CHENNAI CALLING! 

Now there I can hear birds chirping! A beautiful city in South India, as we all know- Madras/ Chennai, is much known to all of us for its beautiful Marina Beach, the people, culture and food! I still remember my visit to Chennai four years back, walking across leafy lanes in the city, yellow rickshaws and very friendly people. Chennai is a very pleasant city with a beautiful atmosphere. Today, I have brought you all to have an overlook at some photographs by my friend. A very interesting person I’d like to introduce you all today.

                     

Merlin Selvan.

It was just another day, when I opened my Facebook account, I saw that my friend had ‘liked’ a photo of a bird and I liked it very much. Out of curiosity, I checked out the page of this guy; it read ‘Merlin PGS Photography’. Usually I am not much fond of wildlife photography, but this guy’s compositions seemed different and very interesting.

As he lives in Chennai, I couldn’t meet him for this Q and A, so we did it over emailsJ :

1.)  Let’s start with the basics. Where are you from?

M: Born in Pudukudi, a small village near Trichy, Tamilnadu. I have settled in Kodaikanal, Tamilnadu.

2.)  Your education till now?

M: B.sc., Visual Communication in SRM Arts & Science College & Diploma in

Photography in Bridge Academy of media studies.

3.)  Which was your first camera and do you still have it?

M:  My first camera is Canon EOS 7D, which I own now.                                         

4.)  When did you realize that you are passionate about wildlife photography?

M: During my college days. I had to submit photography record for practical exams. I bought a camera since my photography sir suggested it. Just started clicking for college and found my soul in it.

5.)  These days a lot of people buy pricey cameras, and jeopardize ‘real’ professional and passionate photographers. What are your thoughts about that?

M: I don’t think that way. You know we call them professional because that stand out from others. Yes, costly cameras and lenses give you professional results but the eye behind the camera must be professional to get professional name in society.

6.)  Do you see this (wildlife photography) as a career in future?

M: No. In fact, there are no mere chances to make money through wildlife photography. You need to own high end cameras & lenses and you should have 100% luck for earning through it. It is more full-filling to keep it as a hobby and passion rather than as profession, in my view.

7.) How will you describe yourself by nature with other people?

M:  Hmmm. I am just a normal guy with lots of passion towards photography & even more love for nature and wildlife. Nothing more is there to describe about me.

8.) How do you recollect all the names of birds and animals which you capture?

M:  It’s very simple. When you are passionate about something, you involve 100% in it and therefore you try to have maximum knowledge about it. In fact, I’m not that much knowledgeable in identifying all birds I photograph. It’s my brother (wildlife conservationist) behind me, who helps me a lot in identifying.

9.) What is your favourite genre of books?

M: To be frank, I never used to read book. I have read a few books and one of them is indeed Pictorial Guide for birds of Indian Subcontinent.

10.) Who is your role model and why?

M: There are many people I take as my role mode and inspiration. I will mention a few:
1. First of all, it’s my Dad - P. Gnana Selvan & my brother- G.Melvin Selvan. Both of them are wildlife lovers & conservationists. Without them, I wouldn’t have been even being aware of wildlife photography. They are my greatest inspiration.

2. Kiran Poonacha (Bird photographer)

3. Saravanan Sundaram (Wildlife photographer)

And many are there. I see inspiration in all wonderful photographs.

11.) Any advice to the aspirant photographers of India?

M: Just follow what your heart says. No need of photography classes. Try & experiment everything you come across photography. You will get tons of discouragements and negative reviews. Take them sportingly and believe in yourself. Your passion will take you where you deserve to be.

Some captures by Mr. Merlin, I'd like to show you all:

Writer’s note:

Merlin is a very passionate and dedicated wildlife photographer. He can be an inspiration to many young and upcoming photographers. Such perfect dedication towards photography is less seen in today’s world, as we see people creating photography pages and they upload any pictures with their watermarks. Merlin, I wish you all the best wishes and keep going on the path of success and keep us surprising with your beautiful clicks! J I am so glad I have you as my friend. Go like his page:

 https://www.facebook.com/MerlinPgsPhotography

THANK YOU ! Stay Tuned.

Love,

Mumbai Diaries.