"Beauty is truth, and truth beauty"

(1st prize winner) Action by Nazmul Islam (1), (2nd prize) Pigeons by Md Ahsanul Karim (2) and (3rd prize) Tic-tac-toe by KA Saiful Huq(3)

This was although the photographers ranged from 19 to 22 years, and photography was an extra-curricular activity for the young participants of the show. The exhibit spoke of admirable zeal and dexterity. For the participants, each one of their entries had to be a carefully composed art work, keeping in mind man's quest to beautify his environment. The optimistic students spoke ad lib about the three prize winners and their work.

Nazmul Islam's Action, which won the 1st prize, brought in a fisherman pulling in his rod. The action was well depicted. The photo was simple, idyllic, and somewhat thought-provoking, as regards the details within the picture frame. The restful blue-green pond water in the backdrop, appeared like some outspread peacock tail from a little distance. The fisherman's muscles ripple, bringing in more of the element of action. Similarly, the wooden resting place, on which the subject sat, appeared like some floral, hexagon motif done in soft ochre, umber and gray. The collage composition was indeed picturesque, subtle and worth admiring. Seen from a distance, it appeared almost like a painting. It is well-known that the promotion of a collection of photographs is not an easy task. Nevertheless, the artist had braved set rules. Kaushik, one of the organisers said," I believe that photography should necessarily aim at art and its quintessential beauty." Tamim, another organiser, added, " Everything that God created has some beauty, and it's up to the photographer to capture it."

The 2nd prize went to Md Ahsanul Karim, who had captured the charm of a flock of multi coloured pigeons in Pigeons. In this work, the birds were seen fluttering their wings and tails, forming an exotic pattern on the paper. Some were seen in flight, while others were resting decorously. This scene, set in old Dhaka, reminded one of the gorgeous composition with pigeons done by leading artists, over the years in the subcontinent. The picture was buoyant and took one away from the hustle and bustle of our everyday cosmopolitan life with its jerrybuilt cement jungles.

Less imaginative, but surely humorous was Tic-tac-toe by KA Saiful Huq, yet another daring shutter bug who focused on incisive details, with precision, guts and go. In Tic-tac-toe, Saiful depicted construction work in progress. There were piles of bricks, sand bags, hanging electrical wiring, presenting a pattern in nine rectangles.

It was not just the best photographs that lured the sea of viewers to pause and examine, giving each entry considerable thought. Undoubtedly, Drik always does commendable work in encouraging promising photographers.