Proving yet again that age is no bar when it comes to one’s passion, S Viswanathan, a resident of Vivekananda Street, Gandhi Nagar, Chrompet, is continuing to make waves in photography, at 65.
A recipient of several awards, he was also recently honoured for his experience by Chennai Video and Photographers’ Association (CVPA). He speaks to News Today.
Excerpts:
Q: At a time when photography was not popular, how did you embrace it?
A: During my childhood at Gopalapuram Boys Higher Secondary School, my father used to send me to the famous Ramgopal Photo Studio, Royapettah, to spend my free time productively. Photography was quite nascent and its complexity helped me develop an interest towards it.
Q: Your achievements so far.
A: In addition to the recently-bagged Most Experienced Photographer Award by CVPA, I have also won Samudhaya Nala Photographer and Best Photographer awards from Sri Akshaya Seva Trust, Salem, and more. Also, I was the chief photographer for actor R Neelakantan, till he breathed his last. Not only that, I am also the official photographer for Crazy Mohan, Maadhu Balaji and T V Varadarajan, among many others.
Q: A couple of your best memories.
A: About a decade ago, I was the photographer at a marriage function. Many years later, I got another wedding order. To my surprise, the groom was the same one I photographed previously. When I informed the matter, the event was stopped in time and the bride was saved.
Also, many years ago, I got an order for a birthday party. I took a photograph of the birthday girl when she arrived with her mother in an auto-rickshaw. Unfortunately, they kept a bag full of gold jewels in the auto which vanished along with the driver. But with my photographs, we got the vehicle’s registration number, tracked it with the help of police and retrieved the jewels.
Q: What’s your advice for aspiring photographers?
A: Unlike many other professions, photography is an art. Creating a niche for oneself is key to success in this field. Secondly, hardwork and punctuality are must to etch one’s name here.
Viswanathan can be contacted at 9444944916.