Binoo K. John's new book 'All in a Flash' launched

Niyogi Books, a renowned publishing house, has published a new book by senior journalist and author Binoo K. John, titled All in a Flash: News Photography in India. This book highlights the role of news photography in documenting historical events, social changes, and the nation's history through rare photographs.

In this book, John explained that he has long been interested in photography and during his 35 years in journalism, he has closely studied news photography in particular. According to him, photography technology has undergone significant changes during this period. While cameras are now part of mobile phones, news photography remains a challenging art.

He added that it plays a vital role in exposing real events, victims, and those responsible. According to the author, this is his fifth non-fiction book, and it documents the evolution of news photography in India through rare photographs.

The book presents many important milestones in India's history through photographs. It includes photographs by Sunil Janah depicting the post-Partition situation to Raghu Rai's famous photographs of the Bhopal gas tragedy. It also includes the work of Qamar Sibtain and Ritesh Shukla, who documented the damage caused during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book examines the Taj Mahal in its beauty as well as in the context of celebrity and political events. It includes John Murray's early negatives of the Taj Mahal and Princess Diana's famous visit.

The book discusses historical and contemporary aspects of photography, as well as the challenges faced by press photographers. It covers topics ranging from the early use of photography as evidence in the Amherst Street Massacre in Calcutta in 1868 to the diminishing access of press photographers to the corridors of power after 2014. It also explores how photographs help us understand history, understand world events, and record people's experiences.

Trisha Niyogi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Niyogi Books, said that All in a Flash offers an opportunity to understand the connection between photography and historical consciousness. According to her, the book reveals the human experiences behind historical events through the work of renowned photographers like Sunil Jana and Raghu Rai. It also considers the changing nature of photography, visual storytelling, and the challenges faced by press photographers. She believes the book can inspire readers to view photographs with a more serious and critical perspective.

Delhi-based Binoo K. John has worked as an editor for several English-language publications, including prestigious publications like Sunday, The Telegraph, The Indian Express, India Today, and Mail Today. His recent journalism has appeared in The Federal and The Wire. His novel, The Last Song of Savio De Souza, and non-fiction books include Entry from Backside Only: Hazaar Fundas of Indian English, Under a Cloud: Life in Cherrapunji, the Wettest Place on Earth, The Curry Coast: Travels in Malabar 500 Years after Vasco Da Gama, and Top Game: Winning, Losing, and a New Understanding of Sport.