Photographer Spotlight: Md Omar Faruk

Photojournalism Category April 2020 Winner, taken at Sylhet, Bangladesh, by Md Omar Faruk

As ASIAN Geographic’s annual Images of Asia (IOA) 2020 Photo/Videography Competition looms closer, submissions to our IOA Monthly competition – the precursor to our annual event – are pouring in. We have received stunning photos across the categories, and are now featuring our monthly winners in an exclusive interview!

Below is our interview with one of this month’s spotlight, Md Omar Faruk, the IOA Monthly April 2020 Winner in the Photojournalism category, selected from the March 2020 entries.

AG: What is the story of your beginning and journey to creating great images?
Minar: I’ve always been interested and drawn to the creative arts; painting and drawing were always my favourites growing up. I used to found immense pleasure in them.

Fast-forward to mid-2013, when I had become a physician and had a busy life, I found myself with a compact camera and started photographing everything that is beautiful. I learnt the basics of photography through the internet and day by day I found the hidden art in it. Eventually, I rediscovered the pleasure in photography that I used to find in painting and drawing in my childhood. Today, I’d say photography is my pleasure.

AG: How would you define your style and concepts you enjoy exploring?
Minar: Nature and lifestyle are my preferred genres in photography. I love to capture moments with lights and colors. I try to explore the beauty in everyday life that many people would look at but very few would see.

AG: What is great photography to you, and are there any photographers you would like to work with?
Minar: To me, great photography is one that tells the story itself, that touches right in the heart and simply gives pleasure.

If I get chance, I would love to work with GMB Akash, a renowned photographer of Bangladesh.

AG: What is your preferred imaging gear to work with and why?
Minar: I shoot with a beginner level DSLR camera, Canon rebel T3i, with 18-135 mm lens (which I was given by my dear brother Murshed, I must mention his name). For photography good gear is an important factor but what I believe is that a camera is just the save button of the mind’s eye. So to me, it’s the insight that I should nourish for photography.

AG: What is the next Asian destination you’d like to explore and why?
Minar: I would like to visit Bhutan next, as it is full of cultural diversity and natural beauty.

AG: Can you share more about your current and upcoming projects?
Minar: Currently I am working with cultural heritages of my country like pottery, bamboo works etc. In future I have plan to work with the tea garden workers.

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Read about the other April Photographer Features of Images of Asia Monthly Winners:

1. Photojournalism Category Winner, Md Omar Faruk, with his photo taken at Sylhet, Bangladesh

2. Wildlife Category Winner, Liew Tong Leng, with his photo taken at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore

The other two winners for IOA Monthly April are second-time awardees, and their latest photos, as well as previous features, can be accessed here:

1. Black and White Category Winner, Sirsendu Gayen, with his photo below taken at Nanjing South Railway Station, China

2. Street/People Category Winner, Zon Hisham, with his photo below “My Homeland: Paddling through the backwaters of Barisal, where rivers and canals crisscross, creating lush green landscapes”, taken in Barisal.

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