Profile
” Today, I count myself blessed, having become a photographer. To be able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless, to bring their identity to the forefront, gives meaning and purpose to my own life ” – Gmb Akash
Bangladeshi Photographer GMB Akash’s passion for photography began in 1996. As a young man he became fascinated with the interpersonal relationships he was able to develop with his subjects through the lens of his camera. Growing up in a developing country filled with millions of impoverished people and abused children, GMB Akash had access to the darkest corner of the world for which he was passionate. But at some point he realized that just effectively reporting the human rights injustices through his images was not enough. He wanted to find ways to help the subjects of abuse and suffering in his photographs as well. He writes,
“I repeatedly asked myself then what changes my photos brought to their life? Yes as a photojournalist it is my duty to tell the truth but beside that as a human being we all have responsibilities. Then I decided to dedicate my 10 years project ‘Survivors’ in their name and for their changes.”
Awards:
As a multimedia Journalist GMB Akash has traveled intensively in 25 countries and received more than
80 international awards.
• 2002: The first Bangladeshi to be selected for the World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass in
the Netherlands
• 2004 The first Bangladeshi to wing The Young Reporters Award from the Scope Photo Festival in
Paris
• 2005: “Best of Show” Center for Fine Art Photography’s International completion, Colorado,
USA.
• 2006: World Press Photo Award
• 2007The first Bangladeshi to be selected for the 30 Emerging Photographers (PDN 30)
sponsored by Photo District New Magazine, USA.
• 2009: The 7th
• 2009: Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOY 2009), UK
Vevey international Photography Swiss Grant
Publications:
His work has been featured in over 90 major international publications including:
National Geographic, Vogue, Time, The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, The Sunday
Times, Newsweek, Geo, Stern, Der Spiegel, The Fader, Brand Ein, The Guardian, Marie Claire, Colors, The
Economist, The New Internationalist, Kontinente, Amnesty Journal, Courier International, PDN, Die Zeit,
Days Japan, Hello, and Sunday Telegraph of London.
Books:
• 2006: “First Light: the Photography of GMB Akash”
• 2012 or 2011?: “Survivors” Photography Book 10 year project self-published to raise funds for the impovered subjects in the book. Reviewed in GEO Magazine.
Presentations:
GMB Akash uses his talent, his perseverance and his camera to communicate through the extraordinary images he takes: those injustices that most people do not want to acknowledge. More than a photojournalist, GMB Akash goes much further than simply informing and provoking societies with his exceptional photographic gift. He takes concrete action to improve the lives of the impoverished and the abused. This is his life mission. He speaks for the voiceless through his photography and his two
published photography books as well as spreads the word of the situation of the poor, uneducated and abused at many conferences to which he has been invited around the world. He is most focused on changing the situation of child abuse in Bangladesh and creating awareness of this problem that exists around the world.
• 2008: The Fifth Global Investigative Journalism Conference, Lillehammer, Norway
• 2011: TEDxOporto, Portugal. The first Bangladeshi in a TED Talk on “Survivors” and those subjects in the book that he is trying to find and change their lives.
• 2012 Key note speaker at The 7th Indonesia
• 2011: Nikon Eight Influencers in Asia pacific (APAC region)
• 2012: UNICEF NIGHT Dutch Television presentation of the self-published “Survivors” photographybook to raise awareness and eventual funds for the subjects.
• 2013: Key note speaker and panelist together with Jens Schröder, Vice Editor in Chief of the magazine GEO and Wolfgang Krach (Süddeutsche Zeitung) at The Power of Pictures, Hamburg, Germany.
• 2013: Keynote speaker and participant at MEDIA TRENDS 2013Webster University, Geneva, Switzerland
• 2013: Co-guest speaker along with Swiss photographer, René Burri at LuganoPhotoDays in Lugano, Switzerland.
Forum of Emerging leaders in Asian Journalism, Yogyakarta,
Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibitions from 2006 to 2014 Bangladesh, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, NewYork, N.Y. USA, Charleston, S.C., USA.
Founder of FIRST LIGHT INSTITUTE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, Narayangonj, Bangladesh. In Aguust of 2013, GMB Akash founded this photography school with the ultimate objective of providing basic education for street children, child sex workers, and child laborers from the proceeds from teaching photography in workshops and seminars for aspiring young photographers at reasonable tuition.
Captivating photographs and powerful subject matter. I will pass on this blog site to others.
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Thanks a lot for your generosity. We will be connected.
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I look forward to seeing more!
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I would love to share my journey with you. Thanks lot!
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I salute your works and the truth that you depicted in each picture :- powerful .
Really.Salute u bro..awesome collection and spellbound photography.
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Unless I could not evince the feelings of the photograph through my camera, the photograph seems meaningless to me. For me the main challenge is to establish the deepest meaning of the photograph to its viewer’s heart
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Akash, I totally am in awe of your brilliant photography skills! The photos pierce the heart, leaving a sense of returning to probe, cultivate and aspire to make a difference. May you complete your journey with utmost fulfillment and keep inspiring us to complete ours.
I hope to be in touch with you.
Regards, Shaheen Sultan Dhanji
http://www.bloodinkdiary.wordpress.com
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Dear friend, Your words has light, thanks for stimulate me. I am in an endless journey towards an infinite route, only to find a real world of humanity. This thirst is eternal. I will keep walking, touching every faces I drop through my lens. I will show the world – those unknown stories of sufferings. If a single hand comes to give them a shade that will be the real honor of my sweat.
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oh wow, great blog, hats off
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Thanks much my friend!
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Like the style of your documentary and the subjects !
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my main award is when I reach to the people with my stories & open up a path to bring positive changes on those fates less people’s lives. I do no do photography to pursue certain things but to assign the power to me to live my life though photography.
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You share what concerns you and therefore your photos are heartfelt…
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I am a navigator more than a traveler. Though out these journeys, every day I discover a new region in surroundings of mine. This unending travels has driven me to capture moments of journeys.
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What an inspiration you are to photographers, and to all those who would like to contribute in some way to improve our society. Congratulations on what you’ve achieved, and all the best for your future undertakings.
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You serves an inspiration and I am hats off the way you brought out the issue to the world…
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Some people might not know a lot about cars, but there are others who know too much and constantly feel like they aren’t getting a good deal. You can get the best car at the best price by following this advice.
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I’m totally impressed by your work!! Great job. Love it !!!
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Bro, really great. You became an inspiration to the newbie photographer that, which country you are from doesn’t matter. How sincere you are with your work does matter. Thanx bro. And wanting more from you…. 🙂
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it is a pleasure and inspiration to follow your blog…which was recommended by a friend:)
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Hi Akask, I live your blog a lot, there are lot of things one can learn from your blog. Street photography is a big subject and I like your work and the knowledge of light and the way of expression to get the real feel of emotions.
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not only beautiful, but so inspiring, too! work like yours is so important in this world, and every picture is a piece of art! keep going!
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keep up the good work.
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Can I get the ted talk of your links?
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Hello I ‘d liked to communicate with you, what you’re showing us is amazing! I’m looking for photos made after the Rhana plaza Drama, for a little shot movie , can we email? thank’s Ariane
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Ariane, please send me an email at akashphoto@gmail.com
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you are a living legend of photography
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I am a very small time photographer, basically a retired teacher, who tries to see as much of the world as can be seen from my disadvantaged vantage point. Have you a published book that I can buy? If so, from where? Please advise. Salil Biswas
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You inspire too much .!
Your pictures sounds adorable !
Good luck ! Keep clicking
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Akash sir, hats off to you for the great work you are doing with your photographic skills. I had seen an article on you in Mathrubhumi ( Malayalam daily) Sunday suppliment and thus I decided to venture more about you… I’ve nothing to say sir… Keep going… You inspired me too… You inspired me to do whatever I can with my little skills.. Thank you so much sir…
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I loved what you are doing… It just filled my heart with joy..
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Very powerful and inspiring stories! Congratulations for the great job! Thanks for the beautiful messages!
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Me gustaría ver una herramienta de traducción.
En facebook está la traducción.
En tu blog no la veo.
Te felicito por tú gran trabajo.
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very good content and photgraphy.
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maybe you plan to hire several photographers to take pictures of Street children worldwide and collect money for food for them?
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