World Press Photo of the Year 2010
World Press Photo of the Year: Jodi Bieber, South Africa.
This haunting portrait of 18-year-old Bibi Aisha, photographed by South Africa’s Jodi Bieber is the World Press Photo of the Year 2010. An international jury, including 19 picture editors, curators, photographers and press agency reps, chose this shot out of 108, 059 entries in the 54th annual World Press Photo Contest.
Bieber’s winning picture shows Aisha, who was disfigured as retribution for fleeing her husband’s house in a central Afghanistan village. Her ears and nose were cut off, which is part of local culture when a wife shames her husband. It’s reported she fled her husband to return to her parents home, after complaining of violent treatment by her in-laws. To read more about her story, click here.
Striking, honest and beautiful rolled into one, this photograph makes such an impact. It will no doubt be one of those images you will recall when you think of Afghanistan and the reality of the terrifying outcomes its local culture can present.
The list of winners is very impressive, featured below are a few that struck a chord with me.
Nature 1st Prize: Thomas P. Peschak, Germany/South Africa. Gape Gannet comes to land, Malgas Island, South Africa.
Arts & Entertainment 1st Prize: Andrew McConnell, Ireland. Joséphine Nsimba Mpongo practices the cello, Kinshasa, DR Congo.
Daily Life 1st Prize: Feisal Omar, Somalia. Man carries a shark through the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, 23 September.
Want more? Visit the Word Press Winners Gallery 2011 website.
Yours in photography,
Julia
