People

Photographing people is as much about listening as it is about seeing.

I am driven by a deep curiosity about people and the human condition – their quiet joys, unspoken struggles, and enduring hope. I am drawn to the subtle and overlooked gestures that reveal how people connect with themselves, with others, and with their environment. Photographing people, for me, is less about freezing time and all about preserving a feeling and inviting viewers to a shared space of empathy and recognition.

Devotee of San Judas Tadeo

A pilgrim, after days of walking, clutches a sacred statue in hopeful, prayerful silence for someone or something lost.
© 2019 Ayash Basu. Leica M10P/Leica 35mm Summilux FLE 1.4

Vihuelistas

Two members of a mariachi band start an impromptu vihuela jam thoroughly enjoying themselves.
© 2019 Ayash Basu. Leica M10P/Leica 35mm Summilux FLE 1.4

Generations entwined

An elder’s steady hand passes tradition to the young as part of Day of the Dead rituals.
© 2019 Ayash Basu. Leica M10P/Leica 35mm Summilux FLE 1.4

The Colonel

This elderly man, likely a retired official from the Cuban military, is often seen in Old Havana, sometimes in varying degrees of uniform, at other times with just a jacket and his military cap. He will share fun stories if asked nicely, and for a small tip.
© 2019 Ayash Basu. Leica M10P/Leica 35mm Summilux FLE 1.4

Pilgrim from Bihar

A pilgrim from the eastern state of Bihar visits Varanasi during the Kumbh Mela. Saffron powder is applied from the nose to the forehead to extend its length as a metaphor for a husband’s long life.
© 2025 Ayash Basu. Leica Q3/Leica 28mm Summilux 1.7