Picture of Pune railway station bags international environment photo award

Mary,who has keen interest in social documentary photography,is currently in London pursuing Photographic Arts. Most of his pictures are clicked while travelling. “I love to meet people,spend time with them,find out about their lives and take photos to show who they are,” says Mary.

Looking back and remembering the moment when he clicked the picture titled ‘Train Station Arrival’ at Pune railway station,he says,“On arrival,the train stopped just outside Pune station. Everyone got off and started walking towards the station. I was talking to a schoolboy during the trip,who told me to get off with him and follow him.” While walking on the tracks,Mary asked the boy to turn around for a photo and then quickly captured his expression. Of course while submitting his entry to CIWEM,Mary had no idea that the photo would bring him such an acknowledgment. “But it was always one of my favourites,so it was an easy choice among the ones I wanted to submit,” he says.

Once he finishes his degree course in London,Mary hopes to pursue his Masters in India,particularly in Pune. Earlier too,during his stay in the city,the young shutterbug taught photography to a group of 10 children with the disposable cameras he had brought with him. “I wanted them to have the chance to photograph their lives from their own perspective and maybe give them a dream for a future career. I hope to eventually turn the pictures they created into a book,” says Mary who is already planning his return trip to the city in April 2010.

The winning images images were showcased in a free international exhibition from October 7 to October 18 at the Bedfordbury Gallery in London.