Sudipto Das lives in Kolkata, India. He is a self-taught photographer, now working as a senior photojournalist for The Times of India. Sudipto’s photographs have been displayed around the world including Washington, DC, Indonesia, Amsterdam, London, Portugal, Germany, Singapore, UAE, Montreal, Vancouver and Switzerland. He has received more than 100 international photography awards from all over the world.
In this image, entitled “Black Diamond”, a child carries a large piece of coal in the Lantenganj area in Jharia, India. Jharia is the richest coal reserve of India. People in this area participate in illegal coal collecting for daily earnings of less than $5.00.
The Allard Prize Photography Competition jury selected this photo as it depicts those who are at-risk as a result of corrupt practices.