Framed in:
Babies are a gift from God, reflecting the pure divinity of nature. I remember once, in ninth grade, a teacher asked us why we associate such divine qualities with babies. We were stumped, unable to pinpoint a reason, though we all agreed that babies are simply adorable, full of warmth, and irresistible to hug and kiss. Then, our teacher shared an insight: the divinity we see in babies comes from their innocence and helplessness, which make them truly special.
As we grow older, we gradually lose that innocence while learning to navigate the complexities of life. What is maturity, after all? It’s the shedding of our pure, true selves as we learn to conform to societal expectations and perform for others. I’ve often thought that a person is only fully themselves in those private moments, like when they’re alone in the bathroom, hidden from the eyes of the world.
Our entire education system seems designed to cultivate maturity, teaching us to suppress innocence and become more calculating. The more educated you are, the more cunning you become. But today, I invite you to rediscover what’s been lost. Presenting ‘Expressions of Innocence’—a journey back to reclaim that pure, untainted essence we once had. Let’s step back and let innocence prevail once again.
Framed out: On an assignment for a magazine feature about the tribes of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, I had the opportunity to visit their dwellings and experience their way of life up close. As someone who’s always been passionate about feature photography, especially capturing raw human expressions, I find immense satisfaction in freezing a moment of genuine emotion. It’s like preserving a slice of life in its most authentic form, something I’m grateful to be appreciated for.
During my visit, the innocent charm of a sweet little child caught my attention. I was eager to capture her expression, but as I approached for a portrait, she became frightened. Seeking comfort, she quickly nestled into her grandmother’s hip and started crying. What could have been a simple portrait turned into something more profound—a candid moment that revealed a deeper connection between generations. I captured the scene with my trusty Yashica FX3, equipped with an FX7 lens and loaded with Fuji 200 film.
To this day, I still cherish the innocence in her eyes that shines through in this image.
Grey Frames: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso
