This is our world

MANILA, Philippines - Each year, an independent jury consisting of 13 members judges entries in ten categories, submitted by photojournalists, agencies, and publications from all over the world. The exhibit, which features 196 photographs, is an annual public showcase for photojournalism, and consists of the year’s winning photo, together with award winning images from each of the ten contest categories. The high quality of photojournalism involved is considered to set a standard in the field.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is Anthony Suau’s winning photograph – a black and white image that dramatically captures the global financial crisis: Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s office entering a home in Cleveland, Ohio on March 26 following mortgage foreclosure and eviction. He needs to check that the owners have vacated the premises, and that no weapons have been left lying around. Officers go in at gunpoint as a precaution as many houses have been vandalized or occupied by squatter and drug addict.

Jury chair Mary Ann Golon says, “The strength of the picture is in its opposites. It’s a double entrende. It looks like a classic conflict photograph, but is it simply the eviction of people from a house following foreclosure.” She adds,”the jury agreed that great journalistic photography as it provides answers – as this photograph does. The image is an ominous one. A new kind of war, a war of economics, has arrived to invade our lives and our homes.”

World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, where World Press Photo was founded in 1955. Its main aim is to support and promote internationally the work of professional press photographers. In order to realize its objectives, World Press Photo organizes the world’s largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest. Educational projects also play an important role in World Press Photo’s activities. Seminars and workshops open to professional photographers, photo agencies, and picture editors are organized in developing countries.

The Philippine run is a joint partnership of the Konrad Adenauer Asia Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Univeler Philippines, and The Podium, SM City North-EDSA, and the SM Mall of Asia.

The World Press Photo Exhibit is on Aug. 1-8 at The Podium, Aug. 9-14 at The Block at SM City North-EDSA, and Aug. 15-23 at the SM Mall of Asia. It is open to the public and free of charge.