At the Lalit Kala Akademi the place there are pictures at the moment adorning the gallery partitions, each nook has a narrative to inform. There are fishermen in Vietnam standing in opposition to a surprising sundown, a army jet belly-up in air because it streaks previous the blue sky, a theyyam performer taking part in with fireplace, a grizzly bear deftly catching fish leaping out of a waterfall in Alaska, and an idyllic campsite at Tapovan, with snowy peaks in the background.
These pictures are at the moment on show as half of Confluence 2025, the Photographic Society of Madras’ annual exhibition. The Society was based in 1857 by Dr Alexander Hunter and Walter Elliot, only a few years after the very first {photograph} was taken. Over a century and a half later, little has modified for its present members, who’re united by a standard ardour for images.
A photograph by GN Ramaswami
“We currently have over 500 members across age groups, and meet once a month. Apart from interactions and workshops by noted photographers and cinematographers, we also organise photo tours, walks, seminars and exhibitions for our members,” says GN Ramaswami, president.
As half of Confluence 2025, over 230 pictures from the Photographic Society of Madras’ energetic members are on show across seven classes comprising monochrome, panorama, avenue, portrait, wildlife, monuments, and open color. Also on show are pictures from across the world, which have gained awards at the salons carried out by the Society.
A photograph by S Balu
A member for over 10 years now, V Mohanakrishnan says being an element of the Photographic Society has meant assembly many like-minded individuals, and a camaraderie he significantly cherishes. “Photography has always been a great stress buster, and as an avid biker, my trips have translated into good opportunities for wildlife and Nature photography,” he says. Photographed by him is a pair of Khalij pheasants, with their vibrant, blue plumage. “Patience is the key to photographing wildlife and Nature,” he says, of his experiences.
For S Balu, who has been enthusiastic about images for 30 years, his curiosity in pictorial and Nature images has meant planning devoted images journeys at common intervals. His pictures on show embody the electrical blue Ain Dubai ferris wheel in movement by the water, and a peacock with its tail feathers unfurled and in full show.
A photograph by V Mohanakrishnan
If the vibrant wildlife and Nature pictures are fascinating to see, the monochrome pictures seize a melancholic stillness. From picket cabins lined with snow to the gorgeous colors of autumn, the panorama pictures on show make for a capsule journey round the world.
Ramaswami says they’ve been encouraging extra children to affix in, and decide up images as a interest. “We have also seen a marked rise in interest among them. While there are a few members who are professional photographers, a large number of us took up photography as a hobby and have bettered our craft through learning and experience sharing. This exhibition is a great platform for our members to showcase their work through various themes,” he provides.
Confluence 2025 is on at Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams street, until June 7. Open from 11am to 7pm.
Published – June 03, 2025 05:36 pm IST
