The Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication, Dibrugarh University organised its second photography festival on the occasion of the World Photography Day. The photography festival comprised of an exhibition cum competition which was held on 19th August, 2015 (observed as the World Photography Day).
The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Karabi Deka Hazarika, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dibrugarh University. To grace the occasion, Prof.Nirajana Mahanta Bezborah, Head, Department of Assamese, Dr. Pallavi Deka Buzarboruah, Department of Assamese and Dr. Satyakam Borthakur, Director in-charge for the Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication were also present. The dignitaries on this auspicious occasion emphasized on the importance of photography and its aesthetics.
This year the highlights of the exhibition were the first digital exhibition where photo stories made by the students of the centre were put on display. The exhibition had a display of around ninety photographs that belonged to various specializations like North-East India, Environment and Social Change, Street and Journalistic photography. There were over thirty participants from the city who participated and contributed photographs for the various disciplines of photography. The festival even comprised of a lecture on Combating Terrorism – Protecting by Righteousness with the focus on principles of self-restraint in photojournalism. The Lecture was a follow up action on the recommendation of 8th Report on the Recommendations of the Administrative Reforms. The lecture was delivered by Assistant Professor Jennifer Shaheen Hussain, Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication. The subject of ethical decision making of a photojournalist and the kind of photographs that may result in disturbance among the viewers were the highlights of the discussion.
Followed by the lecture, a photography workshop was conducted by Debasis Gogoi ace photographer, founder and president of Photography Club of Assam and Assistant Professor for the Centre for Studies in Journalism and Mass Communication. Also, the co-ordinator of the photography festival, his prime focus was on the kind of equipment a beginner should use, what the aesthetics of photography are and how a photographer can earn a livelihood if the medium is used in the right manner.
The workshop even had renowned photojournalist of Assam Saurabh Duwarah, Asomiya Pratidin and Javed Hussain, Dainik Janambhumi. Saurabh Duwarah spoke to the audience on the technical nitty gritties of photojournalism and ethics of photojournalism.
Dr. Binod Chandra Borah, Deputy Register of Dibrugarh University delivered the valedictory speech. He spoke on the blend of art and science in photography. Dr. Satyakam Borthakur, Director-in-Charge of CSJMC was also present during the valedictory and addressed the gathering emphasizing in particular about the ethics in photojournalism.
Students of various departments of the university, well-wishers and several visitors attended the exhibition.