Photography festivals and competitions offer much more than just a platform for showcasing talent. They provide participants, audiences, and observers with a vivid and meaningful snapshot of the current state of the art form. These events serve as valuable tools for analysis, allowing us to recognize dominant trends, understand where contemporary photography is heading, and, above all, engage with the vast range of languages and approaches shaping today’s photographic landscape.
In street photography, this evolution is especially evident. The genre is dynamic and widely practiced, constantly adapting to new influences. If we compare the images awarded in international contests just ten years ago with today’s winners, the shift in visual language is striking. What was once dominated by sensationalism—focused on visual impact and the element of surprise—has evolved into a more layered, complex approach that prioritizes storytelling, documentation, and sometimes, introspection.
This shift is not just a passing trend. It reflects a deeper change in how we interpret the world through images. In an era oversaturated with photographs, there’s a growing desire for authenticity, depth, and meaning. Today, work that is raw, sincere, and unpolished resonates more than images designed solely to impress. The focus has shifted from fleeting trends to lasting, impactful narratives.
Yet, amid all this change, the core principle for any photographer remains constant: stay true to your personal, authentic voice. While it’s important to engage with the broader photographic landscape and its trends, it should never come at the cost of your own unique perspective. Consistency and integrity matter more than chasing relevance or conforming to momentary styles.
© Jet Budelman
This sentiment was clearly reflected in recent decisions by prominent jurors on the international scene. Take, for example, Nikos Economopoulos, who served as a judge in our contest. He selected a powerful black-and-white photograph—abstract and surreal, yet deeply rooted in documentary practice. The image defied aesthetic conventions, and in doing so, opened up new interpretative possibilities.
© Tom Pitts
Similarly, Martin Parr, as jury president for the 2024 Dublin Photo Festival, chose to reward a photograph that broke with convention. Far removed from the polished, trend-driven images popular in online communities and on social media, this work challenged the norms of “beautiful” photography. Parr, with his ironic and lateral gaze, has always pushed the boundaries of traditional photography, encouraging photographers to break the mold and move beyond conventional aesthetics.
Through these choices, key figures in the global photography community are sending a powerful message: take risks, stay true to your vision, and don’t just make photographs to please or impress. Make them to explore, to tell stories, and to leave a lasting trace.
We hear the message. And we accept the challenge.