The new wave of Indian editorial photography is fresh, real and changing the norm in all the right ways.
A far cry from super photoshopped Bollywood females and overly masculine male pin-ups, these photographers bring something new, less commercial, more real, but driven by a great sense of style.
Indian editorial photography
This is our pick of the best Indian editorial, fashion and portrait photographers, those willing to change the conventional stereotypes and forge a new way of seeing. All five have a clear, strong message, and a defined view of the world and people they see before them.
We present 5 of the best editorial photographers practising in India right now.
Bharat Sikka
https://www.instagram.com/bharatsikkastudio/
Sikka is, without a doubt, one of Indias finest photographers. Each photograph is deep, meaningful, and tells a story. His stories are thoughtful, atmospheric and beautiful, whether the subject is landscape or portrait.
Although once thought of as a fashion photographer, he now spends more time working in challenging locations photographing people and landscapes, or pursuing personal projects.
His Time magazine assignments see him take on some remote and difficult locations, from Bhutan to Tibet, all of which he meets with a sense of perception many photographers fail to manage.
Bharat has published several books and exhibits internationally.
Rid Burman
https://www.instagram.com/ridburman/?hl=en
Having studied photography in California and assisting Steven Klein and Mark Seliger, Burman moved back to India in 2008 to continue his photographic practice.
Bikramjit Bose
The badly drawn boy
https://www.instagram.com/thebadlydrawnboy/
Bikramjit brings something new and fresh to Indian beauty and advertising, a more natural and fresh feel. The Antithesis to overly photoshopped ideas of beauty and fashion.
Having moved to Mumbai in 2008 Bikramjit, several magazines began to see his talent with commissions from Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, Rolling Stones magazine and many more.
Bikramjit was awarded photographer of the year in 2015 by Vogue India and has also been voted one of India’s most influential young people by GQ India.
Ashish Shah
https://www.instagram.com/ashishnshah/
As often comes with self-taught photographers, there is an emphasis on the subject and an acceptance to try new things and experiment with the medium. We love the rawness of his work, it is sincere and compositionally assertive.
Living and working in New Delhi, Ashish specialises in portrait and fashion.
Maddy
https://www.instagram.com/madetart/
Madhu Akula also known as Maddy.
Maddy has a somewhat old masters approach to portrait work. Powerful poses, models engaged and a simplicity that harks back to Avedon.
At 33 he has a bright future ahead of him. Self-taught and living in Mumbai, Maddy already has a strong stable of clients both locally and internationally.
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