When Manik Katyal, Editor in Chief of Emaho Magazine, visited the Delhi Photo Festival that took place in October last year, something odd struck him. Only the works of bigwigs of Indian photography were featured there. He saw the same names everywhere. He wondered if it was only this handful that represented the nation's photographers.
The upshot of this was ‘Post - A Street and Travel photography exhibition'. The show is to be held in Singapore. It will feature the photographs of 50 photographers from across the world. Manik organised the exhibition in an attempt to promote young and unrecognised talent. When Manik started his online publication, it was to promote photography. Street photography is what he loves. He believes this medium is wide and captures day- to- day life, making it interesting to work with. This is the reason why he chose street and travel as the medium for ‘Post'.
The exhibition came about with the help of the resources his magazine gave him and through Facebook. “We have received over 2,700 applications from 23 countries so far. ‘Post' has travelled to places such as The Philippines, Italy, Germany, France, Pakistan, Australia and Israel.” Manik explains, “The aim of ‘Post' is not merely to promote amateur photographers. A photographer might have been in the field for a while but may never have got an opportunity to showcase his/her talent. Through ‘Post', we hope to make that possible. It is all about being given the platform.”
As one of the promotional exercises for ‘Post', Emaho had organised a Photo Walk in The Philippines on December 31 that saw 19 photographers take part. “They walked around the streets of Philippines for over two hours and captured 110 photographs that we hope to sell,” says Manik. “With no registration fees being charged, ‘Post' is only about the artist,” says Manik. The uploaded photographs will also be available for sale after the exhibition.
“We hope to make ‘Post' a bi-annual affair. Our next exhibition is scheduled to take place in Dubai in September 2012. From February 9, a three-day event in Singapore will promote ‘Post',” says Manik.
The exhibition will be at the Singapore National Library on February 10. There is also a talk by local photographers. In a unique attempt, the last day of the event will see the chosen photographs being taken around the streets of Singapore on tuks-tuks (rickshaws)!
‘POST’ IT
Each applicant can upload three photographs, on the Emaho exhibition page (www.emahoexhibition.com). One of them will be chosen
Anyone above 15 years of age can apply. The theme has to be ‘street' or ‘travel'. Last entries to be sent in by January 25
