The Mokokchung Photography Club (MPC), founded in 2011 with the motto “painting with light,” held a ‘get-together’ program today at Hotel Magnus, Alongmen Ward, attended by around twenty photographers and photography enthusiasts. Prompted by a resurgent interest and the growing number of photography professionals and enthusiasts in recent years, the MPC, after a brief hiatus, called for the get-together.
The photography club, one of the first in Nagaland, was most active during its formative years and has the distinction of organizing the first-ever World Pinhole Photography Day in Nagaland in 2012. It also holds the ‘unofficial’ record of the “world’s biggest pinhole Morung Camera Obscura” from the same year. Additionally, the club has organized numerous events such as workshops and exhibits and has participated in various activities, including collaborations with the Goa-Center for Alternative Photography (Goa-CAP).
Speaking on the day’s theme, “Mokokchung Photography Club, What Next?”, Limalenden Longkumer, a founding member of MPC and Editor of Mokokchung Times, recalled the formative days of the club and elaborated on the theme from three perspectives: the benefits of having a small-town photography club, strategies to sustain the club, and livelihood prospects and opportunities in photography.
“Community engagement, promoting local talent, creative expression, preserving local heritage, tourism promotion, skill development, recreation, networking and collaboration, showcasing local stories, and organizing events and exhibitions are some of the benefits of having a photography club,” he said.
To keep MPC functional and thriving, he suggested regular meetings, workshops and skill-building sessions, photo walks and excursions, contests, collaborating with local events, feedback and critique sessions, and member-led initiatives.
He also listed a number of livelihood prospects and opportunities that photography has to offer but added that the members know better than he does. He emphasized that the members of the club can collectively render a lot of good to society when they work together and encouraged them to continue working for the wellbeing of society while also pursuing personal professions in photography or otherwise.
During the discussion session, founding member and senior journalist Sashimeren Jamir proposed selecting a new President and Secretary. After a thorough discussion, it was decided to appoint interim leaders. Well-known wedding photographer Takomeren Pongen was chosen as Interim President, and enthusiastic photography aficionado Moamongba was selected as Interim Secretary.
Their immediate tasks are to reorganize the club and coordinate participation in the upcoming photography festival. They were also tasked with exploring creative ideas to present at the next meeting, where these ideas could be adopted by consensus.
The meeting was chaired by founding member Temsuchila Jamir, while senior journalist and founding member Aso Imsong offered an invocation. Founding member and Secretary Sentikala Kichu delivered the keynote address and handed over the Secretarial files to Interim Secretary Moamongba. Founding member and senior journalist Sashimeren Jamir delivered the vote of thanks.
The Magnus Hotel conference hall was sponsored by MPC Secretary Sentikala Kichu, and refreshments were sponsored by MPC Convener Imanonen Pongen, who was unable to attend due to unavoidable circumstances.
Since its formation, MPC has participated in major events such as M-Fest and Mokokchung Town’s 125th anniversary by organizing photo exhibitions, conducting month-long photography workshops, celebrating World Pinhole Camera Day, and constructing the Morung Camera Obscura, among other activities.