1ST PRIZE: ANNA BIRET

A good photograph needs to work on multiple levels, and this one delivers. It’s a closely observed compostion shot in beautiful light, it’s a hilarious study in garish colors, and it’s a meditation on the tension between the natural and the artificial. It’s a feast of unexpected connections, between the the woman’s hair and fingernails, the purple shirt and the fake flowers. Bravo. – THOMAS JACKSON

There is so much going on within the frame of this small street scene as texture, vibrancy and mundane activity all compete for the viewer’s attention. Fiery orange tones are repeated throughout the image in small details, from the red hair and fingernails of the main subject to the little potted, stacked plants. The highlighted texture of both peoples’ skin adds personality and story to the scene. A striking street portrait captured by a photographer with an eye for detail and a dedicated style. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – I do candid street photography, simplifying the chaotic mess of life with a sense of beauty, to bring out a bit of mystery. I like to capture those moments that make every moment beautiful in everyday life.

2ND PRIZE: PIERRE BANOORI

This image is a close second. It has strong Philip-Lorca DiCorcia vibes. I love the minimal geometry of the composition and the cinematic lighting. Each component is iconic, the taxi, the hydrant, the backpack and the rubbish bin, brought together to form a serendipitous exhibition of block color ready-mades. – THOMAS JACKSON

The objects of the scene seem to appear independently as if floating in space without connection to one another, only the low, strong sunshine holding them in context. This curious street shot is full of aesthetically pleasing elements, from the primary block colors to the subtle contrasting patterns that lie in the shade. A superb photograph of color and vibrancy, but most importantly of the relationships between people and these inanimate, daily items. – LIFE FRAMER

MYLÈNE FERNANDES

The viewer is instantly greeted with a joyful and wondrous scene of color, pattern and light, pondering the reality of living in such a location. The photographer muses that it may even be overwhelming at times – however, that must depend on the individual and the type of community that occupies the village. Experiencing such a vibrant location as well as the traditions and traits associated with it’s uniqueness would certainly be enlightening. A jubilant and welcoming, postcard-perfect image. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Island of Murano, Venice Italy. This place is all about colors to the point that it could even be overwhelming. Every corner is a great photo opportunity.

ALLISON CARTWRIGHT

The image feels like a still from a ‘wild-west’ movie set, the colors of the desert sky emphasized to evoke the tone and atmosphere of the scene that will play out within the frame. The photographer truly celebrates the iconic landscape and its ageless virtues with this arresting yet simply composed landscape photograph. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Color! In the sky, on my windshield, in the vineyard or beyond. Travels to Napa, Tucson, and Marfa in the US.

SANGHAMITRA SARKAR

The sense of solidarity and community is apparent in this strong scene of faith and tradition, a perception of ‘us’ over ‘I’ is immediately formed by the viewer. The photographer not only depicts the dedication of this cultural custom but is additionally mindful to capture the intergenerational aspect involved. An energetic gathering intensified by the bright red body paint and garments, and making for an absoribing scene we’d love to know more about. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Faith in Red.

SÉBASTIEN DURAND

A perfectly balanced setting of sand, sea and sky expands, all for the solo subject of this scene to observe and enjoy in tranquility. The anonymity of the person allows the viewer to project their own sense of self directly into the beach scene, feeling the heat of sun on their face and grains of sand between their fingers. A glorious and privileged moment to share in. – LIFE FRAMER

TOM STAHL

This fascinating, longstanding tradition may not be widely known, but regardless seems popular – the photographer choosing a wide perspective to capture a moment of community and collaboration rather than focus on the physical ability and achievement. An exciting image full of detail, energy and a loving commitment to culture and solidarity. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – I took this photo of the castellers competition in the Spanish city of Tarragona in 2014. A castell is a human tower. They have been “built” at festivals in Catalonia since the 1700s. A tower can be up to ten stories tall and is built in two phases. First the pinya (pineapple) base is assembled to provide solid support for the upper levels. As a team band plays nearby to indicate the tower’s progress, the upper stories are assembled quickly, ending when the final casteller, often a young child, climbs to the top and raises their hand. The tower is then carefully disassembled, although sometimes the whole thing comes crashing down in a pile of bodies.

The Tarragona competition was a beautiful and surprisingly moving event. Although it is ostensibly a contest, all the teams, each wearing their own colors, are on the floor of the arena at the same time. The teams all watch each other and competitors step in to help other teams. Everyone, even rival teams, cheer when a tower is completed. It’s more of a collective celebration than a competition.

VALENTINA VARESANO

A vibrantly coloured corner of street stands empty of the celebrations unfolding elsewhere across the city, making the violet hue appear more sinister than jovial as it falls across the alleyway. The little figure seems to move out of focus and frame, as if taking their time to rejoin the other festival worshippers. An uncommon but interesting perspective of a city in celebration. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A streetwalk in Varanasi, India. During the Durga Puja celebrations in Varanasi, nightlife is enriched of colour. People gather near temples or follow the parades and streets are left emptied, When the celebration ends temporary temples are dismantled and return to their original use.

JOY SAHA

A severe scene of heat, discomfort and struggle is displayed to the viewer, translated through the subjects’ faces and body language, and compounded by the dusty haze of orange and red earthy tones. The men are almost branded with this labor just like the bricks they carry. A horrendous scene, however these subjects are extremely important to document and share with the world, and as such a further understanding of the photographer’s intention with this work would be welcomed. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Heavy Lifting. Labourers in Dhaka, Bangladesh carry piles of bricks weighing more than 15 kg on their heads in a brick kiln. They earn less than 1 USD only after carrying 1,000 bricks. Brickfield’s environment can be stated as a new form of modern slavery. Long working hours under the scorching sun, massive accumulation of dust, the risk of falling from the trucks and piles of bricks, and carrying excessive loads pose serious health hazards for the workers.

ISABELLE LEVESQUE

An aesthetically pleasing scene welcomes the viewer’s gaze as the captivating patterns and colors of nature take over. The placid essence of the image is almost meditative, enabling the viewer to feel at ease, and even as enamoured as the photographer was when capturing the scene. A moment of pure bliss within the – at times overlooked – detail of natural landscapes. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Reflection on Cubism. On the road to Cape Enrager, the sun creates fantastic colors on the rocks and their reflections which surround this tranquil river.

KUBA ŚWIETLIK

Through earthy tones and subtle sunset shades the photographer captures this stunning vista, one the viewer can immediately get lost in. There is a tangible aspect to the scene – from the bare, creased mountains to the warm, sweeping sky – as if there is a possibility to touch each individual element of the landscape. A wonderful capture of a breath-taking scene. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Joshua Tree National Park, US.

LEWIS DEROGENE

The viewer is presented with a warm, rich and intimate portrait to consider. The photographer has subtly arranged the scene to create this baroque aesthetic without it becoming gimmicky or over-produced, their use of detail and symbolism subtle but effective. The result is a photograph that is both striking and tender. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Pensée. Homage to Rembrandt and Caravaggio. This self-portrait photograph is made in a baroque painting aesthetic as a form of resilience against harmful stereotypes and tropes placed on Black women that they are masculine, tough, aggressive, loud and more.

Against a backdrop of deep, velvety black fabric, I embrace the chiaroscuro technique reminiscent of Rembrandt’s iconic self-portraits. The interplay of light and shadow adds a sense of depth and mystery to the composition, inviting viewers into a world of introspection and intrigue. Inspired by Caravaggio’s meticulous attention to detail and realism, I posed with a sense of vulnerability, dressed in a faux fur top and a shawl made from curtain fabric. These elements lend a touch of theatricality to the scene, echoing the drama and texture found in Caravaggio’s works. Decorating my headwrap are delicate plastic flowers, a subtle homage to the symbolic richness often presents in Baroque art. While originally pale pink, I chose to render my headwrap in a bold blue hue, adding a contemporary twist to the traditional aesthetic.

ANDRE HIDAYAT

Patience, space and understanding of light are all part of the foundations to such an effectively composed scene. Knowing these vibrantly decorated walls would create such an exciting backdrop for an ordinary act such as walking demonstrates the photographer’s honed skill. It is wonderful to see the use of color in this renovation, marking a phase of joy after a tragic event. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The colorful walls are the result of the renovation of Gembrong Market Village, Jakarta after it burned down in 2022.

ALEJANDRO AGUIRRE

There is a sense of irony to the caption of this image, the idea that a green space within a crowded, busy city is a useless space seems contradictory. The darkness to the scene gives the greenscape a rich and tactile feeling, only the manicured element betraying the human effort that has been made. The deep, cracked trenches give the impression of little islands floating and bumping off one another. A unique perspective on an iconic cityscape. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Useless Spaces: Brooklyn Green.

ENZA DI LECCE

This group snapshot makes for a timeless scene with a relaxed sense of casual familiarity – as if the viewer has stumbled across the photographer’s own family album. The color palette portrayed within the image – both through the women’s choice of style and the overall tone – evokes a sense of nostalgia. Each person wears their patterns and colors with ease and joy, simultaneously expressing individual identity as well as a nod to their wider shared culture. The photographer proudly captures a tapestry of seasons within and worn upon these women. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Women are the true canvas for all seasons.

PIA SCHEUER

Color and energy explode from the scene. Understanding scale and depth is difficult with this instant of intensity, which makes it particularly absorbing – it could very easily be mistaken for a scene from outer space. The photographer has considered the landscape, looking for these moments of activity that perform as abstract paintings. A wondrous scene captured beautifully. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Hidden Gems. Arial drone shot of a glacial riverbed, Iceland.

JOHN BULLOCK

The photographer doesn’t seem to overthink their image as they frame and capture this scene that has caught their attention. The shadowy silhouette, and low, warm toned lighting gives the scene a sense of anticipation, engaging the viewer in a mystery that may just unfold before them. An intriguing photograph, well balanced and composed. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A composition I noticed at work.

MURIEL VEKEMANS

A brilliant and unusual spectrum of color forms this topographical view, uncommon in a typical landscape scene. The photographer takes full advantage of their viewpoint over this iconic lake and its extraordinary ecological occurrence where an abundance of sodium carbonate creates a unique pink tone. An impressive photograph of a remarkable part of the planet. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Pink and Blue. Photo taken from a helicopter above the Lake Magadi in Kenya.

NICOLAS CASTERMANS

This is an image that at first appears like a painting, where the minute Alpaca figures grazing the foregrounds capture the viewer’s attention as the detail of layered tones and rolling mountainscape expands into the background. A stunning vista, mindfully studied and lovingly composed by a dedicated photographer. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Alpaca Kingdom. This image is part of a long term photography project about the Quechua community of Palccoyo in the stunningly beautiful and vibrant highlands of the Cusco region, Peru.

KELLY BECKTA

The photographer celebrates the moment they were hoping for, a bit of unprompted human movement to give the scene another layer of context and perspective, and captures the scene skillfully. A town like this gives a photographer ample opportunity to capture aesthetically pleasing, architectural imagery but the detail of daily living occurring against the colorful backdrop, elevates it aesthetically, and makes for a more relatable piece for any viewer to enjoy. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Blue Pearl – I was happy taking pictures of this little blue street in Chefchaouen, Morocco but it got a lot better when this woman opened her door at the right moment in time.