Saurabh Sirohiya — 2nd Place, Drone
An interview with Saurabh Sirohiya
GLPA 2025 Winner Interview
Saurabh Sirohiya — 2nd Place, Drone
Bowing In Prayer
We’re honored to feature Saurabh Sirohiya, 2nd Place in Drone at the Global Lens Photography Awards 2025.
In Bowing In Prayer, Saurabh captures the Eid-ul-Fitr congregation in Old Delhi from above, transforming a vast gathering into a photograph of rhythm, unity, and devotion.
His work brings together compositional precision, cultural sensitivity, and a powerful sense of shared human presence.
In “Bowing In Prayer,” what first made you realize this congregation could become such a powerful image from above?
When I arrived at the location and saw thousands of worshippers gathering for Eid prayers, I immediately sensed the scale and unity of the moment.
From the ground, it already felt powerful, but I imagined that from above, the collective movement of people bowing together would reveal a beautiful pattern of devotion and community.
The photograph is highly geometric, yet it never loses its human warmth. How did you balance visual order with the emotional meaning of the moment?
For me, the geometry comes naturally from the formation of people during prayer. While composing the image, I tried to respect the rhythm created by the congregation without interrupting the authenticity of the moment.
My goal was to show both the visual harmony and the human connection within that spiritual act.
The central open square creates a strong focal point within the sea of devotees. Was that compositional idea clear to you before takeoff, or did it reveal itself once you were in the air?
I noticed this open space while observing the entire area before flying the drone. Once I was in the air, I adjusted my position carefully to place that space at the center of the composition.
It naturally became a visual anchor surrounded by the symmetry of worshippers.
Eid-ul-Fitr is both spiritual and communal. What did you hope viewers—especially those unfamiliar with the celebration—would feel when looking at this photograph?
I hoped viewers would feel the sense of unity, peace, and collective devotion that defines the celebration.
Even if someone is unfamiliar with Eid, the image reflects a universal moment of people coming together in faith, humility, and gratitude.
Early morning light plays an important role here. How much did timing and natural light influence your final image?
Timing was very important. The early-morning light during Eid prayers creates soft shadows and gentle contrast, which help define the patterns formed by the congregation.
The natural light enhanced the photograph’s sense of calm and spirituality.
Your work often focuses on the cultures, rituals, and heritage of India. What keeps drawing you back to these moments of collective tradition?
India has an incredible diversity of traditions and rituals that bring communities together. As a photographer, I feel inspired to document these moments because they reflect identity, history, and the shared human experience.
Capturing these traditions has been my way of preserving stories that might otherwise pass quietly through time.
As a visual storyteller who has developed your path despite hearing and speech impairments, has photography given you a different way of listening to the world? If so, how?
Due to profound bilateral hearing impairment, my eyes have to play a role in listening also, and photography has now become my way of observing and understanding the world.
Since I experience the world differently, I pay closer attention to visual details, emotions, and human interactions. Through photography, I can express feelings and stories that words cannot always convey.
With such a remarkable number of awards and recognitions already behind you, what does this GLPA honor mean to you, and what kinds of stories are you most eager to pursue next?
This recognition from GLPA means a great deal to me because it celebrates not only the image but also the cultural story behind it.
It motivates me to continue documenting meaningful moments of faith, tradition, and everyday life across India.
I am especially interested in exploring more aerial perspectives that reveal the scale and beauty of collective human experiences.
