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“Ultimately, I find beauty in everyday life…”
—Ashwin Rao.
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Ashwin Rao.
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About.
36 yrs old. Lives in Seattle, WA, USA. Occupation: Physician.
“I began my photographic journey 7 years ago. At the time, I was completing my post-graduate training and was seeking a creative outlet. Prior to photography, I was an avid oil painter, enjoying the surrealist aesthetic. In particular, I found inspiration in the work of Rene Magritte, Mark Tansey, Salvador Dali, Marcel Duchamp, Chuck Close, and Joan Miro. As time became scarce and work became more intense, I began to seek a more rapid, yet satisfying outlet for my creative instincts. I quickly found my way to rangefinders, where I could have incredible control over the photographic process in a way that other cameras couldn’t offer me. I enjoy seeing the world as a series of photos waiting to be composed, captured, and edited to bring about the emotion of the moment. It’s my goal to create an emotional impact, that melds properties of the photo with the viewer’s own experiences and view of the world.”
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Cameras.
Currently: Leica M9P, Leica M Monochrom, Pentax 645D, Sony RX1.
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What’s important.
“Caring for others in my career and private life. Finding inspiration and providing creative solutions to difficult challenges. Challenging myself in all aspects of life and constantly striving to better myself.”
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Interesting fact(s).
“I’m a big goofball and enjoy life with laughter and joy whenever possible. Life’s serious enough as is…I am working on getting my photos to incorporate humor, but it’s not yet come to me creatively. Thus, I try to find and represent genuine moments in my current evolution, but humor, I hope, will be a bigger part of my future as a photographer. Many people suggest that I should give up my career for photography. Truth of the matter is that I love my career just as much as I love making and sharing photos. Both have creative aspects and great meaning to me. One venture would not be possible without the other.”
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Today, it is my absolute privilege to present the inspired work of Ashwin Rao.
I’ve known Ashwin for a number of years now, and have always admired his images, which — in a very real sense — are imbued with his character. Whether it’s his travel photography, portraits of family and friends, street images, or landscapes, there is a quality to his work that surpasses technical prowess and speaks of an inherent and genuine sensitivity.
Ashwin has also been very generous to the photographic community, sharing his experiences and knowledge through many well-written articles, and through various discussions/seminars in multiple photographic fora. Many of you reading this, therefore, will no doubt be familiar with his name.
As Ashwin’s personal perspective and priorities have changed, he finds that he is increasingly seeking out the “little big moments” around him. This is of course being reflected in his current work.
Please then, sit back, read the Q&A session that follows, and enjoy the wonderful images of Ashwin Rao.
Thank you,
—Peter.
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Q&A with Ashwin Rao.
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What motivated (and still motivates) you to pick up a camera?
“Well, great question. For me, it’s about finding balance in life, and photography helps support and enrich the creative side of my personality and passion that work doesn’t always engage. I have long had a creative streak that has counterbalanced my analytical and structured approach to work and goal-setting/accomplishment. It’s important for me to engage this part of my personality regularly, and photography satisfies this need. For me, creating meaningful images not only allows me a certain creative freedom, but allows me to capture and regularly share meaningful moments with my friends and family. Thus, for me, not only is photography incredible in allowing me to sate my creative impulse, but allows me to share that creative impulse with others through image capture. It also allows me to engage, capture, and freeze moments of emotion in ways that preserve memories for me. Ultimately, I find beauty in everyday life, and see the world as a series of moments filled with creative inspiration, filled with promise, and just waiting to be captured. All of these things motivate me to pick up and use my cameras.”
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What do your images “say” about you?
“I believe that my images reflect my emotions and my caring for those who live around me and share my creative process with me. I find that photographs also capture life’s journey, and that preserving these moments is both relevant and important to me. Beyond that, I believe that my images serve as a reflection of how I see the world, my friends, and my family, and that these images enhance the value of my relationships with others.
I also suspect that I bring my own personality into my images, so I guess that my images say whatever the viewer happens to see and feel, which then in turn, may tell them a bit about me in ways that I don’t even yet know….”
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How have you evolved as a photographer/artist over the years?
“I think that my images have drifted towards more personal moments. I photograph people as a part of my work, as I enjoy capturing people in the greater element of their lives. In the past, I was more fearful of approaching and photographing people, but with time, I have grown comfortable with a level of engagement that allows me to free up my creative process. In general, my photos have become more subtle, less bold, maybe less “iconic” in approach, focusing more on ‘little big moments’ rather than larger ‘thematic capture’.”
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Any further comments about your work you’d like to share?
“For me, becoming a photographer is an ongoing process. I am really only at the start of my journey as an aspiring photographer. I learn much about this passion each and every day, both through sharing images on the forums, in gallery exhibits, and through conversions and email exchanges with others around the world. I love that the Leica community is so passionate and small. It’s a great community with whom to share… There’s a familiarity to the community, where we have shared passions, and not only can we geek out together, but we can grow together too, as photographers, friends, and colleagues in image capture….”
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Images courtesy Ashwin Rao.
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Once again, my sincere thank you to Ashwin Rao.
—Peter.
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[Previously Featured Photographers may be found here.]
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Prosophos 
Stunning images Ashwin. Very inspirational and have me really wanting to travel somewhere, find my own time and create images.
Between yourself and Jason you have opened up a whole new world beyond the Leica range of lenses. Very interesting read today on SH.
Do you shoot much with your M9P now out of curiosity? Between the MM and the little pocket rocket RX1, you’ll have a lot of bases covered!
Thank you to both of you.
Andrew
Thanks, Andrew. I am thrilled that the images can serve as a bit of inspiration. Jason is incredibly talented, so it’s great to be mentioned in the same sentence. I do still use my M9P, more as a change of pace, but you are correct. Most of my use these days is MM and RX1…
Peter,
I linked to your site (Ashwin’s post) and that’s why there is the crazy post above.
Ashwin, like always great pics. I also like your post on Steve’s site about the M Monochrom.
Great
Breathtaking!!!
Thanks to both of you.
Between your post here, and the feature on…that other website 🙂 …It is really a “Rao-a-Rama” presently.
…And every bit very much deserved!
All the best,
M.
Ashwin is deservedly getting his recognition this weekend. The article Mark is referencing is at Steve Huff’s site:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/03/15/onward-and-upward-six-months-with-the-leica-m-monochrom-by-ashwin-rao/
Peter.
…You spilled the beans! Didn’t want to be the one to do it on your site.
🙂
In seriousness, however, I think Ashwin should at least start holding classes on processing Monochrom files!
M.
This site celebrates photography, my good man — no need to be shy about posting external links, especially to great sites. Besides, Steve is a good friend and I owe much to him.
Thanks, guys. I like that “Rao-a-Rama”…that’s awesome! As for Steve’s site, Steve, Peter and I are long time friends, and much of our mutual admiration stems from sharing and commenting on one another’s images many years ago on the DPreview forum. Steve’s been a huge supporter of me, and I personally love his style and passion.
Beautiful photographs by Dr. Rao. I am really enjoying and looking forward to this Featured Photographer section.
Thanks, Jon. I too love Peter’s featured photog session. Thanks for reading!
Terrific set of b&w pictures. I love when b&w reveals shapes, geometry, composition — which is the case here.
Congrats Ashwin!
Congrats Peter for sharing so many great photographers!
Thanks, Luiz. You are very kind. I love adding the geometric element to my photos, so thanks for noticing that. All the best!
Ashwin — I have enjoyed your images so much over time and truth be told my own Leica purchase is a result of your posts on the GetDPI forum and Steve’s site. Your feature here and on Steve’s site are a great reminder of the ability the camera has to capture life’s moments and the beauty that exists around us. As I get to Seattle often, I would love to buy you coffee and talk photography some time. Looking forward to your future work!
Peter — I haven’t commented much of late but truly appreciate your site. The education provided, the interviews and, of course, your thought provoking images. Of course, you both are peaking my interest in the Monochrom. Wish I was closer toToronto…I’d offer to buy you coffee as well!
All the best to you both — Bishop
Thanks, Bishop. My greatest reward is being told that I have inspired others to make photos or invest in a system that I am passionate about….I would love to catch up and grab coffee when you are in town next and when our schedules match. You can email Peter for my contact info, or email me on GetDPI.
Ashwin,
It’s so good to know you the (doctor) Photographer. Your monochrome pictures are just amazing. Lovely emotions and compositions (The Taj picture is my favourite). I am your new follower. 🙂
Peter,
Thank you so much for this wonderful post.
Have a great week ahead.
Preeti, thanks for the kind words. I am glad to have a follower ;)…have a great week-end, and I’ll keep posting images 😉
Thank you Ashwin, thank you Peter. Thank you very much. I really appreciate Ashwin’s contribution to your site, Steve’s site and all the good support and feedback on guest posts.
What a great eye for special, subtle moments.
Keep up the good work Ashwin. Hopefully we may be part of your creative journey looking to glass.
When I own my Leica MM in my next life 😉 I hope you can tutor me in processing files and photographing.
Jeffrey, thank you kindly. I am always working on my eye and interacting with the world around me, to create those moments and enhancd the journey. Just being interviewed by Peter and sharing my pictures here has been a fantastic experience with its own rewards of friendship. I’d be happy to tutor as best as I can.
Wow! One site, two of my favorite photographers! Congrats Ashwin you both are an inspiration to me! Ashwin you are a big reason why I got my MM although I am just beginning. Like you Peter I have a passion for photographing my family. Thank you both for all you have done for the photographic community!
I’d like to express my gratitude for all of the friendly comments above and also, once again, to Ashwin for his generosity. Thank you to all of you!
—Peter.
And thank you to Peter!
Thanks, macjonny!….It’s great to share. Peter once inspired me, and here we are many years later…what comes around, goes around….I would love to see your work with the MM. The process is evolutionary, for sure….enjoy the ride!!!
Great set of images! I thought I already know them from Steve’s blog, but you surprised me with some new gems:)! Especially the first 4 photos are stunning! Thank you for sharing your passion!
Awesome. Some of the shots posted are older, and others quite new….Thanks for looking, Jeroen!
As always: Ashwin’s impressions rock !
Thanks, Axel 🙂
Hi Peter, Hi Ashwin,
These are all really great images. You guys must be some awesome shooters to get these kind of images out of the M9/M9P, considering DXO declared it to be the worst full frame sensor in a camera ever in a recent article I read. 😉
I think I can speak for almost all leica M9(P) digital shooters here.
Keep posting these outstanding images. They make me happy every day.
Ernie
Ernie, Thank you….yeah the old DXO hates the M9…oh well; seeing Peter’s work, it becomes clear that in many instances, such tests just don’t matter. It’s all about having the right tool for the task at hand, and the sensor in the M9 is one of my favorites of all time, regardless of what DXO would say about it…
Hi Peter, Hi Ashwin,
These are all really great images. You guys must be some awesome shooters to get these kind of images out of the M9/M9P, considering DXO declared it to be the worst full frame sensor in a camera ever in a recent article I read. 😉
I think I can speak for almost all leica M9(P) digital shooters here.
Keep posting these outstanding images. They make me happy every day.
Ernie
Hello to both of you, friends!
You two, which thanks to your wonderful “Leica images” gave me my turn, this desire to discover this small world, what the Leica M. .. Again and rediscover the joy of photography! A big thank you!
And now, YOU Aschwin;))
I remember those images of Egypt, who had marked my mind and each of your forum post DPR …
It is therefore with great pleasure that I continue to watch carefully, your evolution and your latest creations … To see and enjoy them again on the beautiful site, our Peter!
Congratulations to you two, friends!
Warm Regards.
Hugues.
Hugues. Thanks so much, my friend. I have always wanted to post more at DPReview, mainly thanks to friends like you and Peter. Ah yes, the Egypt trip, now 3 years gone by…I am thrilled that you still remember, my freind. I hope to continue to evolve and thrill you, my friend, and look forward to the near future 😉
Great feature on a great photographer.