“A WORLD OF CULTURES” – Announcing the winners

We’re delighted to present the results of this year’s edition first theme!  We asked you to explore the lived-in world – people, cultures, societies. The insights of this world from your own perspective! From individuals to nations; city living and urban sprawl to rural life; social trends, anthropology, technological advancements and our interactions with the natural world… The photography competition was judged by Ed Kashi.

Ed Kashi is a photojournalist, filmmaker, educator, and speaker, and a leading member of the esteemed VII Photo Agency. His work focuses on socio-political issues, and has worked on assignment all over the world for National Geographic, The New Yorker, TIME and Human Rights Watch among others.

You can discover the winning images below and join the discussion on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Congratulations to all the talented photographers featured and thank you all for your support. The world’s cultures reside in the hearts and in the souls of people.

First Prize: Maja Nydal

“This image not only has beautiful light and a captivating character, but at first I thought she was holding a basket of fruit and then realized it was a water gun. Her confrontational expression lends mystery and tension to this image, while bathed in this gorgeous light. ” – Ed Kashi.

Second Prize: Mark Bennington

“The juxtaposition of the female bather with the huge ships in the background begs so many questions and leaves much to the imagination. Her expression of power and pride captured my eye. There is something not quite right about this and so instead of an image of happy bathers it leaves me wondering what is going on. I like that quality in a photograph.” – Ed Kashi.

Third Prize: Mark Horn

“This image is filled with mystery from the quality of the light to the mix of modern and old. I imagine it’s in China. There is an ethereal quality to this image that conjures fantasy and questions.” – Ed Kashi.

Winning photographers:

Viet Van Tran, Josefina Santos, Jean Counet, Calum Douglas, Luca Massaccesi, Mattia Zoppellaro, Miriam Stanke, John Feely,  Phil Le Gal, João Pedro Machado, Gillian Hyland, Michael Anaya, Giusseppe Pons, Matt Hamon, Hakim Boulouiz, Stefan Frank, Pete Rosos.