Interview Madhavan Palanisamy
Photography helps me to interpret the strange beauty that surrounds us.
Name: Madhavan Palanisamy
Hometown: Coimbatore, India
Style of photography: Conceptual, Abstract, Portraiture, Landscapes
Type of camera(s): Nikon D 700/ 300 for personal assignments. Canon 5D II / IDS Mark II for advertising. Olympus EP-2 for walking around. Minolta for film. Holga 135 and Diana Mini for analog and fun.
Website:madhavzone.tumblr.com & www.madhavanpalanisamy.com
What gives you inspiration?
I am inspired by a lot of things. Music, movies, music videos, books, blogs, works of other photographers… a new place, a new camera, a new lens…the way light falls on something…my dreams. There is so much beauty and magic in the world.
What are your influences?
My earliest influences come from the movies that I have seen as a kid. Our town had a movie club, the only place where we got to see world movies. Kurasawa, Bergman, Fellini, Godard, Satyajit Ray, Charlie Chaplin and more. The density and drama of the visuals were something I didn’t understood but it took me to a world where anything can happen. Movies are still a big influence. They taught me to dream. Then the books I read, full of fantasy and magic.
The work I saw when I was in advertising- of Nadav Kander, Prabuddha Das Gupta, Bharat Sikka, Clang, Nick Knight and many more. Then a whole bunch of contemporary artists over the last couple of years.
And of course, the internet. Lots of amazing blogs that showcase contemporary photography and design. Jorg M Colberg’s blog especially.
Why did you choose these photos?
These pictures are part of my project called ‘Sid’s world’. They are innocent and playful; and at the same time, apocalyptic. They remind me of our vulnerability. These are also special because I relived some of my childhood with my son, Sid (now he is 6), when I did this project.
What does photography mean to you?
Photography helps me to interpret the strange beauty that surrounds us.
I feel my head is full of bookmarks and ideas and I am so restless with it sometimes. I get depressed sometimes thinking how do I share what I have with the world. Photography helps me in keeping my balance. By opening up and letting me connect.
Photos:
Copyright reserved by Madhavan Palanisamy
