More than 300 photographers entered the Commonwealth’s first ‘Photographer of the Year’ contest. They came from every corner of the Commonwealth, 37 countries in all.
More than 300 photographers entered the Commonwealth’s first ‘Photographer of the Year’ contest. They came from every corner of the Commonwealth, 37 countries in all. Their work was rich and varied, but every photo strove to capture this year’s theme: an inclusive Commonwealth.
A selection panel from the Commonwealth Secretariat has now identified a shortlist of 49 excellent entries, using the following criteria to guide them:
- Relation to the theme - how closely does the photography relate to the theme of 'An Inclusive Commonwealth'?
- Composition - how has the shot been framed? What angle is it shot from? What is the subject of the image?
- Focus - is the subject of the photo immediately clear?
- Difficulty - how difficult was the shot to obtain?
- Originality of idea
The shortlisted photos will be judged by two professional photographers, Richard Lewis and Adam Gasson. They will select the Commonwealth Photographer of the Year, who will receive a total £1,000 cash prize. The winner will be announced on 4 May 2016, along with the regional finalists, each of whom will receive a total £500 cash prize.
The winning photographs will form part of an exhibition at the Commonwealth Secretariat's headquarters in London throughout 2016. These photos will also feature in a new Commonwealth Calendar for 2017 and be published and promoted on the Commonwealth's website and social media accounts.
To view all approved competition entries please visit the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Instagram account. We encourage you to ‘like’ your favourite photos until Monday 2 May 23.59pm BST. The photo that receives the most ‘likes’ on Instagram will receive the ‘Highly Commended Award’ and a cash prize of £100 GBP.
Shortlist
Africa
'Unseen places' by Adedotun Ajibade, Nigeria
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Mozambique beyond borders' by Albino Mahumana, Mozambique
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Batting moran' by Amunga Eshuchi, Kenya
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Kerosene lamp light' by David Mbuthia, Kenya
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A close up of the feet and footballs of young talents in Mathare slums' by Eric Omwanda, Kenya
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Local child living with hope' by Erick Emmanuel, Tanzania
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Achieving the impossible in difficult times' by Inedu Sebastine, Nigeria
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A helping hand' by Jeffrey Okundi, Kenya
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Learning Together' by Rodney Omeokachie, Nigeria
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104 year old Great-Grand-Mother... Not Old, but Older' by Senzeni Tembo, Malawi
Asia
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Harmony in inclusiveness' by Abhinita Singh, India
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53 members, one goal' by Aishath Naj, Maldives 275
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Routine job' by Angshuman Paul, India
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The 2 Best friends coming from different economic backgrounds, yet chasing the same dream of wanting to be a scientist' by Sahana VP, India
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United' by 64 Salim Wazir, India
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Living for each other' by Salmi Kabir, Bangladesh
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Dream merchant' by Santosh Rajgarhia, India
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Rural girls enjoying a cycle ride in style at a remote tribal village in West Bengal, India' by Sudipto Das, India
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Our Commonwealth future' by Supriya Biswas, India
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And that's a SIX!' by Udayan Sankar Pal, India
Caribbean and the Americas
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Out of many one people' by Akeel Williams Jamaica
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Jamaican youth contacting the world' by Aston Cooke, Jamaica
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Love thy will be done – Hearts illuminated on pavement' by Giancarlo Lalsingh, Trinidad and Tobago
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Cultural fusion' by Keno George, Guyana
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Running motivation' by Rachel Barr, Canada
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You're so funny!' by Rashid Stanley, St Kitts and Nevis
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Belly blessing' by Rayhaan Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
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The bright colours of sari-wearing slum mothers as they experience kicking a football for the first time' by Richard Loat, Canada
'Those who don't jump will never fly' by Shajunée Gumbs, St Kitts and Nevis
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A sweet cultural experience' by Trevis Belle, St Kitts and Nevis
Europe region
'Stop killing refugees' by Bex Saunders, UK
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Peaceful sunset of the Red Sail Festival, Portstewart, Northern Ireland' by David Stewart, UK
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St. George's Bay' by Demi Mock, Malta
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United brothers' by Eniola Alakija, UK
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Carnival in Scotland' by Gordon Elliott, UK
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I am' by Ian Gerald Montserratian, UK
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A celebration of Caribbean culture' by Marc May, UK
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A Sierra Leonean-British man celebrates Eid in South London, UK' by Marion Osieyo, UK
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Shared celebrations' by Ryan Blakeley, UK
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The shells through the bridge' by Simon Manterfield, UK
Pacific region
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XV South Pacific Games Opening Ceremony - 2015' by Alistairs Dirua, Papua New Guinea
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Two Worlds: The Hanuabada village watches downtown Port Moresby from across the habour' by Andrew Molen, Papua New Guinea
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A Wantok welcome' by Jen Bowtell, Australia
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Bulou Mereadani (L), 57, with her grandson Lemeki Baselala, 3, find happiness in the Ocean in Korotogo, Sigatoka, Fiji' by Kelvin Anthony, Fiji
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The wealth we have in common' by Miriam Iakobo, Kiribati
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A special place' by Niamh Cullen, New Zealand
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Autumn beach' by Trish Cullen, New Zealand
'Celebrating humanity' by Jody Jackson Becerra, Samoa
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Marry Korken giving injection medication under supervision to a sick child' by Raymond Singamis, Papua New Guinea