Best photos 2017. We have the winners!

This year 173 contestants participated in the contest with a total of 712 images of which 72 passed the first round. If you have time and curiosity you can enter and see the 72 photos : a truly surprising level of quality and originality. We then selected the 22 best photos that we submitted to the jury. And now it’s time to announce the winners of the Photo Contest 2017. And among these finalists, the journalist Elena del Maestro has selected the three prizewinners. Thank you all for taking part. We love seeing the world through your lens.

And the prize goes to…

It wasn't a simple decision. Elena, our judge, tells us:

…The first choice was obvious, but another raised some doubts....there was also a beautiful portrait, but the subject had probably been placed there to be photographed. That was not the photographer’s “fault”: they captured the scene with great sensitivity and skilful use of light. Given the choice, though, I value a powerful image more when the subject is not posing…

To end with a wish: I hope you like the choice.

First prize – Walking in the sandstorm (Sudan), Pilar Sierra

Elena del Maestro: Though only a few months old, the image’s composition — especially its light — could belong to a traveller venturing into remote corners of the world in the late 19th century. People and animals, united in dreamlike monochrome, seem to yield calmly to nature, accepting that this storm too will pass. A beautiful, evocative image that, with so much sand around, could have cost the photographer a camera!

Second Prize – Kamchatka-2 (Russia), Joseba García Celada

Elena del Maestro: This composition immerses you in the scene, far beyond a typical postcard. It is much more than a beautiful landscape: you feel next in line, almost as if the arm cut off at the left belongs to you. The tilted horizon gives the perspective of walking with the group. We do not need to see their strained faces; the vividly captured, freezing atmosphere conveys the effort.

Third Prize – Mtskheta Cathedral (Georgia), Luis Alberto Benito

Elena del Maestro: It is not always easy to approach an adult closely with a camera — children are often different — especially in a reflective moment like this. I have worked with photographers whose approach was embarrassing; others who won their subjects' trust with a simple gesture, making them comfortable in front of the lens; and others who seemed to become invisible, capturing moments unnoticed. I like to think the author of this intimate, mysterious image belongs to one of the latter two kinds of photographer

Exploring the world prize – Lake Natron Valley (Tanzania), David González

Viajes Tuareg: This category called for photographs of travellers carrying a backpack, bag or T-shirt featuring the Viajes Tuareg logo. David’s photograph shows the spectacular descent into the Rift Valley. A truly evocative image.

Popular vote award – Boatwoman on Lake Inle (Myanmar), Alberto Gabarre

Viajes Tuareg: Alberto Gabarre managed to gather 260 likes through considerable effort and, as he told us: Getting in touch with people I had not spoken to for ages. Thank you very much for your participation Alberto.

Best photos of 2017: we have our winners!