I've mainly focused on black and white close portraits, but I've been eager to capture a vibrant color portrait for a change. Upon learning about an upcoming festival in a village not far from my location, I became intrigued. After seeing inspiring photographs from previous years' festivals at the same location, I felt compelled to go and capture the event.

I reside in Chennai, India. The festival I'm referring to takes place in Kaveripattinam, a small village located 166 miles away from Chennai. It occurs on a special day shortly after Mahashivarathiri, an annual event in March. My inaugural visit to this village was specifically for this festival in 2013. Arriving a day prior, I took the opportunity to familiarize myself with the locals and the festival grounds. The first day was dedicated to exploring the area and capturing some photographs. I identified the location where the makeup preparations were underway. The following day, I arrived early and awaited the moment eagerly. Equipped with my Canon 5D Mark II, along with the 24-105mm and Canon 100mm Macro lenses, I was ready to document the festivities.  

Initially, I was using my wide-angle lens to document the events. However, upon noticing some individuals undergoing makeup, I switched to my favorite 100mm lens for close portraits. I typically opt for Aperture Priority mode when I need to shoot quickly, utilizing AE lock to ensure correct exposure. Amidst the bustling crowd engaged in makeup, one child's innocence caught my eye. I approached them and sought permission to photograph him.

I have a 100mm lens that I use for close portraits. Typically, I prefer to work with natural available light and avoid using flash whenever possible. However, the lighting conditions were suboptimal even at 11:30 am, so I adjusted my settings accordingly. I increased the ISO to 800 to achieve the right shutter speed and set the aperture to f/4 to capture better details. I experimented with various angles, capturing several shots, but one particular image stands out to me. Everything fell into place within the frame, and the moment the child opened his eyes and gazed at me, it felt magical.

I always shoot in RAW mode and utilize Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop for processing my RAW files. The processing workflow is relatively straightforward. In the Basic tab of Camera Raw, I adjusted the contrast and fine-tuned the white and black points. I also increased the Clarity and vibrance slightly to enhance mid-tone contrast and colors. Given that this shot was taken at ISO 800, I addressed noise reduction and adjusted detail in the Detail tab to preserve image detail. To emphasize the face, I applied a subtle vignette and corrected lens distortion. After completing adjustments in Camera Raw, I further enhanced contrast using levels in Photoshop. With these edits, the final picture was ready. 

There's always room for improvement in any photograph. I acknowledge that I could have ensured full coverage of the hands in this shot. However, overall, I'm quite satisfied with the outcome; it encapsulates precisely what I wanted to convey to the world. The child transforming into a goddess inspired the title "Divine Makeover," adding a profound significance to the image. This particular photograph holds a special place in my heart. Its impact has been recognized through numerous awards, including the "Natgeo Travel Award," "1x Photo Award," and the Shoottheface International Portrait Award, among others. Additionally, it has been featured in various magazines, further affirming its significance and impact.

• NatGeo Travel Award 2014 - Merit Award

• 1x Photo Awards 2013 - Winner

• PX3 - 2014 - Gold Medal

• Shoottheface 2013 Winner

• Siena International Photo Awards 2019 - Remarkable Award

• International Photo Awards 2014 - Honorable Mentions

• ND AWARDS 2014 - Honorable Mentions

• Life Framer - World Traveller - Editor's Pick

• reFocus Awards. - Honorable Mentions

Magazines

• One World Calendar 2024

• Wanderlust Magazine, UK, Dec / Jan 2015

• National Geographic Traveller, US, Dec / Jan 2015

• Turkish Airlines Inflight Magazine “Skylife”

• Digital Photo UK

1. Make connections with them

2. Wait for the moment and Focus on Eye

3. Before pressing the shutter, analyze the frame for any distraction

4. Don’t do over-processing.

Additional Information on How I take portraits. 

I specialize in close portraits and always seek permission before capturing them. My approach involves observing people and their unique characteristics. When I notice something special about their eyes, gestures, or expressions, I initiate a conversation with them. In my experience, most individuals are willing to be photographed, although it's not always straightforward to snap a picture immediately. I consider myself a deliberate photographer; I don't rush the process. I prefer to select locations with appealing backgrounds or opt for a darker backdrop to enhance my portraits. Additionally, I prioritize utilizing natural ambient light whenever possible. Before taking a portrait, I carefully plan the composition and lighting, directing the subject to pose in areas that offer optimal lighting and an aesthetically pleasing backdrop within their familiar environment.

• Respect Other Humans and give them space.

• If they dont want to be photographed, I dont take their photographs.

• Never disturb them for the sake of photography

• Never exploit human conditions

• Humanity is more important than photography.