Seminar at Loreto College, Kolkata.

I was invited to Loreto College to have 2 sessions on basic photography and social media. That came to me as a surprise, specially because I knew no one from the college. The chief coordinator (President of the club) knew me from my blog. Kolkata is supposed to be very reluctant about social media awareness and we do not see too many women photographers during regular photowalks. For definitive reasons, yes. So, this invitation happened to be really special and important for me.

Call it a coincidence but a senior student of the same institute, who had no clue about my invitation, messaged me over Facebook inquiring me about my experiences with Calcutta Walks. She landed on my blog after having searched the internet. I talked at length with her and invited her to the seminar.

So today, there I was, half prepared to take a seminar/workshop on basic photography and social media. This was my first college visit, 4th institute visit and 5th MeetUp (basic photography workshop). It is for the second time I spoke about social media at a considerable length. I should own up, I was a little apprehensive at the start. I know about the engineering ecosystem and the school’s environment. This is a reputed and strict girls’ college that has subjects of English honours (so my English was subjected to direct scrutiny) and Media (so my sense of presentation too, should be under scrutiny). I should also acknowledge the fact that the teacher coordinator and the student coordinator were being extremely warm in their reception and slowly, my apprehension faded and gave way to confidence as numerous students pouring into the auditorium. Slowly they started speaking, introducing themselves, raising hands, answering questions, putting forward views, contradicting, so a natural tendency to support views slowly came to the front. With everyone of the 36 students actively interacting it was an incredible experience being in Loreto College. I am not sure, how much they enjoyed. I shall wait for their feedback. It will be interesting to see if all the 36 get back the next Saturday.

While speaking, I surprised myself. Yes, for the first time I spoke about my stammering problem in my school days and that I hardly interacted with people. My idea of “Good photographs and Better photographs” was accepted. This is the biggest take away of the day. I wish everyone to chant this, like a mantra. Surprising enough was that I completed the entire thing in stipulated time. That is definitely unlike me. I wish for an honest feedback from them. That will help me do better next time. Like I told them, this was my fifth, I wish for five thousand more. So you know where I stand now.

I will update this space with a photograph, with student’s feedback and more of my experiences next week. I enjoy interacting with younger people. I feel fresh and I have always mentioned, this is the most fulfilling work I have ever done. I smile with their smiles.