Morung Express News
“A picture does not just tell a thousand words but a picture is a great weapon which can destroy life or create life,” said Thai Photographer Tom Potisit during the Hornbill International Photography workshop was held on December 9 at Hotel Ura, Kohima.
The workshop was jointly organised by Portrait Enterprise and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and the resource persons for the workshop were Tom Potisit, Natwalee Aengsubwong (Linje) and Purimphat Nithiwadsopon from Thailand.
Tom Potisit who is a fashion photographer and extensively involved in social and environmental issues shared his personal experiences as a Photographer and his passion for the profession which he views is a ‘weapon to communicate with the people’.
“It (photography) is a way for me to pass on what I believe in, to move people and to motivate people. It is one of the arts of speaking,” said Potisit who viewed that Photography being a channel to communicate, must come from inspiration.
Highlighted the basics of photography such as caption, composition, perspectives etc, Tom also stated that research is very important in photography, mentioning that most of his photography has been done with extensive research on the subject.
“As a photographer, it doesn’t matter whether you are involved in political or social issues, you have to have ethics as well. If you want to break the rules, you have to know all the rules first.” said Tom who also pointed out that perfectly positioned picture are not the best pictures but the best pictures are the ones taken candidly.
23 years old Photographer Natwalee Aengsubwong (Linje) while showcasing some of her images captured from India, China talked about the importance of composition, colour balance, perspective, the need to feel the emotions of the object.
Further impressing upon the need for planning in order to capture images, Tom viewed that every picture should tell a story and asserted, “Everyone can tell a picture but not everyone can tell a great story.”
IPR Director Limawati in his opening remarks mentioned that in the last few years, many have taken an interest in Photography and therefore the workshop aims to provide opportunities for the young enthusiastic photographers in Nagaland. The Hornbill International Photography further aims to showcase the artworks of Naga Photographers and also create awareness on the greater things that can be achieved in the future.
