Tolls of the trade, a photograph by Peter Maystrenko

Chhayapath, one of the leading photographic clubs in Calcutta, had posted their 11th international salon at the Academy of Fine Arts. There were 126 photographs in all — 38 in black and white and 88 in colour.

A range of images, supported by a technical understanding, saw the photographers adhering to the rules of conventional salon style compositions.

In the black and white section, the tremendous stress and strain of a hurdler crossing the hurdles is manifest in Fung Man-yu Alex’s creation, Competition. This may be considered as a good example of sports photography. In the morning visit is yet another good example of contemporary photography. Peter Maystrenko’s Tolls of the trade depict the strength of pattern in colour. In this frame, two shoppers are seen walking leisurely on the street under a colourful umbrella. One side of the street is neatly lined up with pavement cafés. The row of tables and chairs make an impact, while the top angle, along with the placement of shoppers at the bottom of the frame, adds a touch of completion.

The clarion call of the hour is to “save the water” for the sake of the human race. The government of India’s photo division presented an exhibition, Water and Life, that dealt with one of the most pressing problems today.

The photographs, including 49 in black and white and 84 in colour, were no less than a delightful, visual treat.

The images creatively brought out the various sources of water and its significance in our lives by means of both usual and unusual metaphors.

Equally powerful were frames addressing the issue of water scarcity. Interestingly, the equations between the animal world and water were also dealt with. What deserves mention is that the photographers did not employ cheap gimmicks to impress viewers. Instead, they resorted to a straight narrative form, which was at once lucid yet layered.

While Jayanta Roy’s photograph showing two women carrying pitchers of water on their heads down a long winding path through a remote village depicted the hardships against a lively backdrop of green meadows, Debasish Ghosh Roy’s Monsoon Music featuring a colourfully dressed girl dancing in the rains imparted a lyrical quality to the photograph.

However, a homogeneity in some of the works was a little disappointing.