an engagement with the mechanics of seeing and the ways in which photography alters perception of space and time.
In this interview, Meera Nerurkar reflects on her process, her relationship with the spaces she photographs, the challenges of working in an unpredictable environment and how street photography allows her to interpret the world on her own terms. Through her work, Meera captures not just what is seen but also what is felt, turning the everyday into something worth a second glance.
“For me, light plays a very important role in street photography. Sometimes a whole street setup is interesting and other times the smallest details like an attire, a gesture, a wink or a gaze is enough for me to stay there for getting my shot. Rhythm and a story are very important for me in a photograph.”
IN CONVERSATION WITH MEERA NERURKAR
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Hello Meera, welcome to The List! Can you take us back to where you grew up and share how the visual and cultural landscape of your childhood influenced the way you see the world today? What elements from that environment continue to shape your artistic perspective?
Meera: I grew up in a very traditional Indian family with loving parents and brothers in a small city. It was a beautiful life with lots of focus on Academics. The whole year was full of festivals in India, and I have pleasant memories of celebrating them with relatives and friends. As a child I was always fascinated with the idea of how such small gatherings can cheer up and unite families and strengthen bonds.
TPL: When you look back at your younger self, do you see hints of the photographer you would become?
Meera: In my earlier years, I never thought I would be a photographer as I was more focused on my academics and finished my engineering degree. I even prepared for the Indian Civil Services Exam.
TPL: Were there any early struggles — technical or emotional — that shaped your approach to photography?
Meera: Everyone reaches a stage in life where you start finding what makes you really happy. Having gone through a roller coaster of emotional incidents in life like losing my father in my early 20s to marrying off a loving husband to moving to different cities as his job took us. I also faced some ups and downs on the health front...I believe that struggles define and shape lives of human beings, different life experiences make one more resilient and stronger.
TPL: What defining moments have marked your journey as a street photographer? How have these turning points influenced your perspective and approach to capturing your narratives of the streets?
Meera: I initially experimented with nature photography, wildlife photography till in 2019, I stumbled upon this fascinating genre called street photography. I immediately felt connected and rediscovered myself in this surreal world. I became more observant suddenly, watching and photographing people in action with a backdrop of static, urban surroundings making the moment magical with the game of light and shadow. Every street photo would tell a different story and the best part of this is you can never plan to have a particular shot, it just happens. You just need to be present there totally when the magic moment happens and capture it with your creative mind and speed. One defining moment was one of my very early street photos getting selected in major photography festivals which definitely gave a major boost to pursue my passion in street photography forever.
TPL: Does street photography make you feel more connected to people, or does it reinforce the sense of being an observer?
Meera: I am a relatively introverted person. So, observing and capturing the moments defines my day as a street photographer rather than engaging with the subjects.
People moving and interacting in urban backdrops with light as a major contributor in enhancing aesthetics, drives my theme in street photography.
TPL: Has photography changed the way you perceive and interact with the world around you, even when you don’t have a camera in hand?
Meera: Not really. As I said I am an introvert and I am the same person even with a camera in hand. But then I tend to open up a bit in the company of other good street photographers who inspire me.
TPL: Which photographers, artists, or even filmmakers have inspired your way of seeing?
Meera: There are many photographers who inspire me. To name some of them I would say Masters Gary Winogrand, Joel Meyerowitz, Alex Webb, Harry Gruyaert and many other contemporary photographers from all over the world.
TPL: If you could sit down and have a conversation with any photographer, past or present, who would you choose and what burning question would you ask them?
TPL: What is left for you to explore? Is there something new — technically, emotionally, or thematically — that you’re eager to pursue in your photography? And looking five years ahead, where do you envision your journey taking you, both artistically and personally?
Meera: Recently I have started exploring the use of flash in street photography. Let’s see where it takes me.
TPL: If we had a glimpse inside Meera's photography bag, what would we find? And is there something on your Wish List — a piece of gear or accessory — that you’re eager to add to your collection to push your work even further?
Meera: My favourite Leica camera, lots of spare batteries and memory cards. As I said, a good flash would be the next accessory which I plan to add in the near future.
TPL: When you're not out capturing the pulse of the street, what would we find Meera doing in her downtime? What activities or moments help you recharge and keep you grounded outside of photography?
Meera: I enjoy reading books, watching good movies, good food, traveling , spending time with my mother and family in India and cooking different dishes for my family!
Meera Nerurkar’s journey into street photography is a reminder that creative passions often find us when we least expect them. What began as a casual curiosity evolved into a deep, immersive practice, allowing her to carve out a space where observation and instinct converge. Her ability to capture fleeting moments with precision and sensitivity speaks to her ever-evolving perspective, one shaped by personal experiences, cultural roots, and a relentless pursuit of creative growth.
As she pushes her work forward — experimenting with new techniques like flash photography — Meera remains true to the spontaneity and serendipity that first drew her to the streets. Her images are invitations to pause, to see, and to feel. Whether capturing the play of light, a subtle gesture, or the quiet humor of daily life, she reminds us that the world is filled with stories waiting to be told. And wherever her path leads, one thing is certain — her vision will continue to uncover magic in the most unexpected places.
