An abstract world through my lens

If you happen to be a photography lover, don’t miss this exhibition. An impressive range of abstract photographs, taken by a mix of six established and upcoming photographers. Aptly titled ‘Transmundane, beyond this world,’ it showcases fine photography skills used to transform the mundane into pictures completely out of this world.

The exhibition is being held by CAMERAunLIMITED - a photographers’ collective, which is trying to blend the work of new and experienced photographers for showcasing on a common platform. Its founder member Ravi Dhingra informs Metrolife, “Many a time, people want to see the work of known photographers only. So when we put established and upcoming photographers’ work together, it provides an incentive for the viewers, as well as a freshness to the exhibition.”

“We have worked on various themes for our previous exhibitions like femininity, impressions etc., but this time, we decided on abstract - a genre of photography not visited too often. In this style, we take an otherwise ordinary looking object and shoot it at just the right angle or focus to create a masterpiece of colours, patterns and textures. In abstract photography, there is only one rule, and that is that there are no rules. This genre has produced some real gems.”

Indeed, the exhibition has some fine pieces itself. Angad S Malhotra, a full-time corporate communications professional, and photographer by passion, has provided a picture called ‘King.’ At first sight, it looks like an ordinary shot of the blue sky peeping between two buildings. However, on a closer look, you realise that the contours of the two buildings resemble the profile of a king.

Sarika Dandona, a medical consultant, has displayed a penchant for macroshots, that is, close ups of ordinary objects. A bright orange yellow colour picture looks like honey flowing out of a jar. The fact, however, is that it is a table lamp shot from a certain angle.

Anamitra Chakladar, cameraperson for a media house, has taken pictures of whirling dervishes in Turkey and called them ‘Sufiyana.’ Indeed, the circular movement of the dervishes, their flowing dresses and the light blue colour give you a sense of motion and make you feel a part of the tradition.

The photographs of Rami Dagar, an engineer, look like an illusion. The picture of a marriage party shows the bride, the groom and a third person - but all of them hazy, like a crayon artwork of a child. Ravi informs us that the shot was taken from a car on a rainy day. The drops are visible at the bottom.

Finally, Sanjay Maggo, owner of a camera showroom in Pallika Bazaar, has taken some interesting pictures of shadows of trees and leaves; and Sanjay Das, an experienced photographer, has shot myriad objects like a drum in a monastery in which, he says, he can feel the vibrations.

As Ravi says, the objects remain the same, what differs is the way you see them.
The photographs are on display at Arpana Caur Academy of Fine Arts, Siri Fort Institutional Area, October 19 to 28. Time: 11 am-7 pm.