Skill development vital for effective communication outreach- Col Rajyavardhan Rathore

1st National Workshop on Photography and Videography commences Workshop attended by eminent professionals from the photography and videography domain

Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. (Retd.) Rajyavardhan Rathore has said that the initiative of the Ministry in organizing the First National Workshop on Photography and Videography was based on the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, whose emphasis has been on upgradation of skills through appropriate training methods and tools. The workshop was designed keeping in mind the basic parameters of the “Skill India” initiative. Relying on the basic principles and outline of the ‘Skill India’ initiative, the workshop was an attempt to hone the skills of Government personnel associated with photography and videography. Speaking on the craft and art of photography, the Minister said that like any other art photography and videography could be mastered through right inputs. The workshop was an appropriate tool in this direction.  Shri Rathore stated this in his address at the 1st National Photography and Videography Workshop organized at the National Media Centre here today. Shri Rathore further stated that as the initiative was innovative in approach involving the professionals associated from the concerned domains, the Ministry would explore the possibility of organizing similar workshops in other parts of the country including the North East wherein the potential was tremendous. The workshop would also act as a facilitating tool in carrying forward the messages of the Government across platforms accessed by different cross sections of the population. As technology was the principal driver of innovation, it had become a critical determinant and catalyst in enhancing the skills of the individual and organization. The impact of the dynamic growth of technology was self- evident as there was a proliferation of changes across formats. The enhanced reach, instant dissemination on social media had impacted the content style and precision of both, photography and videography. This had led to instant communication across different social media platforms. Recounting the history of photography, Shri Rathore mentioned that pictures had a long lasting impact. Today historic occasions were remembered on several instances only through pictographic description. This was perhaps the reason for the immense popularity of ‘Coffee Table Books’ on different subjects.             Speaking earlier, Secretary (I&B), Shri Bimal Julka said that the workshop had been designed to address the immense skill opportunities that had emerged in the media and entertainment sector. As ‘Skill Development’ was a comprehensive approach involving critical stakeholders in the Government, the endeavor of the ministry was to incorporate the skilling India initiative of the Government across its training programmes. The workshop also provided a platform for the Government to converge its expertise and skills, keeping in mind the challenges of assignments, events in the media space dominated by social media, emerging technologies and competitive environment. Secretary mentioned that as key programmes and initiatives of the Ministry involved technological prowess and a thorough understanding of contemporary changes, the Workshop was certainly a step in the right direction. He specifically highlighted the role and relevance of the workshop in the context of the archival heritage of the Ministry across platforms. It was for this purpose that an attempt had been made to converge different aspects of technology for both, the photography and video segment. For this purpose professional agencies, specializing in digital technology, animation and graphics had been invited to provide value addition to the personnel associated from Photo Division and Doordarshan. The workshop has been divided to cover four sessions covering the twin themes of photography and videography. The sessions include: (i)                  Art / Visual appreciation, including history of photography (ii)                Technical aspects of Cameras / Lenses (iii)               Process involved in Picture capturing and processing of images and (iv)              Editing and finished product highlighting editing tools and visual effects, including a session of Digitisation of archives. The key highlight of the workshop was the Joint Session on the History of Art and Appreciation of Photography addressed by eminent photographer, Shri Rajesh Bedi and renowned cinematographer, Shri Santosh Sivan. Both shared their experiences involving the critical themes with regard to content presentation, layout, use of technology, etc. Shri S.N. Singh also gave a presentation on historical perspective and evolution of the issues involved in the History and Art appreciation of the subject. The one day workshop has been organised with two parallel sessions being held concurrently on Photography and Videography. The parallel sessions have been organised keeping in mind the common themes and integration between platforms and the need of skills / tools and contemporary development in both the sectors. Approximately 25 organisations / Ministries of Government of India are attending the workshop.  Over 135 officers are participating in the Workshop. Courtesy: pib.nic.in