10-11 Results

General Overview

Nikon Photo Contest International 2010-2011 attracted the highest number of entries in the history of the contest, with over 60,000 entries from 23,308 applicants in 153 countries and regions. Although this was the first time in the history of the contest to eliminate the option of submitting printed materials by mail and accept entries via the Internet only, we saw a significant jump in the number of submissions compared to the previous contest. There was also an increase in the number of young applicants under 30. More than half of the applicants for this contest were under 30.

Over 60,000 entries were submitted to this contest. Considering this large number of entries, I asked myself why people take photographs. The act of taking photographs establishes a relationship between the photographer and his/her subject. This act satisfies the human yearning to connect with one another. These relationships are expressed directly in photographs.

All of these relationships, desires and modes of consciousness have gathered here for this contest and it was the task of the judges to select works that were succinct and powerful in their expression. The entries spanned in content from nature and animals to touching human moments and documentary style photographs. Some were photojournalistic while others were fantastic. However, it was interesting that there were very little entries that considered contemporary issues such as consumer culture and the digital age.

During the judging procedure it became obvious that the proliferation of digital photography and digital manipulation is rapid. And it was apparent that the standards to which one judges photographs must evolve with this proliferation. It is not a matter of simply categorizing manipulated photos with ones that are not. Perhaps, aesthetics must be judged from a different perspective when judging digitally manipulated photos.

I am very pleased with the selection of the Grand Prize winner. The judging procedure was a fine example what it means to come to a consensus. The grand prize winning work told a story and captured the element of time in a stunning way. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my gratitude to all of the ten judges who worked together toward a unified result.

Hiromi Tsuchida, Chief of Judges

10-11 Grand Prize

Learning to fly
Debarshi Duttagupta (India)

Comments

A man flies through the dusk air to eventually land in the waters below. Another man seems to be calling it a day, making his way back to shore after a long day of fishing. And in the foreground, a young boy gazes in wonderment at perhaps a fish dancing on the surface of the water. This image tells three stories in synchronicity, exhibiting the passage of time and the simultaneity of life. As the end of the day approaches, the image also captures how humans live to the rhythm of nature. In just a matter of minutes the sky and land will dim down to the same color, signaling the end of the day. This image captures the lives of people in a small fishing town, where this scenes plays itself out everyday repeatedly. As a person living in a modern city I feel a sense of sorrow for this fleeting moment which anticipates the blanket of darkness. This work exhibits the passage of time beautifully, evoking feelings of nostalgia and clearly captures the precious moments of dusk. (Hiromi Tsuchida)

Terms of use

The copyright of award winning photographs of Nikon Photo Contest International 2010-2011 belongs to its photographers and is protected by law.
The images can be viewed on your monitor for non-commercial and personal purposes, and should not be used otherwise.
Images are not allowed to be modified, used for commercial purposes, or publicly displayed.