\nJai and his DSLR.<\/p>\n
The People & Culture Transformation team member finds inspiration for his photography everywhere, including on UNSW campuses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jayaseelan Thangavel (Jai T\/JT\/Jai), who works in security and system management, has always had a keen eye for detail.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a tendency to appreciate the small things around me,\u201d he said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
To capture something special\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jai started taking short family videos with a handycam but soon began taking photographs as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe camera was only about 1.5 megapixels \u2013 a very basic thing,\u201d Jai said. \u201cHowever, the more I took photographs, and not just of my daughter, the more interested I became in photography.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the approach of \u00a0his second child, Jai invested in his first DSLR camera.<\/p>\n
\nJai and his DSLR.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe 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,\u201d Jai says.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a great little model, but as a child she couldn\u2019t really stay still, and the photographs were a bit blurred.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis got me thinking about how I could use different settings on the camera to capture the moment properly. I didn\u2019t really have the technical skills, but I started exploring the camera\u2019s settings to see what I could do.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through trial and error, Jai slowly developed his technical photography skills and has used them to complement his natural eye for detail and composition.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Time to take it seriously\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recognising his passion, Jai\u2019s wife, Anu, suggested he further his skills alongside likeminded individuals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2016, I joined a workshop in Western Sydney where artists came together to work on a photography project, and try new themes and techniques,\u201d Jai said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The workshop emphasised the importance of not just technical tools, but how an ability to capture and convey emotions leads to great photographs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, whenever I take photographs, the caption is already running through my mind as I am setting up the shot,\u201d Jai says.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The creative artworks from the workshop were included in the \u2018Map as Art\u2019 exhibition in Auburn, with one of Jai\u2019s photographs selected for the exhibition leaflet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe \u2018Map as Art\u2019 exhibition leaflet featuring Jai\u2019s photograph.<\/p>\n
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Inspired by the experience, Jai and other participants decided to continue meeting regularly, forming the Sydney West Artistic Photographers (SWAP) group.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since then, Jai has participated in various competitions and exhibitions and received many accolades. His entry \u201cAmidst\u201d to the Landscape Awards 2023 received Highly Commended Award in the Seascape category.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Amidst.jpg\")
\n\u2018Life 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\u2019, was the caption to Jai\u2019s \u201cAmidst\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Jai is also an honorary member of Auburn Poets & Writers and volunteers as an event photographer for community and cultural events.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPhotography 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,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Many of his most highly commended photographs were taken from his backyard or on walks around his neighbourhood. Even UNSW\u2019s Kensington campus has inspired some of his best shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Survivor!.jpg\")
\n\u201dSurvivor\u201d taken on UNSW\u2019s Kensington campus.<\/p>\n
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While busy with family and work, Jai maintains his hobby by taking his camera everywhere he goes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have my camera on me right now,\u201d Jai said. \u201cIf something beautiful, special or interesting catches my eye, I immediately grab it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
What\u2019s something about you that might surprise your colleagues?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
I can sing well (listener discretion is advised, though).\u00a0<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the best advice you ever received?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
The caption that I saw in an insurance advertisement: \u201cLife is too wonderful to be spent worrying!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
What makes you happy?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Spending time with family, friends and obviously with my photography gear, freezing moments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What day in your life would you like to relive?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every day is different, and I would prefer not to go backward or forward but to live in the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the best thing you have seen in the last year?\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
While I can say \u201cthe best is yet to come\u201d, the journey watching our son\u2019s tennis games has given me a chance to grow.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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