The second edition of the 2023 Istanbul Photo Awards, an international news photography competition organized by Anadolu, opened Wednesday in New York. The exhibition will run through Nov. 8 at the Blue Gallery.
A Glimpse into the World of Photography: Istanbul Photo Awards Exhibition
Recently, the prestigious Istanbul Photo Awards Exhibition opened its doors to visitors, providing a captivating view of the world through the lens of talented photographers. The event, hosted at the Istanbul Modern Art Museum, was attended by notable figures from various fields, including president and CEO of Anadolu, Serdar Karagoz, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs Edward Mermelstein and Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish Consul General in New York, as well as foreign representatives, academics and prominent figures in the photography world.
Celebrating Exceptional Photography
The exhibition, organized with the support of Nikon Türkiye, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Turkish Airlines, spotlights the remarkable works of 29 photographers who received awards in the 9th edition of the competition. These photographers skillfully captured moments from around the world, presenting a rich tapestry of global events. Visitors had the chance to explore diverse photographs, spanning topics such as the Ukraine-Russia war, events in Palestine, child trafficking in Nigeria, environmental changes due to lithium, wildlife studies in Thailand, the World Cup in Qatar, bullfights in Portugal, icebreakers in the Arctic Sea, and portraits of albinos on the African continent.
Honoring the Best Photographers
This year, 29 photographers were recognized across 10 categories, and the prestigious “Photo of the Year” award was presented to Sergey Kozlov, a photographer from the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), for his captivating work titled “Ukraine-Russia War,” as judged by the international panel.
“AA has always believed in the power of photography since its establishment.”
During the opening of the exhibition, AA’s President and CEO, Serdar Karagoz, emphasized the significance of photography as an integral part of news and its role in capturing moments. He mentioned AA’s extensive visual archive and collaborations with international photo agencies. Karagoz highlighted AA’s production of about 4,000 photos daily, taken by their photojournalists, and how these images often become symbolic representations of global events. He also discussed the success of the Istanbul Photo Awards, which, in its 9th year, has become a prestigious international competition with 16,000 registered photographers from around the world submitting photos in various categories.
A Deeper Cultural Understanding
Edward Mermelstein, the Commissioner for International Affairs of New York City, extended his congratulations to the organizers, participants, and winners of the competition. He underlined that the exhibition represents a significant art form that sheds light on vital global issues. Mermelstein emphasized the essential role of Anadolu’s photography competition in narrating important stories and fostering a deeper cultural understanding.
AA: A Trusted Global News Source
Reyhan Ozgur, the Turkish Consul General in New York, highlighted the enduring significance of the competition and exhibition, noting that the photographs become a part of history. He praised Anadolu for its unique position among global news agencies, crediting the company’s evolution into a trusted brand known for reliability and credibility as a news source.
Looking to the Future
The Istanbul Photo Awards Exhibition is a remarkable testament to the power of visual storytelling. As the event concluded, Serdar Karagoz announced that the next exhibition would soon take place in London. For more information about the competition and to view the award-winning photos, you can visit Istanbul Photo Awards.