With BOSM right around the corner, Suhani Modi, the coordinator of the Photography Club—popularly known as ‘Photog’—took time out to speak to the BOSM English Press about the club’s involvement in the upcoming fest.
Speaking about their work for BOSM 2022, she said that they have to cover all events from the inauguration to the prize ceremony, including all the matches. Additionally, this year they also plan to install two panels—one outside GymG and the other outside SAC. Panels, as she explained, are a collection of pictures of people participating in and organising the fest, including the teams, clubs, and departments The club is also organising a photography competition which would be open to all. The theme of the competition is the same as that of the fest—‘Rise to Glory’—and both Mobile as well as DSLR Photography would be accepted. Both the panels and the competition are new additions by Photog to this edition of BOSM.
As part of the preparatory work, Suhani said they had to decide on quite a few things for the competition. These included setting registration deadlines and finalising the judges, most of which will be Photog alumni. She explained that they are going to try doing a ‘live’ panel, which would be updated with the five best shots taken from that day itself. Thus, they had to fix the logistics of the panel, size, and quality of the pictures, and speak to the Department of Publications and Correspondence (PCr) about how they are going to get these pictures printed. Suhani said that work for the panel is still underway and the club has started taking shots for the panel, half of which are to be taken pre-fest and the rest during the fest.
Suhani mentioned that the club is going to rent cameras this BOSM because they did not have the required equipment for indoor photography, which was apt for capturing flashing stadium lights. She said that the workforce of the club has been trained all year round and currently they pay regular visits to the GymG and SAC to take pictures for practice. The club has also planned special shots to be taken for their own Instagram account and the Sports Publicity and Design (SPD) Team.
She explained how the club does not receive any funding from the Institute even though they ‘ultimately work for the fest and hence the Institute itself.’ This time around the club did manage to get some funding but it was only enough to rent one camera and one lens for a workforce of about 20 people. Another problem, Suhani said, was that they did not have a proper room or studio of their own.
Talking about the recruitment process, Suhani explained that the candidates learn through the process itself, if they are willing to do so. The club rolls out a form and gives specific tasks at each stage, stressing on a different method of photography which are then reviewed by the club. Looking back at the club’s journey so far, she said that the club has definitely evolved and expanded its reach, incorporating more events in BOSM this time.
On being asked about her personal experience as the coordinator, Suhani admitted that it can get stressful at times. She said that she feels responsible for the club’s performance. She had to ensure that her inventory and budget requirements are precise so that the fest does not incur unnecessary losses. The other members of the club who work with her have been equally involved in the process and helped relieve her workload. She expects that during BOSM 2022, Photog gets the ‘recognition it deserves’ and hopes that the club is able to deliver all that it has promised to do.