DEPICTING the beauty of KwaZulu-Natal, inter- national photographer Abhi Indrarajan brings his exhibition to the newly developed Durban Studio on Florida Road. Based in Durban, Indrarajan has serviced the corporate and private sectors internationally over the past 12 years.
With a Fine Arts degree specialising in photography, he has made a name for himself as his work is showcased in various forms of media throughout the country.
For him, photography has always been a hobby: “I just loved photography from the day I could remember using a camera and ever since my dad let me use his. It’s just always been in me.”
Indrarajan explains the significance behind his exhibition: “It’s my artist’s impression of KZN, for example, high-definition pictures (HDR as the term would be for photography – High Dynamic Range pictures). I am partially colour-blind, hence the brightness and contrast of the images bring out the dynamic range in the colours of the image.
“The pictures have been taken in and around KZN. I’ve focused on this mainly because I have lived in KZN for most of my life and this is sort of a way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving back to mother nature.”
Within his exhibit, one image is not related to KZN. Rather, it’s a picture taken in Qunu.
“I decided to take a drive there in the middle of the year and just photograph the surroundings where Nelson Mandela was brought up. I had taken what I think is an awesome picture of the sun setting behind the Qunu school. So I have decided to give the money from an auction to this same school where Nelson Mandela got his name (Nelson) from,” he explains
Speaking of Madiba, the greatest honour and highlight of Indrarajan’s career was when he met the icon.
“A good friend of mine, Yogin Devan, asked me if I’d like to shoot Nelson Mandela. I was more than honoured. And what’s even better was that not only did I get to take pictures of the great man, but I also got to greet him and shake his hand. To top that off, there was another photographer there to capture that moment.
“I always say, I shook the hand of the man who shook the world.”
Steering the conversation to the digital age, I ask if he notices less work coming his way since people now think they can do it themselves with a digital camera.
“Yes, as if everyone is now a photographer, which in the beginning was hard, but then I gave it a year, until clients actually realised that you can’t just use a digital camera, you need to know how to use the camera.
“Also, my biggest challenge as a photographer is trying to make people realise that photography is an art, not a point-and-shoot society since the digital age has kicked in.”
Back to the exhibition, what can people expect to see?
“My new look on KZN and in the art form. I would also like it to get word out that there is a place for people and students in Durban to use a studio within the approximate range of central Durban.”
• For exhibition info, call Abhi at 072 723 1111 or e-mail [email protected]