‘Learn to See’ from veteran shutter bug

COLOMBO: ‘Learn to See - a photographic Essay’ authored by veteran photographer Kala Bushana L.E.Samararatne will be launched by D. B. Nihalsinghe at the Galle Face Hotel on March 30 at 3.00 pm.

The first of its kind book provides unravels all intricacies involved in the art of photography and valuable tips to photographic buffs like how to visualise, capture and create a professional picture. It also provides a wealth of knowledge to the aspiring photographer.

The book contains 125 black and white picture reproductions created by the author in a career that has spanned more than 50 years. The publication includes articles by other eminent professionals as well embellished by the rivetting captions of well-known Editor and writer Gaston de Rosayro. The book is published by Stamford Lake (Pvt) Ltd, a Singaporean Company based in Colombo.

The manuscript was selected and commended by a panel of selectors appointed by the President’s Fund for publication and was duly approved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a special bursary.

The author during his 50 year career had won many a recognition for his work both nationally and internationally and was the only photographer to obtain “Associateship” of the Institute of Professional Photography without leaving the country, in 1954.

He was recently conferred ‘Fellowship’ of the Royal Photographic Society, another first for a Sri Lankan. During his media career from the days of the first Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake to President J. R. Jayawardene, no political stalwart big or small escaped his camera lens.Nor did Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Jawarhalal Nehru, Marshal Tito and many others.

He was also active at the 1976 Non-Aligned Conference. During his career, he had participated in many national and international exhibitions, receiving many awards and prizes.

He considers as the highest achievement in his life, the gift of a Rollefix camera by its manufacturers in Germany for using the same brand for over 50 years.