One: A Photographic Exhibition

Pathshala South Asian Media Institute is hosting "One: A Photographic Exhibition" at their Dhanmondi premises from September 19 to October 10, 2018. The exhibition featured selected works by first semester students of three previous batches of the institute.

The exhibition's focus was to showcase works by novice students who are enrolled in the three-year professional photography program. Throughout the three years, the students explore the various facets in the field of photography that are organised into 23 courses. One of the courses is Techniques of Photography I; the exhibited photographs are part of the different assignments students had to do for this particular course.

Upon entering the premise, I could see the photo frames neatly organised against the white-washed walls of the gallery. Each photograph told a story of not only the subject of the image, but also of the photographer. There were photographs of construction sites, animals, worn-out cars, people on the streets, and even dirty plastic bags that looked nothing short of artistic. They all range from street to abstract genre – each student showcased their creativity through unique subjects and compositions and use of colour contrasts.

After looking into all the photographs in the exhibition, I got a chance to speak with Ashraful Awal Mishuk, faculty member at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute to ask about what it's like to teach freshmen and about the structure they follow in the three-year program.

"The entire program is designed to help anyone interested in photography to have a better understanding on the subject," said Mishuk.

When asked about the students who usually enrol for this program, he said, "We get around 15-20 students during each intake that takes place every six months. They range from school students to middle-aged professionals. Some are simply keen on learning more about photography while others want to take it up as a full-time profession. This is why we have evening classes on weekdays, as it ensures everyone can participate."

However, of all those who enrol do not end up graduating because of a number of factors that include financial problems, or being unable to commit for a length of time. Through it all, however, Pathshala makes sure to never compromise with quality. The institution also welcomes students from other countries.