1ST PRIZE: ANDREAS BAUER

The photographer did a beautiful job capturing one frame with many stories within; each person on the bus is in their own world of emotions and even the painted characters on the side of the bus add to the overall mix of realities. The framing takes me through the composition and allows me to sit with each subject as I am offered a glimpse into a small slice of our world. – AMY TOENSING

Humanity has so many self-made structures and imposed paths that complicate our lives. This crowded image of a crowded bus manages to gather in a single frame a large part of our history. By filtering all colors but one (a technique that can often lead to more clichéd results), the photographer emphasizes a specific perspective and leads the viewer’s eye toward the main focal point – in this case one that is both visual and conceptual. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Beijing, China.

2ND PRIZE: MARTA LANGIANO

This landscape is well seen and created; the scale, composition, sense of color. What brought it to the prize level was the subject matter of ice contrasted with curious humans making their way through the scene. Our melting ice is one of the most tangible ways we see the effects of climate change. This image is both beautiful and sad, all in one frame. – AMY TOENSING

This outstanding shot captures humankind’s determination to conquer the natural world despite our physical powerlessness. The main subject is, at the same time, a leading line that keeps the viewer engaged. The background is as much of a main subject as the people. There is an undeniable flow of energy here, a pace the viewer feels the need to commit to. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Climbers walking on Perito Moreno, Argentina.

HARMEN MEINSMA

Art is the ultimate expression of humanity. This photograph captures the exuberance and dedication of the actors, the creativity of their costumes, and the scene in which they perform. It’s a documentary portrait with an interesting composition and well-balanced contrasts and colors, which shows the photographer’s creativity and attention to detail. An artistic representation of art. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Arawak Teatro, 2022, Otrobanda, Curaçao.

I capture the vivacity of five young actors living and working in Curaçao. Dressed in exuberant costumes, these talented individuals perform in the island’s tourist areas, portraying magical and mystifying characters in the streets. Arawak Teatro is the passion project of Franklin Salgado, centered on a sharp vision of uplifting the island’s performance arts, cherishing its histories, and empowering young people to live–and play out–their dreams and fantasies.

The challenges posed by limited resources on the island are met with creativity and love for one another and the beautiful streets of Willemstad, which they have claimed as their playground. They pursue their dreams wearing upcycled costumes provided by Salgado and rehearse in an abandoned bank building. Their hair and makeup are of their own creation.

This project opened new and exciting avenues for Meinsma, who typically works with a substantial team of stylists, makeup artists, and assistants. Portraying people outdoors in the streets of Otrobanda was unpredictable yet deeply inspiring. “This project felt like bringing a dream to life, challenging the sometimes harsh realities of an island facing increasing poverty, particularly during the pandemic. Over a few weeks, I feel like I made friends for life, and together we now share a future vision.”

TARUN KALYANI

Courtesy is an exclusive attribute of humanity. The photographer captures it beautifully in this image, relying on a minimalist composition to tell a very complicated story. The powerful focal point created by the sun umbrella leads the viewer’s eye through a vast space filled with soft, pastel colors. An excellent use of negative space, in an image that speaks to leisure, wealth and power dynamics. – LIFE FRAMER

SIMON MARTIN

The photographer creates a painting-like double portrait with outstanding lighting quality. The classic composition fits the models’ attitudes and enhances their features. Every visual element is attentively curated, which results in a well-balanced composition focused on the models. Who are they? What is their story? The viewer can’t stop wondering and searching the photo for clues. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Twins Hope and Grace Fly pose at dusk on the banks of the Thames, Gravesend.

KRZYSZTOF PANAS

What a lovely perspective on love and partnership! The unusual camera angle captures not only useful details about the two characters but also nature’s celebration of love. Living and loving with playfulness and humor is a good life lesson and a good message for a photograph. The photographer denotes strong storytelling abilities and the patience to wait for the decisive moment. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – “Love, Birds.”

OLIVIA DE VILLAINE

A powerful effect that only a mastery of light can produce. This painting-like photograph perfectly captures the attitude of the young woman and the traditional surroundings. The subtle details hidden in the shadows only enhance the story without overpowering the main character. What’s even more impressive is that the picture is a candid shot, meaning the photographer engaged with the subject deeply, blending in smoothly in the background. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Lalibela, Ethiopia.

NOAH DOLINSKY

There is so much tenderness and care in this photo, both in front of and behind the lens. The bond is clear between all involved. Giving up color was a good choice because it takes the viewer back to the essentials of the human condition. The soft contrast helps to fine-tune this story, too. The photograph is a series of good decisions, from photographing a subject the photographer cares about to adjusting the composition to fit the artistic purpose. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Bee and Mei, two young transgender women and close friends, share a comforting bond that provides each with strength and support. Photographed in Bangkok, Thailand, this image is part of my series Fallen Angels, which intimately portrays the lives of trans women in Southeast Asia.

ALEXANDER PALACIOS

A representation of humanity as the sum of its individuals, this photograph aims to show us the equalizing effect of nature. From a bird-eye perspective, we are not only equals but also tiny in comparison with the grandeur of nature. The photograph is a reminder that our so-called superiority is nothing but a manmade artifact. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Spectacle. This piece is an homage to the Rhine and the diversity it brings together every day. From a bird’s-eye view, a vibrant sea of people emerges, swimming among buoys, with a canoe seemingly organizing the chaos. The abundance of swimmers represents the diversity of individuals, each carrying their own stories, backgrounds, and perspectives. Yet, in the water, they are all equal–social differences, origins, religious beliefs, or political convictions fade into the background.

The Rhine becomes the great equalizer, a place where these differences dissolve. In the crowd, individual identities blur, creating an image of unity and togetherness. The “Spectacle” symbolizes the wonder that occurs when people forget their differences and meet in a shared space–here represented by the element of water.

This image invites the viewer to reflect on the value of tolerance and openness. It urges us to question our own prejudices and celebrate the diversity within our society. The Rhine brings us all together–regardless of who we are or what we believe.

ANGELIKA JAKOB

A joyful and playful mix of human emotions, this colorful composition puts the viewer in a good mood. It’s a potpourri of happiness, pride, disbelief, motherly love, friendship, and many other aspects of what makes us human. The composition itself has multiple layers that add depth and produce a 3D effect. The photographer managed to produce a realistic image not just conceptually but also technically. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Beach life in Accra, Ghana.

MICHAEL SNYDER

There is so much love and human emotion in this picture that the viewer can hardly remain untouched. The closeness and tenderness between the two, the delicate presence of the photographer, and the warm light that illuminates the scene, all act to convey the sacrality of the moment. No words could have better captured the profoundness and ephemerality of life. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A Daughter, Mother and Alzheimer’s. My wife and I paid a visit to her mother in a nursing home. She had suffered a stroke and fallen at home. After she recovered from the stroke, doctors explained that the disease would accelerate. She was transferred to a nursing home after spending several months at home with us receiving care as her symptoms worsened. Most visits she barely knew who we were and was living in her own world, but on this particular evening, as soon as my wife sat down next to her, she remembered who she was and called her by name. I was carrying my camera with me at the time and began snapping photos of the moment. As they looked into each other’s eyes with that mother-daughter moment, my camera sound distracted her mother and she looked at me briefly, then back at her daughter, only to ask who she was. Several months later she passed away.

KIMBERLY FENTON

A beautiful representation of tradition and human connection with nature, this candid shot impresses through color and contrast. The two silhouettes on the sunset sky produce an magical effect. Without losing sight of the details that make the story, the photographer infuses the scene with reflections, transparencies, and symmetries, which provide food for thought. At the same time, an overwhelming atmosphere of peace and mindfulness transmits from the image. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – A traditionally dressed couple from the Chinampas Xochimilco in Mexico, their reflection mirrored on the lake’s surface. Bathed in a stunning orange glow, the scene unfolds with mist rising gently from the water, illuminated by the sun rising over Volcan Iztaccihuatl.

EDUARDO ORTIZ

Intergenerational human relationships show not only how much we change from one age to another but also how much we don’t change. The photographer captures a family moment of awe in the face of nature. Both children and adults are enchanted by their closeness to the birds, proving the profoundness of the human soul. The low camera angle is a smart compositional choice that puts everything in perspective. – LIFE FRAMER

AZIM KHAN RONNIE

Humanity means more than individuals. This photograph beautifully captures humans as a species, enchanted by the same games, motivated by the same spiritual beliefs, and following the same rituals. A straightforward message meant to unite us in our differences. The breathtaking pattern creates a powerful visual effect that stays with you for a long time, luring you to return to the photograph. – LIFE FRAMER

JUAN GUILLERMO ESCOBAR

A mesmerizing mix of symbols, this picture speaks about the search for identity, a quest all human beings must complete. The background is cleverly made part of the story, acting like the canvas on which the personal journey unfolds. The photographer clearly has a good sense of space and composition but also a unique talent for visual storytelling. Not a single visual element is left to chance. At the same time, nothing seems posed. A difficult balance that only a very attentive photographer can master. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Proud Humans is an intimate exploration and vibrant celebration of the Queer community from Latin America. As El Tigre, an artist at the crossroads of fashion and documentary photography, I strive to illuminate the hidden stories woven within their bold self-creation.

Going beyond the surface, the project provides an intimate gaze into worlds that are often perceived only from the exterior. Within their homes and their everyday environments, aspects of identities that often remain unseen are brought to light, crafting moments and images that echo the Queer community’s liberating interaction with their spaces.

The work delves into the very essence of identity and self-expression. Each individual morphs into a living canvas, challenging traditional binary perspectives. This transformation, these audacious expressions, could they be signalling a futuristic reality?

Viewers are invited on a journey to reimagine the boundless potential of human self-expression. The project challenges us to rethink our understanding of humanity, by showcasing these individuals as creators, actively reshaping their own world and the world’s perception of them. Through this lens, we engage in the exploration, daring to envision the future of identity and the expansive boundaries of humanity.

QUIM ROCA MALLARACH

This environmental portrait contains a reference to the human need to belong and be useful. It’s beautifully constructed and shows a deep understanding of light and composition. At the same time, it tells the story of a lifetime dedicated to a job, a place, a group of people. The cat on the outside of the window is the only company that’s left. The silence and sadness are overwhelming. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Portrait of the tinsmith Francesc Gelada on the last day before the demolition of the building.

TAYACHI BACHIR

A lonely silhouette in a vast empty space, what a beautiful metaphor for the journey of the human being. The photographer encapsulates a lot of meaning in a minimalist scene, choosing an anti-portrait as the main focal point of the image. It’s an experimental approach, creative and ambitious. The earthly tones of the surroundings complement the human silhouette and make the scene look effortless. – LIFE FRAMER

SUDIPTA MAULIK

Devotion and spirituality have always been part of the human condition. This colorful composition captures a moment of reverence, doubled in intensity by the reflections in the water. It’s an artful composition with vibrant color contrast and well-balanced visual elements. As a multiple-subject shot, it is graciously framed to create an appealing rhythm and keep the viewer engaged. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – Devotion to traditional power – Women devotees pray to the Sun God, immersing themselves in the river’s waters in India.

SEBASTIAN SZCZEPANOWSKI

Humans surround themselves with possessions, which, in the end, arrive to define them. But humanity stands beyond the things we own and build and use. The poor background in this photograph takes nothing of the woman’s attitude. The sun warming her face and the plants growing nearby tell a more profound story. The picture has a remarkable depth. – LIFE FRAMER

Photographer statement – The Lake Camp.

JACQUELINE WEIR

Humans, like no other species, have made an art of leisure activities. This relaxed and playful composition shows our lazy side, attentively constructed lifestyle, and continuous quest for a bigger, more attractive happiness. We can find pleasure in small things but aim at the big ones. Regardless, pleasure is a big part of our lives, and we should recognize and celebrate it. – LIFE FRAMER