In 2021, enraged uprisings against military authorities in Sudan and Myanmar, Trump supporters assaulting the Capitol, wildfires, the Covid pandemic, wars and repression have all influenced the world’s press photographers. “World Press Photo” has chosen the greatest press photos for the 65th time.
For the first time, six regional judges and one global jury had to select which of the 64,823 photographs submitted by 4,066 photographers from 130 countries were the finest in four categories. The supremacy of the western world was undermined by regionalizing the competition, which resulted in a broader range of positions. The works of 24 winners are on display in the Willy-Brandt-Haus. These are powerful images from a tumultuous year.
Images that are silent but tell incredible stories
Still images, on the other hand, are moving and tell an incredible tale. Amber Bracken’s shot of the anonymously buried victims at Kamloops Residential School in Canada won the global competition. Red garments hung from crosses along a road in the red dusk light bear testament to the brutal killings of Canada’s indigenous children. 215 burials were uncovered at one institution alone, where the indigenous children’s identities were to be shattered.
Fatima Shbair’s photo is very stunning. It depicts parents and children sitting by candlelight in Gaza under a blanket tent. At first sight, the landscape appears peaceful, yet people are mourning the loss of loved ones in Gaza due to Israeli airstrikes. The wreckage of the wrecked dwellings in the darkness are only visible after a second glance.
With today’s understanding, Guillaume Herbault’s photographs, which he has been photographing in Ukraine since 2001, take on a whole new meaning. Since 2008, his battle scenes have become well-known. Women making camouflage netting for Ukrainian snipers, demolished sculptures, bodies on the street, soldiers seeking for unused ammunition
endangered. There are Indians in Brazil. Amber Bracken is a World Press Photo contributor.
World Press Photo often brings attention to lesser-known battles, such as Madagascar’s Zebu War. Rijasolo depicts the war of the rural inhabitants against the Dahalo, robbers of prized humpback cattle, in stunning black & white photographs. In 2021, wildfires were a major concern all across the world. The Nawarddeks of Western Australia’s “cool burning” is documented by Matthew Abbott.
To avoid huge fire disasters, they strategically and carefully light flames in the undergrowth. Rangers from the government now provide them with high-tech assistance. On the Greek island of Evia, Konstantinos Tsakalidis captured an iconic photo of the burning. As the inferno in the backdrop threatens her home, an elderly woman calls out.
The photographers’ award-winning images serve as a mirror to us, revealing the world as it is, often frail and dangerous. Free media has the ability to enlighten, assist, and inform. This is where the exhibition’s worth rests.