To obtain a copy of his book, contact Tilak on +639205546855 or write to t.hettige@gmail.com.

The cover of photographer Tilak Hettige’s new book is eye-catching – a mosque with vivid carpets and shafts of sunlight photographed with a fish-eye lens to capture its unique features. It tells us right away that this is a photography book with a difference, one that will show us how to view photography in a different light and awaken our creative spirit.

Entitled New Eyes: An Inner Vision To Photography, Tilak shares his techniques and philosophy on the creation of photographic art. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in this field, and based on his photography workshops, Tilak shows readers how to improve and develop their artistic senses and skills.

Fully illustrated with a range of stunning photographs to show the results that can be achieved, topics in the book include travel and nature photography and step-by-step guides to create compelling portraits. It explains how to capture the essence of places, cultures and festivals, as well as the significance of composition, how to employ fundamental visual blocks, and balance colors to convey messages in an image.

“Photography has been my passion since I was a teenager, and I have been able to hold on to and deepen this passion over the years despite various ups and downs, because I was always fascinated by its psychology and spiritual values.”

“In this book I have tried to describe the various aspects of photography that helped me to create art-like images that touch the heart and soul of others,” says Tilak.

Originally from Sri Lanka, Tilak conducts photography workshops and is a contributing editor to photography magazine IMag. His work has been published in media around the world and hangs in several prominent private collections. His others books are Saffron Robes: A Photographic Essay on Buddhist Monks and Tilaka: The Spiritual Third Eye.

Tilak Hettige lent me his advanced copy of his latest book, “New Eyes.”

The book is a very nice, inexpensive coffee table book but at the same time, it is full of detailed photography concepts and very useful tips on how to go about (really seeing, not with your eyes but with your heart and soul.)

He discourages photographers from taking technical matters too seriously and also he does not believe in composition formulas like the (rule of Nerds, I mean thirds.) I have always felt the same way and this is because I firmly believe that fine photographic images are produced by the heart and mind and need not be technically perfect.

Photography and Art is a Philosophy. Artists like us live to express ourselves visually and verbally and some go to the extent of sharing their knowledge and experience. There are very few talented fine photographers who are at the same time excellent teachers and writers. Through “New Eyes,” Tilak has proven that he is among that rare breed.

… is enthralled by a book that just got to the Philippines: NEW EYES–An Inner Vision to Photography by Tilak Hettige. Not only are the images striking and mesmerizing. This book is by an Asian using Asian images and sharing an Asian sensitivity. It is a welcome counterbalance to the photo instruction books with western roots.