What positive difference can photography make in the world?

Photography can really help shape events in a way that other mediums cannot. It can provoke discussion and debate, and lead to positive changes to how the world works.

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest?

Aside from the usual technical aspects, I’m looking to be surprised in some way!

Mishael Phillip

What made you want to become a photographer?

I come from a humanities background so becoming a photographer came from a place of curiosity, documentation and what felt like second nature to me. 

What makes a great photo?

A great photo should capture the honesty of the subject. Sometimes humour is also a beneficial quality. And ‘good’ light, be it observed or created intentionally. 

What advice would you give to photographers shooting portraits?

Your patience and your empathy are key when it comes to taking a good portrait. 

What positive difference can photography make in the world?

The opportunities are boundless. It’s up to each individual photographer to decide their own direction and constraints. 

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest?

A worthy portrayal of the subject. Something special. 

Misha Vallejo Prut

What made you want to become a photographer?

Photography is a communications tool, a language, that helps me relate stories of different people and places. I’ve always wanted to tell stories, but I’m not a good writer so I became a photographer instead. 

What makes a great photo? 

Photography isn’t like maths. There’s no set equation for an outstanding picture. But for portraits, empathy is the most important tool. If you don’t feel a strong connection to your subject, then the chances of producing an honest portrait are almost non-existent.

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest?

I’m interested in the ‘glocal’ narrative: a local story that serves as an example to a global issue. Within this sphere I’m looking for a photo that, with the help of light, composition and emotion, tells a strong sustainability story.

Mika Aberra

What made you want to become a photographer?

My best friend in high school introduced me to photography – it was his way of capturing moments in a very nostalgic way, and that inspired me. When I tried it out for myself, it just came really naturally to me. I still have a hard time explaining exactly what it is, but it just feels right.

What makes a great photo?

It should make you feel something. It could be a more nostalgic feeling which you can relate to because you felt it before, or simply something that you can sympathise with.

What advice would you give to photographers shooting portraits?

Have fun with it, don’t worry about the end result. That way, you’ll experiment – and learn – more, like which techniques to use in which situations so as to emulate a feeling.  

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest? 

Something that makes me feel – where I can see that the person has drawn from something personal. 

Vitalik Denys

What made you want to become a photographer?

I like exploring human nature through the lens of my camera, reflecting emotions, giving my subjects complete freedom of self-expression, without any constraints, prejudices or clichés.

What makes a great photo?

A good photo goes beyond technical aspects or luck. It’s about the photographer’s intuition, skill and vision of portraying emotions. We should be able to see the subject’s whole story in the photo itself – not just in the caption.

What does sustainability mean to you?

Sustainability means making inevitable, unquestioning changes in our daily lives now, because everything depends on it. The future depends on our will to change. 

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest? 

I want to feel a connection with the subject. The photo needs to be sincere, portray what is really important and make us feel faith in the human spirit. 

Denisse Ariana Perez

What made you want to become a photographer? 

A desire to get closer to human beings. 

What makes a great photo? 

A photo that makes the viewer think, and – even more so – that makes them feel. 

What advice would you give to photographers shooting portraits? 

To listen to their subjects, not just observe them. To get closer to them, both literally and figuratively. 

What does sustainability mean to you? 

For me, sustainability means behaving with empathy towards nature and others. 

What positive difference can photography make in the world? 

Photography has a lot of power. There are images that some people will never forget, that will remain etched in their minds for their whole life. Imagine using that power for good. 

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest? 

I’ll be looking for more than the ‘perfect’ aesthetics. I’ll be looking for storylines, in every sense of the word.

Ana Carolina Fernandes

What made you want to become a photographer?

I think it was a natural path for me to take. My family has a history in photography, cinema and journalism, and children were always encouraged to take photos with simple Kodak and Polaroid cameras. But my decision to be a photographer came when I had to choose what to study at university

What makes a great photo?

Light, harmony, composition and the emotion it evokes in those who look at it. Luck often helps, too. I think that what matters in a portrait is to capture the soul of the person being photographed.

What does sustainability mean to you?

As someone who comes from Brazil, it’s the conscious use of natural resources, new alternatives and actions in relation to the planet, and the implications for collective wellbeing. 

What positive difference can photography make in the world?

When it comes to the environment and climate, in such a crucial moment, photography can expose illegal explorations, assaults on nature, destruction and fires, often in inaccessible places. And photographers are risking their lives to do this to help save our planet.

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest? 

I want to be surprised.

Oghalé Alex

What made you want to become a photographer? 

I actually became a photographer unintentionally. I’ve always had an eye for composition and colour, and I bought a camera one day because someone convinced me to make YouTube videos. I began taking pictures and immediately loved it. 

What advice would you give to photographers shooting portraits? 

Shoot as much as possible, with as many different types of people, locations and lighting. So much can be learnt through trial, error and repetition. 

What does sustainability mean to you? 

Sustainability to me is all about doing things in a responsible and preservatory fashion. The simple question is: how can I accomplish the same thing with less resources?

What positive difference can photography make in the world? 

Like any art form, photography has the ability to inspire and thus change mentalities. By using photography as a vehicle to tell stories, it also gives a voice to those who may traditionally have never had one. 

What will you be looking for in a winning photo in this contest? 

Aside from good composition and use of colour, I’ll be looking for a photo that tells a story from a unique perspective and makes me feel something.

We’ll be adding more from our other amazing jury members soon!