11 Indian lensmen in top photo award race

Eleven Indian photographers have been named on the shortlist of the world’s biggest photography competition, the Sony World Photography Awards 2015.

The award, which recognises the world's best contemporary photography from the last year, attracts photographers of all abilities -- the awards incorporate five competitions: Professional; Open; Youth; Student and Mobile Phone. The winner of the coveted L'Iris d'Or/ Professional Photographer of the Year title takes home a $25,000 (Rs 15 lakh) prize while winners of other categories receive a $5,000 (Rs 3.1 lakh) prize.

We showcase the Indian entries here, with kind permission from World Photography Organisation.

Pious steps

Image: A sadhu walks over a baby at the Ganga-Sagar fair. Pilgrims seek godmen's blessings with the belief that they are instrumental in getting closer to God.

Photographer: Amitava Chandra, India Shortlist, Smile, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

The Old Lady

Image: This old lady stays at an old-age home at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. She lights the torch to locate her belongings after it gets dark due to powercut.

Photographer: Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharjee, India, Shortlist, Low Light, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Black Kaali

Image: In Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu, during Dussehra, thousands of devotees offer prayers by disguising themselves as one of their deities, pray at the temple and then remove their make-up at the sea shore nearby.

Photographer: Elangovan Subrmanian, India, Shortlist, Arts&Culture, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Bahuroopee

Image: A bahuroopee is one who dresses up as god and goddess before going out to seek alms. The Bahuroopee is a dying folk profession -- very few people are into it these days as it has lost popularity among common people.

Photographer: Partha Sen, India, Shortlist, Arts&Culture, Open, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

The Theater

Image: Just me, observing the stars above ancient sandstone landscape of Arches National Park. It is amazing how when we view our earthly environment in its natural state, the more alien it becomes. Single exposure, no composites.

Photographer: Krishan Bansal, Shortlist, Environment, Youth Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Mountains

Image: A mountain is a place where we can go to the top and admire the beauty of the landscape below.

Photographer: Nihal Koppath, Shortlist, Environment, Youth Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Divine Connection

Image: Music is the ultimate form of connection to the Almighty. This is the view of Qawwals (singer of Qawwali form) singing at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi.

Photographer: Gaurang Bhatt, Shortlist, Culture, Youth, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Women Kick it out against odds

Image: Puja, Bilasi and Manasi sleep in the train while travelling to Kolkata to play in the Indian Football Association league. Tribal Women in a Maoist-dominated area in West Bengal are trying hard to achieve their goal as footballers.

Photographer: Salil Bera/The Week, Shortlist, Sport, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Sleeping Beauties

Image: Cars parked in the streets are a common feature. Of the innumerable cars I came across in Bangalore, my eyes were drawn to those that were covered while parked. Over a period of time, I realized that the covered cars are rarely used and mostly lie sleeping in the streets. As I made images of the covered forms in the everyday landscape, I began to see them as symbols of dormant potential. This is my reflection on human potential, awakening and possibilities.

Photographer: Krishna Tummalapalli, Shortlist, Still Life, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Colours of the Slums

Image: Colours of the less fortunate.

Photographer: Nadia Dias, Shortlist, Travel, Professional Competition, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards

Stop Acid Attacks

Image: According to the home ministry, every third day, a woman is attacked by acid in India. 2014 saw some of these young survivors shun their life of isolation, uncover their faces and emerge on the streets. They organized a ten day hunger strike, organizing protests and awareness programmes in their fight for justice. 24 year old Laxmi, an acid attack survivor and co-founder of the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, intensified her advocacy for increased compensation, effective prosecution and prevention of acid attacks, and rehabilitation of survivors. For her tireless work, she was honoured with the International Woman of Courage Award by the US Department of State.

Photographer: Amit Madheshiya, Shortlist, Campaign, Professional, 2015 Sony World Photography Awards