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In this collection, we capture the delightful spirit of summer through the stunning images of the 2023 International Photo Awards (IPA) winners. These images evoke feelings of enthusiasm and vibrancy, reminding us of the warmth and joy of summertime. We hope they bring you the same sense of delight!

Don’t forget that the final deadline for IPA 2024 is August 5. Seize this opportunity to be part of this prestigious competition, with chances to win cash prizes, global exhibitions, and more. Submit your entries today!

More info: photoawards.com

#1

"Underwater Portal" By Benjamin Yavar

"Underwater Portal" By Benjamin Yavar

3rd Place / Special / Travel / Wanderlust.

"A local woman goes for a dive on a single breath into sardines run. Shot on a breath hold. Moalboal, Philippines."

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To learn more about the winners of this competition, Bored Panda reached out to Ben Yavar, a photographer who captured a magnificent shot called “Underwater Portal”.

Ben shared what inspired him to take this picture: “As an underwater freediving photographer, my goal is to capture and convey the harmonious coexistence of ocean creatures, their environment, and humans. 'Underwater Portal' was inspired by my deep connection with the sea and the desire to share the beauty and tranquility of the underwater world with others. I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and respect for our oceans, encouraging others to appreciate and protect these delicate ecosystems.”

#2

"A Comfortable Afternoon" By Jiaqi Chen

"A Comfortable Afternoon" By Jiaqi Chen

1st Place / Architecture / Bridges.

"In this warm-toned photograph, a tranquil moment of a man is captured. On a sunny afternoon, the protagonist of the photo, a man dressed in a khaki trench coat, is walking alone along the stone path beside the Yangtze River, leading his bicycle by hand. Behind him stands the majestic Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge. The colors of the bridge, bicycle, and the boy's attire echo each other. In the distance, the fog-enshrouded high-rises of Wuhan hint at the unknown future and the man's longing for it."

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#3

"Flower Shower" By Shivali Chopra

"Flower Shower" By Shivali Chopra

1st Place / Event / Wedding.

"The bride gets a flower shower!"

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With the photo taken under the water, we were curious to know what challenges Ben faced while taking this shot, especially since it was done on a single breath-hold.

“For a shot like this, the challenges include precise timing, managing breath-hold duration, maintaining proper equalization, and moving slowly. Quick movements can alarm the school of sardines, causing them to react differently and scatter,” explained Ben.

#4

"Taj Mahal At Sunrise" By Jacques Szymanski

"Taj Mahal At Sunrise" By Jacques Szymanski

2nd Place / Architecture / Historic.

"Early morning in Agra, Staring at the wonderful Taj Mahal building at this time of the day, with this exceptional sunrise light, can't leave you unmoved. I know this monument has been photographed so many times that it's quite difficult to find an original way of capturing it. And I saw these three Indian guys, at peace in front of the building, so full of peace, fraternity and wiseness that I thought that was the perfect scene for the Taj."

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#5

"Wedge Wedge" By Kevin Kielty

"Wedge Wedge" By Kevin Kielty

1st Place / Sports / Summer sports.

A surfer drops into a colorfully foamy barrel at Southern California's "The Wedge."

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As a photographer and instructor, we asked Ben to give advice to new photographers who want to capture travel and adventure photos.

Ben wrote: “First and foremost, I recommend taking a freediving course. Safety is the top priority, and proper training can only be acquired through a course in the ocean or a deep pool, not online. Secondly, always take care of our environment and avoid harming it for the sake of a few photos. Respect the ocean and its inhabitants, and strive to capture their beauty without causing any damage.”

#6

"Red Zone" By Marcin Giba

"Red Zone" By Marcin Giba

1st Place / Architecture / Cityscapes.

"The photo shows a municipal swimming pool in my hometown of Rybnik (Poland). The photo was taken a few days before the introduction of the red zone there in connection with the coronavirus epidemic."

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#7

"Futah - Morocco" By Mendo Dornellas

"Futah - Morocco" By Mendo Dornellas

2nd Place / Advertising / Fashion.

"This image was shot from a campaign in Morocco for a Portuguese beach towel brand called Futah. For this campaign the idea was to find textures shapes and colors that can be only found in the Sahara Desert, creating this unique and captivating mood."

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Ben also explained how he prepared for this photoshoot in Moalboal.

“I traveled to Moalboal specifically to shoot with this school of sardines. I booked accommodation for four days near the ocean, dedicating my time to capturing the perfect shot. After days of shooting and patiently waiting for the right conditions, this shot was finally created.”

#8

"Family Heirlooms" By Carole Mills Noronha

"Family Heirlooms" By Carole Mills Noronha

2nd Place / People / Lifestyle.

"Family Heirlooms is a series of photographs documenting my family home over several decades, from my childhood in the 1970s to 2019. It was born out of a desire to create more memories of my family home as my dad's health began to deteriorate as he entered his late eighties. I used old childhood photos and placed them in the same locations decades later."

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Chrissie Anit
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love such photos - but the pedantic in me thinks the photographer could have taken the effort to put the photo in alignment with the windows/door.

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#9

"Reflection" By Keiko Kawanami

"Reflection" By Keiko Kawanami

1st Place / Event / Wedding.

"At Salar de Uyuni during the rainy season."

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Lastly, Ben added: “I love sharing my experiences with others and showing how beautiful the ocean and its creatures can be. By approaching the ocean with respect, we can witness so many incredible scenarios that feel otherworldly. I hope to inspire others to appreciate and protect these magnificent underwater environments.”

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#10

"Old Father Thames" By Julia Fullerton-Batten

"Old Father Thames" By Julia Fullerton-Batten

Fine Art Photographer Of the Year.

"London is one of the major cities of the world today, but it would not have existed without the River Thames. The river has acted as a source of fresh water, an artery of communication and transportation, and a physical and psychological boundary. Part of the river is tidal and this forms a natural harbour. Since pre-Roman times the river has been the major communication and trade route between Britain and the rest of the world. These stories, countless whimsical, idiosyncratic and tragic happenings, all make up a history of one of the most important rivers in the world."

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PrettyJoyBird
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They used to swim in it or are there areas where they still do?

#11

"Braves Fishermen In The Rough Sea" By Hernani Castro Jr

"Braves Fishermen In The Rough Sea" By Hernani Castro Jr

3rd Place / Nature/ Sunrise / Sunset.

"Fishermen at work on a sunny day, strong wind, and rough sea in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood, at Salvador City, Bahia, Brazil!"

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#12

"The Dive" By Valerie Jardin

"The Dive" By Valerie Jardin

2nd Place / People / Street Photography.

"Saint Malo, Brittany, France I watched for a couple of minutes as several swimmers took turns to brave their fear of heights and the cold water below. A young girl approached the edge to make the jump while another girl (maybe her sister) was cheering her on right in front of me."

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#13

"La Station Balnéaire" By Segalen Benoit

"La Station Balnéaire" By Segalen Benoit

2nd Place / People / Street Photography.

"Taken in 2020 after covid lockdown young people jumping from station to the channel of la tremblade harbour. I was driving when I saw the scene. Immediatly, I've parked my car and left running to take the picture."

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#14

"Songkran" By Thamarong Wanarithikul

"Songkran" By Thamarong Wanarithikul

Event Photographer Of the Year.

"Songkran (A.K.A Thai New Year) is a water festival in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. The water festival starts on the 13rd of April and lasts for 3 days. This year 2023, it was a bigger celebration nationwide as we had not been able to celebrate for the past two years due to Covid. These pictures represent Thai people celebrating Songkran on pickup trucks, splashing water on the streets in Bangkok, Thailand."

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#15

"Exclamation Point" By Yevhen Kostiuk

"Exclamation Point" By Yevhen Kostiuk

3rd Place / Architecture / Aerial / Drone.

"Exclamation Point."

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#16

"Holi Samaj" By Mariana Zilbershteyn

"Holi Samaj" By Mariana Zilbershteyn

2nd Place / Event / Traditions and Cultures.

"Captured whilst sitting with the men in the inner circle during Samaj at the Holi celebrations at Nandgaon temple, India 2023. These images were taken amidst a thick cloud of colours and water thrown on me and my camera. My eyes and camera lens equally blinded. These photos depict men from Barsana entering the temple in Nandgaon, locals from Nandgaon, drenching the men folk from Barsana, in colours of Holi to celebrate this occasion. Momentarily observing various exchanges between the men sitting around me."

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#17

"Return" By Xiaoke Wang

"Return" By Xiaoke Wang

2nd Place / Event / Competitive Event.

"The first Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Dragon Boat Race was held on 21 June 2023 in (Nan'ao, Shenzhen). The picture shows the racing boats disembarking one after another after the race."

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#18

"Beyond Cure" By Yuan-Ti Liao

"Beyond Cure" By Yuan-Ti Liao

3rd Place / Event / Concert.

"Beyond cure/Metal United Worldwide live in the wall live house."

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#19

"Sisters Of The Sea: Portraits Of Female Surfers" By Cosimo Campagna

"Sisters Of The Sea: Portraits Of Female Surfers" By Cosimo Campagna

3rd Place / Editorial / Press / Photo Essay / Feature Story.

"The primary goal of this project is to focus on a range of women of all ages and skill levels who love the sea and have a passion for surfing. It also aims to offer them the opportunity to express themselves in a predominantly male-dominated sport. This photographic project is set in South Devon and Cornwall, and 12 women were photographed and then were asked to write down their thoughts about the sport, which offered them the opportunity to speak with a direct and unfiltered voice. The ages of the women range are between 19 and 77 and while their reasons for surfing vary, so do the emotions."

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Apatheist Account2
Community Member
4 months ago

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It would be more convincing as a surfer if she were in swimwear. This could be any woman.

#20

"Burst" By Manja Wachsmuth

"Burst" By Manja Wachsmuth

3rd Place / Advertising /Food & Beverage.

"Returning to my home country, for the first time after the lockdowns and 4 years of separation was a brutal reminder of how utterly homesick I was. Reconnecting with family and friends, was incredibly precious but at the same time also heartbreakingly painful. What followed was a time of feeling completely disconnected and lonely. The need to rebuild intimate relationships sent me into a desperate spiral of trying to solve an unsolvable situation. This series explores quite literally the shape of things as they burst, but also metaphorically what it's like to be an expat."

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