World Photography Day: Kashmir Photography Club harnesses power of social media

Think Kashmir, and for most of us images of conflict come to mind – visuals that the mainstream media shows on loop. But ever considered what the Valley really looks like? What are the kind of landscapes it has to offer? What's daily life there like and how do locals spend their day and go about their business?

Kashmir Photography Club (KPC), through images of just these, has been able to bring the real aspects of the Valley to the world. The online club, which was founded by photography enthusiast Zuhaib Qureshi in 2004 with 10 to 15 members, now has a membership of around 2 lakhs! What started as a group for the local photographers to come together and display their work on social media, is now thriving on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

One of the main reasons for the phenomenal success of KPC over the years is the wealth of talent in Kashmir. The group's activities range from mentoring to photo-walks and contests. The photo-walks are conducted locally as well as in other states, the latest one being held in Delhi. Also, a weekly contest, 'Theme of the Week', engages the community in various genres of photography. The club has come a long way, and become a platform for locals to learn and explore.