GMB Akash

PHOTOGRAPHER #56.

Website: http://www.gmb-akash.com/
Contact: http://www.gmb-akash.com/contact.php

GMB Akash is a photographer from Bangladesh. His experience as a documentarian arguably influences his work as a photographer, creating a great compromise between artistic photography and photojournalism. His work is known for portraying the colors, feel, culture and look of Bangladesh. Unlike many of his peers and colleagues, GMB Akash set out to develop a style based on color photography. In my opinion, his cultural setting largely influences the choice. In many Asian countries (not only Bangladesh, but also places the likes of India, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia…) you can’t help but notice a really diverse and eclectic parade of colors on the streets. From the street life, to the food markets, to the way people is used to get by with whatever they can find, to the extreme luxury showcased by a few lucky ones…you can’t ignore colors if you want to offer a genuine portrait of these cultures. GMB Akash does not rely much on space or poses, but mostly on the juxtaposition of vibrant fun colours clashed against the desperate nature of the subjects.

His distinctive style holds a certain weight because his photographs can be extremely realistic, in the sense that they seem to be able to capture true moments, almost like improvised shots. The subjects seem almost indifferent to the photographers presence in many case, as if they were unaware of being observed. This gives the impression of true honest portraits of real people in real world settings; a peek into their lives and into their situation. A scenery within  one of GMB Akash’ s photographs  might seem outlandish to a westerner, but most people experience that reality on a daily basis.