Congratulations to #alumni photographer and #VIICommunity member Mumin Gul (
@mumingul ), who has been awarded the 2025 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant (
@eugenesmithfund )! 📸✨
His acclaimed project, “Silent Whispers,” is set in Indian-administered #Kashmir and visually explores the nuances of the conflict, focusing on the lived realities of ordinary Kashmiris. Gul’s work examines the pervasive silence in the region, drawing attention to how militarization shapes civilian life — altering routines, rhythms, and even the sense of home.
“It is a great honor to receive the prestigious W. Eugene Smith Student Fund. As a visual storyteller from Kashmir, my work is deeply rooted in the voices and experiences of the people around me. This award is not only a personal accolade but also a recognition of the stories and lived experiences of the people I aim to represent. I am truly grateful for the encouragement and support from the W. Eugene Smith Fund, which allows me to continue this work with diligence and compassion.” – Mumin Gul, 2025 W. Eugene Smith Student Grant recipient.
Learn more about this impactful project via the link in our bio.
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📷 Photography by Mumin Gul (
@mumingul ).
01. A boy reacts to getting scolded by other kids in Dargah, Srinagar, on April 4, 2019.
02. Frozen Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, on January 14, 2021.
03. A boy fires a toy gun from the window of his house towards his friends as they run in Downtown, Kashmir, on Eid Ul Azha on August 2, 2020.
04. A bullet hole inside the room of an encounter site, where two militants, including a top commander Nadeem Abrar, were killed in an operation in Srinagar’s Maloora locality after the latter was detained at a checkpoint in the city outskirts earlier on June 28, 2021.
#theviifoundaiton #community #WEugeneSmithStudentGrant #grant #photogrant #photoaward #photojournalism
