Panel discussion held at exhibition venue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2014: As part of the 'Manipur Through Ph Santosh's Lens' photo exhibition currently underway at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound a panel discussion on 'Photo Journalists and Manipur Today' was held at the exhibition venue on the second day today.

Held with former Director AVRC Manipur University Prof lokendra Arambam as the moderator, Imphal Free Press Group Editor Pradip Phanjoubam, CORE functionary Laithangbam Debabarta Roy and film-maker Ningthouja Lancha deliberated on the subject as the panellists.

Stating that photo journalism vastly differs from mainstream journalism and has its own unique identity, Debabarta Roy said perceiving what the image would be projecting is one of the most important qualities of a photo journalist.

Applauding increasing number of individuals opting for the profession of photo journalism inspite of negligible financial award involved in the profession, he also said photo journalists need to be industrious, possess cosmopolitan attitude and present at the right time and place.

Debabarta also suggested that State media will lose nothing if media establishments have photo editors.

While Ningthouja Lancha pointed out that images convey a thousand messages which the human vocabulary cannot elaborate, Pradip Phanjoubam said reporters should not be satisfied with mere reporting as they also have to substantiate their stories with matching photographs.

further advising that photo journalists need to conform with media ethics through strict compliance to moral value of the picture they capture, Pradip said lack of finesse in presenting the photo caption often dilute value of the image.

In his presentation, moderator Lokendra Arambam in the role of media as the mediator of a particular issue photo-journalists take a decisive part.

Photography is the combined manifestation of technology, human value and art, said the retired academician.

On the third day of the photo exhibition being organised by M/s Lens Films, a spot essay writing competition would be organised tomorrow for class VIII to XII standard students.

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