This is the first in the Single Journeys series in collaboration with INK Talks.
PICTURES DO SPEAK A THOUSAND WORDS
From being rescued from a Delhi slum to photographing the reconstruction of the World Trade Center, listen to the journey of Vicky Roy.
Growing up with a silver spoon, we tend to forget about the million other kids out there who aren’t given the same privilege as us. And even when we do, it’s filled with pity or sympathy and very rarely empathy. But, if you take a moment, you can stumble upon gold in hidden talent and skill.
The instant reaction to Vicky Roy’s blurb on the INK website is admiration for his good looks. After all, that first impression is perhaps what draws most people into watching his talk. Not only do you get to admire his features, he manages to draw you into his story and many others like him who are left unheard. Overcoming everything thrown his way, he has managed to pursue his passion of photography and achieve his dreams especially when he was selected to photo document the reconstruction of the World Trade Center in NYC
Vicky Roy teaches you the power of choice, and learning to grab opportunities when they come knocking on your door. From being a rag picker on the road, to a celebrated professional photographer, he has managed to do that with simplicity, humility and poise. And, by giving people with similar backgrounds as him a voice through his photos, he shows that pictures do speak a thousand words.
Now, it may sound very preachy when people ask you to look beyond the surface, but we can’t deny that it is a layered statement. It’s not hard to look beyond the dirt, or a pretty face, and see an inspiration in the making. And, if it hadn’t been for INK, Vicky Roy’s story wouldn’t have been voiced and exchanged between India and the world.
– KRUTHIKA KAMATH for INK