At 73, Ashok Kandimalla continues his dialogue with photography

“Sometimes it is just a door knob or light streaming from a window, but that single element can add enormous value to a photograph,” says Ashok Kandimalla, 73, his eyes lighting up as he recalls his recent visit to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai. Based in Chennai, the retired electronics and computer engineer has spent the last two decades training his lens on architecture and landscapes, driven by a fascination that began in childhood.

At an age when people may prefer to step away from demanding pursuits, Ashok finds himself as engaged as ever with photography. Immersing in both practice and pedagogy, he continues to write extensively on photography, travelling to share his knowledge. Last week, he was in Visakhapatnam as the chief guest for a World Photography Day celebration at Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan.

Photographer Ashok Kandimalla during an interaction with students in Visakhapatnam as part of World Photography Day.
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Photography entered his life early. “I was about 12 when I began learning the basics from my father, who was a photographer,” he recalls, adding with a sense of quiet pride: “In fact, my great grandmother was also a photographer.” While his professional life took him into engineering, the pull of the lens never really loosened. After retiring from the corporate world, he pursued it with the focus and discipline that shaped his work.

Ashok Kandimalla’s architectural photography.
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He describes himself as methodical, a characteristic he believes comes naturally to engineers. This has shaped his photographic inclinations. “I find myself drawn to landscapes and architecture,” he explains. Buildings, in particular, hold his attention. “There is a saying that once you look at a building, it does not reveal all its secrets. This mystery and the depth of ancient Indian architecture appeals to me.” A recent visit to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai left him deeply impressed. Built in 1636 by king Tirumala Nayaka of the Madurai Nayak dynasty, the palace’s ornate detailing and vast courtyards offered him endless possibilities for exploration through his camera.

Architecture, he insists, demands a certain exactitude. “Architecture photography requires technical perfection,” he says. His preparation begins long before he sets foot on site. He studies the background and history and looks for elements that might hold significance.

Ashok Kandimalla’s picture of a flamingo in Pulicat Lake.
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Although architecture has been a consistent focus, his curiosity has not been confined to it. He has also ventured into wildlife photography, with Pulicat lake ranking among his favourite destinations. Yet his observations in this field carry a note of concern. “Today, wildlife photography is over exploited,” he remarks. “There have been instances when tigers were blocked by safari vehicles from reaching their cubs deep in the forest, only so photographers could capture a frame or create a reel. Such disregard for Nature is troubling.”

Ashok’s relationship with photography has always extended beyond personal exploration. He has been an active member of the Photographic Society of Madras, one of the oldest societies of India, where he participates in monthly meetings and travels with fellow members. Writing, too, has been central to his practice. Last month he submitted his 200th article on software techniques in photography to a Mumbai-based magazine, where his column has become a sustained contribution over the years.

Teaching and mentoring form another aspect of his engagement. He has conducted several workshops for institutions such as IIT Madras and UNESCO. His experience has also been sought in judging photographic salons and he co-edited the Blue Sapphire Jubilee volume of the Federation of Indian Photography. He served as president of the Telangana Photographic Society and continues as visiting faculty at Mindscreen Film Institute in Chennai.

Recognition has followed his contributions. He was honoured by Lino Manfrotto of Italy and received honorary membership from the Youth Photographic Society in Bengaluru.