A click with a difference

"A picture speaks a thousand words," they say… as clichéd and as old as the saying may be, it is very true. This is pretty much the same impression you get when you take a look at the photographs taken by 20-year-old Anush Wijesinha.

"I didn't realise it, but others did," he said, about people noticing that he was taking different types of photographs. He didn't have his own camera till a few years ago and got a Nikon digital camera for himself a few months back. Interestingly, Anush's camera even has a name…'Elliot'!

Studying at St. Thomas' Prep School up to his O/L's, and going onto becoming the head prefect there, he joined the Colombo International School for his A/L's and is now in his third year at the University College, London, reading for a degree in Economics.

Anush started off taking pictures in London and while he was away, began looking at his photographs and analyzing them subconsciously. "I take my camera where ever I go at University," he said, adding that he likes event photography in particular.

In response to how he was most influenced, he said his father was very much into photography and so encouraged him. Interestingly, his father has not been involved in photography in the recent past, but after seeing Anush's work, "He wants to start up again," he said.

The initial cost of this hobby was expensive, and Anush though he has a tendency to phase in and out of things, feels that this hobby is here to stay. "Definitely not as a career but as a serious hobby and freelance work," is how he plans to continue his hobby, adding that it is not a necessity to give up your job, since photography could be followed on a part time basis.

According to Anush, there is a high demand for development oriented photography and so intends to cover areas which focus on Development Economics, for work related matters. An aspect he will not get into for sure though, is wildlife photography. Anush also feels that a development themed photography camp should be held in Sri Lanka. When asked what he would enjoy doing here, he said, one project that topped the list was to "build up a collection of faces of Sri Lanka."

While he does enjoy taking portraits of people, he also likes concert photography. And what exactly is concert photography you may ask? "It could be described as focusing on emotions and movements on stage." Mentioning that he likes doing concert photography in Sri Lanka, Anush also does normal photo shoots for Leisure Times and LMD. It is interesting to note that the Commonwealth Society in Sri Lanka had called for entries here as well, and he proudly added that, "one of mine was selected!"

Promoting photography in schools is something he feels is important. That aside, he has noticed the fact that the Asian region is doing well in the field. And for any of you interested in photography, this budding young photographer had this to say - "Firstly you don't need a fancy camera," and "secondly, let as many photographs influence you - but develop your own style."

He also went on to say that you should keep taking photographs, because you essentially see things in more detail, only when you do so continuosly. Anush also said that experimentation helps, but that there are some basics you may need to know when getting into the profession, and that you also need to have an eye for good photographs.

With regard to digital photography, Anush has written an article in the IT Times of February 2006. And with regard to photography itself, he handled the photographs for the British Council Pre-Departure Event, held this year. In addition, photographs he had taken in London were used in the education supplement of the Mirror Magazine few months back as well.

In more recent developments Anush said that he is the photography editor of the UCL student magazine and college newspaper, "Pi Magazine" and "Pi Squared."

Anush is one of those impressive young people who wants to come back to Sri Lanka and work. "There is a lot you can do here," he said. He sited examples like writing for a magazine, travelling and so on and said, "It is a shame that not many young people are coming back, when they really should." Summing it all up, he said, "I think Colombo is a brilliant place to work and be a photographer," adding that he couldn't work happily in any other city.