Transcendence through Photography - A slideshow and talk on photojournalism in Pakistan by Mobeen Ansari

Photojournalism in Pakistan has been a topic less explored, despite the many adventures and risks it entails and the amount of beauty and hidden jewels it opens up from landscapes to portraits of people from all walks of life and faith in Pakistan to heritage and architecture, Mobeen aims to discover and show the side of Pakistan less seen. In this event he will showcase a slideshow of his work and talk about the aesthetic and technical challenges behind the photographs, adventures and how lighting and other elements were a key tool in doing justice to the people and places.

Mobeen Ansari is an Islamabad based portrait and street/photojournalism photographer. He has been following photography as a passion for 8 years. His Grandfather's photography from the WWII inspired him deeply. Mobeen Ansari is a photojournalist, painter, and sculptor based in Islamabad, Pakistan. A graduate of National College of Arts in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, his mission is to promote a positive and often unseen side of his country through his photographs. Challenged with loss of hearing at a very early age, Mobeen has always been observant of his surroundings and translates those visually through different mediums.

He has traveled across Pakistan and focuses on places off the beaten path. He has published two photography books. His first one is called 'Dharkan: the Heartbeat of a Nation' which features portraits and stories of iconic people and unsung heroes of Pakistan. His second book 'White in the Flag' is based on lives and festivities of religious minorities of Pakistan. He has given a few TED talks and has exhibited his works in USA, Italy, China, Pakistan, and Iraq.

Mobeen has also made a short film called 'Hellhole' which is a silent film based on the life of conservancy workers, better known as gutter cleaners as seen through the life and oft-forgotten humanity of one such worker. It has won 'Best Short Film' (non-fictional) award at Pakistan Calling film festival and was nominated as a Best Short Documentary at NYC Independent Film festival and has screened at film festivals all over the world.