ISLAMABAD, June 8: An exhibition of 84 monochromatic (black and white and sepia) photographs was inaugurated at the National Art Gallery here on Tuesday. The exhibition, titled Tributes to the legend of photography, dedicated to the memory of India’s ace photographer C. Rajagopal (1926-2005), has been organized by the Photographic Society of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s senior-most photographer Col K.M. Omer opened the exhibition.

The first joint venture of Pakistani and Indian photographers in Pakistan, similar exhibitions were held in India at Chandigarh in February and New Delhi in March this year.

Works of 11 Pakistani photographers, Aftab Ahmad, (late) Asad Ali, Hanif Malik Saleem Khawar, Mian Abdul Wahid, Col Omer, Nisar Mirza, O.R. Owaisi, Shaikh Amin, Shaikh Faisal Azeem and Syed Javaid Kazi are on display in the NAG exhibition.

Many of these photos are portrait studies of village characters. In addition, Aftab Ahmad’s two portraits Munshi Sahib and Life, focus expressive face reading qualities.

Four photographs by Asad Ali who died last year, have been shot in dull atmosphere without light, but surely a masterpiece of photography.

Well-known educationist Prof Khwaja Masud gave his vote to Shaikh Amin’s study UPM arches as the best picture because, in his view, it took the onlooker’s eyes straight to the point of focus. The professor also found Javaid Kazi’s Lonely Boat as “a photo of unique composition”.

Forty photographs shot by six Indian photographers — Adit Agarwala, Susanta Bannerjee, C.Rajagopal, Benu Sen, Chitraganda Sharma and O.P. Sharma offer excellent studies of location and portray the vast expanse of that country. These photographs reveal change overpowering numerous Indian work places.

Rajagopal’s works are legendary and real studies in light. He was reputed to shoot his subjects either at sunrise or dusk. He speaks at length about his book Lime of Light, a poignant study of the art of photography which in his words is “not a mechanical operation involving expensive gadgets”.