Call for Government's Collaboration on Photography

Mamur Ahsan Zedne, Jubaer Ahamed & Sangeet Biswas

Guests and participants of the event. Photo: Sangeet Biswas

Lack of government’s proper support decreases the growth of photography sector, said by expert photographers at National Photography Conference.

National Photography Conference and workshop held at Alliance Francaise de Dhaka on 20^th December, organized by Third Eye Photographic Society.

Chanchal Mahmood, a senior photographer, addressed photography sector as a most featured and most disregarded sector and also blamed government for this situation.

 “This sector still remains neglected. Less support of government is accountable for that. There has a ministry for us, but does they care about us? All the good things are initiated by private sector, but why private sectors will only do that?,” he said.

“This sector is the most neglected sector and most featured sector too,” he added.

Rafiqul Islam, instructor of the workshop, thought that not only government’s support but also individual’s hard work can improve this sector.

Rafiqul Islam instructing the workshop. Photo: Sangeet Biswas

“If we consider photography as an art, then I don’t think that only government’s support can improve this sector. This matter completely depends on oneself. If governmental support this sector, practice of photography will be increased but then we may not be able to get qualified people on proper places,” said Rafiqul.

Toukir Ullah Khan Eusufzai, executive member of Third Eye, said about the problem for not having any governmental venue and reluctance of people to improve photography skill.

”If there have some governmental gallery or auditorium, we can rent those venue in a comparatively low cost. In this place we can arrange the program for 100 people. But if we get a better venue we can arrange the program for more people. There are many people who want to come here, but we can’t give the place,” said Toukir.

“There is lacking of eagerness among people to learn photography. People buy expensive camera but they don’t want to learn from institutions by paying money,” he added.

Shafin Ahmed Shimanto, a participant of the workshop, shared his experience about the workshop and also concerned about the role of government on this particular sector.

“Before joining this workshop I knew that to capture a good photograph, an individual need to by DSLR camera. But after coming here, we learn that a good mind and good eyes is needed to capture a good photo,” he said.

“If government concern little about this sector, probably we can get a better output,” he added.

Edited by Mamur Ahsan Zedne