People Award Editors’ Picks of December 2022

“A tear contains an ocean. A photographer is aware of the tiny moments in a person’s life that reveal greater truths.” — Anonymous⁠
Following the results of last month’s People award, judged by The Guardian’s Head of Photography Fiona Shields, we are delighted and honored to share some of the competition entries that didn’t make the final selection, but nevertheless impressed with their overall quality.

A Mundari tribesman tends to his herd in South Sudan; a young Buddhist nun weaves a flower crown among the grasslands of Tibet; Afro-Brazilians perform a traditional ‘Tambor de Crioula’ dance in celebration of their culture: each one of these thirteen captivating images displays remarkable artistry, perceptivity, and skill, and together, impart the incredible diversity of our world.

“Hat vendor” - Chaung Tha Beach, Myanmar
Portrait of a passing hat vendor on Chaung Tha Beach, Myanmar © David Keith Brown
“Holi” - Barsana, India
Women in Barsana, gather to battle the men from Nandgaon to celebrate Krishna on Holi. © Robi Chakraborty
"Mundari cattle herder” - South Sudan
The Mundari, also referred to as Mandari, are a small ethnic group and one of the Nilotic peoples, living north of the capital of Juba, South Sudan. Like other Nilotic tribes, they are very cattle- oriented and treasure their cattle more than anything else and are said to sleep close to their most prized cow. Their cattle serves as food, a form of currency and a mark of status. © Josef Bürgi
“Amy, already a mother” - Bath, England
Expecting your first child is a confusing, joyous and worrying time for anyone, none more so than the mother. There are so many questions about the future that can’t be answered. I see these worries in my partners face every time I photograph her, I often feel her expressions are a reflection of my own, excitement, confusion and fear about being a good parent once she arrives, the main difference being that Amy is already a good mother, caring for our child every day since she was created. © Lloyd Wright
“Band on the Run” - India
Through the hazy evening comes a colorfully painted van of a traveling band, stopping to rest in the still-burning hill of trash. They are waiting for the next gig - a wedding in the neighborhood. Each of them has a grin at their surroundings as they have been down this road before, doing their best to entertain the crowds. They bring highlights and hopes to the people of this northern Delhi neighborhood and many more like it. © Sandra Chen Weinstein
“Anonymous soldier sits for his portrait” - Somalia
Following the drought of 2017, I was commissioned to photograph Somalia and the devastation catalyzed by the drought and subsequent famine. During the very hot days, we would be protected by a group of soldiers. During a break, a young soldier of 19 years old sat for his portrait, one of the very few times we could rest. He wished to remain anonymous due to the nature of his work. © Ty Faruki
“River”
The story of the protagonist remains hidden from us. Nevertheless, the image invites you to sense an entrance into his world. © Meera Lehr
“Zanskar Emeralds” - Ladakh, India
Candid portrait shot along the way connection between Ladakh and Zanskar valley. © Nicola Ducati
“Rise of the day” - Omo Valley, Ethiopia
A couple of Kuro tribe members facing a wonderful dawn over Omo River © Carlo Demicheli
“Almedra”
Bright and colorful, Wayúu mochilas (bags) are one of Colombia’s most famous artisan products. As the Wayúu saying goes, “To be a woman is to know how to weave.” The tradition of weaving is highly respected within their matriarchal culture and is a symbol of wisdom, creativity, intelligence and status. “Mochilas” are handcrafted bags, each displaying a beautiful and unique pattern typical of the tribe. The complex process to elaborate each bag takes the crafter up to a month to complete. © Sebastian Jaramillo Matiz
“Kuman Tribe” - Papua New Guinea
This small tribe uses particularly eye-catching decorations. There are few occasions to wear them, but the most important one is the annual Monta Hagen Festival where many gather, even from far away, to celebrate © Chiara Felmini
“A Nun on the Tibetan grassland” - Tibet
A young Tibetan Buddhist nun weaving a flower crown in Tibetan grassland © Shinya Itahana
“Crioula” - Brazil
Tambo de Crioula is an intangible cultural heritage of Maranhão and Brazil. In this dance, women twirl their long skirts while men beat drums and sing in honor of Saint Benedict. © Julio Magalhães

Published January 19, 2023 - Congratulations to all selected artists: David Keith Brown, Robi Chakraborty, Josef Bürgi, Lloyd Wright, Sandra Chen Weinstein, Ty Faruki, Meera Lehr, Nicola Ducati, Carlo Demicheli, Sebastian Jaramillo Matiz, Chiara Felmini, Shinya Itahana, Julio Magalhães,

fashion fine art studio portrait of woman by Ivana Sunjic

2025 Portrait AWARD

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