Testimonials
The Photographic Society of India is 85 years old and is probably the oldest photography institute in the country. I joined PSI in around 1972-73 as a total beginner in photography and I often wondered if I would be able to create such superb images as I used to see at the Society premises. The senior members of the Society were always ready to help and I learned a lot from them; in fact, I owe a lot to them. I made it a point to attend every Friday program and that helped me to a very great extent. I used to love going on the monthly outings to various places in and around Mumbai. And the annual photo exhibitions (both local and international) were (and still are) a delight to see and learn from. Today, budding photographers learn from me but I shall never forget that I learned from the ever-helping seniors of the Society.
1980s…. I was then doing my 1 year conrse in basic photography at Sir JJ School of Applied Art, when my mentor there- Murthy Sir mentioned about this organization PSI. His words were something like this- “You must attend their exhibitions, talks held by seniors & once you join hire their studio with equipment to practice”. I attended the demo of a model shoot there and my relation with PSI thus began. Later it fortified on many levels. NOBODY TAUGHT COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY THEN, ONE HAD TO LEARN IT.
In those days there were only two main dealers of photography equipment, one was in the fort area. Today where PSI exists, we find several dealers , almost every shop sells some useful stuff that pulls the photographers & the once dead alley is now famous as the camera gully. I wonder if somewhere the seed was PSI that indirectly led to these branches which flower in all seasons! PSI WAS, IS & SHALL CONTINUE TO BE THE ‘OLD FAITHFUL’ OF THE INDUSTRY.
Dilip Yande
