The beauty of photography is it's a medium that continually evolves. While the digital space has opened up new vistas and possibilities, there's something about analog photography that never loses its charm. Sasikanth Somu, a teacher and practitioner of analog photography based in Auroville, Pondicherry, recognizes this unique allure. In a recent episode on the “Photo Country with Rajeev” podcast, Rajeev discussed Sasikanth's journey and perspectives on the coexistence of digital and analog photography.
Discovering the Magic of Photography
Sasikanth's journey into photography started early, nudged by a chance encounter with an old Kodak box brownie camera tucked away in his grandmother’s cupboard. The magic of witnessing thumbnail-sized photos on a contact sheet ignited a fascination with the art of capturing light and shadows. His journey was further influenced by his father, who was an avid photography enthusiast, often capturing moments with a Roliflex.
An Odyssey in Australia
Sasikanth's fascination with photography took him to Australia, where he initially studied engineering. However, his love for photography was too strong to ignore. Leaving engineering behind, Sasikanth embarked on a degree in Media Arts with photography as his major. Despite mastering Fine Art photography, Sasikanth felt drawn to the charms of teaching. He dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge with aspiring photographers, teaching art and photography, particularly extolling his passion for analog processes.
Analog Photography in Auroville
After relocating back to India in 2007, Sasikanth started teaching in Auroville, a unique international community near Pondicherry often admired for its lush greenery. Equally proficient in analog and digital photography, Sasikanth encouraged his students to explore, experiment and embrace both disciplines. Despite the prevalence of digital photography, he noticed a recent resurgence in the interest in analog film photography.
The Unique Appeal of Analog Film
Sasikanth argues that analog photography serves as an antidote to the fast tempo of digital photography. Students who are used to shooting thousands of images on their digital devices found themselves slowing down and considering each shot when using a finite film roll. Sasikanth presumes that this reflective process helps to understand the value of lighting, composition, and other aspects of capturing images on analog film.
Analog vs. Digital: Can They Coexist?
Sasikanth highlights that both analog and digital photography have their unique charms and can share the stage in the world of expressive visual art. Experimentation is limitless in the field of analog photography, from developing film rolls in coffee or beer to physically manipulating film negatives.
Sasikanth encourages anyone interested in photography to explore both analog and digital formats, acknowledging that the two forms can coexist to create a more enriching artistic experience. While Sasikanth encourages his students to experiment with alternate processes like cyanotype, he also recommends starting simple for anyone new to analog film photography.
In the fast-paced world of digital imaging, there are teachers like Sasikanth who make sure the essence of traditional photography doesn’t fade into the background. By teaching and practicing analog in Auroville, Sasikanth is not only preserving the art of analog photography but also helping it evolve with the digital age. Through his work, he shows that photography is not merely about the tools used but the story that each image tells – a timeless aspect that links the past, present, and future of photography.
Photographs by Sasi Somu
His Instagram - www.instagram.com/sasisomu/
Tor Eigeland’s Instagram and website
https://www.instagram.com/toreigeland/
https://www.toreigeland.com/
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Grains of Time: Exploring Analog Photography - Ep. 46 - Sasi Somu