This winners collection celebrates the work of all award winning photographers capturing life in its most vivid forms. These unique and international artists constitute the best of the photographic scene and we are very proud to share their work.
Theme: People October 2021
– Theme PEOPLE / Competition Judge: Elizabeth Krist (National Geographic Editor & Curator)
Crossing borders, spanning cultures, and traversing the most remote corners of the world: the People Photography Award celebrates the diverse beauty of humanity.
We are delighted to present the images of 10 visual artists whose work shows an exceptional level of talents: Congratulations to the winners and finalists!
Join us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where we’ll be sharing all our favorite images from the competition. Congratulations to all the talented photographers who made it to the final!
Finalists
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1ST PRIZE: Michael Morgan
“In this layered image of a Balinese priest amid his prayers, he is the bright focus at the center, anchoring the scene. We see him through the framing composition of foreground elements–the umbrellas and the silhouette of the woman on the right–feeling as if we are being given a rare glimpse into a blessed existence. The soft milky light in the background of the cave, and the flame in the woman’s hands (the same orange as the umbrellas), help reinforce the sense of the divine, rendered even more appealing by the casual secular presence of the attentive dog. “ — Elizabeth Krist, National Geographic
2ND PRIZE: Jordi Cohen
“In the moments before a dangerous confrontation, a young bullfighter looks vulnerable, the gentle light playing over naked muscle. The saint on the wall tile seems to promise protection. From the formal shirt, immaculate for the moment, dangle white ties, balanced on the other side of the frame by the black dangling suspenders. The angle of his elbow echoes the curve of the pipes. This intimate image invites our sympathies and challenges us to share his thoughts.” — Elizabeth Krist, National Geographic
3RD PRIZE: Virginia Hines
“Virginia Hines has captured, with excellent artistry and salience, the essence of this remarkable scene. The smoke from the burning lamps casts a hazy filter across our view, furnishing the image with an almost oil-painting-like quality and accentuating the hypnotic ambiance of the ritual. The nether perspective, and immaculate timing, means all participants are framed perfectly within the composition; they display a fervent reverence for their task, thus imparting the cultural significance of what we are witnessing.” – The Independent Photographer Editors
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Judged by: Elizabeth Krist
A National Geographic photo editor for over 20 years, Elizabeth Krist has worked on more than 100 stories and edited at least four million photographs.
Throughout her extensive career, Krist has taught for the International Center of Photography, Syracuse University, Santa Fe Workshops, and La Luz. She has reviewed portfolios for The New York Times and was nominated for the Joop Swart Masterclass. She curated Women of Vision, organized the first Women Focus event at the Newseum in Washington D.C and is on the board of Women Photograph. Krist has judged for The Fence, Picture Of the Year International, Getty Instagram, and the RFK Journalism Awards.
She is currently working on a National Geographic book and exhibition on China and producing stories for Magnum Photos.
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.
THEME: Open Call Deadline: 31 December 2021
Portrait, documentary, fashion, landscape, fine art, street, conceptual, and more: this summer your work may fall into any category and we invite all photographers to share their best images!
We want you to challenge us and respond to the theme in as many inventive ways as you can imagine: Edit carefully and show us what you’ve got!
1st Prize: $1000 · 2nd Prize: $600 · 3rd Prize: $400
