Ajeesh Puthiyadath

Ajeesh Puthiyadath, known as FramesofAJ on Instagram, is an Indian street photographer based in Qatar, working professionally in the IT field. Photography began as a personal escape and has since evolved into a deep creative pursuit.

We often see things, but we don’t really capture what is beyond them. In some cases, there are people who are artistic and are able to see what others cannot visualize. Each one of us has different talent that can be expressed and processed differently. Something we see can have an entirely different meaning to someone else; something simple in one eye, can be perceived with a whole new definition, dimension, and a potentially new discovery by an artist.

As a photographer, my view of the world could be skewed towards looking at everyday objects as potential art, but it wasn’t always like that. I started my photography at the end of my college days. My best friends were wedding photographers and I used to travel with them during my vacations. These travel experiences changed my life and the way i saw the world. I started taking pictures with their cameras, and they found that I had some good skills and they encouraged me. Social media also motivated me to take more and more pictures through supportive comments.

Once I reached Qatar with my job, I met some good mentors who helped and supported me through photo walks and Photography. Each week, I strive to get constructive criticism and aim for the best photo of the week. Every day, we were taught different principles of photography. For me, it wasn’t a hassle to learn, it was more of an excitement, a new adventure. As I became more fascinated with photography, I recognized my passion for it. The need to take photographs was captivating; it wasn’t for recognition, but a way to escape from my unpleasant feelings. Photography became the only way i could express myself.

Excitement rushed through my veins every time my mentor would announce my name for the best photo of the week; an unforgettable feeling that fulfilled my ambition and made me feel virtuoso. By end of that first year, I felt transformation, a shift from passion to obsession. Even ordinary and regular things in my life suddenly became a new world, a spellbinding sensation that made me understand the deeper meaning of life.