"Odyssey"-web and graphic designer, Kimaya Firodia’s solo maiden photography exhibition recently organised at Pune’s Darpan Art Gallery-is a testimony not only to her passion for capturing moods, perfect moments, beautiful nature and people, but also her boundless creativity
It takes patience and a sense of timing to be a photographer of mettle. Not to forget an inbuilt sense of colour, composition and observational prowess. Good angle, the perfect lighting and ability to immerse yourself in the setting, are must-haves on the list. But all of this feels like a breeze if you truly love the art.
Little wonder then that photography has seamlessly integrated itself into Kimaya Firodia’s busy but vibrant world, despite her professional commitments as a freelance web designer in San Francisco. “Over the last seven years I have taken endless photographs of the places I travelled to,” she says. A treasure trove of moments that culminated in a fourday exhibition in Pune-her childhood home.
And to think, this grand passion has its roots in work-related requirements. “I first started taking photos for the apps (and websites) I design. The search for good visuals in my line of work is constant,” she expresses. Besides, one of her electives at the Academy of Arts for Web Designing & New Media, San Francisco, USA was photography and that provided the necessary training.
Kimaya Firodia believes that photography gives you the privilege of capturing a moment for posterity. “Time and tide may change, but there it is, your perfect moment, frozen forever”
Photography has seamlessly integrated itself into Kimaya“The most wonderful thing about photography is that it allows you to capture a moment for posterity. Times changes, faces change and so do paradigms but there it is your perfect moment—frozen forever for you to reconnect to and recharge from,” she says.
Thus, was born Odyssey-a collection of over 90 photos-shot completely on Kimaya’s iPhone as an experiment—showcasing her visits to exotic locales such as Cape Town, South Africa and Iguazu Falls, Brazil, the enthralling Machu Pichu, Peru, beautiful Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, historical sites in Athens, Delphi and Meteora, and Kusadasi in Turkey. The stunning pictures emphasise the beauty and energy of nature in vibrant hues, along with unique shots of local streets and houses that dot the landscape in these alluring settings. Exclusive photos of architecture and glass installations in and around USA also formed part of her display.
These pictorial travelogues bring back fond memories for Kimaya. “While choosing the photos for my exhibition, I revisited these amazing places and relived the special happy moments spent with my family! It was a special joy to share this collection with more friends and family in India at this exhibition,” she says.
The collection of pictures tells so many tales at a single go-of the existence of beautiful and diverse locales on God's earth, of the way natural phenomena as well as man-made splendour weave a scintillating story, of how beauty lies not just in their being, but also the lens of the beholder. What’s more, some of the imagery in these photos and her drawings and paintings have also been used to create physical artefacts in fabric and fashion by VIDA-a global partnership of creators, producers and consumers.
Kimaya’s zeal for travel is reflected in each of her photographic creations. According to her, travelling makes us sensitive to newer cultures and people and also brings us close to the glory of nature, which, in turn, has the therapeutic power to uplift our spirits and soothe our souls. “To see these photos in a physical form displayed together with harmonious correlation of the colours and form, brings immense satisfaction to me as a photographer; as an artist as I work mainly with the digital form,” she shares.
From L to R: Jayashree Firodia, Kimaya Firodiya, Sulajjja Firodia Motwani and Arun FirodiaOn the anvil are plans to further explore the potential of her DSLR camera as well as take pictures of India to display abroad. “Despite having settled in the US, there has been an unbroken link with India as I regularly visit my parents, friends and relatives in Pune,” she says. “However, the one thing you have to take care of when you shoot in social settings, especially for a good cause, is to communicate to people that you actually care for their issues. Your photos must have both a heart as well as a sense of purpose,” she shares.
Given her passion for photography, what does she believe is the reason for relatively few female photographers dotting the Indian scene? “Possibly, the fact that as a photographer, one has to shed inhibitions and go right ahead and shoot the moment-thereby standing out in a crowd juxtaposed with women's traditional reticence has something to do with it. Apart from which one has to sometimes lug around heavy equipment. It is also an expensive hobby. But these so-called obstacles are increasingly becoming redundant. The newer generation is savvy, with-it, bold, strong and willing to push the envelope,” she says.
Over the years, she has juggled both work and her family commitments with dexterity. With both her boys Abhijat (23) and Anurag (20) grown up and pursuing their independent careers, she believes she will find more time to devote to photography in the days to come.
‘the fact that as a photographer one has to shed inhibitions and go right ahead and shoot the moment, thereby standing out in a crowd juxtaposed with women’s traditional reticence has something to do with it. Apart from which one has to sometimes lug around heavy equipment. It is also an expensive hobby. But these so-called obstacles are increasingly becoming redundant’
A firm advocate of work-life balance, she believes both are as critical as the other. “It is important to give your family and loved ones the time and care they deserve. At the same time, always have your own independent passion that will sustain you at all points of your life and in turn set an example to inspire your children to pursue their own interests,” she rounds off.
And so, her quest for the perfect shot continues. It could be flowers, faces or an interplay of shadow and light—as long as it is beautiful and meaningful, it deserves the perfect frame.
By Kalyani Sardesai
