From a mischievous childhood in Mirsharai to international recognition, Muhammad Amdad Hossain has built his career documenting climate change, displacement, poverty and the resilience of people across Bangladesh. Interviewed by Sakibul Hasan

 

Growing up in Mirsharai, Chattogram, Muhammad Amdad Hossain never imagined that the landscapes surrounding his childhood home would eventually shape the way he saw the world. As a child, he describes himself as mischievous and not particularly disciplined as a student. He often skipped school to spend time outside with friends. On one such occasion, a road accident left him seriously frightened and nearly injured his face.

 

Yet his childhood was also surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. Hills and waterfalls stood behind his home, while rivers, lakes and the sea were not far away. Living among these landscapes gradually made him curious about people, places and the small changes taking place around him. That curiosity eventually found an outlet through photography.

 

From a Mobile Phone to a Camera

Muhammad Amdad first became interested in photography around 2015, initially using nothing more than a mobile phone. He photographed people, everyday moments, nature and places that caught his attention, without imagining that photography would eventually become his profession. Posting those photographs in Facebook photography groups became an important part of his early learning. Feedback from other photographers encouraged him, while studying the work of more experienced photographers taught him about composition, light and visual storytelling.

 

In 2016, he took a major step forward by buying his first DSLR, a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. He could not afford it alone, so he relied on an NGO loan and savings from his parents. For his family, it was a significant investment in something that was still only a passion.For him, however, the camera represented more than equipment. It was a sign that his family believed in something he cared deeply about.

 

Learning Without a Classroom

He never received formal photography training in the beginning. Instead, he learned through observation, experimentation, online communities and constant practice. He studied the work of experienced photographers, listened to feedback and repeatedly went into the field to photograph real situations. Trial and error became his classroom.

 

Later, professional workshops and mentorships-including Counter Foto, the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop organized by The VII Foundation and PhotoWings, and an editorial mentorship with AFP-helped him develop further. But he says the foundation of his photography remains simple: self-practice, observation and the willingness to keep learning.

 

From Photography to Photojournalism

As his photography developed, he became increasingly interested in the stories behind the images rather than simply creating visually attractive photographs. He began photographing people, everyday life and social issues around him. Documentary work gradually became his focus, and competitions, publications and international opportunities followed.

 

Photography eventually became his profession

He chose to work as a freelancer because independence allows him to follow stories he genuinely cares about. Climate change, water insecurity, environmental pollution, displacement and the lives of vulnerable communities have become recurring subjects in his work. For him, freelance photography is not simply about choosing where to work. It is about having the freedom to spend time on stories that might otherwise remain underreported.

 

Photographing People, Not Just Problems

Growing up in Bangladesh, he has witnessed how closely people's lives are connected to the environment. Floods, pollution, salinity, water insecurity and displacement are not abstract issues; they directly affect people's livelihoods, dignity and futures. His approach is to look beyond statistics and document how people experience these problems in their everyday lives.

 

He also believes that a photographer has a responsibility to protect the dignity of the people being photographed. “The dignity of the person always comes before the photograph,” he says. He does not want to portray people simply as victims. Instead, he tries to show their humanity, resilience and strength even in difficult circumstances.

Recognition Beyond Borders

His photographs have appeared in major international media, and he has received more than 200 international awards. Yet one recognition stands out: the Marai Photo Grant by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The grant provided him with a camera, funding, prize money and professional mentorship, allowing him to develop his long-term project The Wells Are Dry: Water Crisis in the Coastal Belt.

 

The project later received international attention and was published by around 40–45 media outlets worldwide. For him, the significance lies not simply in the award but in the opportunity it created to spend time developing an important story and bring it to a global audience.

 

What Photography Can Change

He does not believe a photograph can solve a social or environmental crisis by itself. But he believes it can make people stop, look and ask questions. A powerful photograph can make complex issues easier to understand by showing their human consequences. Climate change, pollution, water insecurity and displacement become more immediate when viewers can see the people living through them. “If an image can create empathy and encourage people to understand an issue more deeply,” he says, “I believe it has already made a contribution.”

 

Looking Beyond the Lens

His ambitions now extend beyond individual photographs. He wants to develop his documentary projects into exhibitions and photobooks, particularly his work on climate change, water insecurity, environmental degradation and displacement.

 

He also hopes to pursue higher advanced training in visual storytelling, strengthening his skills in research, editing and long-form narrative. His long-term goal is to continue documenting underreported stories from Bangladesh and take them to wider international audiences through exhibitions, books and publications.

 

Bangladesh Beyond Disaster

Perhaps the strongest message he wants to communicate through his photography is that Bangladesh should not be seen only through the lens of poverty and disaster. Behind every statistic about climate change, pollution or displacement is a person with a family, dreams and hopes. His camera is an attempt to make those human stories visible.

 

For Amdad, photography is ultimately not just about taking pictures. It is about observing, listening and preserving moments that might otherwise disappear. And through those images, he hopes the world will see Bangladesh not only as a country facing enormous challenges, but as a place filled with people whose dignity, resilience and stories deserve to be seen.