Transform Everyday Objects into Art: Photography Workshop with Visual Artist Piyush Yadav
Bikalpa Art Center transformed into a hub of creativity as participants gathered for a hands-on photography workshop with visual artist Piyush Yadav on February 1, 2025. The event aimed to redefine how we perceive everyday objects, proving that artistic beauty is all around us—if we take the time to look.
With 15 eager participants, the session began with an introduction to photography as a storytelling tool. Although the workshop started slightly late at 12:15 PM, Piyush Yadav quickly set the tone by emphasizing that every object, no matter how ordinary, holds a story waiting to be told through composition, lighting, and perspective.
Each attendee brought a personal object—a cherished keepsake, a nostalgic memento, or a found item from their own possessions. To bring this concept to life, participants took turns sharing the significance of their objects and why they had chosen them. These ranged from a silver ring, toy fruits, camera, airpods and a Harry Potter pendant (a Horcrux) to a small Buddha statue. These objects were not just subjects for photography but symbols of personal narratives.
About the Mentor
Piyush Yadav, Visual Artist
Piyush Yadav is a visual artist who prefers photography as his medium of artistic expression, but he also experiments with painting, sculpture, installations, and mixed media.
His professional art practice investigates themes such as human perception, reality, impressions from nature, and the idea of creation. His works typically evoke thoughts, challenging the viewers to question their presumptions and ponder on the underlying riddles of existence. Born in Birgunj, Parsa, Yadav currently resides in Lalitpur. He graduated with a BFA from Kathmandu University School of Arts in 2022. Alongside his professional art practice, he works as a freelance photographer.
Finding Art in the Overlooked
After the introductions, Piyush led the group outside the gallery space, encouraging them to collect found objects from their surroundings. Fallen leaves, textured stones, wooden boards, and twigs—elements often overlooked in daily life—were now seen as potential artistic subjects. This exercise was a revelation for many, shifting their perspective on how art can emerge from the simplest of things.With their objects in hand, participants moved on to the next stage: understanding composition techniques. Piyush introduced the fundamentals of composition, demonstrating how the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing could transform a basic photograph into a compelling visual story.The attendees experimented with different setups, arranging their objects against various backdrops provided in the space. Some chose minimalistic, vibrant backgrounds, while others used textured surfaces like plants. Some even incorporated the art center itself as a background to enhance storytelling.
As Piyush moved through the space, he offered individualized guidance on adjusting lighting, positioning subjects, and achieving visual balance. The air buzzed with soft murmurs as participants discussed ideas and explored different angles and perspectives. Some crouched low to capture ground-level shots, while others experimented with overhead compositions. The excitement was palpable as each person discovered new ways to frame their narratives through photography.
Hands-On Photography and Post-Processing
Participants were encouraged to capture multiple shots, experimenting with lighting, depth of field, and focal points. Some opted for natural light streaming through windows, while others used artificial lighting to create dramatic shadows. Piyush provided real-time feedback, guiding each participant on how to enhance their images. He demonstrated how a slight shift in perspective or a subtle adjustment in framing could completely transform an image. With a collection of raw images in hand, participants then moved on to the post-processing phase. Using basic editing tools and mobile apps, they refined their photos by adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation, and cropping for better composition. Piyush emphasized subtlety in editing, encouraging participants to enhance their images without over-processing them. He shared simple yet effective techniques that could bring out the best in their photographs, whether through slight color corrections or subtle shadow enhancements. For many, this segment was an eye-opener—a realization of how minor tweaks could elevate their images from ordinary to extraordinary.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
As the session neared its end, participants gathered for a final discussion, reflecting on their experience. Their mentor, Piyush Yadav, also shared his thoughts on the workshop and encouraged participants to express their takeaways from the session.
- “I learned how to edit images and experiment with shadows and textures to enhance their artistic impact.” – Sabin, Participant
- “It was new learning that an object needs both a story and technical elements to become art. It was fascinating to learn how composition and perspective influence photography.” – Anuj, Participant
- “It was great to discover how technical aspects can transform simple images into artistic creations.” – Rayman, Participant
The event concluded on a high note, with participants leaving not just with improved technical skills, but with a renewed appreciation for the art of photography.
