Don’t go to this exhibition expecting to see the work of the stalwarts from the field. This one belongs to you, me and all those others who exult after taking a ‘nice’ shot. Delhi Photography Club (a non-profit initiative) is celebrating amateur photography through their second Nicefoto exhibition.
The exhibition features images taken by 150 photography enthusiasts aged between 7 and 58, from across the world — Romania, the Netherlands, Iran, Italy, England, Germany, France, Croatia, Spain, Singapore and Malaysia. “This is about people who do it for sheer joy…it is literally a creative expression for them,” says Gouri Dutt, an amateur photographer who volunteers for the Club. An Ayurvedic doctor by profession, she says the Delhi Photography Club is an interesting mix of businessmen, diplomats, doctors, lawyers, homemakers, students and children,.
The club was started by photography lover Anil Kumar, an IIM alumnus, to create a platform for amateur photographers to exchange, ideate and learn. “While we have 15000 members with whom we have a kind of direct interaction, we have reached 5.1 million people through our outreach work,” adds Dutta.
The club reaches out in multiple ways; through its courses, heritage photo walks and conversations on its Facebook page.
“People ask questions. When they are in doubt, they refer to us. There are no platforms for such people to discuss photography and showcase their work. Last year, each participant was asked to mail us five pictures. The selected ones have been framed and will be exhibited,” says Dutta adding that the difference between a professional show and this one is that here they aren't caught up with any one idea. “So they are really free, alert and sensitive to the minutest of the things or emotions. They have experimented with colour, light and subjects. And they are called ‘nice' because they are after all about nice positive moments in our lives. One should see the picture and say ‘Oh, how nice’…” explains Dutta. The Club is planning to take the exhibition to different countries.
Bottomline: An exhibition that belongs to you, me and all those who exult after taking a ‘nice’ shot
NiceFoto 2012
Where:India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
When:Till July 6
