The People & Culture Transformation team member finds inspiration for his photography everywhere, including on UNSW campuses.
Jayaseelan Thangavel (Jai T/JT/Jai), who works in security and system management, has always had a keen eye for detail.
“I have a tendency to appreciate the small things around me,” he said.
“I notice little things that other people miss, so I like to capture photographs of what others may not always see, or through a perspective they may not have considered.”
To capture something special
Jai first picked up a camera in 2007, a few months before his eldest child was born. He wanted to capture all the important moments to come.
Jai started taking short family videos with a handycam but soon began taking photographs as well.
“The camera was only about 1.5 megapixels – a very basic thing,” Jai said. “However, the more I took photographs, and not just of my daughter, the more interested I became in photography.”
With the approach of his second child, Jai invested in his first DSLR camera.
Jai and his DSLR.
“The first weekend after I got the DSLR, my daughter and I went on a little adventure down to a nearby lake. We explored together and I took a bunch of photographs,” Jai says.
“She is a great little model, but as a child she couldn’t really stay still, and the photographs were a bit blurred.
“This got me thinking about how I could use different settings on the camera to capture the moment properly. I didn’t really have the technical skills, but I started exploring the camera’s settings to see what I could do.”
Through trial and error, Jai slowly developed his technical photography skills and has used them to complement his natural eye for detail and composition.
Time to take it seriously
Recognising his passion, Jai’s wife, Anu, suggested he further his skills alongside likeminded individuals.
“In 2016, I joined a workshop in Western Sydney where artists came together to work on a photography project, and try new themes and techniques,” Jai said.
The workshop emphasised the importance of not just technical tools, but how an ability to capture and convey emotions leads to great photographs.
“Now, whenever I take photographs, the caption is already running through my mind as I am setting up the shot,” Jai says.
The creative artworks from the workshop were included in the ‘Map as Art’ exhibition in Auburn, with one of Jai’s photographs selected for the exhibition leaflet.
The ‘Map as Art’ exhibition leaflet featuring Jai’s photograph.
Inspired by the experience, Jai and other participants decided to continue meeting regularly, forming the Sydney West Artistic Photographers (SWAP) group.
Since then, Jai has participated in various competitions and exhibitions and received many accolades. His entry “Amidst” to the Landscape Awards 2023 received Highly Commended Award in the Seascape category.
‘Life throws challenges in front only to make us strong. A few would have passed, and few might be on its way, but I am determined to stay’, was the caption to Jai’s “Amidst”.
Jai is also an honorary member of Auburn Poets & Writers and volunteers as an event photographer for community and cultural events.
“Photography is about being in the right place at the right time, having the patience to wait for the perfect shot and noticing beauty wherever you are,” he said.
Many of his most highly commended photographs were taken from his backyard or on walks around his neighbourhood. Even UNSW’s Kensington campus has inspired some of his best shots.
”Survivor” taken on UNSW’s Kensington campus.
While busy with family and work, Jai maintains his hobby by taking his camera everywhere he goes.
“I have my camera on me right now,” Jai said. “If something beautiful, special or interesting catches my eye, I immediately grab it.
“Taking a photograph is like freezing a moment. Anybody who takes a photograph is freezing the moment in time forever, and whether or not they know it, by doing that, they also love photography.”
What’s something about you that might surprise your colleagues?
I can sing well (listener discretion is advised, though).
What’s the best advice you ever received?
The caption that I saw in an insurance advertisement: “Life is too wonderful to be spent worrying!”
What makes you happy?
Spending time with family, friends and obviously with my photography gear, freezing moments.
What day in your life would you like to relive?
Every day is different, and I would prefer not to go backward or forward but to live in the moment.
What’s the best thing you have seen in the last year?
While I can say “the best is yet to come”, the journey watching our son’s tennis games has given me a chance to grow.
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