Times of Bennett
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TSOM Hosts Exclusive 48-Hour Photography Workshop

Bennett University's Times School of Media hosted an intensive 48 hour photography and filmmaking workshop in association with DIGITEK & Cineposium Initiative. Students gained insights into the art of composition, gained valuable hands on experience and won goodies.

Published:April 24, 2026 at 04:55 PM5 min read
TSOM Hosts Exclusive 48-Hour Photography Workshop
Correspondents : Ananya Barath and Megha Lahiri
Photojournalists: Vignesh Iyer, Harsh Sinha and Ananya Barath

As award winning photographer Ansel Adams famously said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it. This iconic philosophy served as the guiding principal for forty eight hours of intense visual storytelling."

The Bennett University campus recently turned into a buzzing creative lab as students gathered for an immersive 48 hour photography and filmmaking workshop that blended technical learning with real-time content creation. Organized by the Times School of Media along with DIGITEK & Cineposium Initiative, the workshop offered a rare opportunity to step beyond theory and dive into the practical world of cinematic composition.


Designed for visual storytellers, the session saw enthusiastic participation from individuals eager to sharpen their visuals and storytelling skills. The workshop wasn’t simply about learning the basics, but instead emphasized the power of experimentation and creativity.

The session kicked off with looking at the most challenging canvas of all time - the human face. Moving beyond simple smiles, students were challenged to capture complex internal states, working with professional camera gear and lighting setups and learning how different tools can dramatically influence the mood and quality of a frame.


Adding depth to the experience was the presence of leading industry practitioners who shared their journeys and insights. Aditi Singh, a Commercial and Sports Photographer and Co-founder of MEDIA NEST, spoke about the importance of adaptability and storytelling in photography.

Her product photography seminar delved deep into the physics and philosophy of light, most notably during a captivating demonstration involving light passing through glass. As she captured the beams refracting and splitting into shimmering patterns, Ms. Singh turned to the audience with a question that left the audience thinking long after. “Have you ever fallen in love? If not, then fall in love with light.”

Srishti Manchanda, Founder of SMP Studio, emphasized building a unique visual identity and its importance in an industry that demands you to evolve with it, while Mayank Midha, Founder and Director of Redmoon Studios, discussed the evolving demands of filmmaking and digital media production.

The discussion then shifted towards the different kinds of film equipment and what each one has to offer with Mr. Midha introducing students to technical terms like HSI (Hyperspectral Imaging) , CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).


When asked about what makes a good story, he noted, “Photography is a medium to tell the truth. But remember, there isn’t any one unique truth in a photograph. All stories have been told. What matters is how different you tell your story.”

One of the most exciting segments of the workshop was the competition, where participants were handed exclusive Digitech equipment with only one challenge at hand - produce original content within a tight window of two hours. The task required not only technical understanding but also creativity under a ticking time bomb. Students were asked to conceptualize, shoot, and present their work, tagging Digitech and MSFP Studio, turning the campus into a dynamic production space filled with ideas, collaboration, and last-minute edits.

The event brought out some truly creative and technically strong entries, with participants rushing to bring out their inner creatives. Securing the third position were Om Shree Dhama, a fourth semester mass communication student who created a fun and engaging reel positioning Digitech as the perfect “best friend,” and Riddhima, a second semester film student, who tied for third place with an expertly crafted photoshoot.

The second place was awarded to Navya Arora for a visually striking short video that explored the intersection of style and smart lighting. Taking the top spot was the group comprising fourth semester students Megha Lahiri, Vanya Chhabra, Gurleen Makker, and Anandita Verma who impressed the judges with a concept experimenting with lighting through a small photoshoot and seamlessly transforming it into a compelling short video.


Participants found these interactions particularly valuable, as they provided a glimpse into real-world industry expectations. “It was refreshing to actually work with professional equipment instead of just learning about it in class. The competition pushed us to think creatively within a limited time,” shared winner Gurleen Kaur an aspiring photographer.

What set the workshop apart was its hands-on approach. Instead of passively observing, participants actively engaged with industry-standard tools used in photography and film production. From setting up shots to experimenting with lighting contrasts, students were encouraged to explore and make creative decisions on their own. By the end of the session, each participant had created their own piece of visual content, reinforcing the idea that learning is most effective when paired with practice.

Beyond the competition and technical lessons, the workshop highlighted a larger takeaway. The importance of visual literacy in today’s media-driven world. Whether it is filmmaking, advertising, journalism, or digital content creation, the ability to communicate through visuals has become an essential skill.

Overall, the photography and filmmaking workshop proved to be more than just a learning session. It was a platform for creative expression that left participants inspired to see the world not just as it is, but as it can be captured and told through their own lens.

(Ananya Barath and Megha Lahiri are 2nd year BAMC students who firmly believe life looks better in cinematic lighting and golden hour.)
Tags
#digitech#bennett university#media nest#commercial#msfp studio#bamc#redmoon studios

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