honorable mention
Alain Schroeder belgium
title
Life and Death
Although Varanasi attracts and embraces people of many beliefs, it is the single most important pilgrimage site for Hindus in India who believe that dying and being cremated in Varanasi offers salvation and freedom from the endless cycle of rebirth.
Here, mundane tasks are imbued with spirituality and religious belief. Rituals of life and death, take place in parallel, from morning until night at the ghats on the riverbank and in the pavilions, temples and palaces above, connected by a narrow weave of streets and alleys filled with shops.
Early morning in Varanasi is magically charged with light and mysticism. The sun reflecting on the water, frames those who bathe, pray, chant and practice yoga, while others set about work, students rush to classes and tourists absorb the blend of nature and humanity.
In 2013, he uprooted his life, trading-in his shares in Reporters, to pursue life on the road with a camera. Schroeder now travels the world shooting stories focusing on social issues, people and their environment. «I am not a single shot photographer. I think in series,» he says adding, «I strive to tell a story in 10-15 pictures, capturing the essence of an instant with a sense of light and framing.»
He has won many international awards including Nikon Japan, Nikon Belgium, TPOTY, Istanbul Photo, Days Japan, Trieste Photo, PX3, IPA, MIFA, BIFA, PDN, the Fence, Lens Culture, Siena, POYI and World Press Photo.
He is represented in France by REA.
Website: https://alainschroeder.myportfolio.com
Instagram: alainschroeder
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entry description
Teeming with ritual and tradition, life in the ancient city of Varanasi in India, flows in sync along the sacred Ganges River.Although Varanasi attracts and embraces people of many beliefs, it is the single most important pilgrimage site for Hindus in India who believe that dying and being cremated in Varanasi offers salvation and freedom from the endless cycle of rebirth.
Here, mundane tasks are imbued with spirituality and religious belief. Rituals of life and death, take place in parallel, from morning until night at the ghats on the riverbank and in the pavilions, temples and palaces above, connected by a narrow weave of streets and alleys filled with shops.
Early morning in Varanasi is magically charged with light and mysticism. The sun reflecting on the water, frames those who bathe, pray, chant and practice yoga, while others set about work, students rush to classes and tourists absorb the blend of nature and humanity.
about the photographer
Belgian photographer Alain Schroeder (b. 1955) has been working in the industry for over four decades. During his tenure as a sports photographer in the 80s, his shots appeared on more than 500 magazine covers. Book assignments and editorial pieces with subjects as diverse as travel, art, culture and human interest followed and in 1989, he co-founded the Belgian photo agency, Reporters. Schroeder led the business during the golden years of photography and into the digital age.In 2013, he uprooted his life, trading-in his shares in Reporters, to pursue life on the road with a camera. Schroeder now travels the world shooting stories focusing on social issues, people and their environment. «I am not a single shot photographer. I think in series,» he says adding, «I strive to tell a story in 10-15 pictures, capturing the essence of an instant with a sense of light and framing.»
He has won many international awards including Nikon Japan, Nikon Belgium, TPOTY, Istanbul Photo, Days Japan, Trieste Photo, PX3, IPA, MIFA, BIFA, PDN, the Fence, Lens Culture, Siena, POYI and World Press Photo.
He is represented in France by REA.
Website: https://alainschroeder.myportfolio.com
Instagram: alainschroeder
back to gallery