Expressez-Vous

By: Protim Mallick

“A single photograph can speak a thousand words.” With this idea, 50 young amateur photo-hunters from home and abroad had put 60 of their finest images under the open sky to display their creative power. Organized by “Bangladeshi Photographers”, which started as an online community in www.flickr.com, the exhibition “60 Shots” started on the 13th of August at “Chobir-Haat”, opposite the Charukola Institute in Dhaka University area, Bangladesh.

“60 Shots” has aimed to give these young photographers, who are all below 25 years of age, a platform to present what they think and how they think to the viewers. Their images gave us the very idea of our country from the perspective of young people. The photographers made an effort to freeze the precious moments in life, no matter how simple, in a 16 by 12 inch frame. With the slogan “We share, We care, We inspire” Bangladeshi Photographers, had asked the young photographers to submit their images for “60 Shots”. Thus from a very large number of submissions 60 images from 50 photographs were selected.

The exhibition received a very big response at its first day, where people, young and old, had applauded the creativity of the young talented photographers. One of the many reasons for this was their ingenious idea of holding the exhibition under the open sky. There was enough crowd just at the first hour since the exhibition started! Major General Ibrahim, a great war-hero, was the chief guest invited in this exhibition. On asking, what he thought of “60 Shots”, he said:

“I am so delighted and pleased to have attended this exhibition showcasing the works of young amateur photographers, that I am unable to express my feeling in words. These young people are so much talented, that this may have been hard for me to believe, had I not witnessed it myself. Therefore, I would like to congratulate the organizers, and if there is anything that I can help with, I will surely do my best. I wish with all my heart that these young people go on further. Amena, Bristy, Rowena, Roman, Apurbo – I will remember the names of all the photographers, and I will definitely remember how Protim is shaking.”

He seemed to be enjoying the whole time of his stay, touring through the pool of images. For the photographers this had been a day of sheer joy and happiness where their creations were the centre of attraction.

One of the most important aims of this exhibition was also to inspire youths who are interested in this form of art. “Bangladeshi Photographers” group creates a community for every Bangladeshi photographer at home or abroad, to share their vision of photography. Bangladeshi Photographers group always welcomes new photographers to learn various forms of this art, and has now taken an initiative to showcase the talents of young undergraduate photographers. Since many young photographers may not be able to continue photography after a certain period of time, due to lack of time or any other negative factors, it will be organizing such exhibitions regularly to provide a constant source of inspiration to the upcoming photographers.

The exhibition continued til the 15th of August, everyday from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For those of you who missed this event, you don’t have to worry much because the next event is coming soon!