Visakha Camera Club celebrates 25 years with a photography exhibition from December 20

Sporting heavy beads to cover their body, the women of the primitive Bonda tribes returning from the market at Onukudelli in Koraput district of Odisha.
| Photo Credit: KR Deepak

From its humble beginnings in the 1990s, the Visakha Camera Club (VCC) has come a long way to become the powerhouse of creativity that it is today. One of the oldest photography clubs of Visakhapatnam, VCC is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an exhibition of a massive body of work by its members. As many as 600 photographs by 19 photographers will be displayed at the three-day exhibition which will begin at Hawa Mahal on December 20.

The exhibition will cover genres like travel, photojournalism, wedding, fashion, portraits, wildlife and landscapes.

Picture by B K Agrawal that will be a part of the exhibition by Visakha Camera Club in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

BK Agrawal, the founding member of VCC, will be showcasing his collection of portraits, fashion and travel photography imbued with sophistication and elegance. Every year, Agrawal has been conducting photography workshops for beginners on behalf of VCC at VMRDA Park and Shivaji Park. Reminiscing about a defining moment years ago in his journey in photography, Agrawal shares, “I was once thrust into a situation where I had to conduct a seven-hour solo workshop after the main speaker didn’t show up. It was a turning point that made me realise the power of sharing knowledge through photography.”

Suresh Gorantla’s matchstick photography will feature miniature marvels with intricate details. Additionally, his captures from the annual Navy Day event in Visakhapatnam will also be on display, offering a glimpse into the bravery and valour of India’s naval forces.

An avid birder and member of birding clubs of the city, Vikram Penmetsa will present a collection of striking images of birds from the United States, blending technical finesse with an eye for Nature’s beauty.

The exhibition will also feature a selection of photojournalistic works with defining moments from the T20 Cricket World Cup and a collection of striking images from the Araku Hot Air Balloon Festival held in the region a couple of years ago.

Picture by Suresh Gorantla that will be a part of the exhibition by Visakha Camera Club in Visakhapatnam.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

VCC is an affiliate member of Federation of Indian Photography and India International Photographic Council & Andhra Pradesh Photography Academy. In its 25 years of existence, the club has conducted six international exhibitions with participation from over 40 countries and two national-level exhibitions.

Speaking on the plans ahead, Suresh Gorantla, the club’s president says, “We are planning to bring out a coffee table book showcasing a wide collection of pictures taken by the club highlighting the beauty of Visakhapatnam, Araku and other tourist places in the region. This will be a collector’s piece that will also feature some rare, old pictures of Visakhapatnam and its defining moments.” VCC plans to conduct digital editing and mobile phone photography workshops in the coming year in addition to its annual workshop for beginners.

People who wish to join the club can leave their contact details in the visitor’s book at the exhibition.

The three-day exhibition will be inaugurated by Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shanka Brata Bagchi and Bobbili MLA Swetha Kumar Ranga Rao on December 20 at Hawa Mahal, Beach Road. The exhibition will be on till December 22 from 10am to 8pm.