Color Photography Award Editors’ Picks of June 2020

Following the results of last month’s Color Photography Award judged by Magnum Photos’ Global Education Director Shannon Ghannam, we want to share some of the competition entries that didn’t make it to the final round but impressed us by their overall strength and quality and innovative way to respond to the theme.

We received an incredible variety of images from many talented photographers and even though we couldn’t give an award to every entrant we are delighted to share the work of some of the artists whose images stayed with us and are well worthy of exposure.

Thank you for taking part in the award and sharing your work with us!

“Waterlilies harvesting season” - Mekong Delta, Vietnam
These farmers were washing and packing lilies before sending off to the market in the early morning in Mekong delta, Vietnam, during flooding season. © Trung Pham Huy
“The Entanglement of Bodies”
The visual essay aim to create an ambiance that echoes the beauty of our bodies, reflects on our interconnected relationships as beings on Earth, and the unexplainable energy which surrounds us all. The desire for the lens is not to capture the personality as it is, but rather to portray the bodies as it might be. © Mary Chen
“Lone Barn” - USA
Aerial photograph of a lone barn along a quiet road in the Palouse region of Washington State © Mitch Rouse
“Epic Hair, Everyday” - London, United Kingdom
*Epic Hair, every day, is a celebration of black hairstyling culture in contemporary London. It seeks to challenge the ideologies of race and beauty within modern society and attempts to illustrate the entangled social, political, and aesthetic power contained within everyday practices. © Suki Lui
“There’s A Whole World Out There” - Vancouver, Canada
Shot during the lockdown, I experienced an intense longing for the vibrant world outside. But I cannot see it clearly anymore. © Rachel Nixon
“Epiphany day” - Romania
Women wearing traditional kerchiefs are celebrating the Orthodox Epiphany Day (6th of January) in Breb, Maramureș Region, Romania. © Felicia Simion
“Untitled” - USA
© Darian Zahedi
“Flower2” - London, United Kingdom
From an ongoing series of images inspired by flowers.
© Anastasia Ermolenko
“The little sister’s makeup” - Ecuadorian Amazon
The Waorani, also known as the Waos, are native Amerindians from the Amazonian Region of Ecuador. In the last 40 years, they have shifted from a hunting and gathering society to live mostly in permanent forest settlements. As many as five communities—the Tagaeri, the Huiñatare, the Oñamenane, and two groups of the Taromenane—have rejected all contact with the outside world and continue to move into more isolated areas. © Kristyn Taylor
"Dervish Splendor”
© Ahmed Abdulazim

Published July 22, 2020 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Trung Pham Huy, Mary Chen, Mitch Rouse, Suki Lui, Rachel Nixon, Felicia Simion, Darian Zahedi, Anastasia Ermolenko, Kristyn Taylor, Ahmed Abdulazim,

Color portrait fashion photo of woman with sunglasses in red car by

2026 Portrait AWARD

Win $2,700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Can you tell a story with a single glance? – in May, we invite all photographers to share portraits that narrate compelling tales, whether captured in the controlled environment of a studio, the vibrant chaos of the street, or the rich landscapes of travel.