IREX Make a Better World Photo Contest
Congratulations to the winners of our photo contest!
We received 2,400 submissions from over 120 countries in an effort to see who could best capture IREX's mission to Make a Better World. A qualified panel of judges chose winners based on both artistic merit and their ability to demonstrate one or more of IREX's seven Focus Areas. IREX's friends and followers on social media helped select the People's Choice winner. Thanks to all who participated!
Grand Prize
"Sustainable Development" by Arup Haldar
This Indian village woman established a cloth dyeing business with a microfinance loan and now supports her family. One judge noted the photo's "graphic quality, classic rule of thirds and color use." It was the story behind the photo, though, that really caught her attention. "The picture is a slice of life of a woman who is truly an unsung hero," she said. "It is not a portrait that tries to make her look heroic or glamorous; in fact, it shows that she is working hard to be the provider for her family." The photo "balances beauty and the difficulty of her daily life."
Best of Focus Area
"Manifestation of Respect" by David Mor
The photo shows two gentlemen with conflicting backgrounds taking one of their morning walks together. One judge said the photo spoke to her from the start. It "is the perfect embodiment of the theme of conflict resolution — gorgeously and creatively executed." What sealed the deal, though, is that it depicts "a natural moment, captured by someone who spends enough time in the setting to know about the habits and backgrounds of these particular men and to recognize the value of their daily walk. True documentary photography."
President's Choice
"Polling Station" by Nicolas Tanner
An Uzbek woman casts her vote just a year after ethnic clashes tore through the country in 2010. The elections remained peaceful throughout the day. IREX engages local individuals, organizations, and government bodies to improve communities and foster good governance.
People's Choice
"The Knot" by Diana Alhindawi
Representatives from various indigenous groups in Thailand gather in Bangkok to discuss the main challenges they face, and to insist that their rights be recognized and upheld. Here, one man explains the significance of the knot on the head scarf worn by the ethnic Karen man as a cultural symbol of identity.
This year's contest has concluded! Connect with us for information on possible future contests, or simply to find out who wins!
We thank you for submitting your best images of scenes and individuals around the world that reflect IREX's tagline, "Make a Better World." Photos should have demonstrated one or more of IREX's seven focus areas: Civil Society Strengthening, Conflict Resolution, Education, Gender, Media Development, Technology for Development, and Youth.Entry was free and open to all. Please review the contest rules if you have questions about the contest. We thank www.photographycompetitions.net and The Photo Contest for announcing our competition.
Prizes: There are four prizes total.Brief Contest Rules
• Entries were limited to 5 photos per person.• Entrants could only win one prize.
• Acceptable files were .jpg, .tif or .png at high resolution.
• All entrants must hold exclusive rights to the photographs they submitted and by entering claimed such ownership.
• By entering the Contest, all entrants granted an irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide non-exclusive license to IREX, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries. For more information on liability, please see the complete contest rules.
