Special Photographer Of the Year This photo was taken in Nagano, Japan. A lightning rod (lightsaber) is swung during the exposure to create the light trail of the sword.

Nature Photographer Of the Year Photo shooting with the sardines is such an amazing experience, they can create incredible unique forms. I love how in this photo, the sardines are welcoming the freediver or swallowing it (depends how you see it)

1st Place / Nature/Macro In the waters of Japan, various fish inhabit the shallow areas. If you look closely, you can see the expressions of fish that are less than a centimeter in size. Their seemingly carefree expressions always heal me, and the colors overflowing underwater always brighten my heart. The underwater world viewed through a macro lens is filled with new discoveries.

1st Place / Book/Documentary In January 2020, North Korea closed its borders. Even before this, documenting the country was difficult due to strict photography controls. Despite these challenges, a collection of over 100 images offers a distinctive view of North Korean society. This book, born from three years of research and photography, encourages readers to look deeper, questioning assumptions and glimpsing the fusion of tradition and modernity within the nation. It challenges stereotypes, highlighting the complex dynamics of a nation navigating its course amidst global scrutiny.

2nd Place / Architecture/Buildings Living in Beijing for a long time, I am often drawn to the vintage residential buildings, especially when sunlight shines on them against a blue sky. I pause to observe their features: mottled walls, balconies with security nets, clothes hanging to dry, potted plants. These are traces of human life, still unfolding. Inspired, I began a photography project in September 2022, always shooting from a centered position and using Photoshop to eliminate distractions, leaving only the sky and the subject. My aim: to focus viewers' attention on every detail, undisturbed.

People Photographer Of the Year I started a journey to find my roots as an Iranian woman in this project, I drove more than 50 thousand kilometres in different parts of Iran to find women who live in intertwined communities. A journey into the history of Iranian women's life, which is a combination of tradition and patriarchy, and at the same time, linguistic and cultural diversity. Women who, despite the limitations, with solidarity and interweaving in women's groups strive for education of their children and at the same time, they want to preserve their ancestral identity. Some of these women are the last generation.

2nd Place / Nature/Astrophotography An expansive Sunflower field lit up under the stunningly beautiful southern sky.

1st Place / Editorial / Press/Contemporary issues Mountains of waste replace fields of rice. Tribes of villagers that once produced food and crafts now deal with other peoples trash. Once were farmers is a story of recognition and awareness. Recognising our waste problem. Recognising the unsung heroes that deal with our chuck away culture. Awareness that we all need to change. Once they were farmers, they now harvest a different bounty but its making them sick. Can we change the story?

2nd Place / People /Children Sardinian child at the procession of Sant’Efisio in Cagliari. The procession is the longest in Europe. It lasts for 4 days at a distance of 65 km from the Cagliari church of Stampace, to that of Nora, where the saint was martyred, and returns to Cagliari. It is one of the oldest processions of Sardinia and has taken place every year since 1656.

2nd Place / Fine Art/Landscape These images were shot at Death Valley, White Sands and Oceano Dunes in California. Normally I hike for hours at a time in order to find the right angle and light to capture the detail I am looking for. I shoot in the morning in order to capture the shadows, textures and curves of the sand dunes. There is just simple beauty in how the wind and shadows create art within the sand. I am always trying to make the shadows and shapes the hero of these images. By positioning myself behind the sun while using a polarizing filter, I was able to achieve a dark sky.

1st Place / Event/Competitive Event I took a panning shot of the bicycle racers competing for first place. I set the shutter speed to 1/4 and swung the lens out the moment the shutter curtain came down. The trajectory of the camera was like that of a wing.

Advertising Photographer Of the Year The beauty of diversity through the art of dance. A series of photos created for the Hungarian Dance University to celebrates the vibrant diversity of dance by showcasing different dancers in various styles, each highlighted in a distinct color shade. This visual “mosaic” not only emphasizes the richness of different dance forms but also embraces the unity and inclusivity of all cultures and races. Diversity enriches our lives, strengthens our communities, and propels us towards a more united and harmonious world. APMerlo

1st Place / Editorial / Press/Sports This photograph was taken during the Italian top-flight basketball match between VL Pesaro and Dolomiti Energia Trento. The photograph was selected as the best of the month by Lega Basket Serie A, and presents Kamar Baldwin (Trento) during a dunk on the counterattack, a moment of the highest sport

3rd Place / Analog / Film/Portrait Voukko has suffered from severe rheumatism for several years. The photo are from my ongoing project ”People to whom I have invited myself”. In the work, I examine how humans try to create meaning and belonging during our limited time in life. I have met all the people involved in thish project through random meetings. Their appearance and charisma have piqued my interest, whereupon I have quite cheekily invited myself into their homes. During these meetings and conversations with unknown people interesting encounters have arisen.

1st Place / Advertising/Fashion These enchanting photos were commissioned by the haute couture brand NATAN. The result of the creative synergy of four talented artists: Natan, led by clothing designer Edouard Vermeulen and his team, creative director Christophe Coppens for the concept and the design of the jewelry, Annick Vandecapelle for the beautiful sculptures and myself as photographer and retoucher. A harmonious fusion of different art forms, resulting in a captivating and aesthetically elevated series of images for NATAN.”