Photography A Tool To Educate, Record And Preserve Heritage

Bandar Seri Begawan - The role of a photographer is not only to record events but also to be an effective communication tool with the ability to teach, educate, as well as to act as a reference or proof of an occurrence, director of Information Department said yesterday.

Dr Muhammad Hadi Muhammad Malayong said that photographers have to give value to a photo, giving it the qualities to affect and change one's perception towards life and creation.

"This is the true role of a photographer ... photography is a tool which, without words, can preserve and maintain heritage something able to give a variety of meanings depending on the intentions of the observer" he said during The Brunei Photographic Society's (BPS) 32nd biannual meeting held yesterday at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium's Conference Hall.

"A photo can (be interpreted) into a million different meanings by those looking at it," added Dr Mohammad Hadi.

He explained that photos have the ability to tell stories without sound or language barriers. "Photography is a form of media communication. It has the ability to connect humans through the sense of sight," he said, before advising photographers in the country to use their gifts and tools to glorify the name of the Sultanate, along with its race and rulers.

The director then said that in the era of globalisation, photographers have to constantly improve their knowledge and skills to keep up with the constantly changing and developing field of photography.
He added that photographers have to have an open mind and keep abreast with new knowledge without compromising any etiquette or originality issues.

BPS President Hj Mohd Yusof Mohd Yassin echoed similar sentiment by stressing the importance for photographers to maintain their etiquette and discipline when it comes to copyright infringement laws.
"This is a problem in the world ... It is less in Brunei but we have to follow and keep up with the rest of the world to protect photographers here," he said.

He added that in this day and age, people can "very easily" steal photos online.
"You have to know the rules because stealing photos can not only ruin it, but also the photographer," he said.
Hj Mohd Yusof was reelected as BPS president during the meeting yesterday.

The photographer of some 30 years said that he originally took up photography as a hobby before taking it seriously during his school days and later on as a career. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times.  Link source...

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