Things on the Ground: I used to think my obsession with documenting things on the ground was odd, even a little weird. But over time, I realized it's not weird at all - it's just a unique perspective. Growing up in Mumbai, I’m sure many of you have slipped or fallen randomly on the streets. I’ve been there more times than I can count - no complaints, though. That’s just how the streets are.
As a kid, I was often less attentive to where I was stepping, tripping over stones and realizing I should probably start watching my step. This habit of looking down while walking must have built up subconsciously over the years.
Now, after spending some time in Los Angeles, I’ve noticed something interesting. While the skies and sunsets here are undeniably beautiful - no competition. I often find myself drawn back to the ground. I’ve been collecting moments and objects that catch my attention, things that feel more intriguing than the city around me.
It’s funny, really. A spilled coffee cup creating a beautiful pattern, someone’s misplaced bra (things get a little naughty here!), or a dropped ice cream melting into abstract art. Each of these moments tells a story.
Sometimes I hesitate to explain what I capture because I believe work should speak for itself. Yet, I also think it’s important to be vulnerable with your work, to let people see through your eyes. Take the dead rat I found one day - I thought it was crawling at first. Sadly, it wasn’t.
One of my most obscure observations happened on a commercial set. There was this set of flowers, treated so delicately and with care by the art department during production. But once the shoot wrapped, they were left discarded on the ground, crushed by the very same people who had once handled them with affection. That moment felt deeply symbolic, mirroring my own life and journey in some ways. There’s beauty in everything - even in what’s been overlooked or discarded. I hope you can see it too, but if not, that’s okay.
I’ll be writing more about this soon, and pictures will be live shortly. Thanks for reading.