Community News Desk: U.S.-based Bangladeshi photographer, Ismail Ferdous bagged the main category at the 43rd edition Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).
Ferdous persuaded the five-member jury of the prestigious international photography competition with his “Sea Beach” series based on Cox’s Bazar.
The photographer explaining his vision stated, “The beach at Cox’s Bazar represents a popular escape into nature for an overpopulated country. It’s a place where anyone, from any level of society, can afford to take a holiday. The lack of a sense of urgency is noteworthy, as though time itself is begging people to abandon all their burdens and go to the beach. Winning the LOBA has not only brought immense joy to my day, but it has also made this entire year truly exceptional.”
The recipient of this award is given a place at the Leica Hall of Fame, alongside a cash prize of 40,000 euros and camera equipment worth 10,000 euros.
“Being recognized on such a prestigious platform is both humbling and empowering. To bring this honour to Asia for the first time, especially as a Bangladeshi photographer, is indescribably meaningful,” said Ismail Ferdous, upon his win.
Ferdous, born in Bangladesh, first got involved with photography while studying at business school in Dhaka. Following the collapse of the Rana Plaza in 2013, his documentary film and photo projects, “The Cost of Fashion” and “After Rana Plaza,” shed light on the devastating effects of the “fast fashion” industry. The LOBA winner is now serving as a lecturer at the International Centre of Photography in New York.
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