Goutham Ramesh
Nature & Travel Photographer
1) Would you tell us more about you and your interest in Photography?
Well, I come from the family of photographers with international distinctions, while this introduced me to photography, it did not really help me in mature as a photographer, my interest in photography grew during my college days and I used it as an avenue to express myself when I was going through toughest times of my life. It was a lifeline which kept me sane. Over a period of time I have gone through many different and often obsessive phases of photographing subjects like macro, nature, travel and people and I like to call my work “Canvas of Light” and use light as an important aspect of my images.
2) Can you please tell us about the types of Photography you indulge with?
Well, I started with nature and wildlife to begin with and with addition of a macro lens about 15 years back, I started doing macro photography seriously, but over a period of time by the virtue of association of eminent photographers and the need to create images of “wall value” I evolved to shoot range of subjects from nature, travel, landscape and people.
3) What is the inspiration that keeps you going?
I’m also part of Vismaya (http://vismayaforcause.org) which is a team of photo artists who are Inspired by the thought to use photography to help the needy and bring smiles to their faces, we at Vismaya have set ourselves on a mission of lending a helping hand to the ones in need using our pursuits in photography; our mission statement is “We make pictures to brighten lives“, this blend of art and charity inspires me, and I believe that my photography can change lives and impact people in a small way.
I also draw inspiration from work of H Satish, who I consider as my Guru in photography.
4) How do you feel when your work is exhibited and viewed by tons of people?
Well, nothing can satisfy an artist when his work is appreciated by people at the end of the day, this is the greatest inspiration that the artist needs. I’m no different and the Joy of exhibiting pictures and showing it to the world is an exhilarating experience indeed.
5) Can you tell us something about Photography and its inception?
Photography since its inception has changed the way people look at things and its one of the most powerful medium to convey a message; Photography also has evolved into an art form! unlike any other visual image, a photograph is not a rendering, an imitation or an interpretation of its subject, but a trace of it. No painting or drawing, however natural, belongs to its subject in the way that a photograph does. Art is a subjectively biased interpretation of the artist’s subject. In many ways, the choice of subject is largely irrelevant; it’s the biased interpretation that makes things interesting and unique so when we create images rather than just recording it, photography transforms itself into an art form.
6) To you, what is Photography?
Well, I have mentioned it above, it is an art form which is expressive and illuminating literally!
7) Please share us some of your achievements in Photography Profession?
About two decades back I won a couple of awards in national level competition and won a certificate of merit from Lalitha Kala Academy. After that, I was part of the organising committee of a national photo competition and realised how this competition can be regressive personally to my expressive art which made me stop chasing honours, after that, I started enjoying and expressing my self more freely.
I have been part of multiple exhibitions over a period of last 5 years and also own and moderate a social network of photographers whose goal is purely to discuss photographs from a critic’s viewpoint.
8) Can you tell us something about your Photography community?
Well, I do have few likeminded photo artist friends who share this common interest and we do discuss and go out tighter for shoots. Some of them like Murali Santanam, Amar Bhaskar, Harish, Vinod Balan, Venu, Sisir and Sridhar are part of the team Vismaya mentioned above.
We do discuss a lot and not a day goes by talking about photography and discussing pro’s and cons’ our own work, this helps us evolve.
9) Can you tell us about the general response you receive in exhibitions?
Well, the response that I have received has been very good, a good image which tells a story and which has wall value, does connect with people and will ultimately be taken.
10) What do you think about the scope of Photography in the modern Digital world?
When photography moves from a medium of just recording events to creating an image, it becomes an art and art will always be in demand. Digital photography and medium has made the learning curve very horizontal and it’s not steep at all and also with many ways to share the art of image making is more exciting than before.
11) How do you feel about your association with Honeycomb creative support?
Well, Honeycomb has been my extension when it comes to logistics of printing my images and delivering them. They are very professional, and the quality of work is exceptional. I can recommend them to anybody with my eyes closed.
12) Can you share us your future plans and dreams?
Well, I would like to promote photography as an art form and start teaching and conducting workshops to share my knowledge. I would also like to travel with such creative minds and create images of the world and of course, share what ever I know.
