Final Year Advanced Diploma of Photography student Nish Paranavitana had a chance to kick some of his own goals recently. Nish is majoring in commercial photography, with a keen interest in sports photography. Recently he met up with renowned sports photojournalist and PSC Tutor, David Callow. Here Nish shares his photographic journey and the value of a mentor relationship.

 Photo of Nish by David Callow

What got you started in photography?

I loved sport as a kid and was always flicking through sports magazines, mainly to look at the photographs, rather than reading the articles. I’d always thought how cool it would be to be a sports photographer and to capture great sporting moments. I was lucky enough that my Dad bought me an SLR when I was 15, but then when I finished school and wanted to do a photography course, he said it wasn’t the kind of career that I should be aiming for. At that stage I didn’t have the courage to chase my dream and so I took another road. There is a long story that follows from here but it took me another 27 years before I finally enrolled myself into a course and followed my passion for photography.

When you started at PSC, did you have an idea of the kind of photographer you want to become? 

No idea. I started at PSC thinking that I was just going to do a 20 week course (Creative Photography Certificate).  I just wanted to improve my image taking. PSC really opened my eyes to other photographers and styles. The feedback I got initially was that my photography was too literal and I could see that.  That’s where the lecturers really pushed me to become more engaged about my subject matter and story telling.

 Photo By Nish Paranavitana

Tell us about your excursion to the Rugby with David Callow came about?

What are you currently working on?

Apart from my 4th year portfolio, I’ve been working as a freelance photographer for 4 years now. My work is all in the Commercial space and I love the diversity that I get in my work. Last week I did a shoot for a surf board maker who was after images for his website. This week I’m photographing corporate portraits and real estate. Coming up I’m photographing a dental practice, which will be portraits, interiors and also video clips for their website

Why did you decide to change careers?

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