Bangladesh Photographic Society

Bangladesh Photographic Society (BPS) was founded in 1976 by experienced Bangladeshi Photographers to organize practicing professional and amateur photographers in Bangladesh. It currently has over 3,500 members.

History

Led by Manzoor Alam Beg, BPS achieved recognition and acceptance as the country member of The International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP). BPS has fifteen photographic organizations all over the country. The society was very active in the late eighties and early nineties, but has now floundered and become dormant.

BPS holds monthly, yearly, national and international photography contests & exhibitions. BPS members have so for earned more than 1100 awards, including prizes in international photographic competitions.

Some BPS activities for its members were monthly meetings on its own premises where two photo contests (B&W and color) were held. A photo gallery had been set up by the president of BPS, Dr. Shahidul Alam. Slide shows and the inauguration of a month long solo or group exhibition in BPS Gallery were major parts of the meetings. Every year BPS organized a National Photographic Contest and Exhibition in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of Bangladesh. BPS has organized some international photographic competitions and exhibitions, many of them with FIAP approval, very successfully.

BPS had an education wing called the Bangladesh Photographic Institute (BPI) set up by its founder, Principal Dr. Shahidul Alam. It was during this period that BPS set up its darkroom and book library. The monthly newsletter of BPS, previously produced in letterpress and without images, was subsequently printed in offset and photographs were incorporated. The BPI ran a 14 session basic photography course which included practical outdoor & darkroom works. Workshops on various photographic topics were often arranged by BPI.

BPS recognizes experienced and advanced photographers by awarding recognition like, Honorary Member, Licentiate Member (LBPS), Associate Member (ABPS) and Fellow Member (FBPS) after systematic evolution of their qualifications, achievements, contributions, experience and portfolio.

BPS has long been dormant during the period of 2006-2009. However, the group was resuscitated by a number of enthusiastic photographers and now holds regular national exhibitions and competitions. BPS maintains an website at http://www.bpsbd.org/.

Several other photography organizations operate in Bangladesh along with BPS. Bangladeshi Photographers is among one of these contemporary communities.

References

Source: BPS paper publications.