- Imal Wickremage on the art of travel photography
Brunch had a chat with him on the art of travel photography and more.
How did you discover your passion for photography?
My photography journey began quite randomly and unexpectedly. It started in 2015, and prior to that, I had no background, equipment, or education in photography.
In 2015, I happened to go to the UK for my graduation. At the time, I bought an entry-level DSLR camera just to capture the moments of my visit. Little did I know that those pictures would someday help shape a great hobby that would become an integral part of my life, bringing me great joy.
Over the last few years, photography has helped me live life a lot better, and has even helped me to develop myself both personally and professionally. That is where it all started and since then it has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Coming back to Sri Lanka, I got some positive feedback on the photos I took, but the camera was just lying around the house untouched unless I went on a trip. That’s when I decided to invest my free time to learn about photography and enrolled for a course with the Photographic Society of Sri Lanka conducted by Panduka De Silva.
The game-changer for my interest in photography happened in 2016 when I took part and won the Cinnamon Cover Shot Challenge, powered by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). I took part in it since I would get the chance to visit some places that I had never been before (including a domestic flight making another amazing opportunity to have a bird’s eye view over Sri Lanka’s beautiful landscapes). Surprisingly, it was my entry that became the winner and it really made me think: “Hey, I got something in me in terms of photography.”
Where have you most enjoyed travelling? And where has been most rewarding for your photography?
Where I’ve enjoyed travelling most is in the wild. As a wildlife person, Yala and Wilpattu have been my go-to places which I consider to be one of my “happy” places. Within wildlife photography, the most unforgettable experience has been seeing three leopards in a single frame in both Yala and Wilpattu.
In your opinion, what makes a good photograph?
There are many elements that need to come together for an image to be considered “good”. In terms of techniques, I use it to imagine the final photograph in my mind and try to figure out how it will appear in my photo.
Some of the crucial elements include; lighting, composition, subject, rule of thirds, colour, etc. and I believe all of these play an important role in photography and these are often interconnected.
Forming a vision as to how you would want to see a picture could be easy, but the challenge is achieving that vision of matching your final photo to the image that you have in mind.
Has photography enabled you to connect with local cultures?
Of course, yes! Another important aspect is that photography gives me the ability to make new connections with others. I see my camera as a tool to bridge the gap between me and a stranger. It allows me to connect with people with different cultural values, religions, etc. and it has been a rewarding experience.
I’ll tell you a simple story. When I engage with street photography, I make it a point to build a connection with strangers and learn their stories. Whenever I take pictures I am always aware that I need to be sensitive to how the picture will make someone feel when they see it. Once I took a picture of a guy in Pettah who used to say his life was empty and that he only hoped that things would get better.
He thanked me over and over again for taking a picture of him even though he never expected to get a copy of it (which I went and gave the next day). He was just happy that someone found him interesting enough to take a picture of him. Going out in the world with your camera can oftentimes bring a smile and joy to some random people we meet as well.
What do you enjoy most about being a travel photographer?
To photograph well, you have to spend a lot of time with your subject. When you spend a lot of time with the planet, you will fall deeply in love with it and want to protect and respect it. This is probably the reason I love travel photography so much, because it has made me much more responsible as a human being in how I interact, photograph, and play in the planet I call home.
I truly believe that photography is one of the most rewarding things you can do as it develops you, not just in terms of creativity, but personally and professionally as well.
Each day is unique. You may take a photo that can never be replicated, and you have ownership of that historical piece of art. You also will realise how many of our protected places are in serious danger of overuse and overconsumption. I don’t want to be the last generation to see and photograph a place before it loses its unique identity. I want generations after mine to be inspired and fall in love with this planet like I did.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced to get the photo you want?
When taking pictures, you’ll almost never be able to recreate what you see before your eyes if you don’t capture the shot at that very moment. Within a matter of seconds, lighting changes, people move, genuine emotions and expressions pass. You don’t get to take back the opportunities that you allow to pass you by. So you need to act with purpose.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is to get an image that was in my mind. I was patiently waiting for that exact moment that I had in mind (a snorkeller exploring the variety in marine diversity at Pigeon Island). The final result being, rewarding me by allowing me to grab my first photography achievement.
I had the shot pictured in my head, which was good enough with the beach, beautiful blue sky, and rocks. But, I needed a snorkeller to complete the look, and suddenly, I saw a girl snorkelling, appearing out of nowhere like a mermaid which gave me my dream shot – in all its perfection.
Apart from that, wildlife photography is always challenging. I’ve spent hours and hours in the same location trying to experience some great sightings. The waiting game sometimes rewards you, sometimes not, and that’s the nature of wildlife photography.
How has Instagram changed travel photography?
I believe that Instagram has really changed my travel photography to some extent. I get inspired by the photos I see on Instagram and I tend to plan my journeys and make my travel choices based on that (where to go, the best time to go, etc.) I would consider Instagram to be the internet’s version of a global travel brochure. While it’s a great source of inspiration, one should use it wisely. Think outside the box as there’s a fine line between inspired by and copied from. Therefore, what I do is, I get inspired by the photos I see on Instagram, including the different angles the pictures are taken of the same location, etc. and always put my own spin to my shot. I always strive to be different and original in telling a story from my own point of view because once you inject your own personality, perspectives, and ideas into a shot, it would be wildly different.
Do you have any tips for amateur photographers wanting to take better travel photos?
I believe that you judge and estimate your own photos by your own taste, aesthetics, and rules. For example, if you photograph what you are good at, it will bring you happiness and joy. And that happiness and joy will continue to drive you forward to keep photographing.
Also, another piece of advice is not to go crazy buying the most expensive equipment right away. Yes, it does play a key part to some extent but most importantly it’s the passion towards a specific genre of photography and the creative eye that does wonders.
I also feel that “it has a little to do with the things you see and it’s about everything to do with the way you see them”. I start seeing things as I would see them through a lens. So, bring your unique you-ness.
Do you have any plans for the rest of the year?
Due to the pandemic, I haven’t been able to engage in photography much over the last one-and-a-half years. I just can't wait till things ease up so that I can start my photography journey yet again. The first place I’d probably go back to would be Yala or Wilpattu and then of course to start exploring somewhere new as I always do.
Photography is now an integral part of my life and I simply cannot explain the joy that it brings me.
Website: www.imalwickramage.com
Instagram: @imalshamindra