The ongoing exhibition titled "Rhythm of Lights" at Alliance Francaise, Dhaka features images by upcoming photographer Jahangir Alam Jony. Incidentally this is Jony's first solo photography exhibition.

Dhaka at night seems to be the theme of these images and artificial lighting is the ingredient. Laurent Jalicous, deputy director, Cultural Affairs, Alliance Francaise de Dacca observes, "Through his photographs, Jony aims to capture the essence of a city's life. He gives a new perspective to our perception of the town with shadows, lights and moves. The way we look at a familiar background is altered by his mastery of the techniques of filters' choices and exposure's time and we discover a new environment behind."

About the photographer, Rafiqul Islam, director of Prism, says "I met Jony at Bishwa Shahitya Kendra. Many might consider him 'eccentric'. But my experience tells me 'balanced' individuals are not capable of greater things, as they're too busy concentrating on maintaining an order. It's the eccentric, 'unbalanced' people who can focus on a certain subject and understand the ins and outs of that.

"These images on display are not just snapshots. Jony has applied his technical and aesthetic senses when taking these photographs. I feel these images are worthy to be considered art."

A photograph shows a partial view of the National Parliament Building at 9pm. Bright lights surrounding the building with geometric patterns and reflections on the lake nearby create an interesting vision.

Some of Jony's photographs try to capture the motion of light and objects, often creating a surreal effect. A shot of Banglamotor intersection at 10pm shows crisscrossing lights -- red, yellow and white -- that belong to cars and other vehicles going in different direction. Soft lights on green vegetables create a soothing ambience in a bird's eye view of the Khilgaon Railgate bazar at 11pm.

A shot of Central Shaheed Minar from the back, taken at midnight can be confusing; the blinding flood lights make it look like the photograph could have been taken during twilight or dawn. Decorative lights at the shopping places on Road no. 27, Dhanmondi and streetlights are highlighted in an image. The photograph was shot at 7:30pm. Again, moving lights become the subject. Red taillights on one side of the road and white headlights on the other indicate the flow of traffic. A photograph of the intersection near Dhaka Sheraton Hotel at 10pm features lights that appear to be dispersing from the centre.

The exhibition can be helpful to photographers and enthusiasts in understanding artificial lights and hopefully encourage more such experiments.

The exhibition is open till November 8.