Nazrul University Student Ishtiaq Ahmed Srabon Wins US Photo Contest

Ishtiaq Ahmed Srabon, a student at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University has secured second place in a prestigious international photography competition organized by the US-based Decagon Gallery.

His winning photograph, titled Floating Survival, earned him a $250 prize and a spot in the gallery's international exhibition of Overcoming What Remains Standing 2026.

The Winning Photograph

Captured at Dhaka’s Sadarghat, Floating Survival highlights the grueling reality of local boatmen. The image captures the essence of a worker whose entire existence livelihood, workplace and shelter is confined to his small vessel. It perfectly echoed the competition's central theme of human resilience and survival in the face of adversity.

Srabon was the only Bangladeshi to place in the competition, standing out among photographers from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China and India.

A Storyteller's Vision

Reflecting on his achievement shortly after World Photography Day, Srabon expressed deep gratitude.

“It is truly a joy to receive this news. This recognition deepens my responsibility toward my work. I always try to tell people's stories through photography running through the streets, observing lives and capturing raw reality. This will inspire me to do even better in the future” he said.

A student in the Film and Media Studies Department, Srabon is also an active freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer who runs the platform Phototourbangla.com. This recent accolade adds to his impressive portfolio with marking his ninth international photography award.