Drik Gallery, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
the wonderful times just came to an end..... we knew it was gonna come to a finish one day..... so, from the word go it was more of a countdown to the finish.... but another countdown just began today..... the countdown to BIF-4.....
BIF-3 has been a landmark.... a joy of achievement, classroom of ideas, center of learning, spark of creativity... all that combined gave us something to remember.... all the TTL-ers own this success..... but there are some who made this happen.... Shudipto's name had been mentioned too often; almost too many times..... because thats how he is..... he is a one-man Army..... a storm of driving force.... Faisal Bhai has always been the inspiration..... Andrew Biraj has played a wonderful catalyst, as he has always been.... Avik Bhai has proven his worth time and time again as one of the most creative brains in TTL..... then there are the wheels..... Kamal, Tahmid, Kamrul, Raian, and others who relentlessly put their effort.... Nurur Bhai, Mishuk, Juthy, and others played important parts in his unique areas...... and they were joined this time by some young dedicated TTL-ers who really proved their worth and showed the way to the future..... Galib, Raquib, Rizwan, Tokon, Nasif, Zaim, Sakib, Ronie, Xoaher, Partha, Sureed, Chandan, Dhrubo, Rahul, Dipa, Fahim, Munmun, and many many others..... I think I'm missing too many names..... plz do pardon me!!
the last day had a new event..... this was discussion on photos, especially the photo-stories that were hanging from the walls..... it was a great addition.... and the discussion resulting from the event opened eyes for all of us..... ideas were flying and it was for everyone to catch... it was an extended learning session..... Faisal Bhai conducted the session and Biraj Bhai led the way with his expertise here..... it was a very interactive session worth mentioning...... this sure would be one of the most important considerations for the upcoming BIF exhibits....
the programs ended with prize giving among the Nokia N8 photo competition winners (from photowalk called "Walk in the Past")..... Faisal Bhai and Biraj Bhai ended with thanks and future expectations..... Biraj Bhai has embraced TTL like no other..... an honour and achievement that is for every TTL-er to share..... Biraj Bhai's vision from his position has to be considered unique..... views like these from professional quarters don't just happen......
right when the galleries were being emptied, I had tried to implement some ideas with some photographers..... though my thought of taking portraits of all photographers with their photos in hand didn't materialise, I still thought there was time enough to take at least some portraits...... this is a unique moment.... so, making the best of this would be the best idea....
Vashkar Bhai is one unique piece.... his experience in life has made him prepared to talk about virtually any subject.... a close friend of Avik Bhai, he is a creative guy and a good debater..... I always wanted to take some portraits of him..... this time some technical problems (radio trigger battery expired!!) cut short a potentially satisfying session.... his purple shirt game me some reason to try several times despite the technical problems.....
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| From BIF-3, March 2011 |
D700 + 20mm f2.8 + Elinchrom Skyport
Strobist info: one SB-900 with DIY grid-spot (held by Zaim) on camera left
Marland Miller has embraced TTL in a very very unique way..... his American origin was never a barrier to become part of a mostly young and occasionally crazy photographers group..... he has already joined us in one of the Safaris and has proven his fitness at his relatively advanced age..... his spirit has to remain as a great inspiration for every one of us..... he came to the exhibit every day despite severely damaging his left foot.... he was depending on scratch, yet his smile never melted away from his face..... I just had to take his picture.....
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| From BIF-3, March 2011 |
D700 + 20mm f2.8 + Yongnuo RF602 radio trigger (borrowed from Nasif)
Strobist info: one SB-900 on camera right (held by Shuvro) shooting into a white collapsible reflector (held by Mithun)
Nasif had featured in front of my camera several times on my request..... but this time it was Nasif's own request to take a portrait of him with his photo..... so, we went to the first floor of the exhibit where the gallery was almost empty.... it provided us with a unique opportunity to shoot in an empty gallery.....
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| From BIF-3, March 2011 |
D700 + 20mm f2.8 + Yongnuo RF602 radio trigger (borrowed from Nasif)
Strobist info: one SB-900 on camera left (held by Rahul) shooting into a white collapsible reflector (held by my wife Lisa)
Safina jumped after seeing Nasif in front of the lens.... she was really pushing for a short session for herself as well.... I couldn't refuse..... it was a portrait similar to Nasif's with the empty gallery, though in a different posture.....
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| From BIF-3, March 2011 |
D700 + 20mm f2.8 + Yongnuo RF602 radio trigger (borrowed from Nasif)
Strobist info: one SB-900 on camera left shooting into a white collapsible reflector (all held acrobatically by Nasif)
and that was that..... we did extend the timing of Drik Gallery by some margin.... we did a great group photo session...... but it had to come to a close....... we emptied the galleries and were thinking how we passed the last five days.... it would miss these moments for some time to come..... and thats the time we start planning for our next journeys....
go TTL!!.....
