Judges and their comments:
Tom Hall, Travel Expert for Lonely Planet
Konstantina Voulimenea, Marketing Manager for ellesse
Ian Nelson, Creative Director for ellesse
Tom Hall says:
We went for images that captured athleticism, energy and elegance in an urban setting. The London shot blew us all away, while the slackline walker summed up the playfulness of Rio’s outdoor lifestyle. The street football in India shot felt like we’d just walked around the corner and tumbled across this wonderful scene. New York isn’t always thought of as a cycling city, but the final shot we chose proved that its broad boulevards are great on two wheels. There were some very strong other contenders and picking the winners is never easy, but we’re confident we’ve picked out some great shots.
Winners comments:
The City that Never sleeps;
One of the main reasons why I love this picture is because of how spontaneous it happened. I was very happy that I was prepared for anything with my camera whilst walking through Time Square. I saw the group of cyclists heading my way and knew that this would be a once in a lifetime photo op, especially in New York City. Since the city is usually known for taxis, subways, and a huge amount of tourist, I enjoyed seeing a ton of residents exercising on their bike especially in cramped Time Square. I am extremely ecstatic that I am among the winners especially seeing many other beautiful pictures posted.
Slackline In Rio;
“Slackline in Rio” is certainly an image that I will always be proud of. It brings action, colours, nature, sports and daily life in a single Brazilian representation. I saw the person on the rope and soon I had the good sense to photograph him. I wanted to frame the rope, the athlete, the scenario of the city of Rio de Janeiro and the people who passed through there. The main goal was to feel like he was coming out of the picture and almost reaching out to those who observe the image. Winning this award is recognition of a great phase in my life. Besides being the first international prize that I conquer, the scene inspires me a lot, so every day I can make photographs that make people feel that they belong to that scene.
Jump London;
I took this shot in Jubilee Gardens a few years ago as I was trying out my new Canon 1D MKIII. The free runners in the photo were great and only allowed me access to shoot them which was a privilege. I had them jumping around like monkeys! This set up was an idea of one of the boys who's part of the Parkour "next generation" group. I will definitely shoot them again in the future. To win this competition is a great achievement for me as I love London and even though I travel a lot for work it is my home. Thank you ellesse!
Street Football;
Boys will always be boys and they will always be crazy about sports. This is how they give vent to the tremendous energy that builds up within them whilst growing up. Unfortunately today’s youngsters, of the over populated cities of many developing countries like India, do not often have fields where they can play. This means they utilise any open space they can find, and streets are a natural choice.
I came upon these boys in a narrow lane in Kolkata on a mellow afternoon and the enthusiasm they shared moved me and reminded me of the time I was their age. We were a bit more fortunate for we still had some playfields left. The problem of overpopulation is that it has snatched away the playgrounds and with them the joy of childhood. The spirit with which these kids played and the happiness they derived from such small delights made me freeze the moment.
It feels great to be a winner, which was unexpected. More so because travelling is my passion and my dream destination is Europe. Thanks a lot for making one of my dreams come true.