14 Stunning Images That Won This Year’s 40th Annual AOP Photography Contest
The Association of Photographers has announced the winners of its 40th Annual Awards, celebrating the very best in contemporary photography. This landmark edition of the competition highlighted exceptional technique, talent, and creativity across 10 winning categories and four special awards.
Open to AOP Accredited Photographers and Assisting Photographer members, the awards invited entrants to submit their most imaginative work. The coveted Best in Show (Personal) title was awarded to Tom Parker for his captivating photograph of a Mongolian contortionist performing inside a diner. In the commissioned sphere, James Day earned Best in Show (Commissioned) for his clean, understated study of a museum guard.
“With enormous thanks to our distinguished judges this year, who had the impossible task of choosing our 40th AOP Photography Awards winners for such an auspicious occasion,” says Isabelle Doran, CEO of AOP. “Their selection has brought together an electrifying and provocative mix of still and moving imagery that reveals uniquely personal perspectives on how our photographers see the world. It’s even more poignant in the digital age of AI we find ourselves in. I’m thrilled to see that such strong visual storytelling lives on.”
#1 The AOP Emerging Talent Award – Jack Currie, Gangster Granny
Image Source: AOP.Org © Jack Currie
#2 The AOP Discovery Award – Ruben Davies, Liturgy Of The Unseen
Image Source: AOP.Org © Ruben Davies
#3 Best in Show Personal / Non-commissioned – Tom Parker, Shape Shifting the Steppes
Image Source: AOP.Org © Tom Parker
“Tsetseglen Odgerel, 35, is one of Mongolia’s most famous contortionists. I first came across her on Instagram, balancing on one arm, upside down on a travelator in Ulaanbatar airport. Her physical strength is reflected in her mental fearlessness. She told me “I am never scared. When I am contorting it feels like the world belongs to me”.”
Contortionism, known as “Uran Nugaralt” in Mongolian, translates as ‘artistic bending’. Its origins date back to a 12th century Mongolian folk dance called ‘BiyelgeeIt’ and became a prominent feature in Buddhist Tsam dances.
“Tsetseglen and I both wanted to capture her in her home city, but not in a typical performance environment. She’s always surprising, when I turned up for the shoot she had unexpectedly dyed her hair red. Her subversive spirit was something I found amongst many of the people I shot in Mongolia” – Tom Parker.
#4 12. Best in Show (Commissioned) – James Day, Age UK
Image Source: AOP.Org © James Day
#5 Fashion + Beauty Award – Hugh Fox, Entering the Fall
Image Source: AOP.Org © Hugh Fox
#6 Portrait – Todd Antony, Buzkashi – Abdulqadir
Image Source: AOP.Org © Todd Antony
#7 Documentary Award – Jack Margerison, The Yard
Image Source: AOP.Org © Jack Margerison
#8 Sports Award – David Clerihew, Sébastien Foucan
Image Source: AOP.Org © David Clerihew
#9 Lifestyle – Owen Harvey, Miles Ahead
Image Source: AOP.Org © Owen Harvey
#10 Environment Award – Sean Breithaupt, Patterns in a Floodzone
Image Source: AOP.Org © Sean Breithaupt
These images look at coastal regions in Ireland that are currently under threat from rising sea levels. Photographed from a high altitude, the images capture the strange, shifting patterns shaped by the relentless movement of the tides, offering an abstract reflection of the complex and unpredictable challenges these landscapes now face.
#11 Food + Drink – Martin Poole, Sliding
Image Source: AOP.Org © Martin Poole
#12 Spaces – Yuki Suguira, Japanese Knife Forges
Image Source: AOP.Org © Yuki Suguira
Shot for a book, Anatomy of a Knife.
#13 Best in Moving – Lewis Khan, Shrovetide
Image Source: AOP.Org © Lewis Khan
#14 The Martin Evening Excellence in Digital Retouching Award – Kai Bastard, Creative Retoucher, Rivoli Ballroom
Image Source: AOP.Org © Rock Paper Scissors rps-p.com
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