The Management Club Colombo presents “Insights of Photography”

From left: Dr. Saliya Balasooriya, Ajithaa Edirimane, and TMC Colombo Chairperson Duneeshya Bogoda 

The Management Club (TMC) Colombo recently held its first Members Speak event, titled “Insights of Photography: Tips and Tricks,” at the City Club Meet Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. The event brought together an audience of professionals, TMC members, and photographic enthusiasts, serving as a networking opportunity.

TMC Colombo Chairperson Duneeshya Bogoda welcomed the participants to the Insights of Photography program, explaining that the purpose of the Members Speak project is to give members the opportunity to showcase their expertise in a specific field and also to send that message effectively to a learned audience She emphasised the importance of creating a meaningful forum for its members, which will bring numerous benefits to both members and to the society. 

The Members Speak project, led by Dr. Saliya Balasooriya, aims to empower TMC members to express their views on various societal interests. This initiative will facilitate discussions and expand society’s knowledge in multiple areas.

The speaker of the first Members Speak event was Ajithaa Edirimane (LLB, MLB, MCIArb), an Attorney-at-Law specialising in condominium property law with nearly four decades of professional experience. In addition to her legal career, she is a passionate photography enthusiast who has participated in local and international competitions, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the session.

Ajithaa, in her speech, referred to ‘photography’ as an irresistible art and said that it can convey a message more effectively than words. She pointed out the benefits of photography to businesses, where promotional images when effectively used can drive customers to the business and impress on the minds of the public the success and achievements of a company. The warm friendly appearance of corporate heads projected through company profiles in Annual Reports and on official social media makes a significant positive impact on viewers, present and future customers. 

She also said that in a person’s day to day life, sharing photos of achievements gives a sense of personal fulfilment and leads to social connection. Photography also helps to focus deeply on a subject to achieve mindfulness and thereby acts as a stress reliever for busy professionals. A photographer uses various camera types, lenses, and modes to capture portraits, wildlife, landscapes, and mobile photography. Ajithaa clearly explained the main elements necessary to capture a good photograph, referred to as the “Exposure Triangle” consisting of the Aperture, Shutter and ISO in photography. 

She explained the effects on a photograph through images taken with different settings. She also emphasised the importance of composing a sharp photograph under good lighting and the significance of the ‘golden hour’ as the best time of the day for photographs. 

Ajithaa also gave some valuable compositional tips which help to draw the eye of the viewer on to a photograph, such as the Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, S and C curve in a photo, among others. Participants were also given information on submitting photos for competitions, with names of several international photographic competitions which accept online submissions. She finally discussed her achievements in local and international competitions from different perspectives, using various cameras and angles.

The session was not just a one-way presentation. There was an active involvement of the audience to make it a successful, interactive TMC event. It also included thoughts from participants, many of whom expressed their appreciation for the Members Speak project. Metropolitan Institute of Business Management CEO Selvarathnam Nimal noted that the session was well-organised and creatively structured, making it an excellent introduction to photography. Ianthie Jayarathne, a retired Director of Finance of Securities Exchange Commission praised the speaker’s clear and well-prepared presentation, expressing that the audience enjoyed the speaker’s engaging style.

The Members Speak Series, organised by TMC Colombo, will continue on a monthly basis, providing a platform for TMC members to share insights on diverse subjects, exchange knowledge, and build valuable connections. Shewon De Silva, an attorney at law, served as the event’s compere. In addition to the main sponsors, Metropolitan Technologies Ltd. – Photohub also sponsored the event. TMC Colombo facilitates interactive discussions and meaningful networking, making it a memorable and impactful series to come. The TMC looks forward to hosting future Members Speak sessions as part of its mission to inspire, empower, connect with members and networking.