Indus Pride Unveils First Of Its Kind Photo Contest

Pulse

oi-Staff

By Super Admin

Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 9:26

A room packed with journalists, a podium covered with a flashy red carpet, two chairs, and a lot of cameras - yes, I was at the venue, The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore. And as one can imagine, it was for a press conference.

But this time, it was, more than the invitation, my own will to attend the conference. After all, the speaker, was, and always will be somebody whom I avidly adore.

Passion, is what describes him the most. He, as many call him, is the man of soil, and others like to call him the India's most talented son. And I, as one of the youngest in the lot (the one's present in the conference), didn't actually have to try hard to understand the same; I, soon, realized that I was in for some serious business.

Indus Pride 100% malt, Premium Malt Beverage announced the first of its kind photo contest for all the photo enthusiasts' across Karnataka in association with Epson India Pvt Ltd., and who better a person than the man - best defined by his 'passion' - is present to bless the occasion. Yes, I am, and have been talking about none other than the man him self - Raghi Rai.

Born in the distant land of Punjab, year, 1942, the man's acquaintance with the camera goes back to the 60's. Rai became a photographer in 1965, and since then, as many prefer to say, it's a history. From being a freelance photographer, to the director of photography for something as huge as India Today, today, in retrospect, when one looks back at his career, there is little that the man has to achieve.

As a matter of fact, if one goes by his professional accomplishments, there is little that one can ask for. A Padmashree awardee himself, when asked about his accomplishment, he modestly replies, "Passion is what kept me going, and always will." I then realized why the air had suddenly turned so homely - for one word - passion - defined most of the gatherers, for it was a meet, predominantly attended by the photo journalists from across the leading newspapers in Bangalore.

The contest...

..will be for two categories: Professional Press Photographers and Amateur Photographers. The contest begins on July 15, and ends on the early evening of August 31 - exactly 45 days to get one shot that will make it a timeless capture.

Eligible for...

why not talk about the restriction first. The contest is void outside the geographic terrain of Karnataka. Journalists participating in the competition has to be 18-years-old, on or before the last date of submission.

Any Limits?

Of course. Two photographs per participants.

Entry Process...

is very simple. Get hold of the entry forms, fill it up and submit it at the Perfect Relations Ltd., which is located at , Nos. 33, Shalini
Haudin Road, Ulsoor Road Cross
Bangalore 560042
P.S. Don't forget to thank the organizers for, going back to the word, passion, is what Indus Pride promises.

Judges...

That shouldn't bother you much. It will be judged by a panel consisting of Raghu Rai.

Winners...

..will be two in numbers for each category. The first gets a professional camera, and the runner up gets an Epson printer ; valid for both the categories.

Rules...

First thing first. The most important: copyrights. Please make sure that all the submissions are your own work, and no replica or somebody else's work will be tolerated.

Sponsors...

Skol Breweries Ltd. – individually and collectively, the Sponsor.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Derek Hugh Jones, Director Marketing, SABMiller, India said, "Indus Pride best complements the celebrations of Indian passions and Indus Pride wishes to highlight this connect through the eyes of a photo journalists and amateur photographers". "The Photo Contest is sure to prove an excellent forum for all the media professionals, as well as the amateur photographers," concluded the man.

With so much of happening around, how could the man, himself , be left behind. In a quick tete a tete, he says, "India is a land of celebration. There are an array of things that can be explored". "I'm looking at that." But how? "Through expression," explains Rai.

Sir, it's a dream come true for anybody out here to reach where you stand today...

But I'm still a photographer, and always will be one. One should remain very basic, and truthful with his work. At the end, that's precisely what matters.

What defines you the most?

Passion. And then, comes the expression. Without the two, we are like animals (laughs), aren't we?

What if some body doesn't like my photographs?; It's just a disappointment...

Then it's tough be a photographer. The question, is not whether people like your photographs. Just take the photographs, click as many as you can. You might just end up one time less capture, which becomes yours, forever and ever.

Your advice to the young photographers...

I see a lot potential in today's young photographers. And with so many digital cameras easily available, things have been easier. There has been an all new avenue for photographers to explore.

About the competition...

I think, the organizers are doing some great work. Back at our times, there were not a lot of platforms available to exhibit our work. But today, competitions like this help a lot, especially to find the real talent hidden, which may just be hidden some where, amongst you.