People Award Editors’ Picks of December 2023

Following the results of last month’s People award, judged by acclaimed National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita, we are thrilled and privileged to showcase a selection of competition entries that, while not securing a spot in the final selection, left a lasting impression on us due to their exceptional quality.

Balian seaweed farmers meticulously tend to their crop. Young female ‘Charreria’ strike a proud pose atop their steeds in the Texan plains. A Buryat shaman conducts a ritual on a frozen lake in Siberia. Each of these enthralling images not only demonstrates remarkable artistry, perceptivity, and skill but also collectively conveys the extraordinary diversity that defines our world.

“Devotion in Vrindavan” - Vrindavan, India 2023
Krishna’s devotees performing Aarti ceremony next to Yamuna River in Vrindavan, one of the holiest cities in India. © Júlia Arnau Allué
“Seaweed Farmers” - Nusa Penida, Bali
Bali Seaweed Farm is an agriculture that grows marine algae in the waters of Nusa Lembongan and is cultivated by local residents as their livelihood. Indonesia is the second largest seaweed producer in the world. But pollution and climate change are making life difficult for family businesses. © Carlota Caldeira
“Mundari” - South Sudan
A young Mundari boy has covered his face with ash, serving both as a form of decoration and protection. The perpetually burning dung fires generate a smoky atmosphere, and when combined with the ash-covered skin of the Mundari people, they create a ghostly appearance in the midst of it all. © Frances Bruchez
“Marisol, Melanie, Evelyn and Jasmin” - Austin, Texas, USA
From my project Escaramuza, The Poetics of Home. Through photographic portraiture, poetry, and in-depth interviews, Escaramuza, the Poetics of Home considers how the escaramuza tradition persists in the present-day United States, what it means for the identity of its Mexican and Mexican-American female practitioners, and how it fosters a profound sense of belonging. This work explores the roles of family, immigration, and gender dynamics within escaramuza and Charrería culture in the US, drawing historical parallels to the soldaderas who fought in the Mexican Revolution and are the inspiration for the creation of the escaramuza tradition. © Constance Jaeggi
“Make up for Shiva” - Varanasi, India
This little boy in Varanasi, India, every day is disguised as a little Shiva to collect alms in the ghats along the sacred Ganges © Sergio Volani
“Buryatian shaman” - Lake Baikal, Russia
A Buryatian shaman performs a ritual to connect with the spirits, on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi cape in the background. Lake Baikal is considered the most sacred place of Siberia’s shamanism. The Buryats, who are an indigenous Mongolic ethnic group living in Siberia, practice a form of shamanism that centers around the belief in various spirits, including nature spirits, ancestor spirits, and celestial spirits but does not have any written traditions. The origins of shamanism can be traced back to the ancient nomadic cultures of Central Asia especially Siberia, where it was a prevalent form of spiritual practice. A shaman serves as a healer, problem solver, protector from hostile spirits, a guide, and a medium between the spiritual and human worlds. © Athanasios Maloukos
“Pervuvian child” - Huilloc, Peru
Portrait of a schoolgirl wearing traditional Quechua hat and clothing. Huilloc is a small Quechua-speaking community is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. © Ron Cooper
“Huli Tribe” - Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea
This image is of the Huli Tribe performing a traditional ‘Sing-Sing’ dance at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show. © Kevin Hoare
“In The Name Of God” - Dehugaon, India. 2023
India boasts diverse festivals, each with its unique essence. They unite people in celebration, fostering unity and faith. Amidst modern disconnect, these festivals reignite the importance of communal joy, connecting people through shared beliefs, and rekindling the spirit of celebration and togetherness. This photograph was captured during the Wari Festival in Dehugaon, India. 2023 © Arun Kumar Nalimela
“Wodaabe Tribe” - Chad
Portrait of a young Wodaabe Fula man, belonging to the Soudou Soukayel clan of Chad. The young men of the various clans within the broader Wodaabe tribe that live in the Sahel region of Africa, take part in the Gerewol festival. This festival is an annual courtship ritual competition. The young men dress in elaborate ornamentation and are made up of traditional face painting, from pigments that they create. They gather in lines to dance and sing, in the hope of attracting the attention of young marriageable women. © Stephen Hermida
“Last Inca Community” - Peru
Q’eros people are known as the keepers of ancient knowledge and are widely known as the last living direct descendants of the Incas, having survived the Spanish conquest by receding high into the mountains. Though they do not follow a specific religion, they are highly spiritual, worshipping Pachamama (Mother Earth) and los Apus (mountain spirits) above all. © Ilaria Miani
“Kuarup” - Yawalapiti village, Brazil
The Yawalapiti are an indigenous tribe in the Amazonian Basin of Brazil. The Kuarup funeral ritual begins immediately after the death of a family member. For about a year, the bereaved family is responsible for a series of ceremonies that involve the entire local community. © Diego Baravelli

Published January 18, 2024 - Congratulations to all selected artists: Júlia Arnau Allué, Carlota Caldeira, Frances Bruchez, Constance Jaeggi, Sergio Volani, Athanasios Maloukos, Ron Cooper, Kevin Hoare, Arun Kumar Nalimela, Stephen Hermida, Ilaria Miani, Diego Baravelli,

black and white street photo of woman walking by Mania De Praeter

2025 Black & White AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

In January, we invite photographers working across all styles and categories, to share moving and inspiring images that display the diverse beauty of black & white!

Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
International Exhibition
+835k Instagram Feature
Free Online Portfolio

Submit Photos

Closing Soon
Deadline: 31 January 2025

Open for entries

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Recent Articles

More Articles

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Recent Articles

Quiet in the Chaos: Aleksandr Babarikin

10 Black and White Photographers You Should Know

Saul Leiter

More Articles

Helen Levitt: In The Street

Sage Sohier – Passing Time

Eduardo Ortiz: Roaming Photographer