Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto
Winners: Open Call | The Independent Photographer

Open Call Award December 2021


  • color close up photo of hands holding a snake by Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    Winning Photographer Chloé Azzopardi

    “02.02.21”
    This is the closing photo of my series “Les formes qu’ils habitent en temps de crise”. I shot it the day my brother came out of a coma after taking too many pills. He disappeared for a day and was found alive but unconscious at the bottom of a giant Virgin and Child statue on a hill. On the feet of the statue, there was a carved snake, I didn’t know about it. It’s a coincidence, however, I can’t look at this photo now without thinking about this story. In Greco-Roman mythology, snakes are symbols of healing because they can shed their skin. I wanted this snake to pass from hand to hand in order to echo Ovid’s text in which forms metamorphose one body into another in case of danger. © Chloé Azzopardi
  • color portrait photo of two boys by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    Second Prize Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

    “Avraham and Isaac” - Tel Aviv, Israel
    Part of a ‘Youth’; A portrait series exploring teenagers identity.
    © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
  • Black and white photo of a wolf in museum by Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    Third Prize Austin Cullen

    “Coyote” - Lincoln, Nebraska, USA 2021
    “A Natural History (Built to be Seen)” is a series of observations of the western natural world, with an emphasis on the spectacular and absurd ways it’s constructed and presented. As someone who grew up visiting natural history museums regularly, I’ve always been fascinated by the extravagant ways museums framed the American landscape. Dramatic dioramas, interactive virtual experiences, and miniaturized landscapes all act as windows into the natural world. While this framing acts as a guide for reading and understanding nature, the same frame can be analyzed to understand the complex and ever-changing relationship between people and land. © Austin Cullen
  • color studio portrait of a woman with flowers by Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    Finalist Anna Karvounari

    “Keep blossoming”
    Studio self portrait
    © Anna Karvounari
  • color street photo of a man in pub by Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    Finalist Francesco Gioia

    “Members’ Room” - London, UK, 2021
    © Francesco Gioia
  • color fine art photo of a woman in swimsuit by Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    Finalist Susan Burnell

    “Synchronised Swimmers” - Portobello Baths, Edinburgh, Scotland
    This series focuses on the architecture of many historic buildings, highlighting the striking geometry, dramatic proportions and dreamy colour palette of each space. Focused on careful composition with the inclusion of figures to scale the architecture. The effect is minimal and restrained yet also dynamic in proportion and detail. © Susan Burnell
  • color studio portrait of a woman and flowers by Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    Finalist Daniela Constantini

    “Daniela, Self-Portrait”
    “My most recent portraiture work is an ode to women, to the women in my life. Women in my family have always been strong figures, hard workers, feral, outspoken, pillars to the family. I became a photographer when most of the women I looked up to and grew up with were no longer in this world. I decided to honor the women of my past by honoring the women in my present whom I met since I moved to Bern, Switzerland, who are new acquaintances, family, or close friends, muses to my work. I occasionally include garments or pieces that belonged to my grandmother, great aunt, and great grandmother. This work balances past and present, desire, and memories.” © Daniela Constantini
  • color portrait of an elderly Chinese man by Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    Finalist Wenying liu

    “Henxiao Zhang, 76 yold” - China
    From “Left-Behind Senior” series. Back in 2014, I had a chance to meet these seniors left behind at their own homes alone. Since then, I have kept in touch with them for the past eight years. They are the people who live at the edge of modern human society, impoverished and isolated. In this project, I focused my lens on them, trying to arise more attention to them. © Wenying liu
  • color portrait of a woman wearing a swimsuit by Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    Finalist Alessio Pannini

    “In the same skin” - Bergamo, Italy
    Alessandra has lived with vitiligo since she was a child. Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. © Alessio Pannini
  • color photo of a woman with red ballons by Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    Finalist Paolo Barretta

    “Someday my pain will mark you” - Milan, Italy 2021
    This unpublished picture is about my relationship with myself and the world around me. The older I get, the more I realize how the things around me are pushing me down. I can feel this heavy dark age, and I can’t help but hide here. The broken pieces of me are becoming my only skin. © Paolo Barretta

Finalists

Jury's Feedback

  • color portrait photo of Elisa Medde
    © Fiona Makkink

    Judge: Elisa Medde

    Elisa Medde is a photography curator, writer, and editor. She has a background in the History of Art, Iconology, and Photographic Studies, and is particularly concerned with the relations between image and power. She has worked for various cultural institutions, publishing houses, and non-profit organizations and as an independent curator and editor, and for the last decade has served as Editor in Chief at FOAM Magazine.

    Over the years she has served as a juror for numerous competitions, including, the Luma Rencontres Book Award and Copenhagen Photo Festival, and as a nominator for, amongst others, the Mack First Book Award; Prix Elysée; and Leica Oskar Barnack Award.

Giacomo Carlini
© Giacomo Carlini

Open to All Photography

Be part of a vibrant community: The competition award is a unique opportunity to gain exposure and provides a platform to celebrate the very best of contemporary photography.

Open for entries

potrait color photo of woman by Olga Urbanek
© Olga Urbanek
2024 Portrait AWARD

Win $2000 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Do you have a keen eye for capturing the essence of your subjects? – In May we’re seeking images that showcase the power of portraiture across all styles!
  • Win $2000 in Cash
  • International Exhibition
  • Shared on +756K IG network
  • Free Portfolio Account
Submit Photos
Deadline: 31 May 2024

Previous Winners


Previous Edition 2022/2023


PAST EDITIONS

2021/2022 Edition

2020/2021 Edition

2019/2020 Edition

2018/2019 Edition

2017/2018 Edition

2016/2017 Edition

Instagram

Follow @theindependentphoto