Barry Crosthwaite, United States
Embers of Tradition
A Kalbelian couple warms themselves by a fire against the chill of the desert night. The Kalbelians, a nomadic community, have historically relied on the resources of the desert for survival. In recent years, however, they have adapted by embracing their rich traditions of dance, music, and craft-making, sharing their cultural heritage through performances and artisanal sales to sustain their way of life and preserve their nomadic identity.
Amir Behroozi, Iran
Moan
The poignant moment when family members reunite with the remains of their loved one, a soldier killed in the war, whose body has finally returned home after 27 years of being missing. This powerful scene encapsulates the enduring pain of loss, the passage of time, and the bittersweet closure of a decades-long absence.
Ben Paul, United Kingdom
Notting Hill
A candid moment from the 1980s captured on the outskirts of the Notting Hill Carnival, where the vibrant energy of the main festivities transitions into a more subdued atmosphere. While the crowds and music fade into the background, the essence of the Carnival persists, reflecting its enduring spirit even in quieter corners. This photograph offers a timeless outlook into the event’s experience, showcasing the vibrancy and lightness of a festive day.
Alessandro Deluigi, Italy
Rock Man
While on vacation on Ischia Island at the Cavascura hot spring, the photographer encountered a surreal scene. A man, completely covered in thermal mud, was drying himself in the sun. His serious expression, rigid pose, and near-perfect camouflage with the wall behind him created an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The scene seemed like the manifestation of a nightmare, eerily matching the two gentlemen sleeping in front of him, as though their imagined fears had come to life.
Alexandra Avlonitis, United States
Platinum Blond
On Easter Sunday, during New York City’s annual 5th Avenue “parade,” a vibrant spectacle of costumes and creativity, the photographer captured this striking portrait while heading to the event. A silent gesture prompted the individual to pause, turning towards the camera for an unforgettable shot in a rather dystopian setting. How New York.
Andrei Dorian Gavrila, Romania
Epiphany
Captured in Calcutta, India, this image highlights the struggles of temporary workers in Indian markets, a subject the photographer has explored since moving to India in 2015. These workers, often far from home, endure low wages, tough conditions, and little job security, yet their labor is essential to urban life. Through its composition and content, the photograph aims to represent their hardships and their often-unheard aspirations for a better future.
Andrei Furnea, Romania
Untitled
For the past two years, the photographer has documented the visual stories of a Roma community living in Pata Rât, Europe’s largest waste-related ghetto. Part of the “Waste Side Story” project, this image challenges perceptions of despair by capturing resilience, dignity, and beauty amidst harsh surroundings. Vibrant daily life contrasts with the stark environment, revealing a narrative of perseverance and hope. This is not a story of poverty but a testament to the unyielding human spirit.
Andrés Ramos Palacios, Spain
White Shoes
The photographer’s first experience with Bali as a street photographer was challenging, having been accustomed to the fast pace of cosmopolitan cities. It wasn’t until they noticed the island’s vibrant and unusual flora that inspiration struck. While walking along Bedugul Lake, they discovered a plant sanctuary where the owner was quietly pruning branches. Yet, it was her shoes, placed on the ground, one atop the other, that captured the photographer’s attention, seeming to preserve the tranquil harmony of the scene.
Apostolos Kaloudis, Greece
Le Chant De L’Aigle [Ardabek &Amp; Ordabek, the Twins]
Hunting with eagles is an ancient tradition passed down through generations, requiring patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of avian behavior. Sixteen-year-old Ardabek, son of Eagle Hunter Koki Tolek and grandson of the legendary Master Baytei Babii, expressed his desire to train as an eagle hunter from a very young age, unlike his twin brother, Ordabek. As his father explained, eagle hunters never force their children into the craft. The bond between hunter and eagle is profound, built on mutual respect and a natural calling.
Cesare Simioni, Brazil
I Look, I Pray I Am!
The processing of “Madeiro” during Passion Friday in Nossa Senhora das Dores, Brazil.
Dan Fenstermacher, United States
Snake and Cathedral
A woman carries a pet snake in downtown Oaxaca, Mexico.
Daniel Brusilo, Poland
Travel Quickie
Two tourists from Indonesia pause to capture a quick travel photo in front of Singapore’s iconic Merlion fountain, with the striking Marina Bay Sands Hotel as a backdrop.
Daniel Kashi, Germany
Untitled
Taken at Berlin’s Tempelhofer Feld, a former airfield turned recreational park with a complex history, the image captures a group of Capoeira practitioners. This photo is part of an ongoing project exploring leisure time, viewed both as a function of modern capitalism sustaining productivity and as a counterpoint to the “24/7 pace of economic busyness,”coined by literary scholar Eric Santner.
Daniel Ramos, Mexico
Untitled
From the series “Carnival on the Outskirts,” taken in Tlaltenco, Mexico, in 2024.
Daniel Ramos, Mexico
Untitled
From the series “Carnival on the Outskirts,” taken in Tlaltenco, Mexico, in 2024.
David Jianhai Niu, Australia
The Red Kiosk
This photograph was captured in Istanbul last November using a Leica M-D with a 28mm lens, set at f/11 and a shutter speed of 1/250. The inspiration for this shot came from the composition’s multiple layers, a feature the photographer finds endlessly captivating and seeks to explore in their work.
Dean Kotula, United States
Best Friends House
When the managing editor called to request coverage of a house fire, the photographer arrived to find the building engulfed in flames, with a fire department official documenting the scene. Among the chaos, he was drawn to a woman in the foreground, her face telling a powerful story. Later, they learned that her intense anguish stemmed not from personal loss, but from deep empathy. She was mourning for her best friend, whose home was being destroyed.
Eduardo Ortiz Gomez, Chile
Untitled
A vibrant street scene from a recent trip to Argentina captures the essence of childhood play. Drawn to the colorful backdrop, the photographer composed the shot, anticipating the perfect moment. The resulting image freezes a split-second of action, leaving the viewer to ponder whether it was a goal, highlighting the timeless magic of photography in preserving fleeting moments.
Edwin Carungay, United States
Zancudos
This photograph captures a cherished community celebration in Zaachila, where Catholic and indigenous traditions intertwine. The stilt-walking performers, known as zancudos, or “mosquitoes” in English, parade and dance through their community, their towering figures and elongated shadows evoking the slender legs of mosquitoes. The photographer followed this vibrant ritual as it unfolded over miles, from early afternoon until sunset, documenting the spirit and energy of a tradition passed down through generations and inspiring future practitioners to keep it alive.
Esther Garrison, Spain
Where? in Karaganda
This photo takes its name from a Soviet-era phrase referring to something located in the middle of nowhere. Karaganda, pivotal in the Soviet Union’s industrialization as a coal producer, has regained significance since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.T hrough its images, the project explores themes of unrest, presenting grotesque, apocalyptic landscapes without making political judgments, but interrogating the isolation of its inhabitants. This particular photograph depicts Temirtau, a steel mill city infamous as one of the most polluted places on Earth.
France Leclerc, Canada
Full Swing
The town of Buraidah,central Saudi Arabia, is home to the world’s largest camel market. Every morning at 5-6am thousands of camels are bought and sold here. Most of them are delivered by cranes which is a bit unsettling for Westerners. That morning, both camels and the camel market were in full swing.
Isabel Mombaerts, Belgium
Julio
This photo is part of a project exploring contemporary Cuba.. With a tumultuous political history rooted in its socialist identity since the 1960s, Cuba remains isolated, grappling with economic challenges worsened by the pandemic and shifting global alliances. Amidst unprecedented scarcity, the shot offers a glimpse into how its people navigate isolation and an uncertain future.
Ivan Knyazev, Mongolia / Russia
Striped Noon
The photographer likens street photography to a form of self-discovery: spontaneous and intuitive, like jazz improvisation. Unlike planned, structured shoots, street photography allows for instinctive reactions to fleeting moments, bypassing conscious thought. It becomes a way to reveal the world through the photographer’s eyes while also uncovering hidden aspects of their own identity, offering a deeper connection to their true self.
Ivan Knyazev, Mongolia / Russia
Outskirts of My Mind
Ivan Margot, Switzerland
Untitled
Ghana, 2023
Ivan Margot, Switzerland
Untitled
Guinea Bissau, 2024
Jeffrey De Keyser, Belgium
Whispers from Istanbul
At Galata Bridge, life unfolds in layers as evening shadows capture the essence of Istanbul’s bustling energy. During golden hour, warm light casts long silhouettes, revealing the city’s hidden stories. Slanting lines and overlapping figures form a subtle dialogue, as if Istanbul is quietly sharing its secrets with those who take a moment to pause and observe.
Joy Saha, Bangladesh
Life on Boats
Boatmen rest on their anchored boats along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka’s Sadarghat area. From dawn to dusk, they navigate the river, and at day’s end, they sleep on their boats, which also serve as their homes. Without separate residences in the city, their lives are deeply intertwined with the river, reflecting a unique lifestyle shaped by its rhythms and demands.
Liban Elmi, Somalia
Kyoto Concierge
Kyoto Concierge was taken to the lobby of the Thousand Hotel in Kyoto in December 2023. A solitary concierge sits in the corner of a dimly lit lobby, his desk partially illuminated by a sharp beam of sunlight cutting across the stone wall. The minimalistic composition, with its striking contrast of light and shadow, draws attention to the quiet isolation of the masked figure at work.
Małgorzata Szura Piwnik, Poland
Holiday Dreams
Part of the “Summer Vibes” project, this image captures the holiday atmosphere of a seaside town through a minimalist composition and muted colors. Taken during a walk along the coastal boulevard, it portrays the quiet contrast between the cheerful sounds of children playing and the contemplative stillness of a nun gazing at the horizon. The photograph invites viewers to immerse themselves in the scene, evoking the warmth of the breeze and the sunlight while pondering the nun’s thoughts in that moment.
Matin Hashemi, Iran
Upstage
Bodybuilding is a discipline focused on developing a muscular and well-defined physique through a combination of strength and endurance training, coupled with proper nutrition. It has gained significant popularity among young people, who are increasingly drawn to its physical and mental benefits.
Md. Arifuzzaman, Bangladesh
The Smoke in Rakher Upobash
The photograph captures “Rakher Upobash”, a Hindu festival at Barodi Temple, where thousands of devotees gather with oil lamps and fruit offerings to honor Baba Loknath, an 18th-century saint from Bengal. After observing a day-long fast, men, women, and children sit together in prayer, igniting dry coconut husks in a traditional ritual that fills the air with smoke, believed to purify the surroundings and ward off negative influences.
Nicolas Monnot, France
Another Brick in the Wall
Perfectly well coordinated workers in a brick kiln, located in the suburbs of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Shams Saber Salama Hafez Radwan, Egypt
The Marmah (As Not to Be Forgotten)
El-Marmah, a traditional event in Upper Egypt, celebrates heritage, skill, and community spirit. Held in honor of the Prophet’s birthday, it features horseback riders demonstrating speed and precision, preserving a cultural identity passed through generations. This photograph, taken on September 24 in Dandara village, Qena, captures the energy and pride of this vibrant tradition.
Subhran Karmakar, India
Locked in the Shelter
During a monsoon in the Ghats, while people covered themselves under umbrellas trying not to get soaked, one man already has a small shelter.
Szymon Lewinski, Poland
Shepherd and Sheeps
Peru, Andes.
Tetyana Bunyak, Ukraine
A Confession
The shot is part of a project focusing on religious holidays in Ukraine, capturing the unique traditions of the Catholic community during the Feast of St. Anthony. One striking moment stood out: confessions taking place openly on the street, in full view of everyone, showing an intimate exchange between a woman and a priest.
Victor Gamarra Goicochea, Peru
Street is Life
The photographer seeks to capture small, meaningful stories that reflect the complexity of human life rather than focusing on spectacle. Using a compact Olympus Pen F or a 35mm camera, he works in settings where he also develops larger projects with medium and large-format analog cameras. Balancing subtle political critique with moments of self-reflection, he believes photography can challenge the status quo and contribute to social justice.
Willie Velazquez, United States
The Kiss
This photo was shot during pride 2023 at the Washington Square Park Fountain, in NYC.
Erna Ingeborn Colijin, Netherlands
Brick Delivery
Dhaka, Bangladesh, December 2023.
Barry Crosthwaite, United States
Break Time
Break time captures three Inle lake conical net fishermen taking a tranquil smoking break from early morning fishing. This traditional fishing method has been mostly replaced by more modern fishing techniques but the cultural heritage is maintained for and local populations are supported by tourism.
OPEN CALL 2024
