Ordinary Moments, Extraordinary Visions

Photo: Javed Miandad

Photographic Society, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET-PS) is one of the biggest photography clubs in the country. Formed in 1997 by a group of photography enthusiasts, the club now has more than 600 members. Among its wide range of activities, the club arranges photography exhibitions once every two semesters to showcase members' works and share their vision with others.

Photo: Nasik Muhammad Nafi

The 10th Annual Photography Exhibition by BUET-PS was a testament to the creativity and artistry of the students, faculty and alumni of BUET. The exhibition opened at Drik Gallery on February 23 and continued till February 27. In addition to the exhibition, artist talks featuring renowned photographers of Bangladesh and photo presentations by photography clubs of different universities were held on BUET campus on February 23 and 24.
At Drik Gallery, a total of 46 photographs featuring varied compositions -- spanning several genres -- and 10 photo series on different themes were exhibited for three days. The entire gallery showcased artistry in photography and turned into a platform for the development of the art. The collection of photographs -- ranging from candid portraits to abstracts -- were exquisite and well thought-out. Some photos were mere accounts of events like the Shahbagh Movement, while some were documents of celebrations like Ashura, Durga Puja, Jonmashtomi, Shakrain and Holi. The portraits by Atiqul Islam, Iftekhar Amin and Farsid Raihan were awe-inspiring.
The 10 photo series delineate comprehensive thoughts of the photo-artists and provide insights into particular subjects. These series were shot on diverse subjects -- both conventional and unconventional; the way the photographers looked at their subjects make them stand out from contemporary stereotypes.

Photo: Shuvajit Das

The series “Digitus Secundus” by Tahmid Syed Abtahi depicts the everyday use of the index finger and its implications, while Iqbal Hossain's series “Symmetry” deals with that quality in architecture, as well as the use of light and shadow. Javed Miandad and Tahmid Syed Abtahi's collaborative photo series “Crowd” showcases images of public gatherings and the power of a movement. “Co-existence” by Fahim Hossain comprises of candid street shots depicting the randomness of Dhaka life. Instagram has become an uber-popular hub where both amateur and skilled photographers showcase mundane and memorable moments of their lives; the series “Daily Instagram” features hit-or-miss photos shared on the network by Udayan Ghosh Palal. “Urban Playground” shows alternative spaces in the city and playful children growing in an urban jungle. Aneek Mustafa Anwar's “Visage” presents striking portraits of people from different age groups, while Sucheta Shegufta's abstract series “Fragments” shows snippets of everyday life and a sense of tranquillity. And then there was the most vibrant series, “BUET Diary”, which showcases life at the university -- colours, festivals and celebrations. Hridoy Tanveer's “Motion and Emotion” zooms in on the small details of happiness in the otherwise grim, monotonous city life.
One of the striking characteristics of the works was the thoughtfulness applied in framing the moments. In addition, the photographs also address feminism and personal freedom.
There were touches of innovation and unconventionality at the gallery. These included a 360 degree panorama of the entire Drik Gallery and a wooden bioscope for audiences.
Besides displaying works of club members, the exhibition seemingly inspired enthusiasts. Tahmid Syed Abtahi, Vice President of BUET-PS, said, “Our main goal is to exhibit what our members have worked on throughout the year, and this year the exhibition is bigger and better. The uniqueness lies in the variety of compositions and genres. BUET-PS is like a family which is growing every year. Our club doesn't hold competitions; instead we arrange exhibitions.”  
One of the major things that a club/organisation requires is team spirit which was full to the brim at BUET-PS's exhibition. The club's presentation of photography was well-attended, and indicates that young photographers are moving fast to secure their places in the global arena.