World photography day is celebrated throughout the globe each year on August 19. In Hyderabad, among the host of activities that were organised, there were two noteworthy shows by the students of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU), at the Nehru Art Gallery, and by Sri Venkateshwara (SV) College at ICCR, Ravindra Bharati. G. Madukar, the head of the photography department at JNAFAU says, “The first announcement of a photograph was made on August 19, 1839 in France. On the same day, Francois Arago, the Prime Minister of France gave a presentation which described Daguerre’s process of photography. He explained the bright future of the technique and offered its free use to the world on that day.”
Rohan Putnuri’s work effectively captures tribal kids playing in Mancherial
At the Nehru Art Gallery, the photographs reflected the varied perspectives of the students and the subjects they come across in day-to-day life. In order to inspire and encourage the young photographers, their works were judged and awarded too. One of P. Pranavi’s photographs, which was awarded, manifested an interesting space with the play of light, making the photograph come alive. “This was clicked at a spot in Karnataka, the trees partially obstruct the early morning rays and thus create a beautiful opportunity for the photographer to capture satisfying images,” explains Pranavi.
A group of flamingos clicked in their natural ambience by Asif Hussain
Another student Asif Hussain’s frame depicted a group of flamingos clicked in their natural habitat. The colourful and intriguing picture featured the birds interacting with one another rather endearingly. What the viewers loved about the photograph was the rhythm, established by the birds’ graceful postures.
Students of Sri Venkateshwara (SV) College at ICCR, Ravindra Bharati
The photographs displayed by the students of S.V. College were equally interesting. They had worked under the guidance of cinematographer Jagadeesh Bommisetti.
Participants at the JNAFAU photography exhibition
Surabhi Vani Devi, the secretary of Surabhi Educational Society, while talking about the students’ dedication for the event and photography in contemporary times, said, “Photography is an essential technology for all fields of work such as entertainment, health care, security as well as education.”
The inaugural function was graced by K.V. Guhan, a well-known director of photography in Telugu cinema. He encouraged the students tremendously and spoke about his own affinity for photography, which he added was a very powerful medium of expression.
J. Surya Theja’s depicts a figure spanned by an illuminated silhouette
Rohan Putnuri, who was awarded first prize for his photograph, happily says, “I clicked this picture in Mancherial. The tribal kids were playing during sunset and suddenly after clicking I realised that the frame had multiple meanings and perspectives to offer.”
Another award-winning photograph, by J. Surya Theja, depicted a figure illuminated by a wire of light which twisted into a crown and wings in a caricature-like manner. Surya’s work established a beautiful amalgamation of realistic and fantastical elements.
