Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly function from YourStory, with images that commemorate the spirit of creativity and innovation. Within the earlier 940 posts, we featured an artwork competition, cartoon gallery. world music competition, telecom expo, millets honest, local weather change expo, wildlife convention, startup competition, Diwali rangoli, and jazz competition.
MumbaiOgraphy, an aptly named pictures group based mostly in Mumbai, lately hosted an exhibition in Jehangir Artwork Gallery. See our protection of earlier exhibitions at this iconic gallery right here.
The pictures group was shaped by Prerna Kale and Hitesh Baldota in 2016. It now has over 12,700 members.
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“Images to us is like respiratory. We see memorable moments on daily basis and even each second,” Kale tells YourStory.
Some moments are lovable and are captured in minds and hearts. “We will additionally seize some such moments on our units to relive them once more,” she provides.
Each fortnight, the group conducts group actions. This contains photograph walks, workshops, or group discussions.
“As soon as folks be taught the artwork of pictures, they’ll turn out to be professionals. This contains genres like weddings, tabletop pictures, and even task for magazines,” she says.
As tendencies in pictures, Kale factors to the ever present use of smartphones as photographic units. “Capturing distinctive or memorable moments from festivals is one other development.,” she provides.
AI is selecting up tempo as effectively. “Quickly, it’s going to take over many processes in pictures actions,” she observes.
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Images is a well-liked interest, and there are lots of communities of photographers – each beginner {and professional}. “We stand out because of the truth that we do private mentorship,” Kale affirms.
“Via social media like WhatsApp teams, we assist photographers turn out to be higher. We offer assist and varied ideas as information inputs for enchancment,” she explains.
Kale has a level in promoting, whereas her co-founder Hitesh Baldota studied engineering. The founders have organised three massive exhibitions up to now.
Jehangir Gallery requires a niche of three years between successive exhibitions by the identical organisation. “One of the best a part of this gallery is that it’s a venue the place artwork lovers flock. That makes it the best place to exhibit, as like-minded individuals are throughout,” Kale observes.
For his or her pictures exhibitions, MumbaiOgraphy has a panel of judges who resolve the benefit of the pictures. “Solely the worthy ones are chosen,” Kale says.
“We normally have an open theme. Present subjects additionally play an vital half as a part of the exhibition,” she says.
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Most group members are in Mumbai, however some are in different cities. Native members additionally journey and submit images from different areas. “So we do have images on show from throughout the globe,” Kale says.
The founders organise totally different sorts of competitions. “In reside competitions, we resolve on a location and provides the members two hours to shoot and provides us their greatest clicks,” she describes.
“We even have Instagram contests, and competitions for greatest archive images,” she says. Prizes embrace pictures magazines.
The founders additionally focus on subjects and give you a spread of themes. “We have now numerous consultants on our judging panel, whom we select from pertaining to that sure style,” Kale says.
The pandemic was a troublesome time for the group. “We carried out many webinars throughout the lockdowns. Consultants from totally different genres carried out 4 webinars every, accompanied by slide reveals,” she recollects.
The group contains a big panel of consultants. Completed practitioners in every style give members suggestions and ideas for enchancment.
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“With our assist, the pictures group grew shortly from launch. We went from 500 to 1,500 to 2,500 inside a few months,” Kale recollects.
Extra folks now wish to affiliate with the group, together with many manufacturers. “We wish to watch out in welcoming manufacturers – we would like people who wish to genuinely assist our group and never simply promote their merchandise,” she says.
“Information is extra vital than cash for us. We don’t generate funds by way of sponsors for the time being. We spend from our personal pockets,” Kale provides.
Thankfully, the group has a rising pool of well-wishers. “Our members are completely satisfied to pitch in and assist us out with finishing the duties,” she acknowledges.
The founders are lively readers as effectively. “We have now to maintain ourselves updated to unravel queries,” she says.
Trying forward in 2026, MumbaiOgraphy plans to have extra workshops and photograph walks. “Different teams, together with from different cities, have additionally approached us to conduct photograph walks and lectures,” Kale explains.
“Our photowalks are at all times the speak of the city, as lots of information sharing concepts and in-depth discussions happen whereas clicking. We assist our members click on higher, and help with framing the photographs as effectively,” she says with satisfaction.
“Like they are saying, A household that stays collectively grows collectively. MumbaiOgraphy is actually a rising household,” Kale indicators off.
Now what have you achieved at the moment to pause in your busy schedule and harness your artistic facet for a greater world?
(All images taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Jehangir Artwork Gallery.)
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