At 73, Ashok Kandimalla continues his dialogue with images

“Sometimes it is just a door knob or light streaming from a window, but that single element can add enormous value to a photograph,” says Ashok Kandimalla, 73, his eyes lighting up as he remembers his latest go to to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai. Based in Chennai, the retired electronics and laptop engineer has spent the final twenty years coaching his lens on structure and landscapes, pushed by a fascination that started in childhood.

At an age when folks might want to step away from demanding pursuits, Ashok finds himself as engaged as ever with images. Immersing in each observe and pedagogy, he continues to write down extensively on images, travelling to share his information. Last week, he was in Visakhapatnam because the chief visitor for a World Photography Day celebration at Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan.

Photography entered his life early. “I was about 12 when I began learning the basics from my father, who was a photographer,” he remembers, including with a way of quiet pleasure: “In fact, my great grandmother was also a photographer.” While his skilled life took him into engineering, the pull of the lens by no means actually loosened. After retiring from the company world, he pursued it with the main focus and self-discipline that formed his work.

He describes himself as methodical, a attribute he believes comes naturally to engineers. This has formed his photographic inclinations. “I find myself drawn to landscapes and architecture,” he explains. Buildings, particularly, maintain his consideration. “There is a saying that once you look at a building, it does not reveal all its secrets. This mystery and the depth of ancient Indian architecture appeals to me.” A latest go to to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai left him deeply impressed. Built in 1636 by king Tirumala Nayaka of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, the palace’s ornate detailing and huge courtyards provided him limitless prospects for exploration via his digital camera.

Architecture, he insists, calls for a sure exactitude. “Architecture photography requires technical perfection,” he says. His preparation begins lengthy earlier than he units foot on web site. He research the background and historical past and appears for components which may maintain significance.

Although structure has been a constant focus, his curiosity has not been confined to it. He has additionally ventured into wildlife images, with Pulicat lake rating amongst his favorite locations. Yet his observations on this area carry a notice of concern. “Today, wildlife photography is over exploited,” he remarks. “There have been instances when tigers were blocked by safari vehicles from reaching their cubs deep in the forest, only so photographers could capture a frame or create a reel. Such disregard for Nature is troubling.”

Ashok’s relationship with images has at all times prolonged past private exploration. He has been an energetic member of the Photographic Society of Madras, one of many oldest societies of India, the place he participates in month-to-month conferences and travels with fellow members. Writing, too, has been central to his observe. Last month he submitted his two hundredth article on software program strategies in images to a Mumbai-based journal, the place his column has turn out to be a sustained contribution over time.

Teaching and mentoring kind one other facet of his engagement. He has carried out a number of workshops for establishments resembling IIT Madras and UNESCO. His expertise has additionally been sought in judging photographic salons and he co-edited the Blue Sapphire Jubilee quantity of the Federation of Indian Photography. He served as president of the Telangana Photographic Society and continues as visiting school at Mindscreen Film Institute in Chennai.

Recognition has adopted his contributions. He was honoured by Lino Manfrotto of Italy and acquired honorary membership from the Youth Photographic Society in Bengaluru.