Email: aavarma@gmail.com
Biography
In Anand Varma’s hands, a camera is not just a tool to capture what he sees—it’s a way to illuminate the layers of beauty and complexity that are otherwise hidden from view. Armed with a degree in integrative biology, he has devoted years of his life to developing innovative techniques—even building some of his own equipment—to create intimate, dramatic and surprising images of nature. His ultimate goal: to spark a sense of wonder about our world. Through his work, Anand highlights creatures whose incredible details typically go unseen, and discovers new stories behind the science along the way.
From the secret life cycle of the honeybee to the lightning-fast behaviors of hummingbirds, his images slow down the fast, speed up the slow and magnify the miniature to reveal life at the edge of our perception. He is a National Geographic Explorer and award-winning photographer based in Berkeley, California.
Invisible Wonders
In this coffee table book, Anand unveils a world never before seen by human eyes, achieved through the innovative techniques of today’s finest photographers.
Invisible Wonders explores how size, time, light and focus can show us our world in brand new ways. From the microscopic to the cosmic, from minuscule elements to intricate life-forms, here is a surprising assortment of subjects we are unable to appreciate with our naked eyes. Contemporary photographers offer insight into the innovative artistry that makes these images possible, alongside Varma’s commentary on what has inspired his own work.
The WonderLab is a one of a kind storytelling studio based in Berkeley, California where Anand and his team develop innovative photography and videography techniques that push the boundaries of how we understand the wonders of our world.
WonderLab also serves as an incubator for ideas and talent by offering mentorship and education opportunities for aspiring scientists and storytellers.
With WonderLab, Anand and the National Geographic Society aim to demonstrate how science coupled with stunning visual storytelling sparks curiosity and creates a deeper connection to our natural world.