Travel Award August 2023


  • Color travel photography of Goli dancers in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast by Stefano Lotumolo

    Winning Photographer Stefano Lotumolo

    Winning Photographer Stefano Lotumolo

    “Goli Dance” - Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
    Goli is a traditional African dance and masquerade of the Baoulé people of the Ivory Coast. Over 24 hours all Baoulé villages play music and the dancers wear four different types of masks, all of which refer to the social and generational structure of the society. © Stefano Lotumolo
  • Color travel photography of two boys playing football on pier at Mabul island, Sabah, Malaysia by Emilio Fuliotti

    Second Prize Emilio Fuliotti

    Second Prize Emilio Fuliotti

    “Football pier” - Mabul island, Sabah, Malaysia
    Boys of the Bajau Laut tribe, or ‘Sea Nomads’, are playing football on their village pier, on the island of Mabul, in Sabah, Malaysia. Needless to say, the ball was more often in the water than on the pier... © Emilio Fuliotti
  • Color travel photography of camels bathing at Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, by Shyjith Onden Cheriyath

    Third Prize Shyjith Onden Cheriyath

    Third Prize Shyjith Onden Cheriyath

    “Tradition” - Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
    Every winter at Ras Al Khaimah, camel handlers take their camels into the sea for a wash and bathe. The saltwater helps rid the animals of parasites. Bathing camels in this way is an old Arab tradition, but it is becoming less common in the region due to the construction of new hotels and resorts along the coastline. © Shyjith Onden Cheriyath
  • Color travel photography of sunrise at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh by Didier Vanderperre

    Finalist Didier Vanderperre

    Finalist Didier Vanderperre

    “Sunrise at Cox’s Bazar” - Bangladesh
    On a clear day the sun rises at Cox’s Bazar fish market. © Didier Vanderperre
  • Color photography of Kukeri tradition in Rila, Bulgaria by Ivo Danchev

    Finalist Ivo Danchev

    Finalist Ivo Danchev

    “Kukeri tradition” - Rila, Bulgaria
    Every winter, masked dancers, dressed up in goat skins perform pagan rituals. The masks allow the dancer to become a supernatural being and to enter the spirit world where he chases away the evil spirits of the old year and brings blessings and health to the new year. it is an ages-old tradition which is still well preserved around Bulgaria. There are more than 10,000 kukeri organized in small groups around Bulgaria. © Ivo Danchev
  • Color portrait photography of two young monks in Ladakh, India by Lorenzo Perotti

    Finalist Lorenzo Perotti

    Finalist Lorenzo Perotti

    “Pray above the clouds” - Ladakh, India
    Two little monks follow the puja, or morning prayer, in the monastery of Hemis, in Ladakh © Lorenzo Perotti
  • Color travel photography of a fisherman on boat in Guwahati, India by Lonav Bharali

    Finalist Lonav Bharali

    Finalist Lonav Bharali

    “Well Rested” - Guwahati, India
    A fisherman is taking a power nap in the quiet of the afternoon. © Lonav Bharali
  • Color travel photography of pilgrims walking in Varanasi, India by Eduardo Ortiz

    Finalist Eduardo Ortiz

    Finalist Eduardo Ortiz

    "Ghats and souls” - Varanasi, India
    Early morning scene capturing the reflection of pilgrims, seemingly walking on the horizon in Varanasi, India. © Eduardo Ortiz
  • Color aerial landscape photography of sunrise in southern Thailand by Henryk Welle

    Finalist Henryk Welle

    Finalist Henryk Welle

    “Everflow” - Southern Thailand
    Aerial view of an exceptional sunrise in south Thailand © Henryk Welle
  • Color portrait photography of a man in landscape by Parna Baharali

    Finalist Parna Baharali

    Finalist Parna Baharali

    “Existence”
    Within the frame of existence, I find myself positioned at a juncture where the very essence of choice unfolds. The road diverges, each path a symphony of promises and tales, inviting me to step into their narratives of uncharted realms and boundless wonders. Here, in this crossroads of destiny, the interplay of paths and decisions weaves the tapestry of our voyage, a testament to the profound intermingling of direction and daring within the tapestry of life’s odyssey. © Parna Baharali

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait of Steve McCurry
    © Steve McCurry

    Judge: Steve McCurry

    Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for over three decades and has created a unique collection of work featuring some of the most famous images of our time. McCurry’s work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions, and contemporary culture alike – yet always retains the human element that made his celebrated image of the Afghan Girl so powerful.

    With countless exhibitions around the world to his name, he has been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal, National Press Photographers Award, and an unprecedented four first prize awards from the World Press Photo.

    McCurry has published over a dozen books including The Iconic Photographs (2011), Untold: The Stories Behind the Photographs (2013), Afghanistan (2017), and A Life in Pictures (2018).

Francesco Riccardo
© Francesco Riccardo

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

color portrait photo of a sadhu and monkey in Varanasi, India by Mahendra Bakle
© Mahendra Bakle
2025 Visual Story AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

In February, we are looking for photographers who produce compelling narratives in a wide range of genres: portraiture, documentary, street, fine art, travel, and more – Enter today and show us YOUR stories!

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +840k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
Submit Photos
Deadline: 28 February 2025

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2023/2024


PAST EDITIONS

2022/2023 Edition

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto