Latest news with #TPOTY
BBC News
31-01-2025
- BBC News
Travel Photographer of the Year: The winning pictures
The top pictures from the 2024 international Travel Photographer of the Year awards (TPOTY) have been revealed. The competition celebrates the beauty of different cultures and landscapes. More than 20,000 pictures were sent in from photographers from more than 150 countries. Now that's a lot of competition!Let's take a look at some of the wonderful winning pictures, from adults and young photographers too. The overall Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 winner, Piper Mackay, takes her photos using infrared, which captures wavelengths not visible to the human eye. TPOTY founder Chris Coe said: "They are beautifully composed, celebrating both indigenous women and wildlife on the African savanna."Piper, who lives in Kenya, said: "This award completes my life's passion and work across Africa for more than two decades. There is no higher honour!" Young photographers shine The competition also celebrates the stars of the future through the Young TPOTY awards. This year the winners and placed photographers come from six different countries. The awards' first overall winner from China was 14-year-old Raymond took the title of Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 for his portfolio of an old steam train and its drivers in the heart of the action. The winner of the Young TPOTY 14 years and under category is Leonardo Murray from Australia. He shot his winning images of sand dunes on a trip around Namibia with his father, who is a professional photographer. The winner of the Young TPOTY age 15-18 was Maksymilian Paczkowski. He captured this fantastic photo of a partridge - which he says can be quite rare to see in Poland. To get the picture he had to wait, camouflaged, for the bird to appear. He said: "Photographing it against the rising sun, I also captured steam rising from its beak." The runner-up in the Young TPOTY age 15-18 was Vlad took this photograph at Cuejdel lake in said: "Trees reflected in the lake create a beautiful view and, if you are lucky enough, you can also have a little fog on the surface of the water." The winner for best single image in Wildlife, Nature and Underwater portfolio was Joshua Holko from Australia. His picture shows a Pallas cat lying flat in the snow at first is their method for camouflage after most likely being out hunting all night. The cat is covered in frost due to the freezing temperatures of the Mongolian winter.
Euronews
29-01-2025
- Euronews
Lost tribes, explosive volcanoes and pangolin hats: 2024's most awe-inspiring travel photography
2024's winning travel images include entries from photographers as young as nine-years-old. Taking photos is a popular travel pastime, as we seek to capture moments and scenes so we can enjoy them long after the holiday is over. The collective enthusiasm for travel photography is breeding a wealth of talent, creating mesmerising images that highlight the beauty and diversity of our planet. According to research by Virgin Media O2, most of us spend an inordinate amount of time pointing the camera at ourselves. They found that, on average, holidaying people take around 14 selfies a day, with one in ten admitting to getting into risky predicaments for the perfect holiday snap. Nevertheless, travel serves to inspire photographers, both professional and amateur. Thanks to the endeavours of talented creatives, we can enjoy a window into the world, experiencing exotic destinations and seeing life from a new angle with their unique blend of timing and composition. The best of the best are revealed in the winning images for the 2024 Travel Photographer of the Year awards. This year, there really are some stunners in the crop. For the second year in a row, talented American photographer Piper Mackay has scooped the top prize for her incredibly unusual photographs, which she shoots in infrared. 'So many images seen today are over-saturated, over-processed and even AI-generated,' says Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) founder Chris Coe. 'A 'less is more' approach is often far more effective.' 'Piper Mackay's distinctive winning images illustrate this 'less is more' ideal well,' Chris continues. 'The use of black and white, with a camera converted to shoot infrared (IR), allows us to absorb the details and atmosphere which good monochrome conveys so well'. Mackay, posting on her blog, said the win had left her 'speechless,' commenting, 'After more than 20 years of photographing across the African continent and focusing on infrared photography for the past decade, this honour means a great deal to me, especially because it represents both my wildlife and tribal images'. Young photography talent on show TPOTY not only recognises established professional travel photographers but also serves as a springboard for younger creatives trying to break into the industry. Aged 14, Raymond Zhang has been taking photographs of his surroundings since he was just 10 years old. Inspired by the plight of birds in Shanghai whose habitats were being destroyed for development, he began using his camera to raise awareness and send a deeper message. His winning images for Young Travel Photographer of the Year focus on a group of workers at a coal mine in Hami City, Xinjiang province, China. The people he photographed have worked at the mine for many years, with some as long as four decades. But with the mine facing closure, their future was uncertain. Zhang notes that it was also Chinese New Year, and the men were still working hard instead of spending time with their families. Leonardo Murray, just 12 years old, scooped the prize for 'Young TPOTY 14 years and under' for his stunning photographs of the undulating sand dunes in Namibia. The youngest award winner was Jamie Smart from the UK. Aged nine years old, he submitted a beautiful collection of images of seabirds to claim runner-up in the under-14s category. In the age 15-18 category, 17-year-old Maksymilian Paczkowski scored a win with a portfolio of images of wild birds in action. He says that he loves playing with light and shadow to create art and that photography, to him, is all about the story behind the shot and the patience it takes to capture a fleeting moment. Capturing cultures to celebrate people Mexican photographer Maricruz Sainz de Aja won in the 'Faces, People, Cultures' category with a series of images of the Wauga tribe from Papua New Guinea. Here, two Wauga elders stand together, adorned with intricate feathered headdresses and covered in black mud. 'Photography is a tool for connection and storytelling, and each photograph is a reflection of the world's complexity and the emotions that bind us,' says Maricruz. 'I am committed to preserving these stories and contributing to a global interest in culture, nature, and humanity.' While Maricruz won the portfolio category, the winner of the 'single image' category was Partha Pratim Roy, a Singapore-based photographer originally from West Bengal, India. His photograph depicts an Indonesian horseman struggling to control his lively steed, captured in East Java. In a new category for TPOTY this year, Rising Talent celebrates amateur photographers as well as those who have turned professional very recently. Sofia Brogi from Italy captured this haunting image of a young girl in Sarnath, India, to win one of the ten Rising Talent awards. Explaining the image, Sofia says the girl is called Gunja and doesn't know her surname or date of birth. She was homeless and begging under a tarpaulin when Sofia met her. 'Gunja, for me, is India: a symbol of the caste system and its scars,' explains Brogi. 'She embodies the innocence of a child who doesn't know her own birth date but knows how to express gratitude.' Another Rising Talent winner was Kevin Hoare from the USA, whose photograph of a boy from the Suri tribe in Omo Valley, Ethiopia, captured the imagination of the judges. Hoare explains that cattle represent wealth and status in the Suri community and are constantly monitored, often with armed guards. This little boy, he says, is 'following in his father's footsteps.' While all other categories are judged by an anonymous panel of 15 experts, there is one category the judges don't get a say in. The People's Choice award is decided by a public vote, and this year the winner was Mauro de Bettio from Italy. De Bettio's image displays a wonderfully close relationship between an endangered pangolin and the man who rescued it from a wildlife market in Nigeria, West Africa. Photographing the power, beauty and terror of nature Travel photographers give us a unique window into the world, and this year's TPOTY winners have shone a light on both the beauty and the heartbreak of the natural environment. Winning in the Planet Earth category, Roie Galitz submitted a portfolio of captivating images of glacier fronts in Bråsvellbreen, Svalbard. Capturing meltwater cascading down the sheer ice wall of the glacier illustrates the profound impact of climate change on the polar regions and their contribution to sea level rise. Continuing that theme, Alain Schroeder from Belgium won in the Planet Earth category for the best single image with this shot of a young child looking out at the flooded streets of Jeruksari near Pekalongan, Indonesia. This visual captures the tangible consequence of climate change in all its raw glory. One of the Rising Talent winners, Gilberto Costa from Portugal captured a stunning image of an erupting volcano in Antigua, Guatemala. He noted that this shot required much patience, spending a night on a cold and windy adjacent mountain waiting for the perfect moment. Agnieszka Wieczorek from Poland also won in the Rising Talent category for his capture of volcanic activity. The Fagradasfjall eruption in Iceland that began in 2021 has drawn huge numbers of visitors, as the slow-moving lava and relatively accessible site allowed people to get up close in a safe manner. Winning the Escape category, Ngar Shun Victor Wong from Hong Kong submitted this almost fantastical scene shot in Sveti Tomaz, Slovenia. The quaint church peeping out of a snowy scene shrouded in mist captures the timeless beauty of nature and architecture in a dreamlike image. A window into the world of animal lives No travel photography awards would be complete without a bit of wildlife, and this year's TPOTY awards did not disappoint. Winner of the best single image in Wildlife and Nature was Joshua Holoko from Australia, who snapped this amazing image of a Pallas cat in the Steppe region of Eastern Mongolia. Lying in the snow and covered in hoar frost, the cat is well camouflaged while it rests after a busy night hunting. Scooping a highly commended in the nature category for his portfolio, Scott Portelli from Australia submitted this incredible photograph of a group of Adelie penguin chicks hiding from predators in a tunnel in an iceberg. The winner in the portfolio category for 'nature shots' was Jenny Stock from the UK, who travelled to Jardines de la Reina, Cuba, for this beautiful photograph of a crocodile. From above, its prey would see nothing but its eyes popping out above the surface - while its powerful body hangs below the water, hidden from view. Honoured in the Rising Talent awards, Dmytro Geshengorin was lucky to capture this amazing image of a pheasant taking off next to a roe deer in Minden, Germany. He had been lying on the ground, waiting for the deer to look his way, when the bird suddenly flew across its path. Underwater photography was featured too. Khaichuin Sim from Malaysia grabbed one of the Rising Talent awards for his sub-aqua portfolio. Here, his freediving wife is surrounded by a huge school of jackfish off the coast of Sipadan Island, Malaysia. There are dozens more stunning travel photography images to enjoy on the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) website. The winning shots will go on display at the Banbury Museum and Galleries in the UK from 29 March to 7 July, while exhibitions are also planned in the UAE and China later in the year. Next time you're on your travels, shun the selfie in favour of the world around you. Seek to capture a moment in time as only you can see it and, you never know, you could be one of next year's winners. Share this article
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The winning images of Travel Photographer of the Year 2024, from infrared photos to iPhone shots
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The winning photographs of the 2024 International Travel Photographer of the Year awards (TPOTY) have been revealed. The incredible winners range from intimate portraits to atmospheric landscapes, and shots that capture our changing planet and its inhabitants. For the second year in a row, the top award has gone to a talented female photographer, this time Piper Mackay from the US. Shooting in infrared (IR), her portraits of African women are simple and beautifully exquisite in their detail. Piper, who now lives in Kenya, said: 'My philosophy has always been 'Never let the photo dictate your experience, always let the experience dictate the photo.' This award completes my life's passion and work across Africa for more than two decades. There is no higher honor!' Mackay's prize includes a $2,500 / £2,000 / AU$4,000 cash bursary from TPOTY, Radiant Photo imaging software and a portfolio review from top New York agent, Frank Meo. Young TPOTY winner Raymond Zhang receives $625 / £500 / AU$900 and Radiant Photo, while Leonardo Murray and Maksymilian Paczkowski each receive $300 / £250 / AU$495. All three young winners will also win a place on an Eye for the Light photography workshop or a photo critique. TPOTY founder Chris Coe said: 'So many images seen today are over-saturated, over-processed and even AI-generated. A 'less is more' approach is often far more effective. It is therefore refreshing to judge images which demonstrate good camera craft and in-camera creativity – shot full-frame, or close to it, and with very little retouching. 'Piper Mackay's distinctive winning images illustrate this 'less is more' ideal well. They are beautifully composed, celebrating both indigenous women and wildlife on the African savanna. The use of black-and-white, with a camera converted to shoot infrared (IR), allows us to absorb the details and atmosphere which good monochrome conveys so well. Her images have an immediate impact, but the intricate detail and atmosphere captured is also eye-catching and highly engaging.' As well as celebrating established photographers, TPOTY also celebrates the potential stars of the future through the Young TPOTY awards. Receiving the 2024 title of Young Photographer of the Year is 14-year-old Raymond Zhang, for his portfolio of an old steam train and its drivers, photographed at work in the heart of the action. Amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries submitted more than 20,000 photographs to the 2024 competition. The winning shots will first go on display at The Banbury Museum and Galleries in Banbury, England, from March 29 to July 07. TPOTY will also be showcased at Xposure in the UAE. Another exhibition will follow in Changsha, Hunan Province, China in mid-June. Below is a selection of my favorites, and all the winners can be seen online. Winner – Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2024"Sandaoling coal mine, Hami city, Xinjiang province, China; I took this picture during the workers' short break. I could only take a snapshot with my phone since they really didn't have much break time during their work. In the background, you can see the red traditional artwork which symbolizes Chinese New Year. Although the workers had to be at this harsh site and not with their family, they remained positive toward life." Winner – One Shot: Women in World Culture "The Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca, Mexico is a deeply spiritual and culturally rich celebration of life and death. The elderly woman sits contemplatively among the graves adorned with bright orange marigolds, candles, and personal mementos. Her expression reflects a mixture of sorrow and peace, perhaps as she communes with the spirits of her loved ones. The warm glow of candlelight illuminates the scene, creating a sacred and intimate atmosphere." Winner – Wildlife, Nature and Underwater Portfolio "Crocodiles have a very low profile above the water line once they are swimming, in order to keep their presence well hidden from their prey. For a photographer trying to achieve a split shot – half above the water, half below – with a crocodile is quite the challenge. I wanted this powerful beast's eye to just pop out above the waterline and had to take many photos like this to eventually achieve this image." Winner – Faces, People and Cultures Portfolio "Two Wauga elders stand together, among the very few who remain as guardians of their tribe's traditions. Their weathered faces, marked by deep wrinkles, reflect a lifetime of wisdom and resilience. Adorned with intricate feathered headdresses and covered in black mud, they represent a culture at risk of fading. "The elder in the foreground gazes thoughtfully, bearing the responsibility of preserving their legacy. Behind him, the second elder mirrors the same quiet strength, their shared presence a symbol of the community's enduring bonds. This powerful image captures the fragility of their cultural rituals, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding traditions before they are lost forever." Inspired? Take a look at our guides to the best travel cameras, the best cameras for wildlife photography, and the best cameras for landscape photography.
