I’ve just found out the Mongolia project has been chosen as a finalist in the Luis Valtuena Fotografia Humanitaria competition in Spain which is great news as the subject will again receive wider awareness. The winning images are to be exhibited in Spain and around Europe.  The aim of the competition is stated below and one of the main reasons for me entering:

“In these thirteen editions, the award has become a reference for humanitarian photography and its role in bringing a reality, sometimes hopeful, sometimes frightening, but to which one can not remain indifferent.”

The selected final images are, as always, of a very high standard. It is interesting to note maybe that the vast majority of images are either black and white or desaturated images..maybe this is what the majority of entrants submitted or it reflects the preference of the judges or maybe an indication of what Spanish photojournalism prefers..?

The winning images can be viewed  here www.medicosdelmundo.org/luisvaltuena

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

Well, I’m really pleased to announce that I heard today that I’ve won the Association of Photographers Open Award for a recent assignment in Mongolia.

There was an awards night in London last night which unfortunetly I couldn’t go to because I was on shift but it would have been great to be there.

If you look at the Mongolia link on this blog you can see how the image came about earlier this January and below is an extract from the AOP’s press release:-

“The judges were fascinated by the story behind Richard’s image and commented:

“For me, this ticks all the boxes – emotive subject, great composition and a strong image. It really leaves an impression.”

Deborah Brown (Picture Director) – Grazia Magazine

“Like an urban, nature shot that replaces animals with people – they look like human moles coming up for air. I love what appears to be the spontaneity of this image. And for me, it completely sums up the competition.”

Olivia Howitt (Picture Desk) – Radio Times”

Caption:-

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

This was a very personal project for me so I’m happy that it’s been recognised by a wider audience and hopefully through this competition more people will have an understanding of what many children are experiencing in Mongolia.

If you are interested in this subject, please have a look at this aid agency in Ulaan Baatar who I met and who are doing a great job trying to help people just like Munkhbat and Altangeret. The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.

Just a quick post to update everyone on how the exhibitions are progressing in London.

Foto 8 held their street party last Friday which unfortunately I missed due to being on duty at work but I’m sure it was a great night. They have posted the final selection of images chosen for the exhibition so I’ve included a link below. It really is a mix of all genres of photography and some amazing images in there so please have a look when you have time.

The Press Photographers Year exhibition continues at the National Theatre and the AOP Open have their awards night next thursday so fingers crossed…!! I’m hoping to get over to London in the next few weeks to see them all….

…link to the Press Photographer’s Year selection…

No competition results for ages then three come along at once..!!

More good news from what is fast becoming the most popular image I have taken recently in terms of recognition. The same image as the AOP Open image below from Mongolia has been selected for The Press Photographers Year 2009 exhibition and book. Again, it is a privilege to be included in a select amongst some of the best photographers working for the UK press so well done to all the winners and please have a look at all the selected images here. It is easier if I just copy and paste what they say about the competition and exhibition dates:-

The Exhibition

An edit of 146 pictures has been made by the jury from the 7,877 submitted and 16 prizes have been awarded. All these have been selected to represent the extraordinary variety and standard of the entries received. The complete edit will be featured in an exhibition which runs in the Lyttelton foyer of the National Theatre on London’s South Bank from 4th July to 31st August. Open

Monday to Saturday from 9.30am till 11pm. Admission is free.

If you get the chance pop along and have a look then please do so as the organisors really make an effort with the presentation and layout of the pictures and the small images you see on the website really come alive.

FOTO8 Summer Show & Awards

Also, the same image has been selected as a finalist in the Foto8 Summer Show & Awards 2009. This competition took a slightly different format and 120 images have been selected out of 2,300 images entered to be exhibited in the well respected photography gallery HOST in Honduras Street, London. It seems to be a great opportunity to network and have a few beers with fellow photographers in a big street party on the opening night. You don’t have to be a finalist to come along and tickets at £5 can be bought here so if you fancy seeing some great work and lots of beers come along..!!

A bit more about the awards:-

The Entrants

The 2009 Summer Show saw an overwhelming response, with over 2,300 images entered from 44 different countries, including Bangladesh, Iran, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey. The final selection of photographs, chosen by Foto8 editors, will all be on display, entered into the awards and available for sale to the public. Honduras Street, EC1. The Summer Show will run from 25 July – 5 September 2009.

If you don’t already look at Foto8 then now is the time. With new picture stories, industry news and blogs updated daily it is a great photographers resource..

I’m just recovering after a very busy few weeks with the Amnesty International Human Rights Festival which went exceptionally well this year. For me the highlights were meeting Moazzam Begg, a British former prisoner of Guantanamo Bay who spoke eloquently about his experience in captivity. Then there were two photographers Teru Kuwayama and Balazs Gardi who not only gave an amazing presentation of their work in Pakistan and Afghanistan but who were also incredibly nice guys. Just talking to them was both inspiring and educational and personally helped me with which direction I want to take my work in the near future..more of that later..!!

For now though I received some good news that one of my Mongolia pictures has been selected for the Association of Photographers AOP Open Awards exhibition in London. This is an image I’m particularly proud of as for me it encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys and others live in whilst the world just continues around them oblivious and indifferent to their situation. If you feel moved by this image then you can vote for it in the Public Choice Award. My image is on Page 7. Details of which are below.

Munkhbat (15) & Altangeret (15) have lived down this manhole in Unur district of Ulaan Baatar for over 3 years. Violence is commonplace and their manhole has been petrol bombed by rival street children 3 times in the last few years.

The exhibition runs from July 29th so if your in London pop in to have a look at all the entries.

Thanks..Rich…