Name: Kusal Ekanayake  
Instagram handle: @kusal.e
Website: kusal.nz

Nangi and Ammi, Slide 4, Roll #126, Canon AE-1 Program, Cinestill 800, October 2024

Kalu, Slide 1, Roll #138, Canon AE-1 Program, Kodak Gold 200, December 2023

How did you get into film photography?
Back in 2016 I was trying to buy a film camera for a friend and didn’t want to go into it knowing nothing, so I started learning about cameras, film and photography. Somewhere along the way I fell in love with it myself, so the “research” turned into a bit of a gift for me too. Not too long after, I bought my first camera! (The Nikon L35AD)

Celine and Rein, Slide 7, Roll #139, Canon AE-1 Program, Kodak Portra 800, December 2023

Do you shoot much digital?
My digital camera is used almost exclusively to take photos for others. I’ve done a fair bit of gig photography, a few events, even started branching out and doing climbing competitions. 

The part I love most about film, more than digital photography, is the constraint. My film practice shapes how I shoot digitally. I’m always keen to learn more.

Appachchi and Nangi, Slide 1, Roll #171, Canon AE-1 Program, Kodak Ultramax 400, December 2025

What is your favourite thing to photograph?
People, emotion, and threes. 

My practice has been leaning into the imperfections that often come with film (original, right?), and using them to encase the love and moments around me. That often ends up being people, animals (usually of the domestic variety) and rarely landscapes. I think of it as just street photography of my community. 

The real joy however, comes from the curation afterwards, stripping every roll down to 10 photos helps me understand the moments in time that each roll reflects.

Crew at the crag, Slide 3, Roll #175, Canon AE-1 Program, Kodak Ultramax 400, December 2025

You get a lot of wholesome, gorgeous friendship/community snaps. What is your technique for getting the shot? 
Most of my friends expect me to have a camera on them, and they often are used to me taking photos of them as a result. Having less camera shy subjects most definitely helps.

Beyond that, trying to practice my basic photography skills, rule of thirds, leading lines, layering, etc. I often lean towards over exposure rather than under (when I can), I also love shallow depths of field. 

One thing I’d love to get better at is learning how to leverage contrast, I’m hoping that might open the door to better black and white photography for me.

Ash and Olly, Slide 1, Roll #179, Yashica Samurai, Kodak Ultramax 400, February 2026

When is the best time to take photos? What makes you take out the camera?
There is often a moment where you can feel a sense of genuine emotion, those are my favourites. Other times it’s just when someone yells “Hey! Take a photo!”. 

One small lesson I’ve picked up from taking those more group-like photos, and still making them feel a little natural is that I will give people as little time to pose for the photo as possible. Often I’ve found that the more people have time to perceive themselves, the less natural the photos get.

Jose, Slide 10, Roll #178, Canon AE-1 Program, Fujicolor 200, February 2026

How many photos do you take in a week?
If I were to do the math behind all the photos I’ve taken over the past 10 years, 520 weeks, 200ish rolls with an average of 30 exposures each… It comes out to be around 11 and a half photos a week. 

Stan, Slide 8, Roll #185, Yashica Samurai, Kodak Gold 200, March 2026

You have your 200th roll, chosen by your community and those who enjoy photographs do you feel like your 201st roll will be the turnover of a new leaf?
It could be! I’ve enjoyed this process so much, so it’s hard for me to imagine a practice outside of this. 

I’ve learned so much over these last 199 rolls and 10 years, and I still feel like I’m barely scratching the surface of photography. I’m really looking forward to what I’ll learn over the next 200. Who knows, at this rate, maybe I’ll stop at roll #1000 in 40 years’ time.

Right now, I’m just looking forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone who helped make it possible.

Emilie, Slide 3, Roll #189, Ricoh R1, Kodak Gold 200, May 2026

Dan and Laura, Slide 1, Roll #197, Canon AE-1 Program, Fujicolor 200, July 2026

Quick fire ten questions

1. 35mm or 120? 
   35mm, I wish I shot more 120

2. Colour or B&W?
   Colour… for now?

3. Zoom Lenses or Fixed? 
   Fixed

4. Portrait or Landscape (Orientation)? 
   Landscape

5. Flash or Natural Light? 
   Natural light

6. SLR (or TLR) or Rangefinder or Point and Shoot?  
   SLR, with a close second being Point and shoot

7. Must be razor sharp or more about the aesthetic?  
   Aesthetic!

8. Favourite Camera?  
   Olympus OM-1

9. Favourite Photographer? 
   Past - Raghu Rai, Current - Billy Dinh

10. Favourite Photo Book? 
    Small Myths - Mikiko Hara

Emma, Slide 1, Roll #68, Olympus OM-1, FilmNeverDir IRO 400, June 2020

Nangi and Ammi, Slide 1, Roll #81, Olympus OM-1, Kodak Portra 800, December 2020

Participate in Kusal's 200th Roll here. They use their work as a user experience engineer to create a fun way to 'shoot a roll' with them!