Thiruvananthapuram: A WhatsApp group of photographers, which was started with the aim of helping out fledgling photographers as well as every needy person, will launch its T-shirt on Tagore Theatre premises, the main IFFK venue. The group, ‘Photogears,’ has chosen IFFK as its venue to reach out to more like-minded people. “Here we are sure to find quite a lot of open-minded people,” says Thomas Varghese, one of the members. They have been organising free workshops for members who would be starting out in photography. Rijaz Mohammad, who founded the group, says, “many members in our group have never used a DSLR. We encourage them to post photos clicked on their mobile phones, and offer tips on angle and frame. We tell them they can buy their impressive DSLR later. The device is not important.”
When many other freelance photographers started their pages on Facebook, Rijaz wanted to do something bigger. “The group also engages in a lot of charity activity. I thought that instead of one person contributing a huge amount, if many people are brought on board, they can contribute a smaller amount. Moreover, many people would get to share good causes,” he says.
When it is the birthday of a group member, every person contributes money and buys items that are needed at shelters or RCC. They have given blood. In addition, the tips that are offered have helped some of its members win prizes at intercollegiate competitions. They now plan to conduct some photography workshops with a fee for enthusiasts who can afford it so that money can be generated for charity work. They say that the group believes in gender parity and has several female administrators.
