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2nd National Photographic Festival-2015

Md. Rahid Hasan

The young generation of Bangladesh has brought a remarkable change in the field of photography. A great number of young people, most of whom are student in different educational institutions from school level to university level, are engaging themselves in photography. They have a view to change their society and create a positive force for the betterment of the country. To find out about the young talented photographers from the school, college and university level of Bangladesh and give them a platform in national photographic arena Dhaka University Photographic Society (DUPS) arranged a five day long program titled ‘2nd National Photographic Festival-2015’. In the five daylong photography festival Shilpakala Academy gallery and TSC premises were crowded with a huge number of enthusiastic young photographers and photography lovers.
The festival started with a grand rally at 10:30 am on 23 May at TSC premises. The chief guest Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, minister, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh announced the grand opening of this festival. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University Of Dhaka, was the special guest. Other guests were Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Shafiul Islam, chairman, media and Film studies, Dhaka University.
At the opening ceremony the Cultural Affairs Minister said, “The Government of Bangladesh is planning to contribute in this sector so that the photographers of Bangladesh even get more achievements. Therefore next year a diploma, graduation and post graduation degree is going to be introduced in National University.”
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and TSC premises of Dhaka University were the venues of this festival. First part of the exhibition was held from May 23-26 at National Art Gallery, Shilpakala Academy and later second part was held from May 27-28 at TSC, Dhaka University.
A total 125 single frames and 3 photo stories were selected for the exhibition out of 4500 photographs submitted by the young photographers from school, college and university across the country. Apart from this, 50 photographs and 2 photo stories of the ‘7th Annual Photo Exhibition of DUPS were also selected for the national exhibition.
For the school student the subject of the photograph was “The Beautiful Bangladesh” while college student were given the subject “Culture of Bangladesh” . The designated areas for university students were portrait, festival, lifestyle, wildlife, and conceptual photography along with apart from photo story. Hasan Saifuddin Chandan ,director of Map Photo Agency, Latif Hossain ,photographer ,Mahfuzul Hasan Rana ,works at ZUMA press and BSPA (Bangladesh Society of Photographic Art), Din Mohammad Shibly ,head of Academics at Counter Foto and wildlife photographer Kudrat-e-Khoda were on the jury committee. Winner selected from each of all the different categories was awarded with Scholarship, crest, T-shirt, souvenir and a certificate.
Meem Noshin Nawal Khan was the winner in the segment of school level. She expressed her feelings, “It is really a golden opportunity for the newcomers to get into photography arena through the national photography festival. I would like to thank DUPS for organising such a grand festival.”
Akib Mahmud, the winner of college level said, “DUPS has not only created chances for us to participate in a national level  photography festival but also it has given us chances to meet and learn from the best photographers of Bangladesh.”
Forhad Hossain ,a student of Dhaka University was the winner in photo story segment. His photo story was made upon the nights of hall life of DU. He shared, “I have worked for more than a year in order to complete story. So it’s really a great feeling to see my hard work coming worthy.”
A ‘Club adda’ was arranged by DUPS on 27 May, before concluding day of the festival. Dhaka University Photographic Society ,BUET Photographic Society, NSU Photography Club, BRAC University Photography Club , Islami University Photograsphy Society ,  Jahangirnagar University Photographic Society, Jagannath University Photographic Society and other photographic organisations joined and added colour to the festival.
Nafiul Hasan Nasim, the Secretary of DUPS and one of the organisers of the event thinks that it was challenging and tough to organise such a national level photo-exhibition. “Reaching the root level for this festival was the first tough challenge for us. ‘Photo call’ for the festival was in two parts. After the press conference in March this year we displayed posters in almost every schools, colleges and universities in Dhaka. We also displayed posters in almost every district. In a word, we tried our level best to reach the root level photographers”. Nasim shared.
The associate secretary of DUPS Rifath Borno added, “Photo submission was open through online during March and April. More than 4500 photos were submitted in all the 5 categories of University, school and college.”
It was quite difficult for the judges to select the best 125 photographs among 4500. The organising secretary, Sarjrina Trima said, “It was very tough for the judges to select the best photos. But our honorary judges worked really hard for this and helped us to maintain the quality of the festival by giving the best photos to us.”
“Look through the lens” is the motto of DUPS. They want to convey this motto and the art of photography to the young generation of Bangladesh. To achieve this goal, they are very much eager to arrange such kind of national festival every year.

About DUPS

DUPS (Dhaka University Photographic Society) was established on 29 August, 1999 with a view to encouraging the youth society to involve in the art of photography. Its mission was not to deal with the professionals but to deal with the passionate ones. Since its inception, DUPS is producing artisan and master craftsman. DUPS has participated as well as arranged many local and international exhibitions and photography contests. DUPS member have won many prizes in several photography contests. Now DUPS is considered one of the most happening student clubs Dhaka University.
DUPS offers a wide variety of events and activities, including lectures, demonstrations, field trips, workshops, competitions and critiques, and social activities. Membership is comprised of a wide variety of interests, from traditional to digital, with a full range of expertise, from beginners to recognised experts. DUPS arranges various photographic exhibitions and competitions, and weekly trips to different places in order to capture photos.

 

cover story

2nd National Photographic Festival-2015 Md. Rahid Hasan The young generation of Bangladesh has brought a remarkable change in the field of photography. A great number of young people, most of whom are student in different educational institutions from school level to university level, are engaging themselves in photography. They have a view to change their society and create a positive force for the betterment of the country. To find out about the young talented photographers from the school, college and university level of Bangladesh and give them a platform in national photographic arena Dhaka University Photographic Society (DUPS) arranged a five day long program titled 2nd National Photographic Festival-2015. In the five daylong photography festival Shilpakala Academy gallery and TSC premises were crowded with a huge number of enthusiastic young photographers and photography lovers. The festival started with a grand rally at 10:30 am on 23 May at TSC premises. The chief guest Asaduzzaman Noor, MP, minister, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh announced the grand opening of this festival. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University Of Dhaka, was the special guest. Other guests were Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Shafiul Islam, chairman, media and Film studies, Dhaka University. At the opening ceremony the Cultural Affairs Minister said, The Government of Bangladesh is planning to contribute in this sector so that the photographers of Bangladesh even get more achievements. Therefore next year a diploma, graduation and post graduation degree is going to be introduced in National University. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and TSC premises of Dhaka University were the venues of this festival. First part of the exhibition was held from May 23-26 at National Art Gallery, Shilpakala Academy and later second part was held from May 27-28 at TSC, Dhaka University. A total 125 single frames and 3 photo stories were selected for the exhibition out of 4500 photographs submitted by the young photographers from school, college and university across the country. Apart from this, 50 photographs and 2 photo stories of the 7th Annual Photo Exhibition of DUPS were also selected for the national exhibition. For the school student the subject of the photograph was The Beautiful Bangladesh while college student were given the subject Culture of Bangladesh . The designated areas for university students were portrait, festival, lifestyle, wildlife, and conceptual photography along with apart from photo story. Hasan Saifuddin Chandan ,director of Map Photo Agency, Latif Hossain ,photographer ,Mahfuzul Hasan Rana ,works at ZUMA press and BSPA (Bangladesh Society of Photographic Art), Din Mohammad Shibly ,head of Academics at Counter Foto and wildlife photographer Kudrat-e-Khoda were on the jury committee. Winner selected from each of all the different categories was awarded with Scholarship, crest, T-shirt, souvenir and a certificate. Meem Noshin Nawal Khan was the winner in the segment of school level. She expressed her feelings, It is really a golden opportunity for the newcomers to get into photography arena through the national photography festival. I would like to thank DUPS for organising such a grand festival. Akib Mahmud, the winner of college level said, DUPS has not only created chances for us to participate in a national level photography festival but also it has given us chances to meet and learn from the best photographers of Bangladesh. Forhad Hossain ,a student of Dhaka University was the winner in photo story segment. His photo story was made upon the nights of hall life of DU. He shared, I have worked for more than a year in order to complete story. So its really a great feeling to see my hard work coming worthy. A Club adda was arranged by DUPS on 27 May, before concluding day of the festival. Dhaka University Photographic Society ,BUET Photographic Society, NSU Photography Club, BRAC University Photography Club , Islami University Photograsphy Society , Jahangirnagar University Photographic Society, Jagannath University Photographic Society and other photographic organisations joined and added colour to the festival. Nafiul Hasan Nasim, the Secretary of DUPS and one of the organisers of the event thinks that it was challenging and tough to organise such a national level photo-exhibition. Reaching the root level for this festival was the first tough challenge for us. Photo call for the festival was in two parts. After the press conference in March this year we displayed posters in almost every schools, colleges and universities in Dhaka. We also displayed posters in almost every district. In a word, we tried our level best to reach the root level photographers. Nasim shared. The associate secretary of DUPS Rifath Borno added, Photo submission was open through online during March and April. More than 4500 photos were submitted in all the 5 categories of University, school and college. It was quite difficult for the judges to select the best 125 photographs among 4500. The organising secretary, Sarjrina Trima said, It was very tough for the judges to select the best photos. But our honorary judges worked really hard for this and helped us to maintain the quality of the festival by giving the best photos to us. Look through the lens is the motto of DUPS. They want to convey this motto and the art of photography to the young generation of Bangladesh. To achieve this goal, they are very much eager to arrange such kind of national festival every year. About DUPS DUPS (Dhaka University Photographic Society) was established on 29 August, 1999 with a view to encouraging the youth society to involve in the art of photography. Its mission was not to deal with the professionals but to deal with the passionate ones. Since its inception, DUPS is producing artisan and master craftsman. DUPS has participated as well as arranged many local and international exhibitions and photography contests. DUPS member have won many prizes in several photography contests. Now DUPS is considered one of the most happening student clubs Dhaka University. DUPS offers a wide variety of events and activities, including lectures, demonstrations, field trips, workshops, competitions and critiques, and social activities. Membership is comprised of a wide variety of interests, from traditional to digital, with a full range of expertise, from beginners to recognised experts. DUPS arranges various photographic exhibitions and competitions, and weekly trips to different places in order to capture photos.