HellO!
I’m Murali. A visual storyteller exploring the intersection of photography, illustration, and graphic design.
I’m inspired by the details that often go unnoticed: a fleeting glance of light, a quiet corner of a city, the mood between frames. My work captures these moments across mediums—through photos, hand-drawn illustrations, and design-led visuals.
From national parks to everyday scenes, each project is a chance to blend color, composition, and creativity into something that resonates. This site is a collection of those stories.
Thanks for visiting!
Latest Postcards
This collection captures the historic architectural pulse of Chennai anchored at Parry's Corner, showcasing a dialogue between eras and styles. The set contrasts the stark, white Art Deco lines of the iconic Dare House and the LIC Building’s towering clock face against the intricate, red-brick Indo-Saracenic majesty of the Madras High Court complex. Framed by the familiar skyline presence of the YMCA, these images document the enduring "sentinels" of George Town, where the city’s colonial legacy, legal heritage, and commercial history converge at a single, storied intersection.
A visual study of the friction between heritage and habitat at Chennai’s Napier Bridge. The historic University of Madras clock tower and the looming Doordarshan TV Tower frame the Cooum River, standing guard over a resilient ecosystem. Amidst the urban flow, Spot-billed Pelicans and Black Kites claim their space where the metropolis meets the Bay of Bengal.
A visual journey through the historic heart of Chennai, capturing the spiritual and architectural tapestry of the Santhome and Triplicane neighborhoods. This collection highlights the striking dialogue between diverse eras and faiths: the pristine Neo-Gothic spires of the Santhome Cathedral stand in contrast to the vibrant, intricate Dravidian gopurams of the Parthasarathy Temple. Anchored by the soaring Chennai Lighthouse and the reflective waters of the temple tank, these images celebrate a city where distinct heritages coexist in timeless harmony.
A grounding counterpoint to Ascension, this series shifts the gaze from the divine heights to the vibrant, tactile reality of the streets below. It captures the lingering spiritual energy found in the everyday—from the saturated hues of flower offerings and the weathered textures of the neighborhood, to the quiet, living presence that pulses in the shadow of the temple.
Latest Blog Posts
One bridge, 21 viewpoints, and the unpredictable fog. Here is why my attempt to photograph San Francisco's most famous landmark turned into a daunting list of 84 different shots.
I photographed Chennai after a long hiatus. Everything felt the same: vivid colors, buzzing ambience, and minimal space. From the chaotic streets of Mylapore to the quiet of Vedanthangal, here is a look at the challenges and rewards of capturing the place I call home.
I love the creative process, but like everyone else, I only have 24 hours in a day. To keep my momentum going without burning out, I’ve hired a new assistant: Gemini. By offloading the "packaging" and technical hurdles to AI, I’m finding more time to focus on the parts of photography and design I actually love. Here is why I’m choosing to embrace the help.
Style isn’t something you lock down — it’s something you pass through. What looks like inconsistency up close is often growth in hindsight. Like seasons, your work changes because you do.
Comics
In a pond where every fish has an opinion and none of them are helpful, the koi gather for their daily debate: is the leaf suspicious, is the water too dramatic today, and who exactly stirred the algae without permission? Between overthinkers, skeptics, and self-appointed philosophers, this unlikely council of fish proves one thing — even in calm waters, the drama runs deep.
They’re back… though they never really left. The legendary Nap Pile has reassembled on the pier, stacking sleep on sleep like it’s a group project no one wants to lead. Nothing happens, and that’s exactly the point. In this sequel, their dedication to doing less somehow reaches new heights.
They’ve reached peak laziness. No tides to chase. No fish to hunt. Just a pier, the sun, and the unwavering commitment to doing absolutely nothing. If relaxation were a sport, these seals would win gold by refusing to stand up for the medal.
Perched on her wooden throne at Cowell Ranch, Anna the hummingbird delivers swift judgment on every hiker who dares walk past her fence.
Cities
A photographic glimpse into New York City’s pulse—featuring the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and the Statue of Liberty.
A photographic walk through the streets of New Orleans—where sound, texture, and tradition meet on every corner.
Pulse is a street photography series from Atlanta—capturing fleeting gestures, city textures, and southern urban energy.
Photos from the National Mall in Washington D.C.—from the grandeur of its memorials to quiet architectural lines and civic spaces.
National Parks
A photographic journey through Zion National Park, from the towering cliffs of Angel’s Landing to the quiet sprawl of Zion Valley.
A photographic journey through some of the American Southwest’s most iconic landscapes—Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the desert in between.
Photos from Big Bend National Park—where desert, river, and mountain converge under expansive Texas skies.
Tools of My Trade
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I have used Canon bodies all along. Right now, I am shooting with a Canon R6 Mark II. I previously used a Canon 7D.
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My go-to lens these days are the Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM and the Canon RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM. I also use the Canon Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM, Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens, and the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens as needed.
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I currently use software in the Adobe Creative Cloud suite — Bridge for organizing, Lightroom and Photoshop for editing, After Effects for motion, Illustrator for graphics, and Premiere Pro for video. I use Procreate on my iPad for hand-drawn illustrations.