To be invited by the students of the esteemed NIT Durgapur to conduct a basic photography workshop was more than just an honour. More because NIT Durgapur is very close to my heart & I’ll tell you why.
This college was the first one to award me something (for short filmmaking). That in 2008, gave me motivation enough to take part in IIT Kgp and be active in college activities. Like a foreign degree helps you to be recognised in your Indian society, the win in NIT Dgp made people in Bengal College of Engineering and Technology (my alma mater) believe I am slightly capable of something. What followed next made me what I am today.
The club I got an invitation from is “Centre of Cognitive Activities (CCA)”. I had humbly accepted the request. Now that you know why NIT Dgp is special to me, you know seeing myself on the posters felt very good.
After Loreto College, I was invited to Maya Art Space where I showcased my photographs as a slideshow to an august audience there. Next was a basic photography workshop in an IT company – Techshu. So this was my second college visit.
The presentation that I had shown was made at the beginning of 2014 when I was invited by The Frank Anthony Public School. Most of the audience there, and in Loreto and NIT Durgapur are extreme beginners who primarily use their compact cameras and not DSLRs.
Well I loved the anticipation more than the day perhaps. I’m not sure about the actual figures but the turnout was more than 40 at the beginning. Post lunch, it was 25+ . The first year students has to leave at 4:30 PM, after which I showed the Basic Bloggers workshop slides. That made me somewhat sad.
If the presenter needs to keep this audience awake and active (mind it : 4 – 5 hours and specially if there is a lunch break in between, is a real test for the presenter.) there needs to be stupid jokes, motivation and constant interaction.
The interaction with the students were good and honest. While a guy admitted that he was feeling sleepy, another guy did not like the frame of Tarpan (I loved interacting with the guy the entire time. And I believe by the end of the workshop we became friends.) The expressions of the students when they saw the Charak photographs, priceless! The interaction in the first half and during the hands on photo-shooting felt incredible. As one of the students personally messaged me, “It started a little slow , ( primarily because audiences were not so enthusiastic about opening up , and interacting ) , but half an hour later ,,, people were totally into it.” The organisers gave me a piece of my college life in their hostel. Damn, I missed my college.
I’ve a few places where I can improve. I keep on speaking till the point in time, the person in front of me seems convinced. This time, while the girl I tried to convince seemed convinced towards the end, the person near to her seemed tired. I should restrict myself and learn to take a few things offline!
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I’ll end the post here. Oh wait, the mandatory advertisement : If you have liked me, stay connected to my blog www.anirbansaha.com and over all social media platforms (Links given below my signature) . 🙂