“Photography started for me at a very young age and although I got to try out many film and digital cameras, I never actually owned one till my college days. I learnt to use a camera properly, you know, the Aperture, Shutter speed, DOF etc; on a Sony H1 prosumer model. An accident (I dropped the H1) paved the way for my first DSLR, a Canon 450D with which I shoot primarily now.
After initially trying out various subjects, I realized that I love capturing landscapes, wildlife, action and portraits. I usually start my weekend photo-outings at sunrise and needless to say it ends with sunset shots. I have been going out on photo-trips practically every weekend and if possible on week days too every chance I get. Thus my collection of sunrise and sunset shots has grown big. I’m always amazed to see so many different colors in the sky – what is otherwise dull gray or pale blue takes on a life at dawn and dusk! To get these shots means having to wake up early, to stay up late and often braving freezing cold weather. But the vivid images are my reward – right in front of my eyes every time!
Photography is a powerful medium when it comes to documenting and revealing changes – especially those caused by us on nature or by nature on itself. My recent visit to Andaman was an eye opener on just how much destruction has been caused by the 2004 tsunami and how four years later it’s still affecting life there. The landscape has changed dramatically and we actually have beautiful new beaches and pristine, undiscovered islands. I plan to return to document these and possibly help restore the lost tourism traffic to the Andaman Islands – let people see more than just Havelock Beach all the time!”
Photographic collection of dawn and twilight - Dinesh Kumar
