+ €427 gift from Retouch4me
Kishore Das | India
1st prize «Portrait»
Veneration
«…A striking portrait captures an aged woman from the Ramnami Tribe, her entire body adorned with tattoos of Lord Rama’s name, symbolizing her unwavering devotion. The Ramnami community, primarily residing in Chhattisgarh, India, follows this unique tradition as a form of spiritual resistance and devotion. Historically, they were denied entry into temples due to their lower caste status, prompting them to inscribe Lord Rama’s name on their bodies, transforming themselves into living temples. Despite facing societal challenges, the Ramnami community has preserved this practice for generations, reflecting their resilience, faith, and commitment to their cultural identity and spiritual beliefs…»
Azim Khan Ronnie | France
Honorable mention «Portrait»
The man of golden fibers
«…Worker appear to be wearing large golden wigs as they carry a heavy bundle of jute fiber. Their bodies are enveloped with the heavy natural fibers, with only their faces visible as they each carry around 50kg of jute on their shoulders…»
www.azimronnie.com
www.facebook.com/azimronnie
www.instagram.com/azimronnie
Desislava Ignatova | Bulgaria
Honorable mention «Portrait»
Such is Life
«…This photograph holds profound emotional meaning for me. In the picture, my mother is suffering from cancer. Time slips through our fingers like sand; one moment, we are in the prime of youth, and the next, we fade into the twilight of our days…»
Panos Myxakis | Greece
Honorable mention «Portrait»
Serpent’s Embrace
«…Grace and danger entwined. She embraces the serpent not with fear, but with understanding—symbolizing the delicate balance between power and vulnerability. A timeless moment where mystery, strength, and temptation converge…»
Brahmaiah Vangapalli | India
Honorable mention «Portrait»
Rainy Day
«…Even when it rains in rural areas, small children play in the rain, blocking themselves with large leaves.
They run happily in the rain…»
www.instagram.com/brahmamdigitals
www.facebook.com/brahmam.photographer
Angelika Gawryluk-Anthopoulou | Greece
Honorable mention «Portrait»
In the embrace of light
«…The photograph shows my daughter sitting inside an Orthodox church, bathed in the sunlight streaming through the windows. This play of light that gently embraced her, making the moment seem almost magical, inspired me to capture this photograph.
Within this scene, tradition becomes palpable. The icons surrounding her carry centuries of history and faith, while the light falling upon her seems to bridge the past with the present. It is a moment that reminds us of the continuity of tradition, where the new generation finds itself in the same sacred space where previous generations once prayed and lived…»
@angelikanthopoulou.photography
AngelikAnthopoulouPhotography
Sugata Sengupta | India
Honorable mention «Portrait»
The Hunter Boys
«…The picture portrays two young members of the Sabar tribe. Also known as Saora or Shabar, they are indigenous members of the Munda ethnic group. They are primarily found in the foothills of south eastern India; mostly Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal. The picture speaks about the deep reliance of the community on forest resources, for both food and occupation. Shot in Purulia district of West Bengal, the members of the community are traditionally hunter gatherers- the rat trap and killed rat in the frame are representative of one of their primary sources of protein…»
Giulio Bertcci | Italy
Honorable mention «Portrait»
Fire and Tradition
«…In the heart of Ethiopia, among the isolated lands of the Suri tribe, a young man emerges from the community with his face painted white, a symbol of belonging and identity. The flames burning in the background represent purification and renewal, an endless cycle that marks the passage of time.
The young man’s intense gaze reflects the strength of a people who, even in a changing world, proudly preserve their traditions. These deep connections with nature and ancestors are the foundation of his life, a source of strength and resilience…»
