A photographic society from Bangalore called the Youth Photographic Society was started in 1971 by a handful of enthusiasts at the State Youth Centre. It was situated at Kanteerava stadium then. Later it was shifted to the new building at State Youth Centre, Nrupathunga Road.

It comprised photo enthusiasts like M Vishwanath, Gowri Shankar, Bhaskar, Vanaja, and many others. As time passed, the committee was guided by photographer E Hanumantha Rao. There  were just few members when YPS was started.

Later, many photoenthusiasts became members of this society which became the only photographic society in South India which is still functioning and bringing new talents into limelight.

The society

Now the Society has more than 250 life members and around 200 individual members apart from eight members. They are Sriuths, Dr G Thomas, C Raja Gopal, Dr D V Rao, M S Hebbar, E Hanumantha Rao, T N A Perumal, B Srinivasa, and H Satish.

This YPS is the only photographic society in India which has the largest number of photographers who have been honoured with the international distinctions like Associate and Fellow of Royal Photographic Society of London - ARPS, Associate of Federation of Art Photography of Luxembourgh — AFIAP, EFIAP,  MFIAP (MFIAP- Master of Photography title is the highest distinction in the world given to a photo artist of international repute.)

There are nine photographers in India who have received this prestigious distinction. Of this, five are in YPS Banaglore. They are C Raja Gopal, T N A Perumal, B Srinivasa, H Satish and H V Praveen Kumar, Associate and Fellow of Image Colleague Society of California-FICS.

Several contests

Youth Photographic Society has organised 28 all India and seven international photography contests and exhibitions, besides organising photography workshops for amateurs. Winning an Award at YPS is considered most prestigious for an entrant because of the tough judging.

They also conduct nature photography workshops at Bandipur, Nagarahole, Munnar, Kanha and Bandhavgarh. YPS conduct regular programmes in its premises at State Youth Centre on first and third Monday of every month. Many talented photographers give talks and demonstrations on different topics of photography. This is continuing till date.

Once in two years, YPS has a new committee headed by a president and secretary. They organize all the programmes for the members. YPS give honorary membership to famous photographers who have  helped for the cause of the art of photography and society.

They also give away awards to those members who have contributed immensely to the uplift of the society. The membership to the society is open to all who are interested in the art of photography and can meet any senior members. For details call  94486 87595.