Open Call Award October 2024
Theme: Open Call / Competition Judge: Fiona Shields
With no specific theme, the Open Call competition invites photographers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels to share their best images with us. We’re thrilled to showcase the work of these 10 visual artists whose submissions demonstrate outstanding talent. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
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Finalists
Jury's Feedback
1ST PRIZE: Dafe Oboro
“This photograph has such visceral energy. You can really feel the sensation of the soapy splashing water and the vigour of the activity – it’s an experience we can identify with and many would take for granted. The image was taken as a commission for Water Aid and isn’t the usual stereotypical approach taken when telling a story of access to water and I find it really effective.” — Fiona Shields, The Guardian
2ND PRIZE: Sarah Carrier
“I love the fact that this portrait was made during a spontaneous encounter and that the subject is clearly complicit with her dignified pose. Set against the most breathtaking landscape all the elements combine to make a beautifully striking photograph.” — Fiona Shields, The Guardian
3RD PRIZE: Florian Kriechbaumer
“A stunning image that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. The wide panoramic framing captures the vast scale of the scene, whilst highlighting the strong social bonds between the animals, emphasised by their close, orderly procession. The contrast of their dark bodies against the expansive, cloud-filled sky, and the sun-baked ground, conveys both the majesty and fragility of these magnificent creatures within their arid habitat, serving as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect them and their environment.” – The Independent Photographer Editors
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© Linda Nylind
Judge: Fiona Shields
Fiona Shields has over twenty years of experience in picture editing across various newspaper titles.
She was picture editor of The Guardian for ten years before taking up the role of Head of Photography for The Guardian News and Media Group. Throughout her career, she has been involved in the coverage of some of the most historic news stories of our time including the events surrounding 9/11, conflicts around the world, large-scale natural disasters, and the humanitarian crises resulting from the growing refugee numbers across the globe.
In addition, she has delivered talks at photo festivals, mentored photojournalism students, and has enjoyed judging the Sony World Photography Awards, The Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize, and the Renaissance Photography Awards, to name a few. In 2019, she joined the panel for the Carmignac Photojournalism Award. She is also a regular nominator for the prestigious Prix Pictet Prize.
