Photography, today’s most modern and democratic visual-art medium, has gained a popularity comparable to music and poetry. With digital technology, photography has become an easy one-click application, making everybody a photographer. It is estimated that 3.5 trillion photos have been taken since Daguerre captured Boulevard du Temple, 179 years ago. This calculation was initially based on the films made and sold by the film companies. Presently, the number of images that are posted in social media platforms is used as one scale for measuring the number of photographs produced. However, this statistic can never be absolute, as many photographs never see the light of the world. For example, only 20% of photos taken actually end up on Facebook. Even less – approximately one out of 1 lakh photographs, or 0.001% – are printed and preserved for posterity.
Every photograph has a value and captures a slice of history that contains several layers of information and memories. Even the casual photographs and personal records offer meaningful insights. The work of a thoughtful photographer, on the other hand, has immeasurable importance as works of art and epigraphical documents. It becomes the symbol of our culture and lifestyle, a pride to be protected and promoted. It then is the responsibility of the public to protect them, before time erases and destroys these invaluable visual treasures.
Ekalokam Trust for Photography (EtP), a non-profit foundation with 12A and 80g exemption, is dedicated to protecting and promoting contemporary photography and allied art forms.