The winning images of Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6

"The rhythm of life beats in these images" ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ The Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 Winners © Jonathan Small, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 single image winner The last year has been fraught with turmoil. Images of suffering and destruction have dominated newsreels, a backdrop to rising death tolls, roaring wildfires and a tightening grip on human rights across the globe. Yet beyond the gloom there are beacons of hope; places where strength and kindness shine through. Now in its sixth year, the [Portrait of Humanity]( award returns to remind us of our shared essence. Today we announce 30 winning images and three series winners, presenting a collection of photographs from all corners of the world that highlight the ubiquitous experiences uniting us during times of division. [VIEW THE WINNERS]( © David Davis, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 single image winner © James Clifford Kent, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 single image winner “The true power of photography is to make the everyday extraordinary. The winners of this year’s Portrait of Humanity have yet again succeeded in bringing a fresh eye to the world that surrounds us. The rhythm of life beats in these images.” - Mick Moore, CEO, British Journal of Photography © Erberto Zani, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 single image winner © Aaron Yeandle, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 single image winner Single image winners Juliette Cassidy Kirstine Fryd Nora Obergeschwandner Niall Miller Jono Terry Maria Guțu James Clifford Jonathan Benjamin Small Ollie Tikare Tom Ringsby Brian O' Hanlon Juan Brenner Andy Martin Kenny Lemes Erberto Zani Edward Matthews Betty Oxlade-Martin David Davis Vladimir Karamazov Cianeh Kpukuyou Aaron Yeandle Katerina Tsakiri Irma Mauro Laura Pannack Mariam Magsi Dalila Coelho Sani Nuhu Debra Hurford Brown Amy Woodward Series winners Seif Kousmate [Waha واحة]( © Seif Kousmate, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 series winner Seif Kousmate’s mixed-media work, [Waha واحة]( (meaning ‘oasis’ in Arabic), investigates the destruction of natural wetlands in his native Morocco. The artist manipulates his images with acid and fire to corrode and burn the surface. “I wanted to explore and experiment with new processes as a metaphor of the degradation within the oasis,” he explains. Morocco is home to some of the largest wetlands in the world, which are increasingly under threat. “I felt an urgent need to tell the story of Moroccan oases, to contribute to their preservation and highlight the deep connection between humanity and nature,” continues Kousmate. Andrés Mario de Varona [No More Mud In Our Eyes]( © Andrés Mario de Varona, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 series winner Andrés Mario de Varona’s [No More Mud in Our Eyes]( explores themes of friendship, community and trust. The image-maker became known as ‘the gas station photographer’ in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He would visit his local Allsup’s petrol station for hours at a time, multiple days a week, introducing himself to the locals who came by. One day, a man named Aaron Garcia approached him. “He told me he sensed a lack of home within myself… During our first encounter, I asked if he wanted to embark on a project with me” The resulting images trace a life guided by native beliefs and traditions, dedicated to living in harmony with nature and helping others do the same. Tragically, in September 2023 Aaron passed away. The circumstances around his death remain unresolved, and the community still grieves the loss of a beacon of support. What remains through Varona’s images is Aaron’s spirit of openness and eagerness to guide those who seem lost. Camille Gharbi [Mater Mundi]( © Camille Gharbi, Portrait of Humanity Vol. 6 series winner The third winning series is [Matres Mundi]( (‘Mothers of the World’), by French photographer Camille Gharbi. It portrays a group of immigrant women from Africa who run a catering business – Les Mamas de Grigny – in one of Paris’ poorest neighbourhoods. In her portraiture, Gharbi twists the conventions of classic European painting, reframing the women in regal frames that sit beside stark images of the built environment. Together, they probe France’s colonial history and its treatment of immigrants from former colonies. “Photography is a means of transformation,” says Gharbi. “The works we produce won’t change the world, but they can help to shape it by transforming the way we perceive it.” The 30 single image winners and the three winning bodies of work will be exhibited in a touring show, starting at [Fotofestiwal Łódź]( this week before heading to [Four Corners]( in London at the [Indian Photo Festival]( later this year. [VIEW THE WINNERS]( In partnership with: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [1854 Media Ltd, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Rd, Cambridge Heath, London, E2 9DA, United Kingdom Click here to update your email preferences]( [Click here to unsubscribe from all emails](