Travel Award August 2025
Theme: Travel Photography – Competition Judge: Jody MacDonald
This summer we wanted to see images that communicate the life of a place in all its splendor and trigger our memories. Whatever the subject may have been: Street, Portrait, Landscape, Documentary: We wanted to share your journey, visually and intellectually!
Make sure to sign up for the newsletter and join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where we’ll share all our favorite images from the competition. Congratulations to all the talented photographers who made it to the final!
Finalists
Jury's Feedback
1ST PRIZE: Andrew Newey
“What strikes me about this image is its breathtaking composition, beautiful color palette, and the depth of its storytelling. The winding, half-frozen blue river acts as a visual guide, naturally drawing the viewer’s eye from the lower right corner of the frame deeper into the scene, evoking a sense of movement and discovery. The two people in bright red traditional garments, navigating the frozen river with sleds contrast sharply with the muted tones of the landscape, immediately drawing attention to them. But beyond its visual appeal, the photograph speaks to something greater—it’s a story of survival, tradition, and the human spirit’s resilience in challenging environments. It beautifully captures the interplay between nature, culture, and exploration and leaves me wanting to know more about their journey. ” — Jody MacDonald
2ND PRIZE: Thaddäus Biberauer
“I really like unique images and this is one of them. This photograph captures the essence of motion and tradition in a striking, dreamlike blur. The vibrant ceremonial attire, with its rich reds, greens, and golds, contrasts beautifully against the muted, textured background, giving it a painting-like quality. The blurred lines give the image a sense of life and energy, while the subject’s green face paint and intricate headpiece evoke a deep cultural narrative giving this image an almost timeless quality.” — Jody MacDonald
3RD PRIZE: David Keith Brown
“A triumph of light, tone, and composition, David Keith Brown has transformed this early-morning scene in Myanmar, into a painting-like image that becomes more captivating the longer you observe it. The ancient tree, much like the traditional fishing practices it frames, serves as a focal point without dominating the image. Its dark, majestic silhouette and reflection form an abstract border within which the scene gently unfolds. While this may be an everyday moment in this part of Myanmar, for outsiders—like the photographer and most viewers—it offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s unique culture, embodying one of the true joys of travel: discovering the richness of other ways of life.” – The Independent Photographer Editors
-
© Michael Yamashita
Judge: Michael Yamashita
Michael Yamashita is a Japanese-American photographer who has combined his passions for photography and travel for over five decades. His remarkable career with National Geographic spans over four decades, and he has garnered numerous industry awards while showcasing his work in exhibitions worldwide.
With an Instagram following of 1.7 million, Yamashita is recognized as one of the most influential figures in the world of photography. He regularly shares his knowledge and experience by giving talks at events such as TEDx, as well as teaching and hosting photography workshops in Asia and the United States. Over the years, he has released a total of 16 photo books and two documentary feature films, including ‘East Meets West’, a critically-acclaimed, nine-part series exploring the Silk Road trade routes.
