Tokyo, Japan—Nikon Corporation has held the Nikon Photo Contest since 1969, making this year the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s largest photo competitions. The grand prize winner of the Nikon Photo Contest 2018-2019 was selected from the five gold prize winning works. Nikon announced the winner at an awards ceremony held in Tokyo.
At the ceremony, the photo titled Ayimpoka, entered by Sara De Antonio Feu of Spain, was unveiled as the winner of the grand prize award. The photo was also the winner of the gold prize in the Next Generation single photo category.
In addition, winning works from the contest will form the Nikon Photo Contest 2018–2019 Photo Exhibition. The worldwide traveling exhibition will make stops in major cities of countries and regions. They will include venues in Europe and Asia, including Japan and China.
Moreover, the winners of the gold prize, silver prize and bronze prize awards were selected from a record 97,369 entries. Approximately 33,000 people from 170 countries and regions around the world submitted entries. There was also a Participants’ Choice Prize and the NPC 50th Anniversary Prize, which was selected by Nikon employees.
Nikon Photo Contest 2018–2019 Grand Prize Winner
The subject of the grand prize winning photo, Ayimpoka lives with her family in a small town in Ghana. Albinism is a cause of discrimination and persecution in Ghana. Consequently, because of its popular association with magic and witchcraft, murders of albino children are committed.
However, at Ayimpoka’s house, everyone gives her love and protection; a local NGO provides her weekly care. She was recovering from malaria and suffering from sunburns the day the photo was taken.
“For me, this picture captures a human story so successfully and succinctly that we can all interpret as well as sense it directly,” said Neville Brody, lead judge. “The context is clearly one of suffering, yet the subject is tinged with hope and humanity. The positivity and also strength of the child showing support is palpable; we want to reach out ourselves and lend our own.
“The field of ripe crops falling into an infinite background; the blue sky framing the horizon; the warmth of the setting sun; and the softness of the image as it drops away from us all add to the sense of hope and optimism. This everyday story of superstition, difference and prejudice is shocking,” added Brody. “We understand the difference love and protection make. A worthy winner, one that reminds us of our need to engage and open our sense of humanity as well as optimistic empathy in such a self-centered age.”
To view all the winning images in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018–2019, visit the contest website.
