Renowned photographer Nasir Ali Mamun wants aspiring photographers to pursue clear personal visions and be creative in their works if they want to make a mark in the profession.

Nasir Ali, who has relentlessly been taking photos of celebrities both at home and abroad since 1972, came up with his practical advice for his successors at Cosmos Art Ech. The poetic photographer interacted with young photographers at the event titled 'ME and MY GENERATION', at Cosmos-Atelier 71: Cosmos Centre in Dhaka on February 24.

"If you want to make the career in photography, you don't be so serious first, but be creative," said Nasir Ali who started looking for a career in portrait photography when was a little boy.

Worried at the growing mediocrity, the iconic photographer urged the young generation to use their thoughts and feelings in their works.

"Why aren't artists like Zainul Abedin, Quamrul Hassan, and poets like Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam born these days? Because, he said, our young generation doesn't think like that. This is not only applicable for photographers...this advice is for all," he added.

Stressing the importance of government support, Nasir Ali said the government should buy more and more photos and give more awards to photographers so that this profession flourishes fast.

About the fast-changing technology, he bemoaned, "Art and literature are changing with the advancement of information technology. Technology is changing the global culture. But we're unable to catch up. Our education cannot cope with the change as we cannot modify our curricula. We're passing through a bad time."

About his own vision, Nasir Ali said, "Now I'm trying to contribute to the development of this sector of Bangladesh. I'll be very happy when it'll reach the global level. So, the young generation should be imaginative without wasting times....practise more and more."