INTERVIEW WITH HEMANT KOGEKAR

By Maureen Maxwell

Thank you for doing this interview, Hemant.

You’ve been a member of Artists Down Under since 2019. We’ve seen many of your images in our monthly magazine and on our Facebook page.

One of the reasons for doing a series of interviews for our magazine is to enable our members to get to know each other a little better. I also think our general readers will be interested to hear more about your creative journey.

You are also a keen photographer.

DO YOU FIND DIGITAL ARTISTRY MORE ADVENTUROUS THAN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY?

I think they are different genres. Photography can be adventurous in some ways, for example, climbing rocks for outdoor photography or dealing with people for street photography can be challenging. Bringing different points of views or perspectives to regular photography too has its own challenges.

On the other hand, you can push boundaries in almost all aspects of digital artistry. There is more scope for experimentation with styles and subjects. I found that digital artistry allowed me to stand out more than I could have as a conventional photographer. It enabled me to try different techniques and approaches. There was a sense of playful adventure where failures were a learning opportunity.

YOU CREATE ACROSS A NUMBER OF PHOTO ARTISTIC GENRES - FROM THE MINIMALIST TO THE GRUNGY AND STORY TELLING COMPOSITIONS. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR APPROACH TO CREATING THESE IMAGES, AND IS THERE A PARTICULAR STYLE YOU PREFER?

I start creating images based on some inspiration. Sometimes based on an interesting image I came across or an artist who appeals to me. Initially, I tried to recreate a similar composition or a feel. But with practice, I am getting more confident in developing my own ideas and compositions.

I typically start with an idea and then assemble key elements in a composition. I use my own images and don’t use stock images. This can be a challenge at times. There is a fair bit of trial and error to get the composition right. Once I have my main elements in place, then I start adding details and more background elements. At times, the image takes a different direction during this process. Finally, I add the finishing touches and colour toning.

I have been doing mainly landscapes over the past couple of years. But I am experimenting with some surreal/ whimsical images in the recent times.

ARE THERE ANY ‘GO TO’ TECHNIQUES YOU PREFER WHEN DOING YOUR PHOTO ARTISTRY? IF SO, WHAT TECHNIQUES WOULD YOU USE MOST FREQUENTLY?

My composite images are created from cut-outs. I am constantly capturing interesting objects to add to my library. I find that using cut-outs helps me to quickly put together the basis of an image.