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A search for elephant trunks on trees
Govind D. Belgaumkar
Bangalore:
When you pass by a tree, you may only give it a blank look or appreciate the shade it provides.
But if 52-year-old P.T. Stephen, a photographer, were around, he would explain how the tree is not just a wonderful creation of nature, but also a piece of art.
Mr. Stephen has been studying trees for quite a while now. Particularly after he embarked upon his novel "elephantine" project — photographing parts of trees to get clear images of elephants in them.
The 50 odd photographs he has taken suggest the efforts taken by him to find art in nature.
He travels through villages around Bangalore looking for the required shapes formed by trunks and exposed roots.
"After I find a fascinating shape, I take hours trying to find the right way to capture it on camera." Mr. Stephan says that it is important to use just the right amount of light if the shape of the pachyderm is to become visible.
"To get the right texture of the trunk, you need light only on one side," he says, insisting that he always uses "only natural light."
Rhythm and balance
Trees have long been a fascination for him. "There is a perfect rhythm and elegant movement (of branches)," he says. It is because of this that trees with branches chopped off look like a handicapped person, he adds.
He is planning to hold an exhibition of his latest works at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat soon. He intends to pin up the mythological aspects of trees and elephants to make people respect them.
Mr. Stephan also plans to take his works to schools and explain to children the beauty of trees. Mr. Stephen, a teacher by profession, has held exhibitions of his paintings since 1976.
He is now working as a freelance graphic designer for a few companies.
He took to photography a few years ago and has been studying trees for around four months now.
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Life
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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