By Mohammed Talal
Md. Jahidul Islam is not just a photographer, he is a storyteller whose art crosses the boundaries of image and word. A Guinness World Record holder, an author of multiple novels, and a creative visionary with a humanitarian heart, Jahidul’s journey is one of persistence, imagination, and purpose. In this interview, he opens up about his early inspirations, the balance between his many roles, and his efforts to give back to the next generation of dreamers.
1. What first drew you into photography and writing? Was there a person, moment, or experience that made you say, “This is what I want to do”?
First of all, thank you. If I talk about photography, I’d say I’ve been deeply passionate about it since childhood. I didn’t have a camera back then, so I used my phone to take pictures, sometimes of cloudy skies, sometimes flowers, and sometimes a lonely bird sitting on a wire. Even with just a phone, I received awards in a few exhibitions. Later, I saved money and bought my first camera. And when, during an event photoshoot, someone comes up to me and says, “Bhaiya, your photos are really beautiful. Can you take one of me too?” That’s when I feel my journey as a photographer becomes truly meaningful.
As for writing, it began back in class nine, when I liked a girl very deeply. Every night after finishing my studies, I used to write a poem before going to bed. Later, I started sending my poems to newspapers and magazines, and they began getting published. After some time, I moved from poetry to short stories. When I shared those stories on social media, they became very popular. People waited for the next part to come out. That enthusiasm from readers inspired me to keep writing. Eventually, I decided to turn those stories into full-length novels.
So, I would say a person, a moment, and a series of experiences, all of them played a part in shaping my journey in both photography and writing.
2. You wear multiple hats, photographer, author, world-record achiever. How do you manage and balance those roles? Do any of them ever compete with each other?
Interesting question. Besides the roles you mentioned, I’m also involved in several other things. For example, I create content and currently have around 30,000 followers on Facebook. The real key lies in how you value and manage your time. Time itself helps you become an effective multitasker. And of course, sometimes one work needs more attention than the others, which creates a bit of competition between tasks, but I always find a way to balance everything.
3. The Guinness World Record is a rare distinction. What motivated you to aim for such a record, and what was the mindset or preparation behind achieving it?
I’ve always loved trying and learning new things. When the COVID-19 lockdown began in 2020, I was stuck at home and felt really bored. That’s when I thought, why not try to set a world record? But at first, I couldn’t decide what to attempt. After a lot of research, I found an interesting idea: the largest chain made with staple pins. The record was around 600 meters long.
I started collecting materials and began working on it. After three months of effort, just when I was about to reach my goal, I discovered that someone else had already broken that record. So, I started again. But by the time I applied, another person had broken it too. This kept happening. I went on to build a chain over 1,200 meters, but every time I finished, a new record margin appeared.
I didn’t give up. I kept experimenting with other records, like most coins stacked in one minute, skipping rope on one leg in 30 seconds, fastest typing A to Z on a keyboard, and so on. Finally, in 2023, after nearly three years of continuous effort, I achieved the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to set up and topple erasers. The record still remains unbroken even after two years.
My mindset throughout this journey was simple: I’ll keep trying until I see my name on that record list.
4. Every photographer develops a voice. How would you describe your photographic vision or signature style? What themes or emotions tend to draw you the most?
I love taking photos of nature the most. The calmness of trees, the play of light, and the rhythm of life in open spaces always inspire me. I believe every photograph carries a hidden story.
At Ramna Park, I once saw a little six-year-old girl selling flowers. At that moment, I didn’t just see a child with flowers. I saw a story of innocence, struggle, and beauty all at once. That’s what I try to preserve through my photography, moments that speak, emotions that last, and stories that deserve to be remembered for a thousand years.
5. When you’re in the field, how much do you rely on technical planning versus spontaneous intuition? Can you share an example where intuition led you to a powerful image?
No matter how advanced technology or design becomes, it will always remain a few steps behind the human eye and mind. I always prefer using my camera’s manual settings, it lets me feel every frame, every detail, like painting with light.
One day, it started raining heavily, and from my balcony, I saw a few children playing football under my building. Their laughter echoed through the rain. Holding an umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other, I started capturing that moment, the splashing mud, the flying ball, and the pure joy in their eyes. Later, that photograph was selected for display at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy photo exhibition. It reminded me that the best shots don’t always come from perfect planning. Sometimes, they’re born from instinct, emotion, and the courage to click in the middle of a storm.
6. You are both an author and a visual storyteller. How do your photography and writing influence each other? Do ideas originate in images or words, or both?
Yes. My photography and writing are deeply connected, they constantly inspire and shape each other. When I take photos, I often see stories unfolding through light, faces, and emotions. A single image can spark an idea for a poem, a short story, or even a full novel.
On the other hand, when I write, I start to see scenes in my mind, the setting, the mood, and the expressions. Almost like I’m framing a photograph through words. Writing helps me notice details that others might overlook, and photography helps me translate those details into something visual and alive.
7. What is your typical writing process? How do you move from a germ of an idea to a fully formed book or story?
When I start writing a novel, I first take a notebook and write down a few character names along with a rough idea of how the story will begin. Once I start writing, the rest seems to flow naturally. The story grows on its own, and new characters and situations appear almost effortlessly.
Since 2020, I’ve published a new novel every year, five so far, with a few unpublished ones waiting. Writing a novel takes time, focus, and emotional consistency. But maintaining patience is the hardest part of writing a book. If you can hold on to patience, the rest of the journey becomes beautifully simple.
8. When you publish or exhibit, you open your inner world to audience judgment. How do you deal with criticism, self-doubt, or negative feedback?
I published my first novel when I was in my first year of college. From the very beginning, I received immense support and respect from both seniors and younger readers. However, when some of my classmates saw the recognition I was getting, not everyone could take it positively. A few people started distancing themselves. Maybe out of jealousy, or perhaps for other reasons, and at that time, it did hurt a little.
But I’ve always focused on the brighter side. My books have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Among my three books available on Rokomari, two have a 5/5 rating and one has 4.88/5. Beyond reviews, writing has given me something far greater, the chance to connect with incredible people, from Major Generals and government officials to talented artists and readers from all walks of life.
Criticism and self-doubt are part of every creator’s journey, but I’ve learned to see them as motivation rather than obstacles. Every opinion, good or bad, shapes me into a better writer and a stronger person.
9. What are some goals or projects, in photography, writing, or beyond, that you still want to accomplish in the next 5 to 10 years?
One of my biggest goals is to study English Literature at Oxford University. Literature has always been my passion, and I want to immerse myself in it, learning as much as possible. Whether I succeed or not, I believe that without desire, a person is like a bird with clipped wings.
I have no wish to work under someone else’s guidance; I want the freedom to travel both at home and abroad, to write stories, and to create through the lens of my camera and the tip of my pen. I also hope to contribute to society, inspiring people to embrace literature and the arts. Ultimately, my dream is to become the first Bangladeshi to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. It may sound ambitious, even a little crazy, but life is only lived once. And if one doesn’t dare to dream big, what’s the point of living at all?
10. How do you define success for yourself, is it recognition, impact, financial stability, or personal growth? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
For me, success is not just about recognition, wealth, or fame. It’s about being remembered with love and prayers after I’m gone. True success, in my eyes, is when people think of me and say, “He did something meaningful for others.”
I want to dedicate this one life to doing good for people, through my words, my art, and my actions. If my work can touch even a few hearts, inspire kindness, or make someone’s life a little brighter, that will be the greatest achievement. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind, one built on love, humanity, and the power to make a difference.
11. For young people who want to pursue creative paths but feel unsure or insecure about where to start, what practical advice or mindset tips would you give them?
My biggest advice for young people who want to pursue creative paths is simple: if you truly feel drawn to do something, don’t just think about it, start doing it. Of course, this applies only to ethical and positive pursuits. Along the way, patience is essential. Seek the blessings and prayers of your parents, mentors, and guides, and always turn to Allah in prayer. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. Remember, Allah is the best planner.
12. Beyond your creative career, you’re also involved in humanitarian work, especially your initiative to create a creative outlet for students at your old school in your village. What inspired this project, and what impact do you hope it will have on young minds there?
With the growing screen time among children, I’ve noticed how it’s harming their eyes, brains, and most importantly, their mental growth. That concern inspired me to start a project in my hometown, Thakurgaon, to help young minds reconnect with creativity and reading.
I launched a youth magazine called Kishor Chirkut, where school students can submit their stories, poems, jokes, book reviews, travel experiences, and artworks. The magazine is published every three months, giving students a platform to express themselves and see their work in print.
Alongside this, we also reward students for their reading habits to encourage them further. Recently, I’ve started working on setting up a unique library, one that doesn’t just offer books but inspires reading through creative competitions and engaging activities.
My goal is simple: to help the next generation fall in love with literature, imagination, and knowledge, beyond the limits of a mobile screen.
