The other eight category award winners, included Canon Ambassadors Magnus Wennman, who’s image wins best photo in the People category, and Giulio Di Sturco, whose image in the ‘Contemporary Issues’ category came second.
The World Press Photo Contest, sponsored by Canon for the 26th consecutive year, is internationally recognised as the world’s most prestigious competition for photojournalists. The judges selected one image for World Press Photo of the Year out of a total of 73,044 photos submitted by 4,548 photographers from 125 countries. Ronaldo Schemidt has been awarded a cash prize of 10,000 euros, as well as Canon equipment, a Golden Eye Award and a diploma.
“We are incredibly proud to support the World Press Photo Foundation during its 61st year. It’s an honour to celebrate the outstanding visual storytelling abilities of photojournalists as they continue to illuminate the stories that need to be told,” comments Lee Bonniface, CIG marketing director, Canon Europe. “Every image submitted into this year’s contest demonstrates the dedication by photojournalists, no matter how challenging the environment, to bring to life the most important issues and events of our time. I’d like to thank every photographer who took part, and I encourage all to bravely and uncompromisingly continue to expose to the world the truths that need to be told, to ensure that the stories of tomorrow continue to have a voice.”
Recent research, conducted by Canon Europe in association with World Press Photo, found that over half (55%) of the professional photographers surveyed ranked ‘provoking a change in perspective on a topic or issue’ as the most important ingredient in telling a successful visual story.
In demonstrating its commitment to photojournalism, Canon has a full programme of activity lined up over the next 12 months, including:
To explore exclusive stories behind the World Press Photo Awards, including unmissable interviews with the category winners, please click here.