Breathtaking landscapes

A work on display at the exhibition. DH photo by Janardhan B K

On display at Chitrakala Parishat is a collection of breathtaking landscape photographs taken by Mahesh Nair, Matt Brandon, Prabir Purkayastha, Somesh Goyal, Soumitra Dutta and Balan Madhavan.
What came through effectively in many of the pictures was the photographers’ ability to get out in nature and rise to the challenge of capturing some of the amazing beauty that they saw on film.
One could almost feel the quietness and stillness of  the mountains, the valleys, the water bodies or the trees as the photographer waited patiently to capture the early morning or late evening sun filtering through the clouds and choosing the perfect moment for the shot. Landscape photography is essentially all about one's patience and ability to see, to distinguish and isolate the extraordinary from the ordinary, and then have the technical knowledge to be able to capture it photographically.
Mahesh Nair switched to nature and wildlife photography after two stimulating decades in the corporate world. He highlights the beauty of nature by using natural light and camera techniques. Kashmir based award-winning photographer Matt Brandon’s environmental portraits that are exhibited around the world are especially unique.
A photographer, since he was 10 years old, he now specialises in NGO, relief and humanitarian projects. Of special interest is his award-winning picture recognised world over as it captures the landscape which lies between the borders of India, Pakistan and China.
Prabir Purkayastha, a nature photographer, who has travelled through the icy wilderness of North India focuses on the remote beauty of Ladakh capturing powerful images of the last bastion of ancient Tibetan culture. Somesh Goyal’s sensitive pictures belie his armed forces background. His stunning visuals of remote unspolit parts of the country reflect the play of sunlight in different hues (icy white to fiery red), snow-kissed mountains, tranquil water bodies and emerald swathes of greenery.
Soumitra Dutta has used nature like a canvas to paint in shade of light and dark, colours, tones and textures to come up with photographs that are compelling and provocative. Born and raised in God’s Own Country, Balan Mahadevan, a full-time wildlife and travel photographer, has an interesting collection that showcases his range and expertise plus his considerable passion for the great outdoors.
The exhibition is aimed at spreading awareness about the photographic revolution. It will be on till May 17.