Visual Vocabulary

A photography project strives to bring photographers from across the country on a common platform

Written by: Parul

4 min readJul 6, 2019 12:55 AM IST

Chandigarh School of Photography, photography project by Chandigarh School of Photography, Maddoke photography project, photography exhibition, Indian Express

A fine arts graduate from the Government College of Art, Chandigarh, Maddoke has been enriching his understanding of visual expression — be it his work on caste discrimination in India and Nepal, ecology of Punjab or landless labour.

Photography is known to be an extension of painting, and documentary photographer and filmmaker Randeep Maddoke has explored this belief as part of several projects across the country. A fine arts graduate from the Government College of Art, Chandigarh, Maddoke has been enriching his understanding of visual expression — be it his work on caste discrimination in India and Nepal, ecology of Punjab or landless labour. Now he strives to share the varied aspects of the artform and his experiences with people passionate about photography. The Chandigarh School of Photography, of which Maddoke is the coordinator, has a digital presence and opportunities of practical learning, with intensive outdoor workshops which Maddoke is planning to conduct across the country. The first one of these was held last week in Spiti.

Maddoke says that more and more people are gaining interest in the artform as the process of photography has now become digital. “What I strive to do with the online school is to focus on visual literacy and create awareness about visual language. I have personally developed a module which focuses on the history of photography, the masters — from Aristotle to the contemporary practitioners, role of photography in world events, information about scholarships, grants, opportunities in the field, change in technology, and how different lenses and cameras work, among others. There is a wealth of information that can be utilised. As a student of fine arts, I have studied the history, aesthetics, development of art and this knowledge has given me a new perspective in the field of photography,” explains Maddoke.

The photographer adds that through outdoor photography assignments, analysis, lectures, as part of the seven-day workshop, he took participants from Jalandhar, Delhi and Australia to Spiti and focused on the technical aspects, visual language and aesthetics of photography. After a brief lecture, the participants, including Maddoke, would step out to take photographs, with no one theme or subject restricting the work process. The landscape, people, architecture, monasteries, and everyday life were the focus, with Maddoke discussing components of a good composition, many norms of the artform, how much to see, the nature of the landscape, and where is the subject placed, among others. “At the end of the day, we would talk and evaluate each photograph, what else could be done with it and also focus on the technical aspects of each picture. The group energy was terrific and there were so many new aspects to share. Teaching has also taught me how to see the medium in a new light. I am a one-shot photographer, but here, I sometimes took four to five shots to capture the light and its effect on the landscape,” he says.

Another vital aspect of the workshop is to work on a short travel documentary film and photography exhibition, which, says Maddoke, will give young photographers a platform to present their work. “You cannot focus only on one aspect. The aim is to present a larger picture by involving other photographers, filmmakers, artists, teachers and build a larger community,” he says

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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