Thaindian News

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) A Kashmiri photographer’s portrayal of three widows has bagged the Media Foundation of India’s “Best Picture of the Year Award”.

Showkat Nanda was presented the award by Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan at a glittering function here Thursday night, an MFI official said Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Sankaranarayanan said that photographs are understood by one and all and they help enhance the quality of an otherwise dull story.

“Some photographs convey a story in themselves. Such photographs should be given prominent space in the newspapers,” he said, even suggesting that even photographers should be allowed to “have a strong voice in the making of a newspaper”.

Touching upon technological advances in photography, Sankaranarayanan pointed out that the era of digital cameras has empowered even the common masses who can now click good pictures.

At the same time, he said that advancements in photography and introduction of software that allows manipulation of pictures has brought into the focus the aspects of authenticity of photographs.

In this context, the governor urged the need for photographers to observe a code of ethics and called upon media organisations to ensure that ethics are observed by photo-journalists while presenting news and pictures.

The governor also presented other awards in categories like daily life, sports, arts, culture, general news, spot news and best photo stories to different winners.

Present on the occasion were MFI chairman Ranjit Hoskote, Popular Prakashan MD Harsha Bhatkal, MFI treasurer Oommen Ninan, MFI general secretary Satish Nandgaonkar and others.