With the pandemic leading to travel restrictions and limits on in-person meetings, the photography industry has been hit hard.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t still brush up on your photography skills, as Asia Pacific Rayon (APR) and the Indonesian Photo Journalists (PFI) demonstrated with a virtual photoshoot workshop and competition entitled ‘Keep Your Shutter ON During Pandemic’.
More than 200 people took part in the workshop on November 7, 2020.
A virtual photoshoot takes place over a video call. The photographer takes pictures of the screen so that everyone is socially distanced. And participants used everything from professional DSLR cameras to their smartphones.
Chairman of the Indonesian Photo Journalists (PFI) in Riau, Rian Anggoro, said, “The public were so keen to join the virtual photoshoot. So many people registered, they came from all over Indonesia. The participants were very enthusiastic because this was something new. In this event, apart from gaining more knowledge about photography, they were also participating in a competition.”
“Virtual photography is something new and out of the box, it’s different from what PFI usually does,” he added.
APR is the first integrated viscose rayon producer in Asia, producing renewable fibre that is used in everything from face masks to clothing. So the event was the perfect way to support a vital part of the fashion industry: photographers.
Also supporting this event is the Jakarta Fashion Hub, a collaborative space that brings together designers, fashion analysts and fashion enthusiasts with the textile industry and the products.
APR’s Corporate Communications Head, Djarot Handoko explained, “Asia Pacific Rayon has an Everything Indonesia campaign, which starts from planting seeds to becoming rayon fibre using a sustainable method in Riau, Indonesia. This original Indonesian product is also able to compete globally.”
APR is the first integrated viscose rayon producer in Asia, producing renewable fibre that is used in everything from face masks to clothing. So the event was the perfect way to support a vital part of the fashion industry: photographers.
Also supporting this event is the Jakarta Fashion Hub, a collaborative space that brings together designers, fashion analysts and fashion enthusiasts with the textile industry and the products.
APR’s Corporate Communications Head, Djarot Handoko explained, “Asia Pacific Rayon has an Everything Indonesia campaign, which starts from planting seeds to becoming rayon fibre using a sustainable method in Riau, Indonesia. This original Indonesian product is also able to compete globally.”
He also said that the world of photography closely relates not only to journalism but also to the world of fashion. Hence, it is essential to maintain this collaboration.
The event began with a sharing session on virtual photoshoots presented by Indonesian professional photographer Michael Cools.
It was followed by a photoshoot session with Indah Kusuma, a model who is also a doctor and a singer. The moderator was Vivien Anjadi Suwito.
“We hope the virtual photoshoot event will give benefits for the photographers, especially during a challenging period like this,” Djarot continued.
“[I am] very happy because of the enthusiasm of all the fantastic participants! A special shout-out for Asia Pacific Rayon and PFI Pekanbaru, which has provided a platform for photographers to always be creative,” wrote Michael Cools on his Instagram: @michaelcools.
“Even though we only shoot the screen, we can still be creative with the subject of the photo by using supporting properties. One example of the properties is viscose rayon, and I am proud to say that it is made in Indonesia,” Michael added.
There were special prizes for the best entries, which were announced on APR’s Instagram account.
APR is proud to be able to support the photography industry in Indonesia.
“We hope that in the future there will be more Indonesian photographers who will be able to remain productive in the pandemic and the new normal,” Djarot concluded.
