About | Sharafat Ali

Sharafat Ali (b. 1992) is a Kashmir-based photojournalist specializing in regional news, in-depth narratives, and personal projects that delve into the complexities of life in Kashmir. Born and raised in the historic Old City of Srinagar, Sharafat's early experiences shaped his deep connection to the region and its stories. His journey into photography began with a natural curiosity about his surroundings and a desire to document meaningful narratives. What started as a casual interest gradually grew into a dedicated pursuit of documentary photography, where he explores themes of politics, society, culture, and long-term personal projects.

Sharafat completed his L3 Master's degree in Photography at the prestigious VII Photo Alexandra Boulat Campus in Arles, France, an experience that further honed his craft and broadened his global perspective. He believes that powerful images are born from a deep understanding of the subject, without the pressure for quick results or exploitation. His approach to storytelling has been profoundly shaped by the mentorship of renowned photographer and journalist Showkat Nanda, whose guidance over the past 10 years has played a pivotal role in his development. Under Nanda's influence, Sharafat’s photography has evolved into compelling, impactful narratives that resonate with audiences.

His ongoing work continues to uncover the untold stories of Kashmir, using his lens to create meaningful connections. Sharafat is currently a Visual Journalist at Thomson Reuters, where he shares his unique perspective with a global audience.

Honors and Awards

Asian Press Photo 2023
VII Photo Agency Micro Grant 2022
Yunghi Grant Recipient 2021
VII Photo Agency Mentorship Program 2021
Gad Schuster Gross Grant 2021
Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Award 2021
Polyphony International Photo Festival (PPIPF) Ist Honorable Mention Award 2020
World Press Photo Joop Swart Master-class Program Nominee 2020
6×6 World Press Photo Nominee 2020
Portfolio of the Fest Winner in DUPS Bangladesh 2019
Grand Prize Winner BUET Photo Society Bangladesh 2019
World Press Photo Joop Swart Master Class Finalist 2018
Third Prize Winner for Mobile Category at 35Awards International Russia 2018
Finalist for Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA) 2018
Timothy Allen Photography Scholarship (TAPSA) Winner UAE 2018
Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant (Grant for Achievement) 2017
College Photographer of the Year (Gold in Documentary Category) 2017
PhotograVphy Grant Nominee (International Magazine Grant) 2017

Publications

New York Times, Guardian, Telegraph, BBC World, Foreign Policy, Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, ABC News, US online, Lemonde, La Press, Yahoo, Deutsche Welle, Japan Times, Al-Jazeera Journalism Review Magazine.
Condé Nast Traveller, Al-Jazeera English, New Frame Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor.
Newlines Magazine, Ariana Life Magazine, The Foreign Correspondent Magazine, World Press Photo, The Business Standard Times, Sunday Times, The Sun (UK), PDN, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, South Asian Journal of Law, Policy and Social Research.
Smithsonian Magazine, British Journal of Photography, Canon Europe, The Sun Magazine (US), Al Arabiya, Monthly Associated Press Magazine, Issuu Magazine Greece, Photo Asia Review, Saudi Gazette.
Gulf Times, Qrius, International Photo Magazine, Sharjah 24, Mountain Ink Magazine, Inspiro India, Creative Image Magazine, The Daily Star, TRT World, Caravan India, Huffington Post, The Wire, Wande Magazine, Oracle Opinions, The Quint.

Photo Workshops / Professional Trainings

HET Hostile Environment Awareness Training Reuters (Chiang Mai) 2024
Guest Faculty VII Academy in Collaboration with Amplify Photo (2022)
Photo Editing Project with Syracuse University MFA (2022)
Silk Road Hostile Environment Refresher for Media (2022)
Emtrain Preventing Workplace Harassment (2021)
Jury Member, 35Awards, Russia
THE COLLECTIVE Workshop Conducted by Sebastian Liste (2021)
16th Edition Talks in Cyber Space (2020)
Angkor Photo Festival and Workshop in Siem Reap Cambodia (2019)
Six Weeks Intensive Documentary Photography at AKS School of Documentary Photography Kashmir (2017)
Three-Day Storytelling Workshop at Kashmir University (2015)

Exhibitions

Royal College of Music, London
WORLD AS IMAGE Riverside City Hall London
College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) Washington DC
TAPSA Sharjah UAE
Objectify Centre for Photography and Film Singapore
International Movement for A Just World Malaysia
Angkor Photo Festival Siem Reap Cambodia
35awards Russia Moscow
VOV (Voyage of Visuals) Bangladesh
DUPS (Dhaka University Photographic Society)
Indian Photo Festival (IPF) Hyderabad India
Polyphony International Photo Festival India
Phillips Auction London
History of Museum Madrid Spain
Debora Arango Public Library & Culture Park Colombia
Buenos Aires, Argentina
PAB Photographic Association of Bengal India

Portfolio Reviews

Agence VU, France
Paula Nelson Visiting Teaching Professor (Syracuse University)
Sir Don McCullin War Photographer
Antoine D’agata French Photographer (Magnum Photos)
Sohrab Hura Indian Photographer (Magnum Photos)
Yonola Viguerie Curator (VII Photos)
Ashley Gilberston, Photographer, Writer (VII Photos)
Ali Arkady, Photojournalist, Artist, Filmmaker (VII Photos)
ED Kashi, Photojournalist & Filmmaker (VII Photos)
Gary Knight, Photojournalist, Executive Director, Filmmaker (VII Foundation)
Maciek Nabrdalik, Documentary Photographer (VII Photos)
Daniel Schwartz, Photographer, Zurich University Arts Lecture (VII Photos)
Maggie Steber, Documentary Photographer (VII Photos)
Sara Terry, Documentary Photographer, Filmmaker (VII Photos)
Monica Allende Independent Curator
Rob Taggart Ex South Asia (AP Head)
Andy Green Acre Director of Photography (The Guardian)
Fiona Shields Head of Photography (The Guardian)
Anthony Bell Picture Editor (Observer New Review)
Russ O’Connell Picture Editor (Sunday Times)
Eleanor Farmer Creative Producer Film & Photography (Oxfam)
Seeland Dagmar Photo Editor (Stern Magazine)
Tim Paton Photo Editor (Magnum Photos)
Sudhanshu Malhotra Picture Editor Asia (Greenpeace)

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