Matribhumi Samachar English
Chennai Photo Biennale brings together photographers, artists and industry voices for a conversation on the enduring relevance of photography
Chennai, September 2026: As generative AI increasingly blurs the line between photographs and synthetic images, the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) brought together photographers, artists and voices from the imaging industry for Why Images Matter? a thought provoking panel discussion that explored a fundamental question: what makes an image worth remembering?
Held at SIGMA India’s headquarters in Kottivakkam as part of the CPB International Photography Open Call – Edition 3, the conversation featured World Press Photo winner and National Geographic Explorer Senthil Kumaran, interdisciplinary artist and former CPB Open Call selected artist Dhivya Ravishankar, photographer and visual designer Ashok Saravanan, and Mr. Ananthasainan Seshan, Director of Shetala Agencies Pvt. Ltd. | SIGMA India. The discussion was moderated by photographer and Chennai Photo Biennale co-founder Varun Gupta.
The conversation moved across documentary practice, personal expression, photographic communities, technology and artificial intelligence, returning repeatedly to the role of the human being behind the image.
For Senthil Kumaran, a powerful photograph is not merely about what is visible within the frame, but the commitment that lies behind its making.
“A powerful photograph is not only about what we see within the frame, but also about the commitment behind it , the time, persistence and dedication a photographer brings to pursuing a subject. When an artist spends months, years or even decades documenting an idea, that commitment becomes integral to the work itself and deserves to be recognised.”
Drawing from his long term work documenting the relationship between people, wildlife and a changing environment, Kumaran spoke about the importance of emotional and ethical engagement with a subject. He emphasised that meaningful documentary photography requires time, curiosity and a willingness to move beyond one’s initial assumptions.
For Dhivya Ravishankar, photography offers a way of translating deeply personal thoughts and emotions into a visual language. Her practice often begins with an image or emotion in her mind, which she then stages and constructs.
Reflecting on the impact of the CPB Open Call on her own journey, she said:
“Recognition can sometimes be the moment that allows an artist to recognise themselves. For me, being acknowledged by a platform gave me the confidence to finally call myself an artist and believe that my work could make a meaningful contribution. That validation became the beginning of a journey that opened doors to exhibitions, residencies and new possibilities.”
Her experience reflected one of the central ideas behind the CPB International Photography Open Call that an opportunity to be seen can meaningfully alter the trajectory of an emerging artistic practice.
For Ashok Saravanan, photography remains an act of attention and observation.
“Photography is my way of paying attention. It makes me slow down, observe the world around me, and frame what feels worth remembering.”
He also spoke about the importance of photographic communities in encouraging people to begin, experiment and continue making work. In an increasingly technology-driven image culture, he emphasised the value of the person behind the camera — their perspective, experiences and way of seeing.
Technology and the changing tools of photography formed another important thread of the discussion. Mr. Ananthasainan Seshan placed the current conversations around AI within photography’s longer history of technological evolution from film to digital cameras, smartphones and increasingly intelligent imaging systems.
“Technology is here to stay. It is not going to take the photographer out of you — it is only going to make you evolve as a photographer.”
He noted that as technology removes many technical barriers, the role of the photographer’s ideas, judgement and individual point of view becomes even more significant.
Speaking about SIGMA’s philosophy of The Art of Engineering, Seshan highlighted the relationship between technology and creative practice.
“Images matter because photography is, at its heart, an art a way of expressing our vision and sharing how we see and understand the world. Sigma has always been inspired by this creative impulse, working closely with photographers and continually pursuing quality and innovation to help them realise their vision. It is this belief that lies at the heart of Sigma’s philosophy: The Art of Engineering. Engineering for Art.”
The conversation also addressed the growing presence of AI-generated imagery. Varun Gupta spoke about the distinction between photography and what he described as “promptography”, acknowledging them as different creative processes. While the CPB Open Call allows photography that uses digital tools in its making and post-production, images generated entirely through prompts are not accepted.
Reflecting on the larger question of why photography continues to matter, Gupta said:
“Photography has the power to express what is in our hearts, minds and souls, while also changing how we see the world around us. In an age where images and even imagined images are everywhere, the question is no longer simply whether we need more photographs, but why we create them. What matters is not the label we give ourselves, but how deeply we engage with photography, the stories we choose to tell and our willingness to share our way of seeing with the world.”
The audience extended the discussion beyond the panel, reflecting on the ability of images to raise awareness, create opportunities, preserve cultural traditions and challenge assumptions about how the world is seen.
By the end of the conversation, no single definition of an important photograph had emerged and perhaps that was precisely the point.
Across documentary photography, constructed imagery, community practice and evolving technology, Why Images Matter? returned to a few essential ideas: curiosity, empathy, commitment and the person behind the image.
In an era when producing an image has never been easier, the conversation suggested that the more important question may no longer be whether someone can make a good photograph but why they needed to make it in the first place.
About the Chennai Photo Biennale International Photography Open Call – Edition 3
The CPB International Photography Open Call is a platform that invites photographers from across the world to submit their work and engage with a wider photography community. Through opportunities for exhibition and visibility, the Open Call seeks to support emerging and established photographic practices while creating conversations around contemporary image-making.
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