On 8th April 2025, SARVAM organised an enriching and practical training session on Mobile Photography for 50 dedicated village volunteers from 10 different villages. Held at the Satyam Training Centre in Puducherry, the programme aimed to equip volunteers with essential skills to effectively document community development activities through high-quality visual storytelling.
As SARVAM’s work is deeply rooted in village-based initiatives, photographs serve not only as documentation but also as powerful tools to reflect the impact of grassroots efforts. Recognising that volunteers regularly use their mobile phones to capture such moments, SARVAM felt it was essential to enhance their technical knowledge to ensure that their photos convey meaningful narratives with clarity and appeal.
An expert trainer conducted the session, offering a well-structured presentation that covered the fundamentals of mobile photography. He explained various technical and creative aspects such as lighting, framing, composition, angles, and storytelling through images. Using photographs taken with his own mobile phone, he demonstrated how ordinary scenes can be transformed into compelling visuals with the right perspective and approach.
The session also included a practical component, where participants stepped out into the campus surroundings and applied what they had just learned. They captured various scenes, which were then reviewed by the trainer, who gave individual feedback and guidance on how to further improve their shots. This hands-on exercise proved to be highly effective in reinforcing the learning outcomes.
Throughout the workshop, the volunteers showed keen enthusiasm and curiosity. They actively participated in discussions, asked thoughtful questions, and were eager to incorporate the newly acquired techniques into their regular documentation practices. The training session was very well received, with participants expressing their gratitude and requesting more such opportunities to deepen their understanding and skills in the future.
This initiative not only strengthened the capacity of rural volunteers in technical skills but also empowered them to be more confident storytellers of their own community journeys—one image at a time.
