“My photographs ultimately become a conversation between the familiar and the unexpected, inviting viewers to engage with the stories embedded within and embark on their own journeys down memory lane.” – Joshua Amirthasingh
018 the Setanta-published, debut monograph by San Francisco-based photographer Joshua Amirthasingh, is a captivating visual ode to a different time.
From the very first page, the images in this book grab your attention. While there are undoubtedly some iconic, and beautiful vistas portrayed—including several depictions of the city’s most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge—the subject matter often seems mundane. Yet, thanks to the combination of rich, saturated hues, grain, and masterful framing, Amirthasingh transforms these everyday scenes into deeply intriguing, cinematic compositions that stir the imagination.
Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Amirthasingh developed an interest in photography at an early age, often shooting with his parents’ point-and-shoot Yashica. However, after relocating to San Francisco in 2017, his practice truly blossomed. New surroundings often galvanize photographers, the novely of each scene creating a sense of wonder. This was undoubtedly the case for Amirthasingh, who found inspiration in every street corner of his new home, a place vastly different from the one in which he was born and raised.
Within the hustle and bustle of his new home, Amirthasingh finds quiet moments of beauty. Lone figures gazing out over the ocean, caught in moments of introspection. The wooden facades of the city’s typical, Marina-style houses, bathed in golden hour light. A young couple sitting at a viewpoint, enjoying the sweeping vistas as they kindle their budding romance —all suffused in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun and ethereal fog that sweeps in from the Pacific.
While Amirthasingh’s impressive use of these natural environmental features plays a significant role in creating the unique atmosphere, it is also thanks to his mastery of film photography. The saturated yet muted tones are both powerful and beautiful, and one imagines they would not have been nearly as impactful if shot digitally. Amirthasingh’s decision to shoot on film also, as he puts it, “forces him to slow down and be intentional,” mirroring “the introspective nature of reminiscing.”
This introspection is at the heart of these images. In the opening line of his introduction, Amirthasingh says, “The essence of his work lies in the stories it unfolds, fueled by a deep sense of nostalgia”, and goes on to say “the images are infused with a longing for the past.” 018 feels like a tribute to a different time, an ode to a simpler, slower way of life, imprinted in our collective psyche through countless movies; the Kodachrome photographs of color pioneers like William Eggleston and Stephen Shore, and the paintings of Edward Hopper, who he credits as having a potent influence on his work.
Yet, perhaps it also speaks to Amirthasingh’s state of mind when capturing these images. Perhaps they are imbued with the wistfulness that often lingers deep within the soul when one is far away from home. The truth is, we will never really know.
All images © Joshua Amirthasingh
018 is published by Setanta and is available via their website.