Jijo Das is an artist, photographer and My Perspective 2022 finalist, from Bangalore, India.
He recently collaborated with Ultraviolette Automotive for a special photography project to shoot the F77 motorcycle, as part of the #WithUsNotForUs initiative for World Down Syndrome Day 2023.
Here he shares his experience with us.
Firstly, huge congratulations on your shoot of the F77, the photos are incredible! Can you tell us how this project came about?
“Thank you so much! I always like to shoot with the UV crew and learn many things. I also take many shots and i show them always. They love my photography and give me more ideas. I work hard and show them again with improvements. Then Narayan, who is CEO, call me and ask me to do official F77 shoot! I am full happy and I shoot with my DSLR. Everyone like my shots and then tell me to be official photographer for the showroom launch also! I am full excited!!”
Can you please tell us what your role was for the shoot and what was involved?
“I go to shoot F77 in artistic style. That was my brief. The bike is there in the studio, there are lights also and I use my Nikon D5300 to shoot. My brother, Aniket Das, teach me how to set the frame, focus lock, compose, check exposure and shoot! I take all dramatic-artistic shots in many new angles. UV crew was also shooting me doing photography. They love me very much!”
What did you enjoy most about the project?
“I enjoyed taking F77 photography. I loved the UV crew. Ashish, Vishal, Arun, Abhishek, the CEO Narayan and my Aniket Das. I had some good fun with the crew. UV Crew love me so much they take my interview also! They wanted to know about my journey and my story. It was a jolly good day and I had some cartoony and funny moments. I love UV office a lot! I go there every friday!”
What were your colleagues like to work with?
“Ashish is amazing photographer/film-maker and is very nice man. Always involved me in all conversations and discussions.
Vishal and Arun are photographers and editing masters who make UV videos. They are my best friends and always show me how to improve. They give me lots of confidence and likes to see me sketching also!
Abhishek is marketing head. He is full of life and very friendly. Always giving new ideas!
And my Narayan who is CEO. He is so loving and caring. Always giving me full confidence!
All my colleagues are very kind. They all love the UV. All of them accept me as Down Syndrome and make me feel very happy always. I also become their brother!”
Do you have any more work lined up with Ultraviolette Automotive?
“I did another photography project with UV. I am now their official photographer. I am shooting for their showroom launch. There will be bikes, guests, and a live band also!”
Will you be entering My Perspective this year?
“Yes, I will. And I am practising photography every day with new-new ideas!”
What creative advice would you give to people interested in becoming photographers or who might be thinking about entering My Perspective?
“You must always see and learn. I always go to see photographers work and try myself also. Lot of late nights and hard work. I improve nicely. Always compose the frame to tell a story in the photo. Experiment composition with abstract style photography and look for flow! Use shadows and light. My Samar Singh Jodha, a photographer, taught me all this.”
What projects are you working on right now?
“I am sketching a lot of characters and experimenting with my new phone gimbal. My friend Ashish Raorane, who is racing in Dakar Rally, give me full surprise with this gift. I am very excited to learn and make videos with the gimbal. I will also go again to shoot the UV showroom. Many new things coming there!”
What inspires you?
“Marvel films and other films inspire me. Photographers inspire me. I see videos about them because I love photography. It is my passion. My mission is to take photographs and play with light, composition and colours. Photography is like painting. I love painting and making art”
Why do you think art and photography is important for us in our daily lives?
“Art makes my mind to relax. It is very important. People love to see new-new ideas. Art makes me happy. And makes people joyful. I can experiment with art. I get new ideas from art. Art is my passion. I will go to Disney-Pixar one day with my art and ideas. Photography makes memories. I go to road trips and take photographs and show my family and friends.”
Thank you so much Jijo for sharing your experiences and artistic passion with us and good luck with My Perspective 2023!
You can find out more about Jijo and his work here.
#artofmyoptimus
