Acting can be a painstaking and tiresome job, and every now and then we hear of various stars taking a break albeit a much deserved one just after a film has been completed.

However, there are those others who prefer to indulge themselves into hobbies that take them places and help live out experiences that last a life time. Shreyas Talpade is one such actor who not just acts but also shoots pictures.

We caught up with this young and raring-to-go star to know more about his passion for photography. So here's a candid conversation with Shreyas about what got him into the art of shooting images and what he thinks is his future in it.

To start with, you are essentially an actor. So what made you take up and start off into photography?
Well, photography has always been on my mind ever since the time I started acting. In fact, in my early days, I was doing a TV serial called Woh; it was here that I first came into contact with this art form (of photography).

Actually, it was sparked by my cinematographer. I still remember that I used to have long conversations with him about shooting and, at one point; I even told him that I wanted to quit acting and take up cinematography.

This was the time when I actually got hooked on it. However, he told me to stop such kind of thoughts and just concentrate on what I was doing. Post that, I wasn't really 'into' it till I got a digi cam as a gift from one of my friends.

One can say that this was the real catalyst that actually got me behind the lens looking through that viewfinder. From then on, I just enjoyed shooting whatever I could and whenever I could get that chance.

Now that you have got into this art, is it going to be your full time hobby?
Photography is most definitely going to stay, not just a hobby or a pastime, it's in fact one of the most important things among my other hobbies.

According to you, what makes for a 'perfect photograph'?
A 'perfect photograph' is something that is actually really hard to describe. A perfect shot would be capturing that precise moment when a person's entire expression tells a tale that no words can describe. That particular shot if captured at the right time form the right angle is the perfect image to me.

When shooting, how important are the variables that come into play. like lighting etc?
Variables are things that cannot be controlled hence there are termed as variables. To me these are like major factors that come into play when composing an image.

Composition is something that is inherent as well as something that we can learn. Like for instance, I learnt that shooting certain expressions in black and white actually helps make them stand out, while others look better in sepia.

What do you prefer to shoot... landscapes, abstract or absolutely anything?
When I started shooting, I initially took of with doing portraits and landscapes. They are the easiest. Slowly and gradually, I began to explore what else I could do with my camera and I went onto the manual mode and started experimenting with the lighting and shutter speed.

But then I am still learning and I will have to practice every day to get it right. As of now I have moved on from portraits and landscapes, like now I enjoy shooting more of the candid moments, the expressions; capturing them is what gives me the kicks.

However, to do so, I shoot on auto mode as I haven't got quite well versed with the manual mode. Besides it also takes time to compose a shot on it and expressions need to be done quickly.

Have you thought of exhibiting the images you have shot?
Exhibiting my photographs isn't something that I have thought about at all. The reason behind this is that I think that I am still an amateur photographer. Till the time I gain some more experience and I feel that my photographs are ready or of that calibre only then will I think about hosting an exhibition for them.

How do you intent to get that experience that you need to turn pro and finally host an exhibition?
For this, I will be employing a combination of learning about the art alone as well as by interacting and asking for tips and hints from the photographers who are there on sets.

Besides, photography is not like acting, it needs a lot of time devoted to learning and understanding the minute details, like when I am on sets, I constantly keep referring to the photographer who is there to understand the aperture and shutter speed settings and even compare my images with his.

Which camera do you use?
Right now I am using the Canon 400D. It's a whopping 12 mega pixel gadget that I simply love. In fact just recently I invested in a kind of zoom lens; it's a 70-300mm.

Which is the best shot you have taken till date?
The best shot would have to be the one I shot while in Bangkok. The composition was simply perfect. It was actually already there. All I had to do was shoot it right.

The image in question was when the sun was up and there was a ring around it which was clearly visible to the naked eye. I started first framing it with trees and branches, till someone said why I don't get a person into the frame.

That's when I got my makeup man to stand there and I actually slept on the ground and shot the image with a halo like effect around his head. So basically photography takes me to all sorts of places. (Laughs) What about selling your images, has anyone approached you to buy an image as yet?
Selling my images is another thing that I have given much thought to. Frankly speaking, I will sell my photographs if at that particular time I need money and I think that the price for it is right.

How are your upcoming films like Paying Guest, Aage Se Right, Hook Ya Crook coming along?
Paying Guest is a film that is an out and out entertainer. In fact, that is clearly visible from the cast itself. While Aage Se Right which I have just finished dubbing is also an entertainer and I can assure the audience that both these films are worth their time.

As for Hook Ya Crook, it still is a bit too early to say anything about it as we are still shooting the film. However, I must say that it being a David Dhawan film, one can expect it to have all the masala entertainment that comes attached to a typical Bollywood film.