The Indian Photo Festival Portrait Prize 2021 Finalists and Winners

The ‘Indian Photo Festival’ PORTRAIT PRIZE 2021 is a portrait competition open to photographers from the Indian subcontinent. Photographers have been making portraits for centuries and what’s so interesting about portraiture is its ability to capture the essence of a person, a time period, or a culture. This award aims at discovering the compelling portraits and extraordinary talents.

Cartin: Winner by Sujata Setia

“I’ve never been photographed like this before… with all of my scars, I mean.” Catrin said.

It left us both thinking of what is the limit on scars? How much can we see? Are we all becoming a part of the world where scars need to look “pretty” too? Just enough, so we can use them to remind ourselves that our lives are better?

But not too much… so we can bear looking at them?

Catrin was returning from a Ski trip in the French Alps, when the coach’s brakes failed and the crash happened.

96% of her body suffered third degree burns leaving her with a 1 in a 1000 chance for survival. Following three months in coma, 200 surgical procedures and 4 years of rehab, Catrin defied destiny.

To the prying eyes that meet her every time she steps out of the house, she looks back at them with tenderness and empathy.

“If my scars make you feel better about yours then I am happy for you. I understand you. And that’s what I expect from you as well. Empathy, not sympathy. My scars make me special… unique… differently beautiful. They are life’s brush strokes… and I am in love with this painting.”

More: The Indian Photo Festival, Instagram h/t: 121clicks

Watch Repairers: Second Prize by Kushal Gangopadhyay

Layers of the Mind: Third Prize by Ritagnik Bhattacharya

The God’s Word: Honorable Mention by Disha Gupta

Shakti: Honorable Mention by Raggeshre Das

Mother and Child: Finalist by Sandip Dey

We In Unison: Finalist by Aditya Sharma

The soul behind the mirror: Finalist by Akash Ghosh

Finalist by Akshay Nagpal

A portrait of man carries a child: Finalist by Arun Sharma/PTI

Traditions and Taboos: Finalist by Dashawatar Bade

Song: Finalist by Devaraj Devan

Indian traditional sport: Finalist by Jayesh Sharma

Devotees busy celebrating Chhath Puja: Finalist by Mili Paul

Portrait of groupthink: Finalist by Sankar Sridhar

Family Crossing: Finalist by Shibasish Saha

Nothing in Disguise: Finalist by Somnath Mullick

The Spotlight: Finalist by Subhran Karmakar

Finalist by Unnati Sharma

Focused conversation: Finalist by Veeresh Babu Rama