B.M. Kedarnath Says Press Photos Can Prompt Government Action

Senior photojournalist B.M. Kedarnath delivered a special lecture on press photography at Karnatak University in Dharwad on Friday, focusing on how news images can draw attention to public issues.

Photography and public accountability

Mr. Kedarnath said press photographs play a vital role in highlighting ground realities and pressing the government to address issues affecting the public. He said news photography required the ability to make quick decisions according to the situation.

He told students that an effective photograph could convey an incident more powerfully than hundreds of words. The observation placed photojournalism not only within the field of news reporting but also in the context of public awareness and administrative attention.

The lecture was organised by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Karnatak University. Mr. Kedarnath urged students to develop technical skills in photography while remaining conscious of their social responsibility.

Technique, timing and responsibility

Explaining different photographic techniques and approaches to capturing images, Mr. Kedarnath highlighted the importance of choosing the subject carefully. He also discussed the effective use of light, camera settings, focus, framing, composition, camera angles, background and timing in producing compelling photographs.

These elements, he said, were important in shaping how an incident was recorded and understood through an image. His emphasis on quick decisions and technical control underlined the demands of working in news photography.

Photographs from a 27-year career

Drawing on his 27 years of professional experience, Mr. Kedarnath displayed several rare photographs captured during his career. The images included scenes of drought, the arrival of a gaur and an elephant in Dharwad, and devastation caused by accidents on bypass roads.

He shared the background to these incidents and explained the impact of the photographs on public awareness and the administration. The examples illustrated how photojournalism can document significant events while bringing attention to their wider public importance.

Presiding over the programme, department head J.M. Chandunavar lauded Mr. Kedarnath and described his photographs as a visual record of significant events in Dharwad’s history. Professor S.M. Malagatti also spoke. Sapna Bhatia introduced the speaker, while Anuradha welcomed the gathering and compered the programme.

Source: The Hindu