With the 51st edition of Oasis right around the corner, the Department of Photography (DoPy) has been heavily occupied with the customary Oasis snaps. The Oasis English Press managed to get a hold of their coordinator, Agniva Banerjee, over a C’not trip for a quick chat about the responsibilities of DoPy during the fest.
When Agniva was asked about the focus of the department during the fest, he answered that it was to photograph fest attendees at very nominal rates. These ‘DoPy snaps’ are printed and delivered at your doorstep. A digital copy of the snaps is mailed as well.
Agniva explained that a major part of the revenue generated during the fest is through snaps, which are held the week before the fest. He added that DoPy members are stationed at Sky Lawns and ask the crowd whether they want their snaps to be taken. Agniva highlighted that DoPy also capitalises on ‘backstage snaps’ taken during the Oasis Inaug, to capture the moments leading up to the various performances by different clubs.
When asked about other initiatives taken by DoPy for Oasis ‘23, Agniva highlighted that the department had made arrangements to take ‘Inaug snaps’ of clubs in between their performances.
When asked about the preparations for the fest, Agniva stated that it was a hectic week indeed — filled with practice sessions and meetings with CRC and StuCCA. He said that there were no issues faced in coordinating with other departments and committees, however, he did emphasise that the department is in dire need of more cameras. He recalled his freshman year when DoPy had their cameras stolen during the COVID lockdown. He reminisced that they had pulled through APOGEE ’19 with cameras borrowed from the Filmmaking Club (FMac) and the Students’ Union Media Team (SUMT), yet generated enough revenue for the Students’ Union to provide them with two cameras. Agniva stated that DoPy would yet again be using a camera belonging to FMaC, but was hopeful to negotiate with CRC for one more camera.
Agniva reflected that he had accrued various fond memories over his time in DoPy. He explained that joining DoPy made him discover his passion for photography and that he was now looking forward to training his juniors in the same.
Agniva emphasised that the fact that DoPy was one of the oldest departments on campus made it all the more important to preserve the long-standing tradition of fest snaps. On a parting note, he reflected on the fact that people from all over the country came here for a few years, only to scatter themselves around the world all over again. He stated that this in turn made it crucial to make memories of one’s time here and also to cherish and preserve them. He concluded by urging everyone to enjoy the fest to the fullest and also to take many DoPy snaps.