Nellore school headmaster's passion for photography grabs him global accolades
The 60-year-old received the award for his photos displayed during a national level photo exhibition organised by Andhra Pradesh State Creativity and Culture Commission in collaboration with India International Photographic Council (IIPC) and Photography Academy of India (PAI).
Mr. Prakasa Rao had ventured into fine-art photography just two years ago, but still bagged 68 gold medals and 130 recognitions during the last couple of years. He won his first gold medal from Youth Photography Society in Bengaluru for a photo of Kommu Koya tribal dance.
'Though photography had been a passion since my childhood, my photos confined to my friends and family members during school excursions and tours. However, this gold medal in December 2023 inspired me to take part in several other photography competitions,' Mr. Prakasha Rao said.
'With the encouragement of my friends, I participated in photography contests all over the world and received at least one award in every competition,' Mr. Prakasha Rao said, adding that he has achieved more than 10 awards in a month.
His achievements include the 'Excellence in Federation of Indian Photography (EFIP)' from Federation of Indian Photography (FIP), and recognition from International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), Kumanovo Photo Salon from North Macedonia and Nicosia Photographic Society.
He also was a jury member for two events of Photography Society of America (PSA). Meanwhile, Mr. Prakasha Rao aspires to achieve 'Associate of The Royal Photographic Society (ARPS)' distinction from the Royal Photographic Society (RPS).
His passion for photography never burdened his original profession. He had been given District Best Principal Award (Prakasam) in 2018 and District Best Principal Award (Nellore) in 2022.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Mrunal Thakur opens a piece of her heart with fans, introduces them to her hobby after the Bipasha Basu controversy: 'Felt brave might delete later'
Mrunal Thakur has found a new way to connect with her fans—through the lens of her camera. Just ahead of World Photography Day on Tuesday, the actress unveiled a series of photographs on Instagram, giving followers a glimpse into her personal gallery of candid and aesthetic moments. Her collection ranged from a striking shadow imprinted on sand to the serene beauty of the sea. Among the frames were also what appeared to be a still of a church, along with a picture-perfect shot of a restaurant or bar. Yet, the most heartwarming of all were the captures featuring her brother, Dhaval Thakur. In a heartfelt note, the actress admitted that photography means far more to her than just a pastime. 'I have always believed that 'a picture is worth a thousand words'… and ever since I started taking my love for photography more seriously, I feel it even more," she wrote. She also shared how her curiosity to explore and learn new things pushed her to pursue this passion beyond mere admiration. The turning point came last year when she brought home her first Leica camera. Describing the moment as 'part joy and part terror,' Mrunal confessed, 'The passion moved to practical last year when I brought home my first Leica camera. I was so excited to start clicking pictures and also terrified that I would be terrible at it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo But I decided to take the leap and at least try.' Meanwhile, on the acting front, Mrunal's calendar is packed. After her recent appearance in Son of Sardaar 2, she is gearing up for Dacoit, co-starring Adivi Sesh and featuring Anurag Kashyap in a key role. Directed by Shaneil Deo, the film is slated to hit theatres on December 25. "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
World Photography Day 2025: All About Date, Theme, History, Significance
The world celebrates August 19 as World Photography Day to honour the history and significance of photography. Photography is not about clicking pictures randomly; it's about capturing memories that stay with us forever. The day encourages photographers to share their work and appreciate the power of still images. History of World Photography Day: On this day in 1839, the French government announced the invention of the daguerreotype, which is an early photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre. This process revolutionised photography by making it more accessible and practical. Significance: World Photography Day is an opportunity to appreciate the art of capturing moments. It's a day to recognise the impact of photography on our lives. On this day, awareness about photography's role in communication, storytelling and documentation is also raised globally. Celebrations: People celebrate World Photography Day by sharing their favourite photos. Some also like to attend photography exhibitions or workshops. A majority of people simply take new photos to showcase their creativity and skills and post them on social media. Theme: World Photography Day has a specific theme each year, such as photography's role in social change and environmental conservation. This year, the theme is My Favourite Photo. Tips To Become A Better Photographer Understand Your Camera: Before aiming to become a pro, you must familiarise yourself with your camera's settings and features. Keep practising different modes. Composition: Learn the concept of "rule of thirds", "leading lines: and "framing". In the rule of thirds, try to place the subject off-centre for more dynamic compositions. Leading lines mean using lines to guide the viewer's eye to the subject. And framing means using natural or man-made frames to add depth. Understand the light: Shoot during golden hour (dawn/dusk) for warm, soft light. But don't forget to experiment with flash, lamps, or studio lighting. Tell a story through pictures: Use your camera to capture emotions and moments, and try to tell a story through a series of photos. You can also experiment with different perspectives.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
'Kolkata is accidentally a wes anderson city'
This World Photography Day,we re-imagine our city as fans of the American auteur, whose cinematic language is deeply inspired by Satyajit Ray When Australian author and travel writer Julietta Jameson recently visited Kolkata, she described the feeling as 'stepping into a Wes Anderson film'. 'It's as if I've stepped into the auteur's viewfinder, so vibrant, quirky and decidedly decaying are my surroundings,' she wrote about the city in a Sydney Morning Herald article. Few cities lean so naturally into Anderson's grammar of symmetry, colour, nostalgia, and quirk. Walk down Chowringhee or slip into a Bowbazar bylane and you'll find it – walls peeling in pastels, facades frozen in time, characters who could step straight into a storyboard. For World Photography Day, we turned to those who live and work with Kolkata's heritage, and its film and visual culture to ask: where do they see Anderson's cinematic language hiding in plain sight? On my first visit to Kolkata, I check in at a hotel near the Alipore Zoological Garden… its entrance, a dinky stone arch with cement animals roaming across it and identical toy-like clocktowers either side, delights that part of me that loves Anderson's work. In fact, it seems to me everything is 'accidentally Wes Anderson' – Julietta Jameson, journalist and writer 'Kolkata is full of Wes Anderson frames' The Grand hotel in Kolkata from a time when street vendors hadn't blocked the view The Grand hotel in Kolkata from a time when street vendors hadn't blocked the view The City as a film set 'Every time I look at Kolkata, I can't help but think how perfectly it could fit into a Wes Anderson frame,' says GM Kapur, State Convener, INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage). 'The symmetry of the Writer's Building, the nostalgia-filled corridors of Lalbazar, and the timeless charm of the Oberoi Grand all carry that cinematic balance. Even Park Mansions and Esplanade Mansions, with their Art Nouveau flair, tell stories of another era. Standing at Park Circus's seven-point crossing or remembering the grand vista of Chowringhee before the flyover, I see the city's old-world elegance trying to shine through again,' he said. Symmetry, colour and quirk Symmetry, colour, and quirk For Mudar Patherya, heritage activist and restorer, Kolkata reveals itself not in sweeping vistas but in its intimate corners. 'From Bowbazar's red facades set against yellow taxis to bylanes where the afternoon sun transforms peeling walls into glowing canvases, the city is pure cinema. Standard Assurance, with its domes painted in red, yellow, and white, is Kolkata's own Wes Anderson frame – it has a personality. I've taken over a lakh photographs of the city's bylanes, because that's where Kolkata truly lives. Unlike European towns where beauty is immediate, Kolkata demands patience. You have to go close, walk its lanes, and let the extraordinary hide inside the ordinary.' Wes Anderson's style Symmetry: Every frame balanced like architecture Colour palette: Vibrant yet curated, often yellows, reds, and pastels Patterns & details: Checks, repetition, and meticulous geometry Quirk: Characters, uniforms, signages, or small objects with personality The ordinary made extraordinary: Turning bylanes, clubs, or even a taxi reflection into cinematic magic Kolkata on a Wes Anderson storyboard For Aradhana Seth, production designer and artist, who worked as art director & set decorator in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, the city reveals itself in whimsical fragments rather than grand monuments. 'When I imagine Kolkata through Wes's frame, my mind immediately goes to the football fields and cricket grounds around the Maidan – the small, modest clubhouses, the old stands, even the racecourse. They carry a particular architectural character as does the Birla Planetarium that could easily slip into his cinematic universe. ' Seth notes that Anderson's signature lies in colour, symmetry, detail, quirk, and surprise – a way of making 'the extraordinary even more extraordinary, and the ordinary suddenly feel extraordinary.' In Kolkata, she sees that spirit in the repetition of clay idols at Kumartuli, hand-painted signages, the graphic geometry of Howrah Station, even in the whimsical strangeness of racecourse number boards or a dolls' museum. 'Kolkata is full of pockets that could transform into Wes Anderson frames – you just need to look through his lens and eye, depending on the script.' According to production designer Aradhana Seth, 'the graphic geometry' of Howrah Station makes it a perfect fit for a Wes Anderson film "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
