CHENNAI: Are you a photo enthusiast? Do you want to travel around the world without spending a rupee? Then step into Confluence 2016. A creative venture by Photographic Society of Madras (PSM), Confluence 2016 is an exhibition in which over 80 photographers will showcase their 340 pictures from around the world.
Talking to Thomas T Abraham, president, PSM, we find out more about the exhibition. “PSM nurtures beginners and we offer revenue-neutral workshops, trips and more to mentor them. Through Confluence, we hope to give a large number of our members the thrill of seeing their images on print, on the walls of Lalit Kala Akademi. It’s like a graduation opportunity for photographers,” he shares.
About the curation and selection criteria, he says, “Photographs were chosen by a panel of eminent judges including Sanjay Sridhar (former PSM chief) and the final 340 were chosen from 450 entries. If the photographs were rejected, the applicants were given another chance to submit a different product.”
The exhibition will be an amalgam of veterans, award-winning photographs and also amateurs. “We have photographers from different cities and at different proficiency levels. It will be an enriching journey for everyone as amateurs and professionals will get to share their knowledge at this exhibition,” he adds.
The display will have diverse genres including portraits, street photographs, black and white, travel and food among others. “There are college students who’ll be participating as well,” says Thomas pointing to Smitha Joshi, a media student. “When she started out, she was studying BCom and she went on from being a beginner to entering many competitions and even winning a few. This is what PSM aims to do — to mentor and support budding artists.”
Smitha Joshi, who will also be among the 80 participants says, “It’s an honour to be part of this event. It’s even more special because it will be exhibited in one of the most prestigious art forums — Lalit Kala Akademi. Five of my photographs will be on display and I am looking forward to learn from the seniors.” Smitha has been an active member of PSM and started photography three years ago. “I love travelling and the travel pictures are going to be a highlight in the exhibition,” she adds.
Covering all major cities in the world, Thomas says, the exhibition, however, will have one exception. “I haven’t seen pictures of Australia in the selected photographs. Other than that, every other place has found a spot in our exhibition,” he says. So, how is the composition of photographers? “Most are Chennai-based and we have people from other cities as well. But they keep travelling globally for assignments,” he adds.
The exhibition will be open to the public from May 31 to June 5 at Lalit Kala Akademi,
Greams Road. For details, call 24353079.
Entry is free