Life is of many shades. We express ourselves in everything we do. Sometimes "this is who I am" reflects in our art and at others, it is subtly implied. Every colour we portray expresses shades of who we are.
Yellow represents optimism,
Maroon represents beauty,
Black represents elegance,
White represents innocence,
Pink represents compassion,
It's not just fashion that we're chasing. We are constantly chasing that burning desire to express who we are. We are constantly chasing colors.
Photographer: Diwakar Gopalarathnam @diwakargopalrathnam
Model: Esha Gohil @eshagohil @inega.in
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Sneha Vijayaragavan @snehavij_mua
Wardrobe Stylist: Priya Karan @priyaa.karan
Diwakar, can you tell us about yourself, please? Where do you live now and where are you from? How did you discover photography and what motivated you to get started?
I’m a photographic artist based in Chennai, which is a metropolitan city in the southern part of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. I discovered photography during my school days when I started with a Canon point-and-shoot digital camera and started shooting things around me. I liked the moments where I could freeze time with a click. I guess it all started there.
You have a very unique style. How would you describe your photography to someone who has never seen it?
Thank you for your compliment. Well, I believe I don’t have a style yet. I don’t want to categorize myself in a particular style. As a photographer, I want to be versatile and I want to try out and experiment with everything as much as I can. Maybe that’s what I want to convey in my image narrative. Be experimental!
What are the most important lessons you have learned about fashion photography so far?
We have to learn the all rules in photography—to break it!
Do you remember your first paid photography gig? How did it go?
My first paid gig in photography was a headshot session for a corporate company. Fortunately, it went well as planned!
What gives you ideas and what inspires you to create your beautiful images?
I get ideas and inspiration from things around me—like the movies and series I watch, the people around me, by traveling, and from some great photographers’ work I look up to.
What's the best part of being a photographer? What do you love the most about your job?
The best part of being a photographer is, when you leave this earth, you will leave a trail of yourself in the form of art, in your photographs. And to answer the other part of your question, the best part of this job is you always get to meet new people and get to know them.
In your eyes, what is the difference between fashion and beauty photography? What’s your favorite?
The difference between fashion and beauty photography is that in fashion photography, there is always an image narrative in it—you can always tell a story. We can also narrate in beauty photography, but it won’t be as effective as it is conveyed in fashion photography. This is my perspective. Perhaps others’ opinions may vary! I like Fashion Photography.
What are the biggest challenges of being a photographer?
In these pandemic times, getting clients is the biggest challenge.
Do you prefer working on location or in the studio? What’s your favorite light source, and why do you choose it?
I prefer working in a studio where I have control over light. I prefer both continuous lighting and strobe lighting; it’s hard to pick a favorite light source.
What projects are you working on next, and what are your goals for the future?
Here in India we currently have a lockdown. I’m yet to start a new project. I want my work to be recognized by international standards and I’m working toward it. As the first step toward it, my work got featured in “MALVIE” magazine. I would like to thank “MALVIE” for featuring my work. It’s a great initiative you guys are doing for upcoming artists like me. Thank you for the opportunity again.
Where can we see more of your works and get connected with you?
You can get in touch with me on my Instagram handle and my website. You can find my contact information there. And I always update work on my Instagram page and my website.
Instagram handle : @diwakargopalrathnam
Website : diwakargopalrathnam.com