While many will be familiar with the #shotoniPhone hashtag, not many would be aware of the annual iPhone Photography Awards. Open for submissions until March every year, the global contest sees some of the most amazing photographs shot on a smartphone – and get handsomely rewarded for them.
The iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAwards) is an independent award showcase that has been celebrating the creativity of the iPhone users since the first iPhone. Now in its tenth year, this year’s winners have been selected from iPhone photographers in over 140 countries around the world. Each winner represents photography styles from travel, portraits, lifestyle and more – offering a window into the world.
Winning entries have usually gone to travel photographers and photojournalists shooting from their smartphones, who have access to some of the most breathtaking locales around the world. But even then, one of this year’s Photographer of the Year winners shot his winning shot at the backstage of a Chinese opera performance.
“The Performer” by Yeow-Kwang Yeo, 2017 iPhone Photography Awards
The photo above was shot by Yeow-Kwang Yeo in Singapore, using an iPhone 6 Plus. In an interview with CNET, Yeo states that the photo was not staged or manipulated in any way; he did not even interact with the subject in the photograph. The candidness of the shot makes the image all the more impressive.
Yeo says of his winning entry, titled “The Performer” which won Yeo the second place in the Photographer of the Year award:
Chinese traditional street opera is part of the Chinese culture. Unfortunately, the young generation in Singapore is no longer interested. Hence the street opera is fast disappearing.
Instead of shooting their performance, I decided to go the back of the stage to capture the performers’ preparation activity. I spotted this experience performer who is taking a short rest and was waiting for his turn to perform. I was attracted by the lighting of the old plastic curtain, electric fan, and the overall calm atmosphere.
“Children of Qayyarah” by Sebastian Tomada, 2017 iPhone Photography Awards
“Dock Worker” by Brendan O Se, 2017 iPhone Photography Awards
“The City Palace” by Kuanglong Zhang, 2017 iPhone Photography Awards
This year’s Grand Prize entry went to Sebastian Tomada from the US, with a powerful
image of war in his entry “Children of Qayyarah”. The First Place Photographer of the Year award went to Brenda O Se from Ireland, with a highly detailed monochromatic entry, while Third Place Photographer of the Year was Kuanglong Zhang from China with a vibrant shot of a historical palace.
You can view the rest of the winning entries in the 17 categories here. If you’re feeling inspired, submissions for the 2018 awards are already open. Find out more here.
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