MUMBAI: Several events and exhibitions were held to celebrate World Photography Day in Mumbai on August 19. This year brings added importance since it commemorates 200 years since the invention of the photograph.On this occasion, Veera Desai Road precinct in Andheri West saw the inauguration of a new space named House of Photography, the first of its kind in India.The two-storey 5,795sqft space showcases Fujifilm’s instax, X Series and GFX System cameras through hands-on experiences, alongside dedicated zones for QuickSnap single-use cameras and binoculars, and Z Series projectors.Koji Wada, managing director, Fujifilm India, said, “We are creating a space dedicated to photographers, creators and visual storytellers of every generation.”Arun Babu, associate director, Imaging Solutions Division, Fujifilm India, explained how amateur and professional photographers can avail of the facility.“The House of Photography has been designed as a space for photographers across skill levels, from those picking up a camera for the first time to experienced professionals looking to refine their craft. The location was chosen close to the city’s production and rental houses, branded stores and film students. It is ideal for the cinema industry as well as Gen Z audience,” he said.He added, “For amateurs, the space offers guided, hands-on experience to explore their choices. For professionals, there is a creator studio, workshop, curated photo gallery and Pro Print Centre. We envision the space as a community hub where workshops, exhibitions, creator meet-ups and photo walks can bring photographers together, encourage knowledge-sharing and foster collaboration. Our aim is to create an ecosystem that goes beyond showcasing products, to discover, learn, create, share and refine their craft.“Asked if people still print photographs, Arun Babu said, “We believe print culture is coming back strongly. While photography has become increasingly digital, physical photographs continue to hold a unique emotional and tangible value. We capture countless moments on our phones, but many of these images eventually get lost among thousands of others.”“A printed photograph can be held, displayed and passed on. There is a strong sense of nostalgia associated with print, as many of us grew up with photo albums. Today, this is gaining relevance among younger audiences as well. The new space will demonstrate what a printed image looks and feels like,” he added.
