There’s something powerful about a photograph. It freezes a moment, tells a story, and sometimes even changes the way we see the world. Captures, the flagship photography initiative by the Rotaract Club of the University of Peradeniya, is built on exactly that idea: giving young creatives the tools, space, and confidence to tell their stories through a lens.
Captures ’25 last year turned into an experience rather than merely an event. The program, which ran from February to May, brought together a diverse group of undergraduates, Rotaractors, and photographers from all around Sri Lanka. What started as a simple concept, making photography education more approachable, quickly developed into a complex creative process.
At its core were a series of five dynamic workshop days that blended technical knowledge with artistic exploration. The journey began on April 27 with a Nature and Wildlife Photography workshop guided by wildlife photographer Prasad Hapuarachchi. This was followed by a virtual session on Mobile and Creative Photography on May 3, led by Lahiru Rumesh Rathnayake, and an Advanced Photo Editing and Colour Grading workshop on May 4 with Saranga Abeykoon.
The momentum continued on May 17 with a Street Photography workshop and photowalk under the guidance of renowned street photographer Ravindra Ranasinghe, taking participants from the university into the vibrant streets of Kandy. The final workshop day on May 18 brought a cinematic dimension to the program, featuring industry professionals Vishwa Balasooriya and Anusha Sanjeewa Jayawardana, alongside Jude Nirmalan, who collectively introduced participants to the world of cinematography, editing, and colour grading.
But what truly set Captures ‘25 apart was its emphasis on experience. Participants didn’t just sit and listen. They stepped out, explored, and experimented. Photowalks and hands-on sessions transformed theory into practice, encouraging participants to find beauty in the ordinary and meaning in the overlooked. For many, it was their first time seeing photography not just as a hobby, but as a form of expression and even a potential career.
The excitement reached its peak with a nationwide photography and videography competition that drew in an impressive number of submissions. Each entry reflected a unique perspective on moments captured on the streets, in nature, and in everyday life, turning the competition into a celebration of diverse voices and creative vision.
The grand finale brought everything together. A two-day exhibition and award ceremony held on May 30 and 31 transformed the University of Peradeniya into a gallery of stories. Photographs lined the space, inviting over 300 visitors, from students and schoolchildren to teachers and professionals, to pause, reflect, and connect. The award ceremony that followed recognised outstanding work while celebrating the journey of every participant who dared to create. Notably, the success and visibility of the initiative were further recognised when Captures ‘25 was honoured with the Gold Award for Public Image Effort of a Club Initiative at the 35th Rotaract District Assembly.
Beyond its events, Captures ‘25 stood as a testament to collaboration. The project was successfully concluded in partnership with Perabeats, the Media Society of the University of Peradeniya, alongside valued partners including Kandos (Ceylon Chocolates Ltd.), Press Kandy, Techlobby, and the UNIToday Blog Platform. Together, they helped amplify the initiative’s reach and impact.
The initiative had an impact on a wide range of people. Along with over 100 schoolchildren, about 200 undergraduates from the University of Peradeniya and other institutions took part. In addition, the project brought together 20 amateurs for photography and videography as well as around 30 professional photographers, fostering a vibrant and diverse creative community.
Captures ’25 demonstrated that there is a rising desire among young people to learn, create, and express themselves, with hundreds of participants participating in seminars and more than a hundred competition submissions.
And now, that momentum continues. This year, Captures returns with a sharper, more focused vision. The upcoming edition promises a refreshed structure, featuring four specialised workshops, alongside a competition, exhibition, and award ceremony that have now become signature elements of the initiative.
The workshops will dive into key areas such as street photography, photo editing, and photojournalism. The fields that are not only creatively rich but also increasingly relevant in today’s fast-moving digital world. Designed to be both practical and inspiring, these sessions aim to equip participants with skills they can immediately apply, whether they are beginners or budding professionals.
Adding further depth to the experience, the workshops will be powered by CameraLK, bringing industry-level insight and expertise into the learning space. With this support, participants can expect a more immersive and professionally enriched environment. The reach of Captures is also set to expand through its outreach partners, MORA Lenz and UNIToday, opening new avenues for visibility and engagement.
Of course, the heart of Captures remains unchanged. The competition will once again invite participants to showcase their perspectives, while the exhibition will turn those perspectives into a shared visual experience. The award ceremony will acknowledge excellence, but beyond that, it will celebrate courage: the courage to observe, to frame, and to tell stories that matter.
Captures is no longer just an event. It is becoming a movement. One that encourages young people to look closer, think deeper, and create more fearlessly.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a single frame to change how we see everything.
