One of the most iconic emblems of photographic history in the world, the Photographic Society of Madras refuses to be written off as a fossil of an antiquated era.
By organising the first international digital photography salon in the city, the society — touted to be the oldest in the country and the third-oldest in the world — continues to remain relevant in contemporary times.
The salon has on display the award-winning entries of a competition that reportedly received over 1,666 entries from across 22 countries.
The salon, which was inaugurated by legendary music composer and photography enthusiast Ilayaraja on Monday, is part of the ‘Photo Week’ concept introduced by the Society. As part of the event, a series of photography workshops will be open to the public till May 4.
The Photographic Society of Madras was founded by Dr. Alexander Hunter and Walter Elliot in 1857. V. Thyagarajan, a member of the Society, says, “A forum like this is extremely crucial for photographers because it allows us to meet other experts in the field, facilitating an exchange of ideas. It also allows us to truly evaluate our work on an international playing field.”
Seema Swami, a homemaker and an amateur photographer, emphasised the role played by such platforms in encouraging talent. She said, “I took up photography as a hobby but now as my work is being appreciated and showcased in competitions like this, I feel I can take this up more seriously.”
Sanjay Sridhar, president of the Society, expressed the hope that Photo Week would become a constant in the cultural calendar of the city.
