Winners of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2023 – 43rd Edition
Ismail Ferdous, Sea Beach
Cox’s Bazar lies at the southernmost tip of Bangladesh. This popular destination for many Bangladeshis stretches along the Bay of Bengal. It is considered as a cultural melting pot, where people from all backgrounds of life and of all categories come to relax and enjoy themselves. The Bangladeshi-born, New York-based photographer returned to this unique place to capture the holidaymakers, its special atmosphere and vibrant colours.
“Cox’s Bazar beach represents a welcome escape into nature in an overcrowded country. It’s a place where everyone, whatever their social standing, can afford to take a holiday. The absence of anxiety is remarkable, as if the weather itself were inviting people to drop all their burdens and head for the beach. Winning the LOBA not only brings me immense joy today, but in retrospect also makes this year exceptional.
This award is a testament to the unwavering faith and passionate dedication I have put into my craft.”
An awards ceremony is being held at the Leitz Museum in Wetzlar (Germany) to honour the winners. Their series will be exhibited alongside the 10 other finalists.
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