Somber Notes – World Press Photo

I just wanted to write something short about my favorite photography organization: World Press Photo; www.worldpressphoto.org

I think this is one of the best place if you want to find beautiful, compelling, eye-opening, and often sad but real photography work.  The organization has strict copyright policy therefore I couldn’t copy any of the work exhibited on their website but definitely it is worth it to visit their website.  I would like to warn you though! Unlike I do, these pictures are not happy pictures.  Most of them present us life as it is with its cruel reality.

First and foremost, World Press Photo is known for organizing the world’s largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest. World Press Photo’s mission is to encourage high professional standards in photojournalism and to promote a free and unrestricted exchange of information. It aims to support professional press photography all over the world. Promotional activities include an annual contest, exhibitions, the stimulation of photojournalism through educational programs, and creating greater visibility for press photography through a variety of publications.

What I really like is that World Press Photo is an independent, non-profit organization with its office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  Founded in 1955, the organization is controlled both by an independent executive board and a supervisory board, and employs around 25 permanent staff. The Amsterdam office acts as the hub for a network of professional contacts worldwide – it is this network that makes organizing the contest, exhibitions and other activities on such a large scale possible.

The prize winning photographs are assembled into a traveling exhibition that is visited by over two million people in some 45 countries worldwide.  I was granted the privilege of viewing this highly exclaimed show in Europe in 2002 while being engaged destination wedding photography session.

Please visit their website.  You won’t be left untouched!