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Eight amateurs prove the power of digital

Eight part-time photographers have proved that you don’t need years of training to produce professional-style photographs.

Armed with just their digital cameras, the eight have become amateur snappers of international renown for winning Sony’s World Photography Awards.

Arup Ghosh, a doctor from West Bengal, scooped the grand first place prize of amateur photographer of the year, for his arresting shot of a local barber shaving an old man.

Showing the men in the reflection of the barber’s mirror, the black and white shot beat off almost 26,000 other images, which were collectively of a much higher standard than expected.

The uptake of digital technology is the main reason why the gap between professional and amateur photography is narrowing, and seemingly at an increasing rate.

“The calibre of amateur photography is outstanding,” said Mary Ellen Mark, a US photographer and judge of the contest. “In many cases reaching professional standard.”

Ghosh, and the seven other winners, will now travel to Cannes to receive their award at a glitzy gala evening at the Palais des Festivals, where he will be presented $5,000 in prize money.

Not bad, for someone who reportedly first picked up a digital camera in 2002, and has since used the internet as the main source of inspiration for what he should photograph.

He explained, that despite the prize money and fame, his plan is to carry on shooting. “ I get very little time to take photographs,” he told the Independent, “ but I’m hungry, so whenever I can get out with my camera I just see images, good or bad.”

All of the winning photographs can be seen on the Sony competition website , and will be on display at the Palais des Festivals between April 21- 25.

Apr 10, 2008
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