In 2025, Istanbul's most prestigious photographic event unfolds, showcasing breathtaking images and igniting a wave of transformation.
The Istanbul Photo Awards Celebrate Exceptional Visual Storytelling
The 11th edition of the Istanbul Photo Awards, organised by Anadolu Agency, has honoured 29 photographers from across the globe for their compelling documentary images [1][2]. The contest, which received nearly 22,000 submissions, showcases the power of visual storytelling in shaping public perception and documenting global social and political issues.
In the Single Nature and Environment category, Anton Brink (EPA) won first prize for a captivating image of a volcanic eruption in Iceland. Hungary’s Bence Mate earned second prize for "Surrounded", a haunting silhouette of an elephant framed by a flurry of quelea birds over the African savannah. Mate described his winning photo as a "visual symphony" in a fleeting moment of harmony, highlighting the importance of patience, discipline, and ecological awareness [2].
In the Single Sports category, Jerome Brouillet (AFP) won first prize for featuring Gabriel Medina surfing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Camilo Diaz, a photographer from Colombia, took third prize for "Freediver Among Sardines", an evocative underwater shot captured off Moalboal, Philippines. Diaz emphasized that underwater photography in apnea requires care for oneself, the model, and the environment [2].
The Photo of the Year was awarded to Palestinian photographer Saeed Jaras for "Gaza-Deir al‐Balah", a haunting image capturing the grief of a family amid a brutal airstrike in Gaza [2].
The contest's jury included renowned photojournalists and artists such as Ami Vitale, Carol Guzy, Yuri Kozyrev, and Cameron Spencer, reflecting the contest's prestige and commitment to high standards in documentary photography [2].
Bence Mate, a winner in the Single Nature and Environment category, emphasized that powerful images can transcend linguistic, political, and cultural boundaries, inspiring empathy, action, and even political change. He underlined the responsibility that comes with the medium, stating that authenticity must remain a top priority [2].
The awarded works are exhibited internationally, including a public exhibition in Ankara that showcases about 150 photographs, underlining the Awards’ role in raising awareness and fostering empathy through photography [1][2]. The Istanbul Photo Awards continues to be a significant event in global visual journalism, renowned for honoring powerful photographic narratives that document and influence world events.
In the bustling city of Istanbul, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his admiration for the Turkish winners of the Istanbul Photo Awards, particularly Bence Mate who won in the Single Nature and Environment category [2]. Moreover, during a Turkish sports event, President Erdoğan highlighted the impact of sports photography in capturing monumental moments, acknowledging Jerome Brouillet's first-place win in the Single Sports category for his captivating image of Gabriel Medina at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games [2].
