Born about four decades ago, Pallon Daruwala is a hardcore, professional photographer who has chosen to make Bangalore his home (Mumbai is his mother-city). He specializes in architecture and fine art photography. Pallon is a photographer with a lifelong interest in design and aesthetics who works with space and light to bring out the inherent beauty of form and structure. In a candid interview with Fotoflock, he shares his thoughts and gives us an insight into what works and what doesn’t.

As all first questions go, tell us more about yourself, how did you get hooked on to photography?
Long story – it goes back to my schooling days in Panchgani. At that time, I was deeply interested in drawing and painting. It used to take days to paint something, and I was kind of impatient. So, I began photographing, which was instant, fun and true to color and minus all the brouhaha and intricacies that go into a painting.

After schooling, there was a lull, I was no more a voracious photographer. From my hometown, I flew to Canada to pursue a course in architecture and, as destiny would have it, photography came back into my life.

In 1982, I had zipped to USA to meet my cousin, who introduced me to some photographers there. They spoke to me about taking up photography as a profession and asked me to visit Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. Now, the Brooks Institute is like the MIT of photography, and once I visited the institute, I was so overwhelmed by the profession that I decided then and there to become a photographer. This was the most defining moment in my life.

What do you like photographing the most?
I specialize in architectural and industrial photography. Also, fine art photography – which is photography I indulge in to satisfy my creative instincts, it keeps me satiated.

Once upon a time, in my Mumbai days, I dabbled in fashion photography. In Bangalore, I was the official photographer for the Miss World event and then again for the Supermodel of the World event in Mumbai.

What equipment do you use nowadays?
Canon EOS IDS Mark III. This piece is recommended for hard-core pros, beginners can start off with low-end equipment.

What do you do for creative inspiration?
I relate to architecture, no matter how a building is constructed, no matter how it is furnished, I can always gauge the angles that will make it stand out. Right now, I'm waiting for Imperial Towers – the tallest building in India, a project by Sharponjee Pallonjee – to be completed – I'm eager to photograph that building.

How much time do you devote to photography?
100%. It pays my bills and keeps me alive and creatively satisfied.

Has your work been showcased in exhibitions?
No, I have held exhibitions on my own, but I have not submitted my work to any. There's a reason – judging is a very subjective and personal process. I have seen some brilliant amateur art trashed at exhibitions, which I considered better than the ones that won the awards. I don't need my works to be judged, and therefore, I don't participate.

What have been your most unusual experiences?
I have photographed surgical procedures – I was a foot away from a guy who's stomach was split wide open, and don't ask me any more because the people will stop reading this interview.

There's one more – Way back in 1996, I was contracted for a fashion assignment. At 5.30 in the morning, I was informed the model had taken ill and she wouldn’t be able to make it. I didn't want to feel let down, so I packed my camera and went for a drive to Nandi Hills and shot some of my most creatively inspired photographs while on the way. These photographs were then exhibited and they went on to set standards.

Your frank take on gallery owners?
Many of Bangalore's gallery owners should know more about photography. There's this gallery Tasveer – these guys know the intricacies involved.

Something to inspire beginners?
Learn Adobe Photoshop and use it as an add-on to your creativity and acumen.

Learn the basics of ink jet printing because you will need to use it for fine art photography. Ink jet printing is preferable to laser printing as wide-canvas ink jet printers use as many as 8 toners and are successful in bringing out the hues and the shades a photographer desires to see in his work.

Don't think of money when you click. Money will follow if you put your heart and soul in your efforts.

Make a decent portfolio (large prints) and show it to gallery owners. If a gallery owner displays your work and it gets sold, then you may be on a roll.

Create a niche, don't jut shoot anything and everything.

Always critique yourself. You must always strive to become a better photographer than what you were yesterday.

Photos by Pallon Daruwala | Fotosocial