Mangalorean Vivek Sequiera Wins National Award for Wedding Photography
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SP)
Mumbai, Mar 22: The Better Photography magazine, in association with Kodak, conducted the first ever competition on a grand scale to recognize the talents of over 2, 00,000 wedding photographers in India. The inaugural edition of the ‘Kodak-Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year (WPOY)’ awards was held at the Hyatt Regency, Mumbai on March 19, 2010. Says Madhavan Pillai, editor, Better Photography, “Wedding photography is an oft-misunderstood and oft-underestimated profession. This is despite the fact that it is more exciting and satisfying than many other genres of photography. So, I am glad WPOY2010 came to fruition. Wedding photographers now have annual awards on a national level that they can call their own.”
The quest for India’s best wedding photographer started five months back through a grand scale pan India hunt, where entries were called for, on certain wedding-related themes namely, Bridal Portraiture, Couple Portraiture, Family and Friends, Behind the scenes, Emotions and Photo Series on a Single Wedding. Thousands of entries were received on the themes, from both professional and semi-professional photographers and surprisingly, even many women photographers, considering wedding photography is a male dominant field!
After several rounds of elimination through a jury of eminent photographers such as Fawzan Hussain, Ariz Aira, Rooshad Garda, Uzair Kharawala, Seshu and Sephi Bergerson, the winners of the six categories winners were chosen. These six final winners competed in a unique face off round, held in association with ground partners, ‘VarVadhu’. The finalists shot a mock wedding, complete with a bride and groom, dressed in their wedding finery, courtesy clothing partner Libas, and jewellery partner, Tikamdas Motiram Jewellers at the wedding fare held at Hyatt Regency, Mumbai on March 14.
Kodak presents Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2009 is being held in association with Photoquip, Canvera.com, Television partner, CNBCTV18, Ground partner, Var Vadhu, hospitality partner, Hyatt Regency, clothing partner, Libas, Jewellery partner, Tikamdas Motiram Jewellers and trophy partner, The Award Gallery.
Award winning photograph by Vivek Sequeira
ABOUT ‘BETTER PHOTOGRAPHY’
‘Better Photography’ has been the leading photography magazine in India and South Asia for over twelve years now. It is being published by Infomedia18 Ltd, one of India’s best publishing houses. The magazine’s primary audience includes serious enthusiasts as well as amateurs and covers a wide variety of content. Basic and advanced level techniques, reviews of latest cameras and photography gadgets, along with interviews with the most reputed photographers from around the world, forms the core of the content of Better Photography. As a hobbyist magazine, its priority has been to provide education in the art and science of photography.
ABOUT INFOMEDIA18 LIMITED
Informedia18 [BSE: 509069; NSE: INFOMEDIA], the printing and publishing arm of Network18, is one of the leading publishers of business publications in the country. Its stable includes a number of leading publications like Overdrive, Chip, Better Photography, Better Interiors and AV Max. Apart from these, it also publishes a large number of business to business publications and Yellow Pages. Infomedia18 is also the India partner of Alibaba.com, the world's largest business to business trading platform.
The prizes were awarded by Madhur Shroff, renowned photographer, Riyaaz Gangji the renowned designer and owner of the label Libas and Mr. Jayesh Mehta, President, All India Photographer Traders Industry Association.
Winners of different categories of Kodak – Better Photography Wedding Photographer are, William Chang (New Delhi), Jiten M Patel (Ahmedabad), Vivek Sequeira (Mangalore), Ranjan Zingade (Pune), Anil Patil (Nasik) and Pradip Barrai (Kolkota).
Vivek Sequeira received the award under the category, ‘Couple Portraiture’, from Soni, chief executive officer of Photoquip India Ltd and K Madhavan Pillai, chief editor, Better Photography magazine.