The 1839 Color Photography Awards recently announced their exceptional winners. This prestigious competition is open to both professional and amateur photographers and is named in honor of the year color photography was pioneered.
This year, two conceptual series captured the top prizes. Alexandrena Parker's image of unsupervised children playing outdoors, a rare sight in today's world, earned her the professional category win. In the non-professional category, Astrid Reischwitz's captivating exploration of her heritage, blending photography and embroidery, took home the top prize.
Check out some of our favorite category winners from this year's contest below, and be sure to explore the full gallery on the 1839 Awards website for hidden gems!
Related: These Colorful Photos Are An Affirmation Of Life's Beauty
1. “Unsupervised” by Alexandrena Parker. Overall Professional Winner and Professional Winner, Conceptual, People, Storytelling.
Freely playing children, roaming the streets without adult supervision, are a rare sight these days in modern cities. This photo, taken in the Australian outback, skillfully blends past and present. It explores the connection between the vast landscape and the enduring spirit of childhood.
2. “How to train your dragon” by Leo Kwok. Winner, Professional, Event, People.
Meizhou, China, comes alive with a fiery spectacle during the Lantern Festival under the first full moon. Bathed in a cascade of molten sparks that mimic fireworks, performers gracefully execute the ancient fire dragon dance. This fascinating tradition, dating back over 200 years, was inscribed on China's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008.
3. “Dark Beauty” by Robyn Finlayson. Winner, Professional, Landscapes.
Late 2020 saw a wildfire tear through K'gari, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest sand island. Over 87,000 hectares, nearly half the island, were consumed by flames for more than two months. Despite the widespread destruction, a surprising and captivating beauty emerged from the ashes, a sight I discovered during this challenging time.
4. “Tiger” by Sofia Lopez Mañan. Professional Runner-up and Professional Winner, Animals, Conceptual, Storytelling.
An unexpected encounter in Buenos Aires! A powerful tiger stands atop a bed, a stark contrast to its natural habitat. This image is part of "The Book of Nature," a project exploring the idea of nature being a human-created construct.
5. “Nations of the Atlantic” by Kim Lang. Winner, Professional, Travel.
Looking beyond national borders, "Nations of the Atlantic" explores the ocean as a powerful connector of cultures. The photo series delves into the universal experience of communities that rely on the sea for their very existence. Focusing on small island nations, often overlooked on the global stage, it highlights their critical role in combating climate change.
6. “Spin Club Tapestry” by Astrid Reischwitz. Overall Non-Professional Winner and Winner, Non-Professional, Conceptual, Other.
The photographer uses fabric patterns from her German heritage as a thread to connect with her ancestors. The precise layout of stitches signifies their aspirations, while imperfections reveal human struggles. By incorporating these patterns into her artwork, she creates a tangible link to the past, preserving their legacy through a unique visual language.7. “Baseball in Bhutan” by Matthew Desantis. Non-Professional Runner-up.
A statue of Buddha, a beacon of peace, watches over a lively scene in Thimphu. Here, teenagers in traditional Bhutanese dress fiercely compete in a game of baseball. This unique image captures the essence of Bhutan – a nation where ancient customs seamlessly blend with modern life.
8. “The Circle” by Mauro Caviezel. Winner, Non-Professional, Architecture, Minimalism.
Early morning long exposure shot of the ‘The Circle,' a public swimming pool at Lake Zürich.
9. “Total Solar Eclipse” by Edward Panjaitan. Winner, Non-Professional, Nature.
This sequence showcases the different stages of a total solar eclipse: the second contact (when the "diamond ring" appears), totality (complete darkness), and the moment just after totality (when the "diamond ring" appears again).
10. “Lipton Hill” by Anton Mischenko. Winner, Non-Professional, Photojournalism.
A day in the life in Sri Lanka.
11. “Morning on the River” by Proshin Vladimir. Winner, Non-Professional, Travel.
A lone boat drifts through the misty stillness.
12. “Arctic Expedition” by Kari Peltola. Winner, Non-Professional, Minimalism.
An Arctic expedition in Svalbard.
