Pure Street Photography Grant 2025: Grand Winner Revealed
Image by Divyanshu Verma. All images used with permission.
The finalists of the Pure Street Photography Grant 2025 - including the Grand Winner - have officially been announced. Led by award winning street photographer Dimpy Bhalotia, the grant celebrates the current global strength of the street photography community. Let’s take a look at the successful street photographs…
As I did with the winning images from the World Press Photo 2025 award, I’ll offer my thoughts on the overall winner and those placing from first to third. I’ll also add Bhalotia’s notes on the successful images, plus what each photographer had to say about their frame.
I made the conscious choice to write my thoughts before reading Bhalotia’s take, however, some of the opinions may crossover - that tends to happen with great street photography.
Bitesize Opinion: Pure Street Photography Grant 2025
All 30 finalists deserve their place in Bhalotia’s selection, and, honestly, any one of them would be a worthy recipient of the grant. I like the eclectic mix of street photography within the selection; there’s the beauty of the mundane, the comical and the raw, in your face style we enjoy in certain parts of the world.
Note From The Founder
Bhalotia’s is the founder of Pure Street Photography and the instigator of the 2025 street photography grant. In a press release sent to Them Frames, she had this to say about the finalists…
“This grant is a celebration of the human spirit through photography. These 30 iconic photographers come from different corners of the world, yet their stories echo the same truth: there’s extraordinary power in how we see the ordinary.”
Pure Street Photography Grant: Grand Winner, Ayanava Sil
Ayanava Sil. Crown of Fire.
My take: The overall winning image ticks many boxes - it’s exciting, slightly mind-bending and full of energy and life. Congratulations to Ayanava Sil for receiving the $500 grant. He’s a photographer we interviewed before on Them Frames and it’s no surprise to us to witness his continued success.
Bhalotia’s note on the winning image: “This photograph is a masterclass in awareness — instinct, timing, and composition falling into rhythm and working in perfect harmony. Ayanava didn’t just photograph this - he understood the choreography of light and life in that split second.”
In the photographer’s own words: This picture tells a story of childhood fun, celebration and the playful chaos of Diwali. It's more than a photo, it's a flash of magic caught in time, where light, joy and imagination come together in one unforgettable frame. The boy's glowing crown of sparks gives him a superhero-like appearance.” — Ayanava Sil
Pure Street Photography Grant: 1st Place, Parvathi Kumar
Parvathi Kumar. Of Olives & Ovals.
My take: The first place image is truly mesmerizing. If you look long enough it begins to feel like the elements in the frame are moving. There’s lots of pattern to grip you and the subject is immersed in their environment, but disconnected enough to make them the leading point of the image.
Bhalotia’s note on the first place image: “This is observation at its purest — an instinctive response to what was truly seen. Parvathi caught a rhythm that only reveals itself to those who are fully present in the moment.”
In the photographer’s own words: “I had randomly wandered into the olive section of a bustling market in Derb Sultan, Casablanca. I noticed a woman wearing an oval-patterned head scarf echoing the shape of the olives she was purchasing! It was such an unexpected encounter in finding this visual rhyme, with textures and a touch of humor! There is also simple sub-framing of the woman on one side, and the working hands of the vendor on the other.”— Parvathi Kumar
Pure Street Photography Grant: 2nd Place, Amy Horowitz
Amy Horowitz. Oh, Hello!
My take: The frame is filled with mystery and calm. We can’t identify the subject, but we can tell alot about her. She’s stylish, pays attention to detail and is able to rest calmly in her own company. This is a great example of storytelling without giving away the full narrative.
Bhalotia’s note on the second place image: “This is how you hold back and still say everything. By boldly withholding the obvious and letting tension, texture, and gesture tell the story, Amy allowed the viewer to feel the curiosity. That’s photographic restraint at its finest.”
In the photographer’s own words: “I was immediately struck with curiosity as I came upon a gigantic snake slithering up a building’s exterior wall. Just showing the woman’s hands as they clutched her purse, with the massive snake only inches away, was enough to tell the story — without giving away the ending.” — Amy Horowitz
Pure Street Photography Grant: 3rd Place, Sebastian Piatek
Sebastian Piatek. When We Are Innocent.
My take: This is a black and white photograph, and yet, the inclusion of children gives a feeling of life and vibrancy. I’m a big fan of the layer composition, the use of framing and the balance from top to bottom and left to right.
Bhalotia’s note on the third place image: “This photograph is layered with presence — five stories breathing in one frame, each with its own emotion and pulse. It’s the kind of composition that reveals itself to those who are truly paying attention.”
In the photographer’s own words: “This photograph was taken in Cilincing, North Jakarta, Indonesia. Some of the subjects were far away and some very close — that created a good sense of depth, which I thought worked well visually. Even though it wasn’t planned, the photo captures a quiet moment that feels real and unfiltered. It’s one of my favourite photographs from Indonesia.”— Sebastian Piatek
Pure Street Photography Grant: The Finalists
Below are the images from the remaining 26 finalists - enjoy!
Anna Marzia Soria. Optical Illusion.
Asit Kumar Ghatak. Still There Is a Motion.
Chris Yan. Take a Photo.
Divyanshu Verma. Blended In Shadows.
Grzegorz Bys. Waiting.
Gurudas Bate. CROSS.
Holger Kunze. The Double.
Isabelle Coordes. Through the Looking-Glass.
Jim La Souille. Love of Risk.
Joanna M. Celebrity.
Julachart Pleansanit. Rahu.
Kenta Yamanoi. Out of the Shadows.
Kim Keller. Untitled.
Marco Cajazzo. Upside Down.
Mary Crnkovic Pilas. Sweet Bird of Youth.
Mili Paul. Marching Shadows.
Promila Bahri. Sleeping Beauties.
Russ Rowland. Wonderful 3.
Saksham Srivastava. Pitru Paksh.
Sam O’Shaughnessy. Echos of Reflection.
Soumyendra Saha. Reincarnation.
Stefano Bernardi. Lines of Identity.
Tamas Dragon. Heatwave.
Ulf Finndahl. In Her Reflection.
Valentina Mansi. È solo un altro giorno di pioggia.
Valeria Ciardulli. Spectators.
Signing Off
The was the ever Pure Street Photography grant, and I’m told by Bhalotia it won’t be the last. To keep up to date on future opportunities be sure to check out the website and follow Pure Street Photography on Instagram.
If you’re new to street photography, check out this Ultimate Guide to Street Photography to support you on your path.
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