Beyond the Screen : How Printing Photographs Transformed Student Perspectives

In the digital age, where images are often fleeting, the Beyond Frames photo exhibition encouraged students of Mumbai-based SVKM’s Usha Pravin Gandhi College to explore the enduring power of print. More than just a showcase of talent, the exhibition highlighted how printed photographs invite deeper engagement, transforming fleeting moments into lasting visual narratives.

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Challenging the Digital Norm

In today’s fast-paced world, photography is consumed in an instant—images are captured, uploaded, and quickly scrolled past on screens, often forgotten just as quickly. However, Beyond Frames, a student-led photography exhibition at SVKM’s Usha Pravin Gandhi College of Arts, Science & Commerce, sought to slow things down. It celebrated the tangible, immersive experience of printed photographs and their lasting impact, highlighting the difference between viewing an image on a screen and experiencing it in print.

Under the leadership of Prof. Lokesh V. Tardalkar, students pursuing BA in FTNMP (Film, Television & New Media Production) and BA in MMC (Mass Media & Communication) displayed their photographic works in a physical format—many for the first time. The exhibition was more than just an opportunity to showcase talent; it was a hands-on lesson in the power of print, a medium that demands careful composition, technical precision, and an understanding of how an image interacts with light, paper, and space.

A Platform for Creative Expression

Titled Beyond Frames, the exhibition encouraged students to push creative boundaries and explore photography beyond its conventional roles. The themes—Street Photography, Long Exposure, Black & White, Portraits, and Geometry—offered diverse perspectives, allowing students to tell compelling visual stories. The exhibition was inaugurated by Principal Anju Kapoor, whose unwavering support played a vital role in bringing this print showcase to life.

Among the standout entries were:

• Maitreya Kavthekar’s black-and-white depiction of a dosa vendor, where contrast played a key role in storytelling.