- Sachintha Lakpriya on capturing the perfect image
Sachintha Lakpriya, residing in Wattala, has an avid love for photography; particularly in the field of travel. Having lived in India for a few years and seeing the magnificent sights there, he was compelled to capture them. This sparked his passion for the art of photography and he began travelling more, looking to capture the perfect image.
Brunch had a chat with him on his travels and more.
How did you discover your passion for travel and photography?
When I was in India I had a chance to travel to different places, and some of them are really beautiful. I tried to capture them using my mobile, gradually it became a habit.
I couldn’t stay in Sri Lanka for long since I started my higher studies, so when I had vacations I always used to come down here and travel around Sri Lanka with my friends, that’s how this all started. Since then, I have been travelling wherever possible and pursuing my love for photography.
Where have you most enjoyed travelling in Sri Lanka?
Actually, it’s hard to choose one, but there is a place I like most – the Knuckles mountain range. I say this place because of how much I like the environment and biodiversity; there is just so much to see and do. The special thing is, there are many hidden waterfalls like Dumbara, Duwili, and Ella waterfalls, so there is ample opportunity to take pictures.
When I visited Knuckles, my friends and I spent almost three days on this journey and it’s about 45 km inside the forest. It was a tough journey, but eventually, that beautiful view took our fatigue away. It was a really hard and amazing trip that I will never forget. I would love to visit again soon.
How would you describe your photography style?
I really like to take natural photos so I can show the world the hidden beauty of Sri Lanka. I focus mostly on nature, and try not to use filters to beautify my image, instead opting for the natural colours of the world. Sunlight is a great way to spruce up a picture. No filter can ever compare to the way, for example, a waterfall glistens in the rays of the sun.
What is your favorite capture to date and why?
As I mentioned earlier about my trip to Knuckles, I like that picture taken at Dumbara ella waterfall. It’s a very rare picture that took a lot of work to capture, so I’m very fond of it.
As a travel photographer, what is the biggest challenge you face?
When we travel, we can’t take the exact photos we expect, so we have to adapt to that situation. And it’s hard to keep your mind free when travelling for so long, so you have to be very patient. That’s the most important skill that a travel photographer must have, I learned.
What do you think will change after Covid for travellers?
With this pandemic, we might be unable to travel like we used to do. Most of the time we will face travel restrictions, until the situation is entirely back to normal – which may not happen anytime soon unfortunately. I really hope this pandemic will end soon!
Do you have any tips for amateur photographers wanting to take better travel photos?
There are so many attractive places on this island. New photographers should always try to discover something new and keep their uniqueness.
Do you have any plans for the rest of the year?
We had some plans for 2021, but unfortunately I was stuck at home, so if this Covid situation ends soon, we hope to explore more places to show the world how beautiful this island is.
Instagram: @sachinthalakpriya
