Bangladesh Press Photo exhibition opens at Drik

The award-giving ceremony and exhibition of Bangladesh Press Photo 2023 organised by Drik Picture Library, was inaugurated on Friday at DrikPath Bhobon, Panthpath, Dhaka. The exhibition showcases the winning and selected photographs from the 2nd annual Bangladesh Press Photo Contest.

The jury for this year included Abir Abdullah, Photographer, Editor, and Educator, Gitiara Nasreen, Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; Rashed Zaman, Cinematographer, Indian editor, curator and writer Tanvi Mishra and photographer, activist and curator Shahidul Alam. On behalf of the judges, Rashed Zaman shared his contest experience at the event. The exhibition was opened by Nurul Kabir, Editor of New Age. Shahidul Alam, Managing Director, Drik Picture Library, delivered the welcome speech. The event was conducted by ASM Rezaur Rahman, Dirk’s General Manager and the curator of the exhibition.

More than 1500 entries were received in this year’s competition, and seven photographers were selected. The winners in three categories were - Arts, Culture and Sports: Md Shamsul Haque Suza from Daily Global Nation and Honourable Mention Abu Sufian Jewel from UNB; Politics: Mamun Hossain from Daily Kazir Bazar and Honourable Mention Quddus Alam from Focus Bangla; and Public Interest Journalism: Sardar Mohammad Rafiul Islam from BPS and Honourable Mention Md Rafayat Haque Khan from Zuma Press. The Picture of the Year 2022 award was awarded to Abdul Goni from Daily Ittefaq. He received Tk 1,00,000 as prize money, and winners and honourable mentions in each category received Tk 50,000 and Tk 10,000, respectively. Crests and certificates of honour were also presented to them.

This year BPPC 2023 introduced a Community Grant Programme titled ‘Photojournalism in the Margins’ for photographers from the Bangladeshi Indigenous community of Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Rohingya community residing in Bangladesh. Paddmini Chakma from Rangamati was selected as this year’s grant recipient from the indigenous community and will receive BDT 50,000, while Ro Abdullah from Cox’s Bazar’s Kutupalong camp was chosen from the Rohingya community. Even in the age of fake news, the press photograph remains the most trusted source of news, and the press photographer is the most threatened professional. Thirty-one selected photographs are currently being exhibited at the exhibition. The exhibition will remain open to all till June 18, every day from 3pm to 8pm.