The Sony World Photography Awards is one of the largest and most prestigious photographic events existing today.

The week-long event, which will take place in April 2009, is a convergence of festival events, focused photographic agendas, exhibitions, awards schemes, student programmes and an industry-led gala evening ceremony. A truly international competition, it sees entries from all over the world.

The shortlists for the Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA) were recently announced and six Indian photographers have made it to the ranks! Fotoflock spoke to them about their photos and what it means to them to be short-listed.

 Sharad Haksar (Category: Commerical – Advertising (Professional))

Tell us more about the photo.

This was one of a series of photos I did for a campaign for Reliance. It was a national campaign and I handled the South. The idea of the campaign was to show that the network works everywhere but the brief was open. To capture this idea, I made a list of locations in different states that are known to everybody, and then narrowed it down to those that are featured in the campaign: Mahabelipuram (Tamil Nadu), Ramoji Film City (Andhra Pradesh), Hampi and Sravana Belgola (Karnataka) and rice fields (Kerala). I adopted a photojournalistic approach and tried to capture the essence and culture of each place.

What challenges did you face?

For some locations we had to get Government permission to shoot there and so we were under pressure to complete the shoot in one day.

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?

I love the black and white photographs by Dustin Humphrey from the U.S., which are half above the water and half below. To be honest, I would give the award to him!

What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

It feels great – this is the first time I’ve been short-listed.

To find out more about Sharad, see our interview with him.

Amit Madheshiya (Category: Photojournalism and Documentary: Arts and Entertainment (Professional))

Tell us more about the photo.

It is one of a series of photos I took of travelling cinemas in Maharashtra. I studied cinema in college and have made a couple of films so I have always been interested in the charm and romance of cinema.

What challenges did you face while shooting?

Shooting these photos was technically challenging as I was shooting in low-light situations and I didn’t have the most hi-tech equipment (in fact, I only bought tripods recently). I also had a slow lens so it was a challenge to capture the moment. This was my second work in colour which was another challenge.

Being “urban youth”, we had to face the challenge of being accepted in a rural setting. Since we were covering travelling cinemas we couldn’t go back to the same place twice – we were meeting new audiences all the time. Sometimes, if I went to the 3-6 a.m. show, I was in fear of damaging my equipment as the audience, some of whom were drunk, would get up and start dancing!

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?
The competition is very good although some of the images are repetitive. In my category, I think the photos by Chiara Goia from Italy are really nice.

What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

It’s great – it’s a pleasure that my work is getting credit.

Faizan Khan (Category: Natural History (Amateur))

Tell us more about the photo.

I took this photo at Indore Zoo (Kamla Nehru Prani Sangrahalaya, Indore) which has been my favourite place to hang out since my childhood. I took the photo in August. The sky was overcast and there was a little drizzle and the cage of these Spotted Deer (Cheetal) was full of mud. To avoid the mud, all the deer were flocked in a dry corner and their skin looked like a beautiful endless carpet.

What challenges did you face?

The grill of the cage was between my camera and the deer. To bring that grill out of focus, I shallowed my aperture and made sure that the deer with big horns in the background remained in the frame.

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?

All nine of my competitors’ photos are beautiful – it’s going to be a really tough competition!

What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

It really means a lot to me – it is a big milestone in my photography because I am very new to photography. I took up photography in 2006 with a Sony DSC H2 and I bought my first DSLR in late 2007. I feel really honoured to be short-listed in a competition alongside great photographers like Mr. Sharad Haksar.

 Kushal Gangopadhyay (Category: Music (Amateur))

Tell us more about the photo.

I took this photo in the holy town of Vrindavan during Holi using my Canon 400D camera. The two men were reading Braille and singing devotional songs. Shooting in Vrindavan was a fantastic experience – I really enjoy shooting in sacred places like Vrindavan as you meet simple people with no pretensions or reservations. You can feel the real pulse of India there. I intend to go back to Vrindavan in the future and hold an exhibition of photos taken there. 

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?

I think there is a good selection and every photo is unique in its own way. I like story-telling photos – I think the story-telling element is often missing in photography nowadays.

What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

Put it this way, I’m waiting anxiously for the 17th! So far I have won first prize in the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) competition and the Vatican City sought permission to use one of my photographs as a postage stamp!

Somenath Mukhopadhyay  (Category: Music (Amateur))

Tell us more about the photo.

This photo was taken in a very small village in West Bengal called Tarapur. The old man, a member of the Santhal community, was playing a tribal instrument known as the bonam, while his grandchild listened. His melody attracted me and I found it very moving. I gave the photo the title “Melody for means” to express the idea that music, laughter and fun is what enriches their lives – it’s the substance of life!

I love to shoot people and places and I have a camera on me at all times!

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?
The photo by Kushal (Gangopadhyay) is one of my favourites. I also think the photo by Josef Hinterleitner from Austria is fantastic – I love the sense of movement it captures.


What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

It’s a great achievement for me as the Sony World Photography Awards is one of the richest award festivals in the world, both in monetary terms and in terms of talent. Also, from a heritage point of view, I am glad that my photo will bring to people’s attention an instrument that is fast-diminishing.

Ronny Sen (Category: Portraiture (Amateur))

Tell us more about the photo.

I took this photo one year ago using my point-and-shoot Canon A450. I was visiting Jalpaiguri, a village in North Bengal. I was walking down the street when I noticed this man who was smoking a beedie after his lunch. His face grabbed my attention. I chatted with him for about an hour and discovered that he was a TB patient. After our chat, I asked if I could take some photos of him. I took 2-3 photos but this one came out the best.     

What are your impressions of the competition in your category?

I think all the photos are awesome and it’s so inspiring to see such high-quality photography. There’s so much to learn.

 What does it mean to you to be short-listed for the SWPA?

I feel honoured because if there’s anything I do seriously in life it’s photography! I’ve been shooting for one and a half years and this is the first time I submitted my photos for a competition. The fact that portraiture is one of the toughest categories makes it even more special.

Fotoflock wishes all participants the best of luck! Fotoflock members should also know that entries for the 2010 competition will be received from 1st June 2009.