Arup Ghosh, Barber
Arup Ghosh from India has been named as the 'Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year'. As well as the title, Ghosh wins a $5,000 cash prize donated by headline sponsor Sony.
Ghosh was born in 1967 in Bhadreswar, a small town near Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). He has an MBBS degree in Medicine from Burdwan University and works at the Bhadreswar Municipality as a medical officer. He is a member of the Photographic Association of Chinsurah in India. To see more of his work on his Saatchi Online profile page click here.
Eight other category winners were also selected from 25,934 amateur submissions. Judge Mary Ellen Mark commented, "The calibre of amateur photography is outstanding - far higher than I had imagined - and in many cases reaching professional standard."
The eight Amateur Category Winners are:
Abstract - Martin Kharumwa, UK
Architectural - Emilio Jose Mariel, Spain
Fashion - Tommaso Awerbuch, Italy
Music/Performance - Kerry Grainger, UK
Nature - Thorsten Schrader, Germany
Portraiture - Arup Ghosh, India
Science - Erwin von Arx, Switzerland
Sport - Nimai Chandra Ghosh, India
The Awards will be celebrated in Cannes, France from 21 to 25 April 2008 with a series of events and photographic exhibitions, culminating in a VIP Gala Evening and Awards Presentation on 24 April. The I'iris d'or will be awarded to the overall winner, who will gain the title of 'Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year' and be awarded $25,000. The winning amateur photographer will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as the title of 'Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year'. In addition, Saatchi Online will make a selection of 100 images from the highly commended amateur entries, to be displayed on the Saatchi Online Gallery Wall in Cannes during the Awards and exhibition.
The Sony World Photography Awards aims to celebrate both the future of photography as well as pay tribute to the visions of the past. As part of this, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to an established photographer as an official recognition of their contribution to the industry.
This tribute to photography continues with an exhibition entitled 'Legacy'; a celebration of photography past and present. Taking place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from 21st to 25th April, the shortlisted photographs from the Sony World Photography Awards will be complemented by images from some of the world's most influential photographers. Curated by Magnum Photos, the collection will include the work of internationally distinguished photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger (the 4th founder and celebrating his 100th anniversary along with Cartier-Bresson this year), David Seymour, Robert Capa, Philip Jones Griffiths, Eve Arnold and Steve McCurry amongst others.
To view the complete list of Professional entries go to www.worldphotographyawards.org/finalists/profinalists.asp
To view the complete list of Amateur entries go to www.worldphotographyawards.org/finalists/amfinalists.asp
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