Winning photograph

Winner:
Shabbir Ferdous
He evolved from a painter to a photographer in 1989. In his winning photograph, he captured a woman taking measurement of a religious man at a tailor's shop. About this year's theme 'Women Empowerment', he thinks women are in an advantageous position to be empowered since, in our villages, people are more influenced by their mothers from childhood onwards. “I prefer art photography. Here I have my own style and freedom. I don't like sponsors to dictate how I should take my picture. It was my dream to be awarded in Celebrating Life. I couldn't believe that I got the first prize.”- Shabbir Ferdous

1st Runner up photograph

1st Runner up:
Mahfuzul Hasan Bhuiyan
His interest in photography aroused in 1993 during a photography course, as a freshman of Architecture in BUET. Now he is more focused on freelance documentary photography than architecture. His idols are Steve McCurry, Rashidun Nabi, Hasan Saifuddin Chandan and Raghubir Singh. “I'm very happy to have won this award. This is the second time that I'm participating in this contest. I think if we get a higher number of participants somehow, then this contest can grow even bigger than where it is now.”
- Mahfuzul Hasan Bhuiyan

2nd Runner up photograph

2nd Runner up:
Ismail Ferdous
He picked up photography as a hobby in 2008 when he was a university student. His inspiration comes from the inner drive to bring positive changes in the society. Now he is a professional photographer working for AP, Getty Images, New York Times, World Bank (as a contract photographer) and in a Hollywood production in Bangladesh with Michael C. Hall. He is now in New York at a photojournalism workshop. “This is my first time among the top three. It's very exciting, as I wasn't expecting it.”
- Ismail Ferdous