A Picture of Passion
Written by: Geetika Kullampalle
Day 1: Introduction
This year at camp, we had the amazing opportunity to learn photography from a professional, Dev Gogoi Uncle. I was beyond excited to dive into capturing the world through a lens, hoping to learn how to truly bring out the beauty in every scene. On the first day, Dev Uncle began by showing us photos he had taken the day the Baba Vigraham arrived at the mandir. Each picture radiated emotion: anticipation, nervousness, the silent prayers that nothing would go wrong. By the time we finished looking at the album, it felt as though we had lived that day ourselves, as if we were right there, witnessing it all.
He then shared the story of the mandir’s inauguration day. Watching the mandir’s transformation, from the marble floors being laid to the delicate placement of flowers, and finally the installation of the black wall behind the idol; it was mesmerizing. I could see the two-year effort come to life through his photos. Before he left that day, Dev Uncle gave us a valuable lesson. He said that every photo must have a reason behind it, a purpose. That insight lingered with all of us as we wrapped up the first workshop, eager for what lay ahead in the coming days.
Day 2: Landscapes
Just like the day before, all the geckos gathered in GTR, crowding the small space with eager anticipation. We were ready to finally capture the beauty of Haritachala through our lenses. Before letting us go and explore, Dev Uncle explained the camera settings and the most important aspects of shooting in manual mode; adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to get the perfect shot.
We were given 30 minutes to roam the farm, and I paired up with Sphurana, both of us eager to see what we could find. Together, we wandered through the vast fields, searching for something that spoke to us. Butterflies fluttered around us, and we were mesmerized by the vibrant flowers dotting the landscape. As we explored deeper, a flock of birds suddenly took off from the well nearby, disrupting the peaceful sky with their wings. The sight left me in awe, so much so that I stood there, mouth open, until Sphurana had to remind me to take a picture. After capturing the moment, we walked over to the well to find Dev Uncle just as amazed as we were by the beauty of it all.
On our way back to GTR, my eyes followed a radiant orange butterfly, fluttering in graceful arcs through the air. It seemed to lead me to a captivating sight that had Sphurana jumping up and down in excitement. Around a decrepit and bare stem, bright fluttering butterflies filled the sad, naked twig with life and color. It was like they were unveiling the true beauty hidden beneath the dullness of the old wood. The scene struck me. The contrast between the lifeless brown twig and the vibrant orange butterflies was breathtaking. It was as if the butterflies were revealing the delicate balance between life and death, and how even decay plays a crucial role in nature's beauty. The colors popped against each other, creating the perfect harmony of nature’s palette.
I snapped picture after picture, hoping to capture that same feeling of contrast and beauty that nature had so effortlessly presented.
By the time we returned to GTR, the air was buzzing with excitement as everyone shared their pictures. Dev Uncle reviewed each photo, giving feedback on how to improve and what he liked about each shot. When he discussed my picture of the butterflies, he praised the way I captured the contrast of life and death, emphasizing how important it is to see and capture the layers of beauty in nature.
The day ended with a feeling of fulfillment, knowing that we had not just taken photos but learned to look at the world through a new lens, one that could see the beauty in even the most ordinary things. The excitement for the days ahead grew even stronger.
Theme: Landscape
Day 3: People Portraits
The day began early, well before breakfast, with the kitchen already buzzing. Ammama was at the stove, stirring something fragrant, while the aunties chopped vegetables and exchanged laughter. Uday Anna announced that today’s theme was People Portraits, and we eagerly set out to capture the energy and emotion around us.
The kitchen became our first canvas. We tried to capture every detail, the quick movements of the team, Ammama’s warm presence, and the steam rising from the pots. The smell of spices filled the space, and we focused on portraying the pride in their work. Each shot aimed to tell a story of hard work, community, and shared joy. Outside, a volleyball game broke out. Cameras still slung over our shoulders, we joined in, capturing the energy as people dove and shouted. Foxy darted around the court, and I became determined to photograph his mischievous spirit. Chasing him with my camera was a challenge, but finally, I captured his essence, playful, and bold personality.
Later, I asked Sweety Akka to model for me in the banana grove. The sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, casting a golden glow. I took photos of her among the leaves, her expression soft and reflective.
As evening fell, we gathered to review our work. Dev Uncle offered his thoughtful feedback, focusing not just on technical skills but on how to evoke emotion in our portraits. As the day ended, we felt like we were no longer just taking pictures, we were learning to see the world with new eyes, appreciating the beauty and emotion in every moment.
Theme: People Portraits
Day 4: Theme - Still Life and Architecture, Goodbye
Our final day brought a new challenge: architecture. I wasn’t quite sure where to start, feeling a little out of my element. Hasi suggested we could take turns painting the bakery while some of us went out to find our perfect shot. I worked at the bakery for a while before grabbing my camera and sprinting towards the temple. I knew I wanted to capture Baba’s idol in a unique way, framed by the surrounding plants.
It took some time, but after adjusting my angles and waiting for the light to hit just right, I finally found the composition I wanted, using the lush green leaves to frame Baba from a low angle, giving the photo a sense of reverence and serenity. As I was focusing on my shot, Pravallika Akka asked if she could borrow the camera next, and I handed it over, excited to see what she would capture.
Meanwhile, the day wasn’t without its own share of excitement. As I looked around, I noticed RK Anna holding an incredibly tall ladder, while Hasi was precariously balanced at the top, trying to photograph the temple's gopuram. Her legs wobbled, and her voice trembled as she said, "I can't move!" With the help of the akkas, they slowly lowered her down while I stood ready to catch her. We all had a good laugh about it afterward, and her daring climb resulted in some stunning photos of the temple roof. Seeing her amazing shots inspired me, and after getting permission, Anshu and I decided to climb up to the roof ourselves. As we stood on top, the view took my breath away. From the rooftop, you could see almost all of Haritachala and beyond to Tiru, bathed in soft sunlight. The beauty was overwhelming, and for a moment, I forgot to even take a picture. It was one of those moments that felt too grand to capture, something to simply be cherished in memory. We took a few photos, but the experience itself was what truly stayed with me.
Later that day, as we all gathered back in GTR, the uncles; Uday Anna, Sudheer Uncle, and Pradeep Uncle, printed out all the photos we had taken throughout the workshop and displayed them on the walls. The entire room transformed into an art gallery of our collective work, each photo representing our growth and the joy we found in photography. It was beautiful to see how far we had come in just a few days.
Dev Uncle went over each picture, offering his final feedback and telling us how impressed he was with our progress. In his eyes, we were all on our way to becoming professional photographers, and hearing that made us laugh and feel proud. Before we said our goodbyes, we thanked him for all the time he had spent with us, teaching us not just about photography, but about seeing the world in a new way. As we parted ways, the room felt a little bittersweet, filled with memories and a sense of accomplishment that would stay with us long after camp.
Theme: Still Life and Architecture
