“Peshmerga Soldier | Sinjar, Iraq” by Giles Clarke. Winner, MPA Photographer of the Year.
While some photographers rue the day mobile photography allowed every amateur the possibility of a lucky shot, others have grabbed hold of the technology. Seeing cell phone photography as a way to shoot images that would otherwise be impossible with bulky equipment, more and more professionals are snapping away with their phones. Since 2011, the Mobile Photography Awards have celebrated the best in mobile photography and they've recently announced their 2016 winners.
Spanning 18 categories from photojournalism to digital fine art—there's even a selfie or “self-portrait” section—photographer Giles Clarke took home a $3,000 prize and the title of MPA Photographer of the Year. A professional photojournalist based in New York, Clarke uses his phone to stealthily capture powerful images that wouldn't otherwise be possible. “If we are looking for photos that tell a story then Giles is the one. Out of all the amazing MPA photos this year his was the collection that had me thinking all night,” shared jury member Andy Butler.
Clarke's work, along with the other category winners, as well as photo essay winner Velar Grant, was exhibited in Cyprus and Milan as part of the awards. Missed out on this year's competition? MPA regularly puts out calls for themed exhibitions throughout the year.
Winners of the Mobile Photography Awards prove that cell phone photography has no limits.
“Forgotten Childen of Idomeni” by Velar Grant. Winner, Photo Essay.
“Novice is Thinking Something” by Zarni Myo Win. Winner, Portraits.
“Sole Music” by Pierre Hauser. Winner, Still Life.
“Exploding Fireworks – Phuket Vegetarian Festival” by Tan KH Victor. Honorable mention, Photojournalism.
“The Hive. London” by Jennifer Thomas. Winner, Architecture & Design.
“VW Life” by Katrina Stewart. Winner, Transportation.
“Born to be Wild” by Margarita Iskandarova. Winner, Nature & Wildlife.
“Handstand” by Suzanne Engelberg. Winner, Street Photography.
“Hurricane Matthew survivor. Les Cayes, Haiti” by Giles Clarke. Winner, MPA Photographer of the Year.
“Winston & Ben” by Richard Chambury. Winner, Silhouettes.
“Flutter By” by Glenn Homann. Winner, People.
“London After Brexit” by Michel Juvet. Winner, The Darkness.
“Gravity Formulation” by Deborah McMillion. Winner, VisualFX.
“Fausta” by Helen Breznik. Winner, Self-Portraits.
“Good Morning to the Night” by Christine O’Brien. Winner, Digital Fine Art.
“Castaway” by Mariko Klug. Winner, Landscapes.
“Look Down Angel” by José-Luis Sáez. Winner, Black & White.
“Leaf Creeper” by Geoff Cunningham. Winner, Macro & Details.
“Climbing the Waterfall” by Sam Burton. Winner, Water/Snow/Ice.
“Fishing for Living” by Zarni Myo Win. Winner, Travel & Adventure.
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