Meet Akash Das | Photographer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Akash Das and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Akash, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I did not always want to pursue a creative or artistic career. As a teenager, I really wanted to get into forensic science or zoology. When I got a camera as a birthday present, the possibilities felt endless. I had never felt that kind of passion towards a hobby so I thought there might be a way to pursue this further. I was photographing concerts, as a side-job, during the school year, and during the breaks I would visit national parks with the sole purpose of creating photographs. That is when I decided to pursue photography and art for my education and career. Once I got to SCAD, I had the chance to develop my understanding of photography, become technically sound and really dig deep into what photography entails in this day and age.

I experimented and deeply enjoyed most branches of photography I involved myself in. Turns out I wasn’t attracted to any specific kind of photography or a niche. I fell in love with the idea of photography itself; the philosophy and the culture around it, and how photographs are now vital for any cultural phenomena in our internet infused society.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, since I started photography by shootings concerts, documentary and wildlife, the importance of the present moment became very exciting for me. I would put myself in situations where I could hone that instinct of chasing and capturing moments. Soon I was creating abstract images, photographing through the microscope, working with analog processes and just about every way of making photographs. Images became a language to be deciphered, understood and propagated.

A few years ago, I found myself deeply invested in specializing in photojournalism and documentary work when a severe back injury forced me to reevaluate my position. Not being able to venture to the places I needed to go, I returned to working and experimenting in the studio while I spent the next 2 years recovering. This was the time I started re-photographing antique photographs I had collected, which then developed into my thesis research project. This was also the time I realized that I enjoy studio lighting a lot. The possibilities of beautiful craftsmanship was an exciting prospect, and I started working on a new fashion and portrait portfolio. This opened up new avenues of collaboration which was thrilling.

Now that I’m physically in a better place, I’m back to working multiple disciplines; Fashion and portraiture, Documentary, and Fine Art. Some professionals may be skittish about not having a ‘specialty’ or a niche, but I find it immensely freeing to not limit myself regarding what I create and photograph.

Looking to the future, I’d love to do more portraiture and documentary, and maybe pivot to creative direction, photo-editing, and teaching.

My MFA Thesis Exhibition: ‘Entropy’ is opening on the 2nd of November at Mason Fine Art, right here in Atlanta. Please come by and take a look if you’re in town.
( You can see some images from that body of work right here: http://akashdasphoto.com/entropy )

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting Atlanta, the first thing I’d suggest them would be to come here with an appetite. With how multicultural this city is, every neighborhood now has unique culinary specialties and its just amazing. Aside from that, there are some incredible barbecues around town.

The High Museum and other art and history museums around Atlanta are a great way to get to know the history and culture of the city and the south in general. The Beltline is a also a great way to explore the city. For nightlife, I’d take them to East Atlanta and some parts of West Midtown simply because they are my personal favorites and is thriving with incredible creative communities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel that my professors at SCAD were exceptionally important to me in this journey. They taught me certain key ideas that I will always carry with me. I’m especially thankful for Sueller Parker, who helped me realign myself in extremely difficult times and most importantly, always reminded me to look within, and understand the reasons why we create what we create.

Also, I’m extremely grateful for my family. They taught me to follow my dreams and not be discouraged when there are challenges to overcome. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: http://akashdasphoto.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theakashdas/