Captured Moments Sikder Ahmed and his passion for photography

In the past 35 years as a pilot, Sikder Ahmed Noman has flown to over 150 destinations around the world and come across countless picturesque views. He started photography as a hobby 20 years ago and has now managed to successfully take it up as a profession. What started as mostly aerial and landscape photography, soon diversified into capturing various aspects of nature, art, and life.

The majestic sight of a single drop of water in ripple effect or a flock of birds flying past the bright sun; his photographs look like an artist's finest creation.

The most recent of his works highlight the striking beauty of Bangladesh. "In my captures, I tried to bring forth traditions of Bangla, the rich stories behind them and more importantly, the socio-cultural structure of the remote areas of Bangladesh," shared Ahmed.

The manufacturing of red chilli powder in Shariakandi, Bogura shows endless stretches of land covered in red. Groups of women in their colourful chhapa saris contrast the fields, while narrow pathways are made to allow walking.

The enormous rice mill shelters of Brahmanbaria once again call for attention to the role of rural residents in processing of paddy into rice to be sold in markets. Men and women work in these fields while their children seem to alternate between helping and playing. Their unadulterated joy almost radiates through the pictures.

What's fascinating is that despite being remote in nature, these areas are mostly led by the work of their women.

Although curd from Bogura is unmatched in its popularity country-wide, little do we know about how it is made. In his search to accentuate the untold stories of Bangla, Ahmed reached the curd-making destination itself and captured this amazing art.

Perhaps, one of the most interesting piece of his works is a unique style of fishing only to be found in Shariakandi, Bogura, in Bangladesh.

 "This particular fishing requires four boats together, creating a box-effect and a huge fishing net. Coordination among fishermen is a key element," explained the photographer.

 In conversation with the fishermen, Ahmed discovered that they do not do this all throughout the year.

 "According to them, at times of high tide, it becomes difficult to keep the boats together. So this can only be seen in winter when the water level is low," he added.

The photograph showing a cattle farmer grazing his cows amidst the vast greeneries of Bangladesh has found its place in many text books. But Ahmed captured the harsh reality of a dry season where the same cattle farmers have no choice but to graze their cows on barren lands.

Photographers like Sikder Ahmed are gifted with the ability of not only witnessing but also sharing the brightest as well as most thought-provoking angles of life.

For more photos, visit https://www.instagram.com/ahmedsikder/

Photo:Sikder Ahmed

For a walk-through experience you can also visit his photography exhibition on January 14th and 15th at Army Golf Club. It will be open for all from 4pm to 9pm.