How this photography community has been a creative force for 60 years – and is still going strong

From the analogue to the digital era, this photographic society has entertained, educated and energised citizens across the country.

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 260 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

The Bangkok Art Biennale 2018 focuses not just on art and installations, but photography as well (check out Part I and Part II of our photo essay). Some of the photography sections at the art festival focus on environmental issues, such as lobbying governments to prevent highways from being built through wildlife parks (see our earlier photo essay on ‘No More Road Kills’ here).

The exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) also featured a collection by the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand (RPST). Founded in 1959 by a group of photography enthusiasts to promote the art of photography, RPST is the oldest and most prestigious photographic society in Thailand.

Its first president was Rattana Pestonji, and the Society came under royal patronage in 1961. Its activities over the decades have included workshops, competitions, photographic tours, and thematic exhibitions.

From food and fabrics to festivals and fashion, RPST has celebrated life in all its diversity. Competitions have been held in locales from Chiang Mai to Phuket. In this photo essay, we showcase some of RPST’s works at BACC (see earlier photographs in the Society’s online gallery here).

Now what have you done today to go beyond your work or hobby, and connect with broader communities to share your passion?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

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