Page 475 - Art and Crafts of Bangladesh

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equipment in the newspapers. 120 Besides, the point of view and composition of
photographs published on various issues in the newspapers evince a lack of creativity
and a repetitiousness which is recently observable. In the total evaluation of our
photojournalism the tendency of gross illustration of events or reality is in the
ascendant in comparison to investigation, intelligence and creativity. 121 Furthermore,
most photojournalists of the country do not take notes of the work executed by them
and in most cases do not write the captions of their photographs themselves. 122 ‘To be
a good photojournalist a certain standard of skill and knowledge has to be acquired
which is the fruit of intense training and study. However, reality shows that this
practice is not in existence in Bangladesh.’ 123 [Trans.]
10.1 Education in Photography
Education in photography has not developed according to the needs and reality of the
country. Though the use and necessity of photography has expanded drastically in
various areas of social and national life, there has not been established any
photography education institution at the initiative of the government or recognized by
the government. There has been no photography department, faculty or institute
established under any public university including the Dhaka University. But a number
of photography education institutions have been established on personal or private
initiative which has played an important role. In pre-liberation Bangladesh Tropical
Institute of Photography (1951) was established by Golam Kashem Dady in a small
scale. This institution lasted for about two years. Almost fifty persons received basic
photography training from this institution. Furthermore, in 1960 an initiative was
taken to open a department of photography in the Institute of Fine Art. 124
Begart Institute of Photography (BIP)
Alokchitracharya M. A. Beg comprehended the importance and necessity of the
institutional education of photography and with the intention to disperse knowledge
and awareness among people he built up the famed ‘Begart Institute of Photography.’
It began its journey on 21 December 1960 and has in the days past played the most
important role in teaching photography in the country. This institute is possessed of a
variety of materials and eguipments, different kinds of cameras and reading materials
and the methodical education of photography was dispersed through this school. After
liberation from 1972 Begart began regular courses on photography in batches and in
1983 it introduced a regular diploma course besides the basic course. BIP became
known in the international field for its activities.
Photographic Training Center
In 1964 the late photographer Golam Mowla founded the ‘Photographic Training
Center’ with a one-year photography training program at the Armanitola Social
Welfare Center under the Social Welfare Department of the government. He worked
for a long time as a voluntary trainer at the center. This program continued for some
years after liberation. Nurul Islam, Sheikh Abdur Razzaque, Ezaz Khan and others
worked as trainers here. In 1980 this center closed down.