Photography is the scientific art through which emotions can be expressed limitlessly.
It is not about the camera or the technique used in portrayal of such emotions, but it’s about
the person behind the camera; the camera is just a tool as a pen is to a writer. A good
Photograph should be as haunting as a fine poem or painting. “Photographs are not taken;
they are made”
Over the last couple of years, the campus has seen a lot of young photographers and
film makers who have been trying to prove their talent incessantly. That’s where the
Photography club has its roots. Till then, they were working individually. That’s where the
group of Photographers & Film makers came together to initiate the Photography and Film
club of SRM University (Ramapuram Campus) titled ‘CAM-O-GENICS’.
Inaugural
The club was inaugurated on April 12th, 2013 at Seminar Hall (Block IV). Around
350 enthusiastic students from various departments attended the inaugural function. The club
was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp by Our Dean, Vice principal and the Chief
Guests. The welcome address was given by the President followed by the introduction to the
club by the Secretary. The presidential address was given by the Dean, Dr. K. Abdul Ghani
and the felicitation was by the Vice principal, Dr. L. Antony Michael Raj. The team
exhibited the best photographs of the students and several award winning photographs from
all over the world. It was followed by a short inspirational documentary by the National
Geography Photographer Annie Griffiths ‘Simply Beautiful Photographs’. The Treasurer
gave the introduction to the Chief Guest, Mr. R.D. Balaji, Head of the Department and to the
Guest of Honour, Mr. Arun Prasath, Assistant Professor, Department of Cinematography,
Sivaji Ganesan Film Institute (SRM University- Vadapalani). The Chief Guests shared with
the students their views on photography and Film making. Later, they cleared all the doubts
that the students posted during an interactive session. The vote of thanks was presented by the
Joint Secretary.
The club was initiated with the interest of students with the motive of tapping their
hidden imagination and creativity through photography and film making, by providing them a
common work platform. The club’s activities include workshops, contests, photography
exhibition, training sessions, outdoor photo walks and discussion forums. The workshops will
be conducted in Photography & Film Making by experts from their respective niches.Review
sessions will be held to motivate students as well to improve their skills. The members are
free to email their suggestions and queries. They are being encouraged to post their pictures
in the Facebook page where the Photograph & Film is criticized and given tips to improve it.
The club is coordinated by Mr. C. Aravindan, Assistant Professor (Dept. of Electronics and
Communication Engineering). It is always made sure that the club is interactive and fun to its
members
Orientation Program
The team was then organised into 7 divisions for ease of coordination with 3 Guide
members each (who coordinate the members of their team). These 21 guide members were
given training in basics of photography and Film making in training sessions on a everyday
basis at food court from 3:40 pm to 5:30 pm in batches. These guide members will also be the
active volunteers at Photography and video coverage for official college events. Camogenics
is one of the active and largest clubs of SRM Ramapuram Campus with over 456 student
members!
A face book page was started to update the students regularly who ‘like’ the page.
currently there are 432 Likes of the page. Online Photography contests, Logo Design
contests(16th August,2013) have been announced so far in which interested students
participated. Also, various photography and Film making contests of other colleges have been
shared on the FB page wall for the student’s notice. There are several tips and tricks,
illustrations of basics of Photography have been shared apart from latest tech news. The
page received high page traffic within a few days of the commencement of the activities.
An orientation session was conducted on 6th September 2013 to introduce
CAMOGENICS to the freshers. Inspirational video on photography (excerpts from National
Geographic Photo contests) were presented, after which the club President Nitin Palla gave a
lecture on basics of Photography. A Short film titled ‘Love Redefined’, by Chaturvedi and
Javed Hussain was also presented as a fine example of short film making. Javed Hussain
shared his experiences in short film making and gave a note on script writing. The
club received positive comments after the session that these lectures were highly beneficial
for the students.
Out Door shoot
Upon the request of several passionate members, a photowalk was organised to
Guindy National park on 29th Sept, 2013 where the participated students had a hands on
approach to photography of various subjects like animals, landscape and people. They
clarified their doubts with Professional photographers who were invited externally for
guidance.
National Level Short film Competition
STALWART DREAM WORKS, a solar energy company based in Chennai has
conducted a SHORT FILM MAKING competition on the topic SOLAR ENERGY across
India.A total of 74 films were submitted by various participants encompassing several
languages, out of which 20 films were shortlisted and screened at A.V.M Studios by the
juries consisted of renowned Directors like Mr.Pandirajan (PASANGA FILM), Mr.
Sreenivasan (NEER PARAVAI FILM) & Cinematographer Mr.Balasubrananian. The film
entitled “ENERGY” made by our club student was among the TOP 10.
FABMAX a robotics design based company has conducted Technical & Nontechnical events named as “SOUTH INDIA ROBO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE”
conducted a grand final on 9th & 10th August 2013 at ICF ground. A total of 50 films were
submitted by various participants encompassing several languages, out of which 10 films
were shortlisted and screened.
We are proud to inform you that, the film entitled “LOVE REDEFINED” made by
our team members Javed (Director), Bharath (Asst. Director), Chaturvedi
(Cinematographer), Prasanth (Art-Director), Vishnu (Actor), of “KHALQ CREATIONS”
won the 2nd prize in SHORT FILM across Chennai. Our beloved Chairman Dr.Shivakumar
appreciated the winners and motivated our club students for further achievements.
Short Film Workshop
The Short film workshop held on 10, January,2014 at SRM Shivaji Ganesan Film
Institute at Vadapalani Campus. This workshop proved to be a ‘Wide Exposure’ for many
short film making enthusiasts who participated in it. The mentor, Mr.R. D. Balaji, Head of
dept., demonstrated various instruments and software used in feature film making apart from
providing vital tips in any film making process. The faculty in charge then clarified doubts
posted by the students. They also demonstrated various departments associated in film
making. The club members had a great exposure to the ‘real’ film making industry.
College Mega events – Sports & Cultural
The members had been deployed to provide photography coverage of various sports
events held at YMCA grounds, Vadapalani, Velachery and at our campus. The events
commenced from 29th, January to 12thFebuary, 2014. Everyday in these days, selected
trainees were given practice in the art of digital photography by the core members of the club.
They learnt sports photography which requires quick wit and increased alertness. Shortlisted
good quality photographs were submitted to the Sports department of our college. A team of
enthusiastic members who are interested in post processing techniques were given their
opportunities to process these photographs before submission. They were taught RAW
processing and Color correction techniques which were held in the food court. More number
of interested member photographers was identified in the process, and were allotted the
respective coverage days to shoot at the cultural events in the evenings from 17th
-23rd
February.
